Acceleration increases when there is a change in velocity over time. Several factors can cause an increase in acceleration:
Application of a force: According to Newton's second law of motion, when an unbalanced force is applied to an object, it causes the object to accelerate. The greater the force applied, the greater the acceleration.
Reduction of opposing forces: If the opposing forces acting on an object decrease, the net force acting on the object increases, resulting in an increase in acceleration. For example, if air resistance or friction is reduced, the acceleration of an object moving through the air or along a surface will increase.
Decrease in mass: If the mass of an object decreases, the same force applied to it will cause a greater acceleration. This is because acceleration is inversely proportional to mass according to Newton's second law (a = F/m), so a decrease in mass leads to an increase in acceleration for the same force.
Change in direction: Acceleration can also increase when there is a change in direction of motion. Even if the speed remains constant, if an object changes its direction, it experiences acceleration towards the new direction.
Gravitational pull: In the context of objects near Earth's surface, the acceleration due to gravity is approximately constant (9.8 m/s²). However, if an object moves to a region where the gravitational pull is stronger (e.g., moving closer to a massive object), its acceleration will increase.
It's important to note that these factors interact with each other, and the resulting acceleration depends on their combined effects.