---
title: "A small space probe is moving along a straight line, which defines the \\(x\\)-axis of a coordinate system. At a particular instant, the probe’s velocity is \\(-5 \\text{ m/s}\\) and its acceleration is \\(-2 \\text{ m/s}^2\\). Which of the following correctly describes the motion of the probe at this instant?"
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url: "https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/109230/"
date_modified: "2026-03-21T18:06:56+00:00"
---

# A small space probe is moving along a straight line, which defines the \(x\)-axis of a coordinate system. At a particular instant, the probe’s velocity is \(-5 \text{ m/s}\) and its acceleration is \(-2 \text{ m/s}^2\). Which of the following correctly describes the motion of the probe at this instant?

A small space probe is moving along a straight line, which defines the \(x\)-axis of a coordinate system. At a particular instant, the probe's velocity is \(-5 \text{ m/s}\) and its acceleration is \(-2 \text{ m/s}^2\). Which of the following correctly describes the motion of the probe at this instant?

- **A.** The probe is speeding up because its velocity and acceleration are in the same direction.
- **B.** The probe is slowing down because the acceleration is in the negative direction.
- **C.** The probe is slowing down because the velocity is in the negative direction.
- **D.** The probe is moving at a constant speed because the acceleration is constant.

*The answer key and step-by-step explanation are available to logged-in users at https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/109230/*