Interpret negative acceleration or deceleration as decreasing velocity in the chosen direction.

Negative acceleration, also known as deceleration, occurs when an object's velocity decreases in a specified direction. This means that the speed of the object is reducing over time. For example, if a car is moving forward and the driver applies the brakes, the car experiences negative acceleration as it slows down. This change in velocity can be quantified by measuring the rate at which the speed decreases, which is expressed in metres per second squared (m/s²). Understanding negative acceleration is crucial for analyzing motion and ensuring safety in various scenarios, such as driving.