What is the term for the rate of change in speed of an object per unit time?

The term for the rate of change in speed of an object per unit time is acceleration. Acceleration quantifies how quickly an object's velocity changes, which can occur due to an increase or decrease in speed or a change in direction. It is defined mathematically as the change in velocity divided by the time over which that change occurs.

In the context of the question, acceleration is specifically concerned with both increases in speed (positive acceleration) as well as decreases in speed (negative acceleration, also referred to as deceleration). However, since the question asks for a general term that encompasses all changes in speed over time, acceleration is the most appropriate answer.

Understanding this concept is crucial in fields like physics and engineering, as it describes how objects behave under various forces and is essential for ensuring safe and efficient operations, especially in equipment like forklifts.