Negative acceleration exists and is a scientifically valid term. Acceleration is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction. If the acceleration vector points in the opposite direction to the defined positive direction of the coordinate system, it is classified as negative acceleration. The term "deceleration" is commonly used in everyday language to describe a reduction in speed, but in scientific terms, it is simply a form of negative acceleration.
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Agreed,Drakkith said:Acceleration is a vector. That means it has a magnitude and a direction. If we have an acceleration vector pointing in a positive direction, as determined by our coordinate system, then the acceleration is positive. If it points in a negative direction as determined by our coordinate system, then the acceleration is negative.
Deceleration is a not formally used in science. Any change in velocity is simply called acceleration, regardless of whether the acceleration is positive or negative. In every day language deceleration is used to describe an acceleration that slows your speed down (speed is the magnitude of velocity). This means that deceleration is simply acceleration that points in the opposite direction as velocity.
In short, yes, there is such a thing as negative acceleration.