What would cause a whining noise while accelerating?

Whining noises often come from the alternator or the steering pump. Check the Power Steering fluid in the pump (there is a dipstick on the pump), and have an AVR test done on the alternator.

If the alternator is faulty, you are probably having battery problems as well. If the steering pump is low on fluid or is faulty, you probably are experiencing jerky steering from time to time.