Science - Measuring Motion

Reference Point

An object or location that is used to determine the position or motion of another object. It serves as a basis for comparison to measure changes in position. Examples include stationary landmarks or fixed points, like a house, building playgroun.

Motion

The change in position of an object relative to reference point, often described in terms of speed and direction. The process of moving.

Speed

The distance an object moved divided by the time it took to move the distance, typically expressed in units such as meters per second or kilometers per hour.

SI units used to indicate speed

include meters per second (m/s) and kilometers per hour (km/h), feet per secon (ft/s), miles per hour (mi/h). SI units are standard units of measurement that are commonly used in scientific contexts.

Average Speed Equation

Speed (s) = Total distance (d) ÷ total time (t)

If the average spped of a car is 110 km/h, how long will it take the care to travel 715 km.

To find the time taken, divide the distance by speed: Time (t) = Distance (d) ÷ Speed (s), so t = 715 km ÷ 110 km/h = 6.5 hours.

Velocity

The speed of an object in a particular direction. Must include a reference to direction.

Resultant Velocity

The combined velocity of two or more objects moving in the same or different directions, calculated by vector addition of their individual velocities. If the velocities are in the same direction, they are added; if in opposite directions, one is subtracted from the other.

Acceleration

The rate of change of velocity of an object over time, indicating how quickly an object is speeding up or slowing down.

Average Acceleration Equation

Average Acceleration = final speed - initial speed / time taken

Circular motion

The movement of an object along the circumference of a circle or a circular path, characterized by a constant speed but changing velocity due to the continual change in direction.