Speed and Velocity (Motion Vocabulary)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key motion concepts such as speed, velocity, reference points/directions, and distance-time graphs.

Motion

The change in an object's position over time when compared with a reference point.

Reference point

A stationary point or object used to determine whether another object is in motion; appears to stay in place relative to the observer.

Reference direction

The direction of the object's motion (e.g., north, south, east, west, up, down).

Speed

The rate at which an object covers distance; a equal to distance divided by time.

Velocity

The speed of an object in a specific direction;

Distance

The total length of the path traveled by the object; the amount of space between two points.

Time

The ongoing measurement used to describe motion; the independent variable in distance–time relationships.

Speed vs. Velocity difference

Speed is how fast an object moves.

Velocity includes both speed and direction