Science Vocab Quiz

Speed

The measure of how fast or slow an object is moving, defined as the distance the object moves per unit of time.

Velocity

The speed and direction of an object.

Average speed

The total distance traveled divided by the total time it took to complete.

Instantaneous speed

The speed of a moving object at a specific moment in time.

Reference point

A place or object used for comparison to determine if something is in motion.

Potential energy

Stored energy that an object possesses due to its position or condition.

Kinetic energy

Energy an object possesses due to its motion.

Force

A push or a pull.

Gravity

The force that pulls objects towards each other, especially towards large objects like planets and stars.

Acceleration

The rate at which velocity changes with time, in terms of both speed and direction.

Newton’s First Law

An object in motion remains in motion and an object at rest remains at rest unless acted on by an unbalanced force.

Newton’s Second Law

Force = mass x acceleration.

Newton’s Third Law

For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Inertia

The tendency of an object to resist changes in its state of motion.

Momentum

The measure of how much mass is moving at a certain speed or velocity.