Physics Unit 1: Representing Motion

Don't forget to study pictures too

Motion

difference in an object’s position at different times

Trajectory

the path an object follows while in motion

Motion Diagram

a diagram showing an object’s position multiple times at equal time intervals

Oscillating System

an object moving back and forth around an equilibrium

Particle

a mass at a position in space
(has mass and position)

Particle Model

represents positions of an object at given times (the object is represented as a particle)

One-Dimensional Motion

movement along a straight line (left and right)

Position

the location of an object at a given time

Origin

a fixed reference point

Coordinate System

used to describe the position of an object (1D)

Coordinate

represents the position of an object

Displacement

the change in position (difference in initial position and final position)

Time Interval

change in time

Constant Speed

the movement of an object that doesn’t speed up or slow down

Uniform Motion

motion at a constant speed

(Equation) Speed=

distance traveled within a time interval
time interval

(Equation) Velocity=

displacement ∆x x1-x0
time interval ∆t t1-t0

Velocity

the speed of something in a specific direction

Speed

how fast an object moves

Instantaneous Velocity

the velocity of an object at a specific time