Unit 2: Energy & Motion - Position, Distance, Displacement, and Speed

Vocabulary flashcards covering key definitions and concepts from Unit 2: Energy & Motion, including branches of science, reference points, dimensions of motion, distance, displacement, and types of speed.

Science

Knowledge; a subject where you do experiments and learn physics, chemistry, and biology all in one.

Biology

The branch of science that is about the human body and living things.

Chemistry

The branch of science that is about experiments, the periodic table, and chemical reactions.

Physics

The branch of science that is about light, resources, water, and resistance.

Position

The location of an object compared with a reference point.

Motion

A change in an object's position relative to a reference point over time; the process of changing position.

Reference Point

A place or object used for comparison to determine position or motion; quite similar to a landmark.

Positive Reference Direction (+)

A reference direction indicating that an item is close (for example, being close to the board or classroom door).

Negative Reference Direction (-)

A reference direction indicating that an item is far from the person (for example, being far from the wall or table).

One Dimension (1D)

Motion that occurs along a straight line (for example, left-right motion).

Two Dimension

Motion that occurs in a plane (for example, combining left-right and forward-back motion).

Buoy

A floating object placed in the water to mark a location, serve as a reference point, or warn boats where it is safe to travel.

Distance

The total length covered by an object, or the amount of space between two positions; represented by the symbol $s$.

Displacement

The shortest length between an object's starting and ending point, as well as the direction of motion; represented by the symbol $d$.

Speed

The distance travelled by an object per unit time, calculated as $\text{Speed} = \frac{\text{distance}}{\text{time}}$ or $v = \frac{s}{t}$; represented by the symbol $v$.

Constant Speed (Uniform Speed)

Motion in which an object travels the same distance over equal intervals of time.

Average Speed

The total distance travelled by an object divided by the total time taken ($\text{Average Speed} = \frac{\text{total distance}}{\text{total time}}$).

Changing Speed

Motion in which an object's speed increases or decreases over time.