Chapter 1: Describing Motion

distance

The total length of the path traveled by an object in motion, regardless of direction.

displacement

The shortest distance from the initial to the final position of an object, including direction.

speed

The rate at which an object covers distance over time, typically measured in units like meters per second.

reference point

A stationary object or location used to determine the position of another object in motion.

position

The location of an object relative to a reference point, often described in terms of coordinates or distance.

motion

The change in position of an object over time, which can be described in terms of speed and direction.

constant speed

A speed that does not change over time, meaning the object covers equal distances in equal intervals of time.

average speed

The total distance traveled divided by the total time taken, representing the overall speed of an object regardless of variations in its speed.

instantaneous speed

The speed of an object at a specific moment in time, indicating how fast it is moving at that instant.

velocity

A vector quantity that describes the rate of change of an object's position, including both speed and direction.

acceleration

The rate of change of velocity of an object over time, indicating how quickly an object's speed or direction is changing.