Motion Definition Change in position of an object over a period of time relative to a reference frame.
Reference Frames Definition Coordinate systems with up to 3 dimensions that are used to measure changes in an object’s position from a reference point called the origin. Time is the 4 th dimension and you can think about motion along its axis as well.
Distance Definition Number of units between two positions when measured from a fixed reference point OR Number of units an object has travelled during its journey from a fixed reference point Calculation Choose units, tools and measure between two points in up to 3 dimensions. Metric: millimeters, centimeters, meters, kilometers... Standard: inches, feet, yards, miles… Consider The driving distance between Grand Junction and Denver is 243 miles. Is there another way to report the distance between Grand Junction and Denver?
Displacement Definition The distance and direction of an object’s change in position from its starting point. Calculation Measure the distance between start & finish points. It’s not the entire trip. Include a compass direction from the starting point. Consider You drive 10 blocks east on Patterson Rd. to a restaurant. On your way home, you drive 4 blocks west on Patterson Rd from the restaurant to get gas. Describe a location where distance and displacement are different. Describe a location where distance and displacement are the same.
Speed
Describing Speed
Distance – Time Graphs Distance is plotted on the vertical axis. Time is plotted on the horizontal axis. The slope of a line on a distance-time graph gives the speed of an object in motion
Velocity
Acceleration