Force and Motion Vocab

Front

Resting Position

Back

Refers to an object remaining in the same spot relative to another object.

Front

Motion: Change in an object's position over time relative to other reference points.

Back

Change in an object's position with respect to time and in comparison with the position of other objects.

Front

Direction

Back

A straight path that an object can move along.

Front

Speed

Back

Rate of change of position with respect to time; measured in distance per time (e.g., meters/second).

Front

Distance-Time Graph: Illustrates changes in motion. Time on x-axis, distance on y-axis.

Back

This type of graph illustrates changes in motion. Time is graphed on the x-axis and distance is graphed on the y-axis.

Front

Line Graph

Back

A graph where data points are connected by lines.

Front

X-Axis

Back

Horizontal line on a grid; time is on the x-axis.

Front

Y-Axis

Back

Vertical line on a grid; distance is on the y-axis.

Front

Average Speed

Back

Calculated by dividing total distance by total time (s = d/t). Speed describes the rate of movement.

Front

Force

Back

Separate forces on an object that combined do not change its movement.