Physics Motion Concepts

Front

motion diagram

Back

A series of images showing the positions of a moving object taken at regular (equal) time intervals.

Front

particle model

Back

A simplified version of a motion diagram in which the moving object is replaced by a series of single points.

Front

coordinate system

Back

A system used to describe motion that gives the zero point location of the variable being studied and the direction in which the values of the variable increase.

Front

origin

Back

The point at which both variables in a coordinate system have the value zero.

Front

position

Back

The distance and direction from the origin to an object.

Front

distance

Back

The entire length of an object’s path, even if the object moves in many directions.

Front

magnitude

Back

A measure of size.

Front

vector

Back

A quantity, such as position, that has both magnitude and direction.

Front

scalar

Back

A quantity, such as temperature or distance, that is just a number without any direction.

Front

time interval

Back

The difference between two times.