Force and Motion Vocabulary

Front

Speed

Back

Rate of motion, calculated as distance over time.

Front

Momentum

Back

The gaining of speed during motion; the product of mass and velocity.

Front

Force

Back

A push or pull that can change the motion of an object.

Front

Potential Energy

Back

Energy that is stored and 'ready' to move, such as a stretched rubber band.

Front

Kinetic Energy

Back

Energy of an object in motion, like a rolling ball.

Front

Friction

Back

Resistance of motion that causes things to slow down, like rubbing your hands together.

Front

Velocity

Back

Speed in a specific direction, such as 30 km/h north.

Front

Inertia

Back

The tendency of an object to resist changes in its state of motion.

Front

Gravity

Back

A force that pulls objects toward each other, like the Earth pulling you down.

Front

Acceleration

Back

The rate at which an object changes its velocity, such as speeding up or slowing down.