Physics Motion Concepts

Front

Frame of Reference

Back

A point or object used to compare the position or movement of something else.

Front

Relative Motion

Back

Movement compared to a specific frame of reference; an object may appear to move differently depending on the observer’s position.

Front

Distance

Back

How much ground an object has covered during its motion; a scalar quantity.

Front

Displacement

Back

The straight-line distance and direction from the starting point to the ending point; a vector quantity.

Front

Vector

Back

A quantity that has both size (magnitude) and direction (e.g., velocity, displacement).

Front

Resultant Vector

Back

The overall effect of combining two or more vectors.

Front

Speed

Back

How fast an object is moving; calculated as distance divided by time.

Front

Average Speed

Back

Total distance traveled divided by total time taken.

Front

Instantaneous Speed

Back

The speed of an object at a specific moment in time.

Front

Velocity

Back

Speed in a specific direction; a vector quantity.