How Fast

Front

Coordinate System Noun

---

[koh-or-dn-it sis-tuhm]

Back

Coordinate System

---

A system used to describe motion that gives the zero point location and the direction of increasing values.

---

Example: A compass is a coordinate system that uses directions (North, South, East, West) and degrees to define an object's location or direction of travel.

Front

Origin Noun

---

[or-i-jin]

Back

Origin

---

The point in a coordinate system at which the value of the variable being studied is set to zero.

---

Example: This diagram shows a graph's origin, the starting point (0,0) where the x-axis and y-axis intersect, used to measure position and time.

Front

Position Noun

---

[puh-zish-uhn]

Back

Position

---

A vector quantity that describes an object's specific location relative to the origin of a coordinate system.

---

Example: This diagram shows a coordinate system with an x-axis and a y-axis, which is used to define an object's position relative to a reference point called the origin (0,0).

Front

Displacement Noun

---

[dis-pleys-muhnt]

Back

Displacement

---

The change in an object's position, represented by a vector from the initial position to the final position.

---

Example: This image shows an object being moved from its starting place. The arrow represents displacement, which is the change in an object's position and direction.

Front

Distance Noun

---

[dis-tuhns]

Back

Distance

---

A scalar quantity that represents the total length of the path an object has traveled, regardless of direction.

---

Example: This image shows a car that has traveled a certain distance, which is the total length of the path between its starting and ending points.

Front

Vector Noun

---

[vek-ter]

Back

Vector

---

A physical quantity, such as position or velocity, that is defined by having both magnitude and a direction.

---

Example: This diagram shows a vector as an arrow on a grid, representing a quantity with both magnitude (length) and direction, like velocity.

Front

Scalar Noun

---

[skey-ler]

Back

Scalar

---

A physical quantity, such as distance or speed, that is fully described by its magnitude or numerical value alone.

---

Example: A speedometer shows speed, which is a scalar quantity because it only measures magnitude (how fast) and not the direction of travel.

Front

Magnitude Noun

---

[mag-ni-tood]

Back

Magnitude

---

The size, quantity, or amount of a measurement, such as the length of a vector or value of a scalar.

---

Example: This diagram shows a vector, an arrow with a specific length and direction. The length of the arrow represents its magnitude, which in physics can mean an object's speed.

Front

Time Interval Noun

---

[tahym in-ter-vuhl]

Back

Time Interval

---

The difference between two points in time, calculated as the final time minus the initial time (Δt = tf - ti).

---

Example: This diagram shows a time interval as the duration between a start time (17:20) and an end time (18:50) on a timeline.

Front

Resultant Noun

---

[ri-zuhl-tnt]

Back

Resultant

---

The single vector that represents the sum of two or more individual vectors acting on an object or system.

---

Example: When multiple forces pull an object in the same direction, they combine into a single, stronger 'resultant' force that determines the object's acceleration.