Motion Graphs

Front

Motion Noun

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[moh-shun]

Back

Motion

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The action or process of an object changing its position or place over a period of time.

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Example: This diagram illustrates several forces acting on a car, including the driving force pushing it forward and friction and air resistance opposing its movement.

Front

Speed Noun

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[speed]

Back

Speed

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The rate at which an object covers a certain distance in a given amount of time, without regard to direction.

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Example: A speedometer shows an object's instantaneous speed, indicating how fast it is moving at a specific moment, measured here in kilometers per hour (km/h).

Front

Distance Noun

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[dis-tuhns]

Back

Distance

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The total length of the path traveled by a moving object from its starting point to its ending point.

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Example: This diagram shows a car moving along a path. The total length of this path, from the start point to the end point, is the distance.

Front

Velocity Noun

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[vuh-los-i-tee]

Back

Velocity

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The rate of change of an object's position, specifying both its speed and its precise direction of motion.

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Example: This diagram shows that velocity is not just speed, but also includes direction, by contrasting a direct path (displacement) with a winding path (distance).

Front

Slope Noun

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[slohp]

Back

Slope

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On a graph, the measure of a line's steepness, calculated as the vertical change divided by the horizontal change.

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Example: A line's slope is its steepness, calculated by dividing the vertical change ('Rise') by the horizontal change ('Run') between any two points.

Front

Gradient Noun

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[grey-dee-uhnt]

Back

Gradient

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A term often used as a synonym for slope, representing the rate of change of a variable on a graph.

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Example: The gradient of a line on a graph measures its steepness, calculated by dividing the vertical change ('Change in y') by the horizontal change ('Change in x').

Front

Acceleration Noun

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[ak-sel-uh-rey-shun]

Back

Acceleration

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The rate at which an object's velocity changes over time, which can be a change in speed or direction.

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Example: This image shows that acceleration is a change in velocity, which can mean speeding up, slowing down, or changing direction.

Front

Deceleration Noun

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[dee-sel-uh-rey-shun]

Back

Deceleration

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A decrease in an object's speed or velocity over time, often referred to as negative acceleration in physics.

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Example: This image incorrectly attempts to show deceleration by graphing 'pressure' against 'decel', which is confusing and not a standard motion graph for science education.

Front

At Rest Noun

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[at rest]

Back

At Rest

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The state of an object when it is not in motion, characterized by having a speed and velocity of zero.

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Example: An object is at rest when its position does not change over time relative to a reference point, like this stationary house and tree.