What is Motion

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Motion

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What does it mean to be in motion?

With a partner, come up
with a scientific
explanation of what it
means if an object is in
motion. Don't just say an
object is moving!

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What does it mean to be in motion?

An object is in motion if it
changes position in
relation to a certain place,
called a reference point.

Reference points are
places or objects used to
determine the motion of an
object.

It is extremely important to choose reference points
carefully.

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Relative Motion

Motion is relative as
it is dependent upon
the reference point.

Are you in motion
right now? Think
about it...

Are you in motion compared to your desk?

Are you in motion compared to the sun?

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Measuring Motion

Speed is one of the many ways we measure motion.
Speed is a measure of the distance traveled per unit of
time.

That means you can find the speed of any object that is
in motion!

time

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Finding Speed

Speed = Distance ⁄ Time

and

We can rearrange the letters in the speed equation and solve

for any of the other 2 pieces of information.

*reminder to cover up the
letter you are solving for
and the remaining letters

give you the equation you should
use

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Units for Speed

The SI unit for distance is meters (m) and for time is seconds (s).

Given these units, what will be the SI unit for speed? (Hint: recall
the speed equation speed= distance/time)

since speed is distance divided by time...the unit for speed is a

COMBO OF BOTH ---> m/s

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1

A snail travels a distance of 10 m in 6000
seconds. What is the snail's average speed?

A

60000 m/s

B
0.02 m/s

C
600 m/s

D
0.002 m/s

*reminder you need ALL THREE

steps for full credit

1) the formula
2) numbers inputted

3) answer with unit

s = d / ts = 10 / 6000s = 0.0017 m/s

rounds to 0.002 m/s

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2 A blimp travels at 3 m/s for 1500 s. What
distance does the blimp cover in that time?

A

500 m/s

B
4500 m/s

C
4500 m

D
500 m

d = st

d = 3 (1500)

d = 4500 m

*reminder - we are solving for distance only so

the unit should only be meters

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Speed

When we talk about speed, it is important to know that there is
a difference between instantaneous speed and average speed.

Average speed can be calculated by dividing the total distance
by the total time. This is what is usually calculated by runners
in a race.

Instantaneous speed is
the speed of an object at
any moment in time (an
instant of time). Can you
think of an example
where you would use
instantaneous time?