Science 6 - Lesson 3.1.1

Unit 3 - Forces and Motion

In this unit we will:

• ​explore the relationship between force and motion

• examine the different characteristics of basic motion and force

• explore Newton's laws of motion

Lesson 3.1.1

Learners can:

• ​define motion, and relate it to a frame of reference

• describe how to measure distance

• explain how to represent the direction

• compare distance and displacement

​Vocabulary

• distance - the amount of space between two points

• motion - a change in the position of an object compared to another object

• vector - a measure that includes both size and direction

​How do you know that something is moving?

What clues in the animation help us understand that the inchworm is moving?

We can perceive that the train is in motion because the other objects in the scene are stationary.

Motion is closely associated with the perspective of the individual viewing it.

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​Motion

Multiple Choice

Our perception of motion depends on a frame of reference, or an unmoving object that provides perspective.

Which frame of reference would allow a bus passenger to perceive motion?

• the other bus passengers

• the seats of the bus

• trees and buildings seen through the bus widows

Distance is the amount of space between two points, like the starting line and finish line of a race.

In science, we use the metric system to measure distances.

​

​Distance

Match

Match the metric unit of measure with the appropriate measurement.

• the distance between 2 cities

• the length of a pencil

• the width of your bedroom

kilometers

centimeters

meters

• kilometers

• centimeters

• meters

​Direction

Distance is only half of the equation. To describe motion, we need both distance AND direction, and that's where VECTORS come into play.

A VECTOR is a measure that includes both size (distance) and direction. Vectors are represented by arrows where the length represents distance and the orientation shows direction.

Multiple Select

Which 2 pieces of information are necessary to explain motion from one point to another?

• direction

• distance

• speed

• mass

While distance measures the total amount traveled from starting point to ending point, DISPLACEMENT describes only the distance between the starting and ending position.

The windy road may be 8km long (distance,) but the displacement is still only 2km.

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​Displacement

Multiple Choice

What is the distance from the Store to the Library?

• 1km

• 2km

• 3km

• 5km

Multiple Choice

What is the distance from the Library to the Post Office?

• 1km

• 2km

• 3km

• 5km

Multiple Choice

What is the DISPLACEMENT from the Library to the Post Office?

• 1km

• 2km

• 3km

• 5km

Multiple Choice

If you traveled from the Library to the Park, and then returned to the Library, what would the distance and displacement be?

• Distance: 6km

  Displacement: 6km

• Distance: 3km

  Displacement: 3km

• Distance: 6km

  Displacement: 3km

• Distance: 6km

  Displacement: 0km