Vocabulary: Work, Force, and Motion

Directions:

• Write a definition for each term based on your knowledge and experience. 

• Use this lesson to learn and copy the physics definition of each term. 

• Decide if your definition has a similar meaning, or is different than the science definition. 

• Copy the physics (math) formula. (Not all terms have a formula.)

Force

​Term	Your Definition​	​Physics Definition	​Similar?	​Formula
force	write a definition based on your knowledge and experiences	​a push or pull on an object, which changes the object's velocity	is your definition similar to the physics definition?	​

Friction

​Term	Your Definition​	​Physics Definition	​Similar?	​Formula
friction	write a definition based on your knowledge and experiences	​a force that acts in the opposite direction as motion	is your definition similar to the physics definition?	​

Mass

​Term	Your Definition​	​Physics Definition	​Similar?	​Formula
mass	write a definition based on your knowledge and experiences	​amount of matter in an object; measured in grams	is your definition similar to the physics definition?	​

Weight

​Term	Your Definition​	​Physics Definition	​Similar?	​Formula
weight	write a definition based on your knowledge and experiences	measure of the force of gravity on an object	is your definition similar to the physics definition?	weight = mass x gravity

Work

​Term	Your Definition​	​Physics Definition	​Similar?	​Formula
work	write a definition based on your knowledge and experiences	force exerted on an object that causes it move	is your definition similar to the physics definition?	work = force x distance

Power

​Term	Your Definition​	​Physics Definition	​Similar?	​Formula
power	write a definition based on your knowledge and experiences	amount of work done in a given time	is your definition similar to the physics definition?	power = work ÷ time

Speed

​Term	Your Definition​	​Physics Definition	​Similar?	​Formula
speed	write a definition based on your knowledge and experiences	the distance an object travels per unit of time (m/s)	is your definition similar to the physics definition?	speed = distance ÷ time

Velocity

​Term	Your Definition​	​Physics Definition	​Similar?	​Formula
velocity	write a definition based on your knowledge and experiences	speed in a specific direction	is your definition similar to the physics definition?	velocity = distance ÷ time

Acceleration

​Term	Your Definition​	​Physics Definition	​Similar?	​Formula
acceleration	write a definition based on your knowledge and experiences	​the rate at which velocity changes over time	is your definition similar to the physics definition?	​

Multiple Choice

True or False: Mass and weight both refer to how heavy an object is?

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

True or False: A bird moving through the air experiences friction from the air molecules.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

True of False: If a force is pushing against an object, but the object does not move, is work being done?

• No

• Yes

Match

Match the following terms to the correct definition.

• the rate at which velocity changes with time

• speed in a specific direction

• the distance an object travels per unit of time

acceleration

velocity

speed

• acceleration

• velocity

• speed