Position and Motion

What is a reference point?

• The final position of an object
• The starting point chosen to describe an object's location
• The distance an object travels
• The speed at which an object moves

Which of the following best describes a position?

• The speed of an object
• The acceleration of an object
• An object's distance and direction from a reference point
• The time it takes for an object to move

How many components are needed to completely describe an object's position?

• One
• Two
• Three
• Four

What is motion?

• The process of changing position
• The distance between two objects
• The speed of an object
• The direction an object is facing

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-1

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

If east is the positive reference direction, how would you describe a position 30 meters to the west?

• • + 30 meters

• 30 meters south

• 30 meters north

• • - 30 meters

What is the difference between distance and displacement?

• There is no difference; they are the same thing
• Distance is always greater than displacement
• Distance depends on the path, while displacement is the difference between start and end positions
• Displacement is always measured in meters, while distance can be in any unit

In what situation are distance and displacement equal?

• When an object moves in a circle
• When an object moves in one direction only
• When an object doesn't move at all
• When an object moves backwards

What happens to the description of an object's position if you change the reference point?

• The object's actual position changes
• The description of the position changes, but the object doesn't move
• The object moves to a new location
• Nothing changes; the description remains the same

What is the displacement of a runner who runs around a 400-meter track and finishes at the starting point?

• 400 meters
• 0 meters

• 100 meters
• 200 meters

What does motion relative to a reference point mean?

• All objects are always in motion
• Motion can only be described using the Earth as a reference point
• An object's change in position can be described differently depending on the chosen reference point
• Motion is always measured in meters per second