What is Motion Glossary and Terms

Acceleration – Acceleration is a measure of the change in velocity of an object. It is equal to the change of velocity in the time of change. Acceleration is a vector.

Collision: A collision in physics occurs when any two objects collide.

Displacement: In physics, displacement refers to the overall change in the position of an object. It is a vector quantity.

Energy – Energy is the ability to do work. The standard unit of energy is the joule.

First Law of Motion – The First Law of Motion states that any moving body will continue to move in the same direction and at the same speed unless an external force acts on it.

Force – Force is a measure of the push or pull on an object. Force is a vector measured in newtons.

Friction – Friction is the resistance to motion when one object rubs against another. It is a force and it is measured in newtons.

Gravity – Gravity is the force caused when the masses of objects attract each other. On Earth, gravity attracts objects with an acceleration of 9.8 m/s2.

Impulse – Impulse is a change in momentum.

Joule – Joule is the standard unit of measurement for energy and work.

Kinetic Energy – Kinetic energy is the energy that an object has due to its motion. It is a scalar quantity calculated using the formula KE = ½ * m * v2, where m = mass and v = velocity.

Mass – Mass is a measure of the amount of matter contained in an object. It is usually measured in kilograms.

Momentum – Momentum is a measure of mass in motion. Momentum is the mass times the speed of an object. It is a vector measured in newton-seconds.

Newton – Newton is the standard unit of force. Pascal – Pascal is the standard unit of pressure.

Potential Energy – Potential energy is the energy stored by an object due to its state or position. It is measured in joules.

Power: Power is a measure of the rate at which energy is used. Capacity is calculated by dividing the work by time. The standard unit of energy is the watt.

Pressure – Pressure is the force acting on a given area. Pressure is measured in pascals.

Scalar: Scalar is a metric that only measures magnitude. Unlike a vector, a scalar has no direction.

Second Law of Motion – The second law of motion states that the greater the mass of an object, the more force is required to accelerate the object.Simple Machine – A simple machine is a basic mechanical device for applying force and doing work. Some examples of simple machines include levers, pulleys, inclined planes, wedges, and screws.

Speed: Speed is a measure of how fast an object is moving relative to a reference point. It is a scalar quantity measured by distance over time.

Third Law of Motion – The Third Law of Motion states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.Vector: A vector is a quantity that has both magnitude and direction.

Velocity: Velocity is the rate at which an object changes position. Velocity is a vector quantity. The magnitude of the velocity is the velocity of the object.

Watt: Watt is the standard unit of measurement for power.

Weight – Weight is the force of gravity acting on an object. In physics, weight is measured in newtons.

Work – Work occurs in physics when a force is applied to an object to move it a certain distance. Force equity multiplied by distance and measured in joules.