Describing Motion Lesson: Moving Objects

I can analyze and interpret data to identify patterns in the relationship between speed and distance.

I can construct arguments supported by evidence related to the patterns in the relationship between speed and distance.

Motion is change in an object's location over time.

Motion can look different to different people. A car may appear to be moving by quickly to a person standing still. Meanwhile, someone inside the car may barely notice the motion.

If motion can look different to different people, how can you describe it?

A reference point is a stationary object, such as a tree, street sign, or a line on a road.

Once you have a reference point, motion can be defined in terms of position, direction, and speed. 

Position refers to an object's location relative to a reference point.

Direction is the line or path along which an object moves.

Speed is the distance traveled by an object divided by the time taken to travel that distance. Speed is measured in meters per second m/s.

Speed is a unit rate that describes how fast something is moving.

To calculate an object's speed, you must know the total distance traveled and the time it took the object to travel that distance.

You can can calculate an object's speed using the formula to the right.

You may also see the formula written as s = d/t; where s = speed, d= distance, and t= time.

Most objects do not move at a constant, unchanging speed.

When using the formula to calculate speed, you are calculating the average speed of an object.

In the example to the right, the car's average speed was 50 kilometers per hour. Sometimes, the car was moving slower, and at other times it was moving faster.