Motion, Speed, & Velocity

• an object is in motion if the distance is changing

• You need a reference point or

  a place or an object used for comparison

• the location of an object at any particular time

• to determine motion one needs to know their position and have a frame of reference

• the total length of a path

• the total length from starting point to finishing point

• the value for distance can never be negative

• it is a scalar (just number no direction), for example 5m

• direct distance between two points

• can be negative or positive

• total distance determines how far the object has traveled from its original location

• it is a vector (with number and direction),for example 5m to the right

SPEED

How is motion measured?

How do you know how fast or

slow something is?

Speed

Average speed will measure the overall speed of an object during the entire course of a trip. This is
calculated by taking the total distance traveled divided by the total time elapsed.

Practice Problem

Becky and her family took a trip to the Grand Canyon for
spring break. They traveled a distance of 1,950 miles. It
took them 25 hours to reach the Grand Canyon. Calculate
the average speed.

Practice Problem

Johnny flew from New York to Los Angeles to visit family.
The trip took a total of 5 hours and covered
2,450 miles.

Practice Problem

Sandra went on a road trip with her family. The entire trip
took 7 hours, however they had to make a few
stops along the way. In the first 2 hours the family traveled a
100 miles before they stopped at a rest stop.
The family traveled 160 miles in the next 2 hours. After they
stopped for food they traveled the final 230
miles to reach their destination.