Science 10 Motion Notes Part 1: The Language of Motion

Name:________________________

What does the term uniform mean to you? If motion is described as uniform, how does it behave?

Time and Distance

Physics is all around us! Motion is measured using _____________ and ________________. We use these important physics concepts every day. Think of some examples of situations when knowing time and distance would be useful, and write them below:

Distance can be described using a variety of units. Examples include: Time is usually described in physics by looking at _______________________________. This is the duration of an event. The symbol for a time interval is __________________. Like distance, time can also be measured using a variety of units. Examples include:

Uniform Motion
When an object is moving in one direction at a __________________ speed, this is called uniform motion. The object will not change _______________ or _________________. What is an example of this?

Measurement Types
Motion involves a change in position. Position is where an object is located in relation to a _____________________________. Change in position can be described using two different types of measurements: scalar quantities and vector quantities. __________________ quantities describe a measurement using only a number. This is the size of the measurement, also known as _____________________________. Example:

__________________ quantities describe a measurement using a magnitude and a ___________________ of the movement. Direction is usually given a positive or negative value. Example:

Distance and Displacement

Distance is a _______________ quantity that measures the length of the path traveled between two points. For example, the odometer in a car measures the total distance the car has traveled it doesnt matter what direction this movement was in. Displacement is a ___________ quantity that measures the straight-line distance and direction from one point to another. As a vector, it is different from distance because it includes direction. The path that is traveled doesnt make a difference to the displacement it is only the starting point and end point that matters.

Demonstration of distance and displacement

This activity will be used to help demonstrate the difference between distance and displacement. For this activity you will work in groups. The job descriptions for the members of your group are as follows: Tape Measure Masters (2): Lay out your measuring tape with the 0m mark on the left. As the walker completes the steps, keep the tape measure straight and in position. Walker: Carry out the steps below. After each step, stop and allow the recorder to record your position. Records Master: After each step, record the position of the walker. Position Confirmation Officer (if there are 5 in your group): Look at the tape measure to confirm the position of the walker. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Step 1 2 3 4 5 6 Start at 0m. Walk 2m to the right. Walk 1m to the left. Walk 3 m to the right. Walk 2 m to the left. Walk 1m to the left. Position Total distance traveled by walker Displacement from starting point

Total distance is calculated by adding the distances the walker has moved since they started walking. Displacement is calculated by subtracting the initial position from the position at the current step.

Question:
What is the difference between distance and displacement?