ocation, locats How can you describe the location of an object? Have you ever gotten lost while looking for a specific place? If so, you probably know that the description of the location can be very important. Imagine that you are trying to describe your location toa friend, How would you explain where you are? You need two pieces of information: a position and a reference point. With a Position Position describes the location of an object. Often, you describe where something is by comparing its position with where you currently are. For example, you might say that a classmate sitting next to you is two desks to your right, or that a mailbox is two blocks south of where you live. Each time you identify the position of an object, you are comparing the location of the object with the location of another object or place. With a Reference Point When you describe a position by comparing it to the location of another object or place, you are using a reference point. A reference point is a location to which you compare other locations. In the example above of a mailbox that is two blocks south of where you live, the reference point is “where you live” Imagine that you are at a z00 with some friends. If you are using the map to the right, you could describe your destination using different reference points. Using yourself as the reference point, you might say that the red panda house is one block east, and three blocks north of your current location. Or you might say the red panda house is one block north and one block east of the fountain. In this example, the fountain is your reference point. SEEMIRETI 5 Apply How would you describe where this que Ts located on the page? Give two different answers using two different | reference points. -Bmghionsinevncaut Abie meComeper 6 Unit 1Motion and Forces“ Ay Sata [D Restrooms Dy Food BD First aid | Information 6 Apply One of your friends is at the southeast corner Apply You need to go visit the first ald station. How of Monkey Island. He would like to meet you. How ‘would you describe how to get there? would you describe your location to him?What is motion? ‘An object moves, or is in motion, when it changes its position relative to a reference point. Motion is a change in position over time. If you were to watch the biker pictured to the right, you ‘would see him move. If you were not able to watch him, you might still know something about his motion. If you saw that he was in one place at one time and a different place later, you would know that he had moved. A change in position is evidence that motion has happened. If the biker returned to his starting point, you might not know that he had moved. The starting and ending positions cannot tell you everything about motion. to point B depends on the The distance from point A acs How is distance measured? Suppose you walk from one building to another building that is several blocks away. If you could walk in a straight line, you might end up 500 meters from where you started. The actual distance you travel, however, would depend on the exact path you take. If you take a route that ‘has many turns, the distance you travel might be 900 meters or more. ‘The way you measure distance depends on the information you want. Sometimes you want to know the straight-line distance between two positions, or the displacement. Sometimes, however, you might need to know the total length of a certain path between those positions. ‘When measuring any distances, scientists use a standard unit of measurement. The standard unit of length is the meter (m), which is, about 3.3 feet. Longer distances can be measured Decora & in kilometers (km), and shorter distances in centimeters (cm). In the United States, distance is often measured in miles (mi), feet (ft), or inches (in). 8 Unit 1Motion and Forces OR ATHIEA TH 8 Illustrate Draw a sample path on the maze that Isa different distance than the one In red but still goes from the start point, “A,” to the finish point, “B."