What is Motion? Motion: A change in position of an object compared to a reference point Motion can be measured in the following ways:
Speed The distance traveled by an object in a given amount of time. Speed= Distance time Image: http://winstonmotorsports.com/images/bigstockphoto_Speedometer_At___Mph_291241.jpg; Definition: www.thefreedictionary.com
Velocity Speed + Direction Velocity = Distance time
Or change in velocity.
Calculating Acceleration Force = mass x acceleration F = ma F m a
Practice What net force is required to accelerate a car at a rate of 2 m/s2 if a car has a mass of 3,000 kg? What is the mass of a falling rock if it produces a force of 147 N (hint: gravity accelerates at 9.8 m/s2)? What is the acceleration of a softball if it has a mass of .5 kg and hits the catcher’s glove with a force of 25 N?