Linear Motion

Question 1

What is Linear Motion?

Answer 1

• Movement of a body in a straight or curved line where all parts move the same distance, in the same direction over the same time
• Linear motion results from a direct force being applied to a body where the force is applied directly to the centre of a body’s mass

Question 2

What is direct force?

Answer 2

A force applied through the centre of mass resulting in linear motion

Question 3

What is centre of mass?

Answer 3

The point at which a body is balanced in all directions. The point from which weight appears to act

Question 4

How does linear motion work with Newtons first law

Answer 4

Newtons first law of motion states that an uninterrupted body will continue to travel in linear motion indefinitely

Question 5

What are the five key descriptors?

Answer 5

1. distance
2. displacement
3. speed
4. velocity
5. acceleration/deceleration

Question 6

What is displacement?

Answer 6

The shortest straight-line route from start to finish positions (m)

Question 7

What is speed?

Answer 7

The rate of change in distance (m/s)
calculated using: distance/time taken

Question 8

What is velocity?

Answer 8

The rate of change in displacement (m/s)
calculated using: displacement/time taken

Question 9

What is acceleration?

Answer 9

The rate of change in velocity (m/s/s)
calculated using: (final velocity - initial velocity) / time taken

Question 10

What is deceleration?

Answer 10

The rate of change (decrease or negative) in velocity (m/s/s)