PPT: Moving Things, People and Ideas

 Page 1


Moving Things, 
People, and Ideas
Page 2


Moving Things, 
People, and Ideas
Understanding Position and Motion
Stationary vs. Motion
An object is in motion 
when its position changes 
relative to surroundings 
over time. If position 
remains constant, it's at 
rest.
Relative Terms
Position and motion are 
relative concepts. Objects 
can be stationary to one 
reference point while 
moving relative to another.
Scalar vs. Vector
Scalars have only 
magnitude (mass, speed, 
time), while vectors have 
both magnitude and 
direction (velocity, force, 
displacement).
Page 3


Moving Things, 
People, and Ideas
Understanding Position and Motion
Stationary vs. Motion
An object is in motion 
when its position changes 
relative to surroundings 
over time. If position 
remains constant, it's at 
rest.
Relative Terms
Position and motion are 
relative concepts. Objects 
can be stationary to one 
reference point while 
moving relative to another.
Scalar vs. Vector
Scalars have only 
magnitude (mass, speed, 
time), while vectors have 
both magnitude and 
direction (velocity, force, 
displacement).
Types of Motion
Rectilinear Motion
Movement along a 
straight line path.
Circular Motion
Movement in a circular 
path.
Oscillatory Motion
Repetitive back-and-
forth movement around 
a fixed point.
Rolling Motion
Combined rotation and 
forward movement.
Periodic Motion
Movement that repeats 
at regular intervals.
Random Motion
Unpredictable 
movement with no fixed 
pattern.
Page 4


Moving Things, 
People, and Ideas
Understanding Position and Motion
Stationary vs. Motion
An object is in motion 
when its position changes 
relative to surroundings 
over time. If position 
remains constant, it's at 
rest.
Relative Terms
Position and motion are 
relative concepts. Objects 
can be stationary to one 
reference point while 
moving relative to another.
Scalar vs. Vector
Scalars have only 
magnitude (mass, speed, 
time), while vectors have 
both magnitude and 
direction (velocity, force, 
displacement).
Types of Motion
Rectilinear Motion
Movement along a 
straight line path.
Circular Motion
Movement in a circular 
path.
Oscillatory Motion
Repetitive back-and-
forth movement around 
a fixed point.
Rolling Motion
Combined rotation and 
forward movement.
Periodic Motion
Movement that repeats 
at regular intervals.
Random Motion
Unpredictable 
movement with no fixed 
pattern.
Distance and Displacement
1
Distance
The total path length traveled between initial and final positions. Always positive and 
non-zero when movement occurs.
Measured by odometers in vehicles.
2
Displacement
The straight line from initial to final position, representing the shortest possible path.
Can be positive, negative, or zero, depending on direction and final position.
3
Speed vs. Velocity
Speed: distance covered per unit time (distance/time).
Velocity: displacement per unit time (displacement/time).
Page 5


Moving Things, 
People, and Ideas
Understanding Position and Motion
Stationary vs. Motion
An object is in motion 
when its position changes 
relative to surroundings 
over time. If position 
remains constant, it's at 
rest.
Relative Terms
Position and motion are 
relative concepts. Objects 
can be stationary to one 
reference point while 
moving relative to another.
Scalar vs. Vector
Scalars have only 
magnitude (mass, speed, 
time), while vectors have 
both magnitude and 
direction (velocity, force, 
displacement).
Types of Motion
Rectilinear Motion
Movement along a 
straight line path.
Circular Motion
Movement in a circular 
path.
Oscillatory Motion
Repetitive back-and-
forth movement around 
a fixed point.
Rolling Motion
Combined rotation and 
forward movement.
Periodic Motion
Movement that repeats 
at regular intervals.
Random Motion
Unpredictable 
movement with no fixed 
pattern.
Distance and Displacement
1
Distance
The total path length traveled between initial and final positions. Always positive and 
non-zero when movement occurs.
Measured by odometers in vehicles.
2
Displacement
The straight line from initial to final position, representing the shortest possible path.
Can be positive, negative, or zero, depending on direction and final position.
3
Speed vs. Velocity
Speed: distance covered per unit time (distance/time).
Velocity: displacement per unit time (displacement/time).
Uniform and Non-uniform Motion
1
Uniform Motion
Equal distances in 
equal time 
intervals. In 
straight lines, 
displacement 
equals distance.
Requires no 
maintenance 
force.
2
Non-uniform 
Motion
Velocity changes 
over time (speed, 
direction, or 
both).
Most real-world 
motion due to 
varying forces.
3
Average Speed & 
Velocity
Average speed = 
Total distance / 
Total time
Average velocity 
= Total 
displacement / 
Total time
4
Acceleration
Rate of velocity 
change = Velocity 
change / Time
Can be positive, 
negative, or zero.