The image is a science worksheet from
MatchCard Science, titled
"Force & Motion - 6", and it asks you to
define four key physics terms:
speed, velocity, momentum, and acceleration.
Here’s the correct definition for each term, which you would write in the blank spaces under each word:
---
✔ Speed
Definition:
*Speed* is the rate at which an object covers distance. It is a scalar quantity, meaning it has only magnitude (size), not direction.
Formula:
$$
\text{Speed} = \frac{\text{Distance}}{\text{Time}}
$$
Example: A car traveling at 60 km/h.
---
✔ Velocity
Definition:
*Velocity* is the rate at which an object changes its position in a specific direction. It is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction.
Formula:
$$
\text{Velocity} = \frac{\text{Displacement}}{\text{Time}}
$$
Example: A car moving north at 60 km/h.
> 🔍 *Note:* Velocity includes direction, while speed does not.
---
✔ Momentum
Definition:
*Momentum* is the product of an object's mass and its velocity. It describes how hard it is to stop a moving object. Momentum is also a vector quantity.
Formula:
$$
\text{Momentum} = \text{Mass} \times \text{Velocity}
$$
Example: A truck moving at high speed has more momentum than a bicycle moving slowly.
---
✔ Acceleration
Definition:
*Acceleration* is the rate at which an object's velocity changes over time. It can involve speeding up, slowing down, or changing direction. Acceleration is a vector quantity.
Formula:
$$
\text{Acceleration} = \frac{\text{Change in Velocity}}{\text{Time}}
$$
Example: A car increasing its speed from 0 to 60 km/h in 5 seconds.
---
🚗 Visual Context:
The cartoon car with motion lines behind it suggests movement — a great visual cue for discussing these motion-related concepts!
---
✔ Summary Table (to fill in):
| Term | Definition |
|-------------|-----------|
|
Speed | Rate of distance covered per unit time; scalar. |
|
Velocity | Rate of displacement per unit time; includes direction; vector. |
|
Momentum | Product of mass and velocity; measures motion resistance. |
|
Acceleration| Rate of change of velocity over time; vector. |
---
This worksheet helps students distinguish between related but different concepts in motion. The key differences lie in whether direction is involved (vector vs. scalar) and what physical quantities are being multiplied or changed.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of velocity and acceleration worksheet.