Describing Motion Around Us Mind Map

A reference frame is the surroundings or point from which we observe the position of an object. An object is at rest or in motion depending on whether its position changes with respect to that reference frame.

In one-mark and two-mark answers, include the reference point clearly; this makes the answer scientifically complete.

Distance is the total length of the actual path travelled. Displacement is the shortest straight-line change in position from the initial point to the final point, with direction.

For displacement, mark the starting point and ending point first; the actual route matters for distance, not for displacement.

Speed is the distance travelled per unit time. Velocity is the displacement per unit time in a specified direction.

Read whether the question asks speed or velocity; then choose distance for speed and displacement for velocity.