Rest and Motion

Define Rest and Motion.

“Rest” and “motion” are terms used to describe the state of an object in relation to a frame of reference. An object is considered to be at “rest” if it does not change its position relative to a given frame of reference. An object is in “motion” if it changes its position over time when observed from that same frame of reference.

How do distance and displacement differ?

Distance is the total path traveled regardless of direction, while displacement measures the straight-line distance from start to end point, considering direction.

What is the difference between speed and velocity?

Speed is the rate of covering distance which is a scalar quantity. Velocity is speed with direction considered, making it a vector quantity.

What does acceleration refer to in physics?

Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity over time. It can be an increase or decrease in speed or a change in direction.

What is retardation in terms of motion?

Retardation, or deceleration, specifically refers to the negative acceleration change that decreases the velocity of an object.

What role does centripetal acceleration play in circular motion?

Centripetal acceleration is necessary for circular motion, directed towards the circle’s center, keeping the object on the circular path.

Rest and motion describe the state of objects in relation to their surroundings. Whether an object is at rest or in motion, these states can be analyzed and understood through the principles of physics. When an object changes its position with respect to a stationary object with the passage of time, the object is said to be in motion; otherwise, the object is said to be in rest. In this article, we will learn about rest and motion, frames of reference, types of motion, laws of motion, and equations of motion.