Defining Key Terms in Movement Analysis
Let's break down these fundamental physics concepts that are crucial for understanding movement in sports and exercise.
Force
Force is the push or pull that causes an object to change its state of motion or shape. In sports, it's measured in Newtons (N).
ExampleA tennis player applying force to the ball during a serve, or a weightlifter pushing against a barbell are both examples of force in action.
Speed
- The rate of change of distance over time
- A scalar quantity (magnitude only)
- Formula: Speed = Distance / Time
- Measured in meters per second (m/s)
Velocity
- The rate of change of displacement over time
- A vector quantity (magnitude and direction)
- Formula: Velocity = Displacement / Time
- Also measured in m/s
Think of running around a track: Your speed might be 5 m/s, but if you end up where you started, your average velocity would be zero!
Displacement
- The straight-line distance and direction between start and end points
- A vector quantity
- Measured in meters (m)
