IB Sports, exercise and health science B.2.1.1 Linear Motion and Linear Kinematics in Sport Key Definitions

Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity over time.

Coordinates measure distance from an origin (e.g., in meters) and are given in two dimensions (x, y: horizontal and vertical) or three dimensions (x, y, z: horizontal, vertical, lateral). Two systems for three-dimensional coordinates: System 1: x = horizontal, y = vertical, z = lateral and System 2: x = horizontal, y = lateral, z = vertical. Angular coordinates are measured as angles around one or more axes.

Displacement is the shortest straight-line distance between an object’s starting and ending positions, including direction.

Distance is the total length of the path traveled by an object, regardless of direction.

Impulse is the product of force and the time.

Inertia is a property of matter that causes an object to resist changes in its state of motion. The more mass an object has, the greater its inertia.

Kinematics is the branch of mechanics that studies motion without considering the forces that cause it. It focuses on describing motion using parameters such as position, displacement, speed, velocity, and acceleration.

Linear motion refers to movement along a straight path.

Momentum is the product of mass and velocity.

Motion is the change in position of an object or body over time. It can involve movement from one location to another or changes in the position of individual body parts relative to each other. Motion is described using key concepts such as displacement, velocity, and acceleration.

An object will remain at rest or keep moving at a constant velocity unless acted upon by an outside force. This law is also known as the law of inertia

The force on an object is equal to its mass times its acceleration. This law states that the greater the force applied to an object, the greater the acceleration.

When two objects interact, they apply forces to each other of equal magnitude and opposite direction. This law is also known as the law of action and reaction

Position refers to the location of an object or body, typically given by its coordinates.

Speed is the rate of change of distance over time.

The ability to maintain equilibrium and resist changes in position, determined by several factors affecting balance.

Velocity is the rate of change of displacement and includes direction.