Describing and Predicting Motion
Take a closer look at the snowboarder in the image. Can you see how their position changes as they soar over the jump and descend back down?
Just like the hands of a clock moving around the face, we know something has moved when it changes its position. And when it’s in the middle of changing its position, like our snowboarder in mid-air, we say it is in motion. There are many interesting ways we can describe and measure this motion!
Think about a bowling ball speeding down a lane—it moves in a straight line towards the pins. Or consider when you’re on a swing, swaying back and forth like a tree branch in the wind.
Now, imagine you are visiting a playground. How would you describe your motion when you’re playing on different equipment?
On a seesaw, you move up and down, just like a yo-yo on a string. And on a carousel, you’re spinning round and round, similar to the planets orbiting the sun.
Now, let’s think about a game with a ball. It could be soccer, basketball, or even a game of catch in your backyard. How would you describe the motion of the ball? Maybe it bounces, rolls, or even spirals through the air! Can you think of other words to describe these lively movements?
Related Printables.
Positions and Directions
![](https://ngscience.com/wp-content/uploads/3-NGScience-interactions-and-forces_01.small_.jpg)
Describing Motion
![](https://ngscience.com/wp-content/uploads/3-NGScience-interactions-and-forces_02.small_.jpg)
Estimating and Measuring Time
![](https://ngscience.com/wp-content/uploads/3-NGScience-interactions-and-forces_03.small_.jpg)
Measure and Describe Motion
![](https://ngscience.com/wp-content/uploads/3-NGScience-interactions-and-forces_04.small_.jpg)
Measure a Minute!
![](https://ngscience.com/wp-content/uploads/3-NGScience-interactions-and-forces_05.small_.jpg)
Measuring Speed
![](https://ngscience.com/wp-content/uploads/3-NGScience-interactions-and-forces_06.small_.jpg)
Force and Motion
![](https://ngscience.com/wp-content/uploads/3-NGScience-interactions-and-forces_07.small_.jpg)
Make a Pinball Game
![](https://ngscience.com/wp-content/uploads/3-NGScience-interactions-and-forces_08.small_.jpg)
How Does Friction Affect Motion?
![](https://ngscience.com/wp-content/uploads/3-NGScience-interactions-and-forces_09.small_.jpg)
Is Friction Helpful or a Hindrance?
![](https://ngscience.com/wp-content/uploads/3-NGScience-interactions-and-forces_10.small_.jpg)
Can a Magnetic Force Act at a Distance?
![](https://ngscience.com/wp-content/uploads/3-NGScience-interactions-and-forces_11.small_.jpg)
A Magnetic Solution
![](https://ngscience.com/wp-content/uploads/3-NGScience-interactions-and-forces_12.small_.jpg)
Observing Electrical Force
![](https://ngscience.com/wp-content/uploads/3-NGScience-interactions-and-forces_13.small_.jpg)
Gravity and Air Resistance
![](https://ngscience.com/wp-content/uploads/3-NGScience-interactions-and-forces_14.small_.jpg)
Contact and Non-contact Forces
![](https://ngscience.com/wp-content/uploads/3-NGScience-interactions-and-forces_15.small_.jpg)
Balanced and Unbalanced Forces
![](https://ngscience.com/wp-content/uploads/3-NGScience-interactions-and-forces_16.small_.jpg)
Effects of Balanced and Unbalanced Forces
![](https://ngscience.com/wp-content/uploads/3-NGScience-interactions-and-forces_17.small_.jpg)
How Will It Move?
![](https://ngscience.com/wp-content/uploads/3-NGScience-interactions-and-forces_18.small_.jpg)
Review – Interactions and Forces
![](https://ngscience.com/wp-content/uploads/3-NGScience-interactions-and-forces_19.small_.jpg)
Assessment Pack
• printable PDF
• answer key
• marking guide