What is motion?
An object is in motion if it changes
position over time compared to a
reference point.
What is a reference point?
• An object or background that appears to
stay in place in relation to (compared to) a
moving object.
What do we assume about a
reference point?
• We assume a reference point is not
moving or stationary.
Most common reference point?
The most common reference point is
the Earth or the Earth’s surface.
Name typical reference directions
• North, South, East, West, up or down, left
or right, etc.
Can a moving object be used as a
reference point? Explain using the bird
and balloon example.
• Yes
• A bird flies by a hot-air balloon. The moving
balloon is compared to the moving bird. The bird
changes position relative (compared) to the
balloon.
Today’s To Do List
 Do the Launch Lab on page 9. Answer questions 1 & 2
in your Science Binders.
 Read pages 9-13 in the textbook.
 Define: Reference Point, Position, Motion,
Displacement
 Get an iPad. You can share! Go to my online classroom
and complete the Worksheet on Fred Astaire.
 If all assignments are not completed they are homework!
You pass by a white car. If the car you
are in (the red car) is your reference
point, the white car appears to be
moving backward. In other words, if
you compare the white car to your car,
the white car is moving backwards. If
you compare the white car to the
surface of the Earth it is moving
forward. In other words, if the Earth is
the reference point the white car is
moving forwards. In conclusion, the
direction an object is moving
depends on the reference point (what
you are comparing it to).