Beyond velocity and acceleration : Jerk, snap and higher derivatives

Summary, in English

The higher derivatives of motion are rarely discussed in the teaching of classical mechanics of rigid bodies; nevertheless, we experience the effect not only of acceleration, but also of jerk and snap. In this paper we will discuss the third and higher order derivatives of displacement with respect to time, using the trampolines and theme park roller coasters to illustrate this concept. We will also discuss the effects on the human body of different types of acceleration, jerk, snap and higher derivatives, and how they can be used in physics education to further enhance the learning and thus the understanding of classical mechanics concepts.

• Author: David Eager; Ann Marie Pendrill; Nina Reistad
• Department/s: National Resource Centre for Physics Education
• Publishing year: 2016-10-13
• Language: English
• Publication/Series: European Journal of Physics
• Volume: 37
• Issue: 6
• Links: http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0143-0807/37/6/065008
• Document type: Journal article
• Publisher: IOP Publishing
• Topic: Other Physics Topics; Pedagogy
• Keywords: acceleration; jerk; jounce; multi-resonant vibration; roller coaster; trampoline
• Status: Published
• ISBN/ISSN/Other: ISSN: 0143-0807