Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Horizontal motion refers to the movement of an object in a straight line parallel to the ground, without any vertical displacement.
Related terms
Vertical Motion: Vertical motion is the movement of an object in a straight line perpendicular to the ground, involving changes in height.
Projectile Motion: Projectile motion is the combined horizontal and vertical motion of an object under the influence of gravity.
Distance vs Displacement: Distance refers to how much ground an object has covered overall, while displacement measures how far out of place an object is from its starting point.