Musings on meter seconds/ Guernsey Reality Question

[Polonium 84]

Greetings,

Before I begin, I'd like to mention that I am in a High School level physics course (AP Physics B 32S), so my level of knowledge is quite low. This is not for coursework, but for discussion.

In an informal discussion with my instructor outside of class, we were talking about simple kinematics, specifically the relationship between acceleration, velocity and position time graphs. In this brief discussion, he mentioned jerk or jounce, the change in acceleration over time. I inquired about what comes"below" the position time graph. He mentioned "Guernsey Reality" ( I am unsure of the spelling) and meter seconds.

I have the unquenchable curiosity about this, and my internet searches have produced nothing!

I would prefer a "dumbed-down" explanation, however, I would not want to restrict any discussion. This is not for me.


If this is in the wrong sub-forum, please have mercy on me.

Thanks in advance. Happy discussing!

 

[eljose79]

Hello and thank you for your inquiry! It is great to see that you have a curiosity for physics and are seeking to expand your understanding beyond the classroom. Let me start by addressing the concept of jerk or jounce, as this is a term that is not commonly used in everyday language.

Jerk, also known as jounce, is the third derivative of position with respect to time. In simpler terms, it is the change in acceleration over time. Just like acceleration measures the rate of change of velocity, jerk measures the rate of change of acceleration. It is often used in physics to describe the smoothness or abruptness of a motion. For example, a car that accelerates smoothly has a low jerk, while a car that accelerates abruptly has a high jerk.

Now, let's move on to the term "Guernsey Reality" or "Guernsey Meter Seconds". After some research, I have found that this term may be referring to the concept of dimensional analysis in physics. Dimensional analysis is a method used to check the validity of equations and determine the relationships between different physical quantities. It is based on the principle that physical equations must have the same units on both sides. In this context, "Guernsey Meter Seconds" may be a reference to the units of length, time, and mass that are commonly used in dimensional analysis.

I hope this helps to clarify the terms mentioned in your discussion with your instructor. Keep up the curiosity and continue to explore the fascinating world of physics!