Motion
Motion occurs whenever one moves to get a snack, walk outside, or even roll over in bed. All this motion requires force. Force and motion work together to create consistency and make our world go around.
Force can be defined as “pushing or pulling.” Pulling and pushing are not foreign concepts, given that they are required to open or close a door, as well as many other actions in our day-to-day lives. By applying force, potential energy is converted into kinetic energy. Force also alters an object’s motion. For example, the refrigerator door was resting before force was applied to it.
Push and pull are examples of basic forces, but there are also special forces that improve the quality of life here on Earth. These include gravity and magnetic forces. Unlike the force required to open the door, these other forces do not require direct contact. Instead, gravity is constantly in motion, acting as a catalyst for forces that allow humans and other objects to remain on the ground and the Earth to rotate around the sun.
These basic examples show just how vital motion and force are to everyday activities and the quality of life enjoyed here on Earth. Without these scientific processes, life would be much different.
What does the word catalyst mean as used in the third sentence of the third paragraph?
