Arguably the most important application of calculus to physics is the concept of the "time derivative" — the rate of change over time — which is required for the precise definition of several important concepts. In particular, the time derivatives of an object's position are significant in Newtonian physics:

Velocity (instantaneous velocity; the concept of average velocity predates calculus) is the derivative (with respect to time) of an object's position.

Acceleration is the derivative (with respect to time) of an object's velocity.

Jerk is the derivative (with respect to time) of an object's acceleration.




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