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jerk

Jerk is a physics term that describes the rate at which an object's acceleration changes over time. In simpler terms, it's how quickly an acceleration is increasing or decreasing. For example, when a vehicle suddenly accelerates or brakes sharply, the sensation of a jolt or change in force is related to jerk. It helps quantify the smoothness or abruptness of motion changes, crucial in engineering and vehicle design to ensure comfort, safety, and performance. Jerk is measured in meters per second cubed (m/s³).