Today, I found a gap in my knowledge of basic physics. The story seemed right for my first post to vdov.net.

The first derivative of position is velocity and the second derivative of position is acceleration. What is the third derivative of position called? Hmm. I didn’t have a special purpose for this information, but I was curious. So I did some searching and found out it is called the jerk (link). I was so excited, it was as if the new phone books were here. I also found out that in the UK, the term jerk is instead sometimes referred to as jolt. Lame. [Side note: This summer I am moving to England. I will not conform.]

I shook the thermos song out my head long enough to wonder about the next derivatives. That’s right, there are more! How many of them have names? According to the physics FAQ, it has been suggested that the fourth, fifth and sixth derivatives be called snap, crackle and pop. Nothing has been proposed for higher order derivatives. The Rice Krispies terms don’t seem to have caught on. It’s a little surprising to me they haven’t. Scientists aren’t above adopting funny names or names that have funny acronyms (e.g., Proton Enhanced Nuclear Induction Spectroscopy). Do scientists hate elves? Maybe just the registered trademark variety.

That concludes my first post. I’m somebody! I’m in print! Things are going to start happening to me now.