closing speed
Gap-shrinking rate
Closing speed is the rate at which two objects approach each other, calculated by combining their velocities.
Two cars traveling toward each other at 60 mph have a closing speed of 120 mph.
The term appears in aviation, military contexts, and collision analysis: The closing speed of the missile and its target exceeded Mach 3.
In sports, it describes how quickly a defender converges on a ball carrier or opponent.
Directed rate of motion
- accelerationRate velocity changes
- decelerationDecrease in speed
- momentumProduct of mass, velocity
- convergenceProcess of approaching sameness
collision · impact · kinematics · dynamics · trajectory · vector · bearing · proximity
Seizing something in transit
- targetingSelecting as objective
- missileSelf-guided airborne weapon
- pursuitAct of chasing something
- engagementCommitment to wed or attend
Rapid following of quarry
- pursuitAct of chasing something
- catch-upReaching others' level
- paceSpeed of movement
- sprintBrief maximum-speed effort
draft · slipstream · peloton · breakaway · finish line · race · time trial · split time
Device measuring object velocity
- sensorInput-detecting device
- speedometerVehicle velocity display
- dopplerFrequency change from motion
- detectionAct of finding something
Following another vehicle unsafely
- rear-end collisionCrash into back
- braking distanceSpace required to halt
- overtakingGetting ahead of another
- highwayMajor road for travel
traffic · crash avoidance · adaptive cruise control · collision warning · reaction time · stopping distance · merging · lane change
velocity
Directed rate of motion
- accelerationRate velocity changes
- decelerationDecrease in speed
- momentumProduct of mass, velocity
convergence · collision · impact · kinematics · dynamics · trajectory · vector · bearing · proximity · intercept
interception
Seizing something in transit
chase
Rapid following of quarry
sprint · draft · slipstream · peloton · breakaway · finish line · race · time trial · split time · final lap
radar gun
Device measuring object velocity
- sensorInput-detecting device
- speedometerVehicle velocity display
- dopplerFrequency change from motion
detection · calibration · tracking · telemetry · rangefinder
tailgating
Following another vehicle unsafely
- rear-end collisionCrash into back
- braking distanceSpace required to halt
- overtakingGetting ahead of another
highway · traffic · crash avoidance · adaptive cruise control · collision warning · reaction time · stopping distance · merging · lane change
- racing tacticsovertaking, drafting, late braking, racing line, pit strategy
- racing termsbackstretch, checkered flag, daily double, dead heat, exacta
- racing formpast performances, post position, morning line, odds, jockey
- track racing800 meters, 1500 meters, 800m, mile, 1500m
- volleysvolley, half volley