A ________ point is a place or object used for comparison to determine if something is in motion.

A reference point is a place or object used for comparison to determine if something is in motion. In physics, understanding motion relies heavily on this concept because it establishes the baseline from which movement is measured. When we say an object is moving, we imply that its position is changing relative to this reference point. For example, if you are standing on a sidewalk and you see a car passing by, the sidewalk serves as your reference point. If the car's position changes in relation to the sidewalk, we infer that the car is in motion. Reference points are essential for accurately describing motion, speed, and direction in various contexts, whether in everyday life, science, or engineering.