Natural selection is a key mechanism of evolution where traits that improve survival and reproduction become more common over generations. Organisms with beneficial traits are more likely to pass on their genes.

Adaptations are traits that enhance an organism's survival in its environment. A chameleon's color change is a classic adaptation for camouflage and protection.

Gravity is the natural force that pulls objects toward the center of the Earth. It is the dominant force affecting free-falling objects.

Velocity is a vector quantity, which means it has both magnitude and direction. This distinguishes it from speed, a scalar quantity that only measures magnitude.

Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of organisms from the past. They provide important evidence for understanding the history of life on Earth.

Genetic variation creates differences among individuals within a population. These variations can lead to evolutionary change as natural selection favors beneficial traits.

Gravity is the principal force that causes objects to accelerate when they are falling near Earth's surface. Although air resistance can affect the rate of acceleration, gravity remains the main driver.

Newton's First Law, also known as the law of inertia, states that an object will remain at rest or continue moving at a constant velocity unless acted upon by an external force. This principle is foundational in classical mechanics.

Fossils offer a window into the past, displaying transitional forms that illustrate how species have changed gradually over time. This evidence underpins the theory of evolution by demonstrating common ancestry.

Environmental pressures influence the survival of organisms by favoring traits that are advantageous under specific conditions. This selective process is a core mechanism of natural selection.

Newton's Second Law is expressed as F = ma, indicating that the acceleration of an object depends on both the net force acting upon it and its mass. This law quantifies the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration.

A beneficial mutation provides an advantage to an organism, enhancing its survival and reproductive success. Over time, these advantageous mutations can spread through the population via natural selection.

Terminal velocity is reached when the upward force of air resistance equals the downward gravitational force, resulting in zero net acceleration. At this point, the object falls at a constant speed.

Homologous structures are anatomical features in different species that are similar due to common ancestry. Their presence provides compelling evidence for the evolutionary relationships among species.

Inertia is the property of matter that quantifies its resistance to changes in motion. This fundamental concept is a key aspect of Newton's First Law of Motion.

Kinetic energy is defined by the equation ½ m v², showing it increases directly with mass and with the square of velocity. This mathematical relationship explains how both factors significantly impact energy.

Disruptive selection favors individuals at both extremes of the trait spectrum, which can eventually lead to speciation. This is in contrast to stabilizing or directional selection, which favor intermediate values or one extreme respectively.

In a closed system, the law of conservation of momentum states that the total momentum remains constant before and after a collision. This principle is essential for analyzing and predicting the outcomes of collision events in physics.

Phylogenetic trees are diagrams that represent the evolutionary lineages and connections between species. They help scientists trace common ancestry and understand how different species are related through evolutionary history.

In complex environments, animals are challenged by diverse conditions that often require specialized adaptations. This can include both advanced physical traits for survival and refined motion strategies to efficiently navigate intricate habitats.