Trace vs. Trajectory — What's the Difference?

Find or discover by investigation

A trajectory or flight path is the path that an object with mass in motion follows through space as a function of time. In classical mechanics, a trajectory is defined by Hamiltonian mechanics via canonical coordinates; hence, a complete trajectory is defined by position and momentum, simultaneously.

Copy (a drawing, map, or design) by drawing over its lines on a superimposed piece of transparent paper

The path of a projectile or other moving body through space.

A mark, object, or other indication of the existence or passing of something

A chosen or taken course

A very small quantity, especially one too small to be accurately measured

(Mathematics) A curve that cuts all of a given family of curves or surfaces at the same angle.

A procedure to investigate the source of something, such as the place from which a telephone call was made

The path an object takes as it moves.

A line which represents the projection of a curve or surface on a plane or the intersection of a curve or surface with a plane.

The path of a body as it travels through space.

A path or track.

(cybernetics) The ordered set of intermediate states assumed by a dynamical system as a result of time evolution.

The sum of the elements in the principal diagonal of a square matrix.

(figuratively) A course of development, such as that of a war or career.

Each of the two side straps, chains, or ropes by which a horse is attached to a vehicle that it is pulling.

The curve which a body describes in space, as a planet or comet in its orbit, or stone thrown upward obliquely in the air.

A visible mark, such as a footprint, made or left by the passage of a person, animal, or thing.

The path followed by an object moving through space

Evidence or an indication of the former presence or existence of something; a vestige

An extremely small amount or barely perceivable indication

A constituent, such as a chemical compound or element, present in quantities less than a standard limit.

A path or trail that has been beaten out by the passage of animals or people.

An act of researching or ascertaining the origin or location of something

A line drawn by a recording instrument, such as a cardiograph.

The point at which a line, or the curve in which a surface, intersects a coordinate plane.

The sum of the elements of the principal diagonal of a matrix.

An engram.

One of two side straps or chains connecting a harnessed draft animal to a vehicle or whiffletree.

A bar or rod, hinged at either end to another part, that transfers movement from one part of a machine to another.

To go along or follow (a path, for example)

To follow the course or trail of

To ascertain the successive stages in the development or progress of

To discover or determine by searching or researching evidence

To locate or ascertain the origin of

To draw (a line or figure); sketch; delineate.

To form (letters) with special concentration or care.

To copy by following lines seen through a sheet of transparent paper.

To follow closely (a prescribed pattern)

To imprint (a design) by pressure with an instrument on a superimposed pattern.

To make a design or series of markings on (a surface) by such pressure on a pattern.

To record (a variable), as on a graph.

To make one's way along a trail or course

To have origins; be traceable

Occurring in extremely small amounts or in quantities less than a standard limit.

An act of tracing.

An enquiry sent out for a missing article, such as a letter or an express package.

A mark left as a sign of passage of a person or animal.

A residue of some substance or material.

A very small amount.

(electronics) A current-carrying conductive pathway on a printed circuit board.

An informal road or prominent path in an arid area.

One of two straps, chains, or ropes of a harness, extending from the collar or breastplate to a whippletree attached to a vehicle or thing to be drawn; a tug.

(engineering) A connecting bar or rod, pivoted at each end to the end of another piece, for transmitting motion, especially from one plane to another; specifically, such a piece in an organ stop action to transmit motion from the trundle to the lever actuating the stop slider.

(fortification) The ground plan of a work or works.

(geometry) The intersection of a plane of projection, or an original plane, with a coordinate plane.

(mathematics) The sum of the diagonal elements of a square matrix.

(grammar) An empty category occupying a position in the syntactic structure from which something has been moved, used to explain constructions such as wh-movement and the passive.

(transitive) To follow the trail of.

To follow the history of.

(transitive) To draw or sketch lightly or with care.

(transitive) To copy onto a sheet of paper superimposed over the original, by drawing over its lines.

To copy; to imitate.

To walk; to go; to travel.

To walk over; to pass through; to traverse.

To follow the execution of the program by making it to stop after every instruction, or by making it print a message after every step.

One of two straps, chains, or ropes of a harness, extending from the collar or breastplate to a whiffletree attached to a vehicle or thing to be drawn; a tug.

A connecting bar or rod, pivoted at each end to the end of another piece, for transmitting motion, esp. from one plane to another; specif., such a piece in an organ-stop action to transmit motion from the trundle to the lever actuating the stop slider.

A mark left by anything passing; a track; a path; a course; a footprint; a vestige; as, the trace of a carriage or sled; the trace of a deer; a sinuous trace.

A very small quantity of an element or compound in a given substance, especially when so small that the amount is not quantitatively determined in an analysis; - hence, in stating an analysis, often contracted to tr.

A mark, impression, or visible appearance of anything left when the thing itself no longer exists; remains; token; vestige.

The intersection of a plane of projection, or an original plane, with a coordinate plane.

The ground plan of a work or works.

To mark out; to draw or delineate with marks; especially, to copy, as a drawing or engraving, by following the lines and marking them on a sheet superimposed, through which they appear; as, to trace a figure or an outline; a traced drawing.

To follow by some mark that has been left by a person or thing which has preceded; to follow by footsteps, tracks, or tokens.

Hence, to follow the trace or track of.

To copy; to imitate.

To walk over; to pass through; to traverse.

To walk; to go; to travel.

A just detectable amount;

An indication that something has been present;

A suggestion of some quality;

Drawing created by tracing

Either of two lines that connect a horse's harness to a wagon or other vehicle or to a whiffletree

A visible mark (as a footprint) left by the passage of person or animal or vehicle

Follow, discover, or ascertain the course of development of something;

Make a mark or lines on a surface;

To go back over again;

Pursue or chase relentlessly;

Discover traces of;

Make one's course or travel along a path; travel or pass over, around, or along;

Copy by following the lines of the original drawing on a transparent sheet placed upon it; make a tracing of;

Read with difficulty;