Jerk is a term used in physics to describe the rate of change of acceleration over time. It measures how quickly an object's acceleration is changing, which can be important in understanding the forces acting on it. Jerk is typically expressed in units of meters per second cubed (m/s³). In practical applications, jerk is significant in fields like engineering and robotics, where smooth motion is desired. High jerk can lead to discomfort in vehicles or mechanical systems, while minimizing jerk can enhance performance and safety in automated systems and transportation.