Forces and Motion

Below is an overview of the course

• Define speed as distance travelled per unit time; recall and use the equation v =s/t
• Define velocity as speed in a given direction
• Recall and use the equation  average speed = total distance travelled/total time taken
• Sketch, plot and interpret distance-time and speed–time graphs
• Determine, qualitatively, from given data or the shape of a distance-time graph or speed–time graph when an object is:
  (a) at rest
  (b) moving with constant speed
  (c) accelerating
  (d) decelerating
• Calculate speed from the gradient of a straight line section of a distance-time graph
• Calculate the area under a speed-time graph to determine the distance travelled for motion with constant speed or constant acceleration.
• Define acceleration as a change in velocity per unit of time; recall and use the equation a =∆v/∆t
• Determine from given data or the shape of a speed-time graph when an object is moving with:
  (a) constant acceleration
  (b) changing acceleration
• Calculate acceleration from the gradient of a speed-time graph
• Know that a deceleration is a negative acceleration and use this in calculations
• Describe the motion of objects falling in a uniform gravitational field with and without air/liquid resistance (including reference to terminal velocity)
• Determine the resultant of two or more forces acting along the same straight line
• Know that an object either remains at rest or continues in a straight line at a constant speed unless acted on by a resultant force.
• State that a resultant force may change the velocity of an object by changing its direction of motion or its speed
• Describe, qualitatively, motion in a circular path due to a force perpendicular to the motion
• Define momentum as mass × velocity; recall and use the equation p = mv
•  Define impulse as force × time for which force acts; recall and use the equation impulse = F∆t = ∆(mv)
• Apply the principle of the conservation of momentum to solve simple problems in one dimension
• Define resultant force as the change in momentum per unit time