Kinematics

Learning objectives

Distinguish distance from displacement and speed from velocity, and define acceleration as the rate of change of velocity.

Plot and interpret displacement–time and velocity–time graphs, finding velocity and acceleration from gradients and displacement from the area between a velocity–time graph and the time axis.

Derive the four constant-acceleration (suvat) equations — v = u + at, s = ut + ½at², v² = u² + 2as and s = ½(u + v)t — starting from a = Δv/Δt and the area under a velocity–time graph.

Solve one-dimensional motion problems with the suvat equations, including objects thrown upwards or dropped in a uniform gravitational field where air resistance is negligible.

Describe how to measure g by timing a falling object — for example with light gates, or an electromagnet, trapdoor and electronic timer — and how to process the results graphically.

Analyse projectile motion by treating a constant horizontal velocity and a uniform vertical acceleration independently, and calculate time of flight, range and maximum height.