9702 · 2.1
Equations of motion
Welcome to **kinematics**, the study of motion without worrying about the forces causing it! This lesson will equip you with the essential tools to describe and predict how objects move, especially under **uniform acceleration**. You'll master key terms, learn powerful equations, and understand how graphs visually represent motion. This pilot aligns with **Senpai Corner** AS notes (2025–2027) for topic **2.1**.
Need to know
What you need to know
- **Speed** is the total distance travelled per unit time (a scalar quantity).
- **Velocity** is the rate of change of displacement (a vector quantity). The sign (+ or -) indicates direction.
- **Acceleration** is the rate of change of velocity (a vector quantity).
- Example: If 'up' is the positive direction, an object moving upwards at 5 m/s has a velocity of +5 m/s. An object moving downwards at 5 m/s has a velocity of -5 m/s. Both have a speed of 5 m/s.
Explanation
Equations of motion
- **Speed** is the total distance travelled per unit time (a scalar quantity).
- **Velocity** is the rate of change of displacement (a vector quantity). The sign (+ or -) indicates direction.
- **Acceleration** is the rate of change of velocity (a vector quantity).
- Example: If 'up' is the positive direction, an object moving upwards at 5 m/s has a velocity of +5 m/s. An object moving downwards at 5 m/s has a velocity of -5 m/s. Both have a speed of 5 m/s.