A.1 Kinematics

Objective notes

9 learning objectives

—A.1.1—Position, velocity and acceleration

• Describe motion using position, velocity and acceleration.

—A.1.2—Velocity and acceleration rates

• Velocity is the rate of change of position, and acceleration is the rate of change of velocity.

—A.1.3—Displacement

• Change in position is the displacement.

—A.1.4—Distance and displacement

• Distinguish distance and displacement.

—A.1.5—Instantaneous and average values

• Distinguish instantaneous vs average speed, velocity and acceleration.

—A.1.6—Uniform acceleration equations

• Use SUVAT equations for uniform acceleration: s=(u+v)t/2; v=u+at; s=ut+1/2at^2; v^2=u^2+2as.

• Apply only to uniformly accelerated motion.

—A.1.7—Uniform vs non-uniform acceleration

• Motion with uniform and non-uniform acceleration.

—A.1.8—Projectile components

• Resolve projectile motion into horizontal and vertical components when fluid resistance is absent.

—A.1.9—Fluid resistance on projectiles

• Describe effects on trajectory, flight time, velocity, acceleration, range and terminal speed.