Theme A — Space, Time and Motion
A.1 Kinematics — IB Physics SL Revision Notes & Topical Questions
5 min read 10 parts Lesson 2 of 41 1 quiz
Curriculum Equation Key قوانين الرقم الهيدروجيني والاتزان الأيوني - pH & Acid-Base Equilibrium FormulasFast Exam Solution
pH = -log[H⁺] | pOH = -log[OH⁻] | pH + pOH = 14 | [H⁺][OH⁻] = 10⁻¹⁴
Word Equation & Conditions: الرقم الهيدروجيني = -لوغاريتم تركيز أيون الهيدروجين | pH + pOH = 14
Location & Specifications: الاتزان الأيوني، كيمياء 3 ثانوي، التحصيلي، و AP Chemistry.
Lesson summary
A.1 Kinematics — IB PHYSICS SL notes: Describe and analyse motion using displacement, velocity, acceleration, equations of motion, graphs and projectile motion.Distance — how far an object travels; a scalar with no direction.Displacement — how far an object is from its starting p…
- Instantaneous velocity
- What the symbols mean
- Time of flight
- Maximum height
- Fluid resistance (viscous drag)
- Terminal speed
Part 1 of 8Distance and displacement
Distance
- Distance how far an object travels; a scalar with no direction.
Displacement
- Displacement how far an object is from its starting position, with direction;
- the change in position and a vector.
The student's route to school gives a long distance but a straight-line displacement from home to school.
If athletes run 300 m round a 400 m track, the distance is 300 m but the displacement is 100 m; after a full lap it is zero.
Part 2 of 8Speed and velocity
Speed
- Speed distance travelled per second; a scalar in m s−1.
- Average speed = total distance ÷ time taken.
Velocity
- Velocity the rate of change of displacement; a vector, so it can be negative.
Velocity is speed in a given direction; cars with the same speed in different lanes have different velocities.
Instantaneous velocity
- Instantaneous velocity the velocity at a moment; the gradient of a tangent to the displacement-time graph.
- A straight line shows constant velocity; a curve shows acceleration.
Average velocity = total displacement ÷ total time; for constant acceleration it is (u + v) ÷ 2.
Part 3 of 8Acceleration
Acceleration
- Acceleration the rate of change of velocity; a vector in m s−2.
- a = Δv ÷ Δt, where Δv = v − u.
Positive when speeding up in the positive direction, negative when slowing down (deceleration) or accelerating in the negative direction.
Instantaneous acceleration is the gradient of a tangent on a velocity-time graph.
Part 4 of 8Kinematic (suvat) equations
What the symbols mean:
They describe motion with constant (uniform) acceleration and link s, u, v, a and t.
- v = u + atWhat the symbols mean: v = final velocity (m s−1) · u = initial velocity (m s−1) · a = acceleration (m s−2) · t = time (s)
- s = ut + ½at2What the symbols mean: s = displacement (m) · u = initial velocity (m s−1) · a = acceleration (m s−2) · t = time (s)
- v2 = u2 + 2asWhat the symbols mean: v = final velocity · u = initial velocity (m s−1) · a = acceleration (m s−2) · s = displacement (m)
- s = ½(u + v)tWhat the symbols mean: s = displacement (m) · u = initial velocity · v = final velocity (m s−1) · t = time (s); (u + v)/2 is the average velocity
Key phrases:
- Starts from rest means u = 0.
- Falling due to gravity means a = g = 9.81 m s−2.
- Constant acceleration in a straight line signals the equations apply.
Method:
- List the known and unknown variables and any implied values.
- Choose the equation containing the quantities listed.
- Convert to SI units, substitute and rearrange.
Choose one positive direction and keep to it for all vectors.
Part 5 of 8Motion graphs
| Graph | Gradient | Area | Other features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Displacement-time | Velocity | Meaningless | Straight line = constant velocity; curve = acceleration; flat = rest |
| Velocity-time | Acceleration | Change in displacement | Straight line = uniform acceleration; curve = non-uniform; flat = constant velocity |
| Acceleration-time | Meaningless | Change in velocity | Horizontal line = constant acceleration |
Part 6 of 8Bouncing ball
1
Gravity acts downward throughout, so the acceleration is constant (no air resistance).
2
At the highest point the ball momentarily has zero velocity, and the velocity changes from positive to negative.
3
At the lowest point the velocity changes instantly from negative to positive with the same speed.
4
The ball reaches the same height every bounce when air resistance is ignored.
Part 7 of 8Projectile motion
Projectile
- Projectile a particle moving freely (non-powered) under gravity in two dimensions.
- Fluid resistance is negligible and g is constant.
Launch velocity u at angle θ resolves into u cos θ (horizontal, constant) and u sin θ (vertical).
Horizontal and vertical motion are independent and only the time is shared.
Time of flight
- Time of flight time in the air; the time to maximum height is half the total.
Maximum height
- Maximum height where the vertical velocity is zero.
Range
- Range the horizontal distance travelled.
Part 8 of 8Fluid resistance and terminal speed
Fluid resistance and terminal speed
Fluid resistance (viscous drag)
- Fluid resistance (viscous drag) the resistive force from a gas or liquid;
- a type of friction opposing motion and transferring energy to the surroundings.
- Lift is perpendicular to the flow; drag increases with speed.
With air resistance a projectile has a smaller range, lower maximum height, shorter flight time and a path no longer a parabola, steeper on the way down.
Terminal speed
- Terminal speed as speed rises, drag rises, the resultant force falls, and when drag equals weight acceleration is zero.
- A heavier object reaches a higher terminal speed.
- A parachute makes the skydiver decelerate to a lower terminal speed.
Key terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Displacement | Change in position in a stated direction. |
| Velocity | Rate of change of displacement. |
| Acceleration | Rate of change of velocity. |
| Instantaneous velocity | Velocity at one moment, from the gradient of a tangent. |
| Projectile | Object moving freely under gravity in two dimensions. |
| Fluid resistance | Drag force from a fluid opposing motion. |
| Terminal speed | Constant speed when drag equals weight. |
Avoid these mistakes
1
Taking distance as displacement — displacement has direction and can be zero.
2
Using the kinematic equations when acceleration is not constant.
3
Mixing positive and negative directions for vectors.
4
Confusing the sin and cos components of a projectile's velocity, or not converting units to metres.
5
Saying a skydiver moves upwards when the parachute opens — they decelerate to a lower terminal speed.
Marked practiceQuizzes for this lesson
Last updated:
Physics 0625 & 9702 SUVAT Mastery
Graph Interpretation
Constant Acceleration Equations (SUVAT) & Slopes
v = u + at | s = ut + ½at2 | v2 = u2 + 2as | s = ½(u + v)t
- Displacement-Time Graph: Gradient = Velocity (curve = accelerating).
- Velocity-Time Graph: Gradient = Acceleration; Area under curve = Distance travelled / Displacement.
- Free Fall in vacuum:
a = g ≈ 9.81 m/s2downwards (air resistance negligible).