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1.2.2Motion, Forces and Energy

Acceleration — Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625 Revision Notes & Topical Questions

5 min read 6 parts Lesson 13 of 91 1 quiz

📚 Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625 Hub / Topical Revision
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Lesson summary

1.2.2 Acceleration — IGCSE Physics Notes — IGCSE PHYSICS notes: Define acceleration and calculate it using a = Δv/Δt.Acceleration = the change in velocity per unit time, the rate of change of velocityEquation — a = Δv ÷ ΔtWhat the symbols mean: a = acceleration (m s−2) · v = fina…

  • Positive acceleration
  • Negative acceleration (deceleration)
  • Decreasing acceleration
  • Formula triangle
  • Rearranged
  • Slowing acceleration

Part 1 of 4Acceleration

Acceleration
Acceleration the change in velocity per unit time, the rate of change of velocity
Equation
  • Equation a = Δv ÷ Δt
    What the symbols mean: a = acceleration (m s−2) · v = final velocity · u = initial velocity (m s−1) · Δv = change in velocity · t = time taken (s)
Units
  • Units metres per second squared (m/s²)
Change in velocity
  • Δv = v − u, where v is the final and u the initial velocity

Part 2 of 4Speeding up and slowing down

1Changes
  • Changes speeding up, slowing down and changing direction are all accelerations
2Positive acceleration
  • Positive acceleration the object speeds up
3Negative acceleration (deceleration)
  • Negative acceleration (deceleration) the object slows down
4Decreasing acceleration
  • Decreasing acceleration if still positive, the object still speeds up but at a decreasing rate

Part 3 of 4Using the equation

Formula triangle
  • Formula triangle cover the quantity you want to calculate
Rearranged
  • Δv = a × Δt and Δt = Δv ÷ a
Direction
  • Direction velocity change is a vector, so direction matters
Level
  • Level this is Extended tier content

Part 4 of 4More from the specification

1Area integration on speed-time graphs
  • Area integration on speed-time graphs computing the geometric area bounded beneath speed-time graphs directly evaluates the total scalar distance travelled.
2Average speed
  • Total distance divided by total time.
3Resultant force
  • Another name for net force.
4Gravitational field
  • Region where mass experiences gravitational force.
5Field strength
  • G = Fg/m.
6Gradient
  • Slope of a graph line.
7Distance
  • Total length of path travelled, a scalar.
8Constant
  • Not changing.
9Resistance
  • Opposition to current, R = V / I, in ohms (Ω).
10Weight
  • Gravitational force on a mass.
11Terminal
  • Connection point of a cell, labelled + or −.
12Speed-time graph
  • Graph of speed against time.
13Distance-time graph
  • Graph of distance against time showing movement.
14Slowing acceleration
  • Slowing acceleration if acceleration is still positive but getting smaller, the object keeps speeding up, only at a decreasing rate.

Key terms

TermMeaning
AccelerationChange in velocity per unit time.
DecelerationNegative acceleration, slowing down.
Initial velocityVelocity at the start, u.
Final velocityVelocity at the end, v.
m/s²Unit of acceleration.

Avoid these mistakes

1
Calling a decrease in speed a negative speed — it is a negative acceleration.
2
Using units of m/s for acceleration — it is m/s².
3
Forgetting that changing direction is an acceleration — velocity changes even at constant speed.
4
Using Δv = u − v — it is final minus initial.

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