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P9 - Motion

The document provides definitions and explanations of key physics terms related to motion including speed, velocity, acceleration, deceleration, distance-time graphs, and velocity-time graphs. It defines these terms and concepts and provides examples and equations to illustrate them.

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18 views

P9 - Motion

The document provides definitions and explanations of key physics terms related to motion including speed, velocity, acceleration, deceleration, distance-time graphs, and velocity-time graphs. It defines these terms and concepts and provides examples and equations to illustrate them.

Uploaded by

huangzhouexport
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Key Terms Definitions

Physics Knowledge Organiser


P9 - Motion Speed The measure of how quickly distance changes. Speed does
not include direction, so it’s a scalar quantity. It is
measured in metres per second (m/s).
Speed vs. Velocity Velocity Velocity is a vector quantity. Like speed, it is a measure of
how quickly distance changes BUT it includes the direction
Speed and velocity are both quantities that measure the rate of change of distance, but velocity of movement. It is measured in m/s
includes the direction. This makes velocity a vector quantity, so we can show velocity with an HT: moving in a circle, even if speed is the same, involves a
arrow. Typical speeds are walking: 1.5 m/s, running 3m/s, cycling 6 m/s. constantly changing velocity because the direction is
constantly changing.
Distance-time Graphs Gradient Gradient means slope. The gradient of a line on a graph is
found by dividing the vertical (y-axis) change by the
A distance-time (DT) graph shows how far an object horizontal (x-axis) change.
has gone from its starting point at a certain time.
A slope means the object is moving, because distance Acceleration Acceleration is the rate of change in velocity. It usually
is changing as time changes. If the line of the graph is means speeding up, because we use the term deceleration
horizontal, the object cannot be moving for slowing down.
because distance is not changing with time. You must recall that objects in freefall near Earth’s surface
The gradient (steepness of the slope) tells you the
have an acceleration of 10 m/s2.
speed of the object.
Deceleration A negative acceleration – slowing down.
Acceleration
Equation Meanings of terms in equation and units
Acceleration is the measure of how quickly velocity changes. It is a vector quantity, because
direction is included. (see equation)
Acceleration is shown on a DT graph by a line whose gradient changes – i.e. a curve, rather than 𝑠 =𝑣𝑡 s = distance (m)
straight line. v = speed (m/s)
t = time (s)

Velocity-time Graphs 𝑎 = Δv
a = acceleration (metres per second squared, m/s2)
∆𝑣 = change in velocity (m/s)
t
A velocity-time (VT) graph shows the velocity of an t = time (s)
object at any particular time on its journey. Using the
𝑣2 − 𝑢2 = 2 𝑎 𝑠 v = final velocity (m/s)
gradient of a slope, you can find the acceleration.
u = initial (starting) velocity (m/s)
The distance travelled during the journey is also shown
a = acceleration (m/s2)
on a VT graph – but you have to work it out by
s = distance travelled (m)
calculating the area under the line on the graph.
Sometimes the area can be found by counting squares,
other times you’ll need to use area of a rectangle/ Freefall through a fluid (gas, like air, or a liquid)
triangle to find the area and therefore distance.
Freefalling object initially accelerate due to gravity, but friction (/air resistance)
increases with speed until the forces are balanced (resultant force = 0 N). Then,
the object is falling at its terminal velocity.

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