1.

2 Motion
 Learning Objective

Define speed as distance travelled per unit time;

recall and use the equation, v = s/t

Recall and use the equation

average speed = total distance travelled
total time taken
 180 k m

120
km

100 km 80 km
 180 km

120
km
100 km 80 km
 60 + 100 + 200

100 km 60 km
100 km 60 km
 Learning Objective
Define velocity as speed in a given direction.
 180 k m

120
km

100 km 80 km
 180 k m

120
120 km
km

100 km 80 km
100 km 60 km
 120
km

100 km 60 km
 180 k m
120
km
120
km

100 km 80 km
 120
km

100 km 60 km
 Learning Objective
Define acceleration as change in velocity per unit time.
Learning Objective
Sketch, plot and interpret distance-time and speed-time
graphs.

Determine, qualitatively, from given data or the shape of a

distance-time graph or speed-time graph when an object
is:
(a) at rest
(b) moving with constant speed
(c) accelerating
(d) decelerating

Determine, from given data or the shape of a speed-time

graph when an object is moving with:
(a) constant acceleration
(b) changing acceleration
Learning Objective
Calculate speed from the gradient of a straight-line
section of a distance-time graph

Calculate acceleration from the gradient of a speed-

time graph

Calculate the area under a speed-time graph to

determine the distance travelled for motion with
constant speed of constant acceleration.

Know that a deceleration is a negative acceleration

and use this in calculations
Distance-time Graph
(s-t graph)
Distance, s

Speed-time Graph
(v-t graph)
Time, t
Speed, v

Time, t
s Displacement
increases
Displacement
decreases Gradient
Constant uniformly uniformly → speed
displacement
Gradient Gradient
Constant Constant
Zero increases decreases
gradient gradient
gradient uniformly
t
(+) (-) uniformly

Speed Speed
v Zero
Constant
speed
Constant
speed
increases decreases Gradient
Speed (+) (-) → acceleration
(at rest)

t
Deceleration
Zero Acceleration (constant) Area under graph
Zero Zero
gradient (constant) (negative → distance
acceleration acceleration
acceleration)
 Constant Acceleration

Changing Acceleration

Increasing Acceleration Decreasing Acceleration

Learning Objective
State that the acceleration of free fall g for an
object near to the surface of the Earth is
approximately constant and is approximately
9.8 m/s2.
If an iron ball and a feather are hung from the
ceiling and are released at the same time,
which will reach the ground first? Why?
Free Fall Demonstration
A piece of paper & Paper ball
 Video
Misconceptions about Falling Objects
How do we explain this?
 FREE FALL
• Objects fall
downward towards
the centre of the
Earth.
• Acceleration of free-
falling objects DOES
NOT depend on
their MASS or SIZE.

• Acceleration of free fall, g, near to the

surface of the Earth is approximately
constant ≈ 9.8 m/s2.
 Video
David Scott does the feather hammer
experiment on the moon - Science News
 Video
Object Falling at the Same Height in Vacuum
Learning Objective
Describe the motion of objects falling in a
uniform gravitational field with and without
air/liquid resistance (including reference to
terminal velocity)
 AIR RESISTANCE
• A form of frictional force.
• It opposes the motion of moving objects.
• It increases with the surface area
(or size) of moving objects.
• It increases with the density of air.
• It increases with the speed of moving
objects.
 Video
Falling & Turning - Parachute
Falling & Turning (with extra force – air resistance)

1 Weight > Air Resistance Accelerates downwards

2 Weight = Air Resistance Constant velocity but high velocity
3 Air Resistance > Weight Decelerates → velocity decreases
4 Air Resistance = Weight Constant velocity but lower velocity
(compared to 2)
Terminal velocity – falls at a steady rate