Physics SL

Space, time and motion

A: Kinematics, forces and momentum, work energy and power, plus HL-only rigid body mechanics and relativity.

Interpret displacement, velocity, and acceleration in kinematics Use constant-acceleration equations Analyse projectile motion components Interpret motion graph gradients and areas Evaluate uncertainty in kinematics measurements Apply Newtons laws to connected bodies Resolve forces in equilibrium and acceleration contexts Use impulse and momentum conservation Analyse work, energy, power, and efficiency Connect force, energy, and momentum in multi-step mechanics Find speed from a distance-time graph Read two points off a distance-time graph and calculate the constant speed as distance over time (the gradient). Connects graph reading to kinematics. Find acceleration from a velocity-time graph Read two points off a velocity-time graph and calculate the constant acceleration as change in velocity over time (the gradient). Find a spring constant from a force-extension graph Read two points off a force-extension graph (Hooke's law) and find the spring constant as the gradient. Find power from an energy-time graph Read two points off an energy-time graph and find the power as energy transferred over time (the gradient). Find force from a momentum-time graph Read two points off a momentum-time graph and find the constant force as change in momentum over time (the gradient = rate of change of momentum). Find distance from the area under a velocity-time graph Find the distance travelled by reading the area under a velocity-time graph (the area of the triangle = half base times height). Find work from a force-extension graph Find the work done stretching a spring as the area under the force-extension graph (the triangle area = half force times extension). Find impulse from a force-time graph Find the impulse as the area under a force-time graph (the triangle area = half force times time = change in momentum). Find the speed of part of a travel graph Read the speed of one part of a journey from a travel graph (distance-time), where a flat section means stopped and a steeper section means a faster speed.