What quantity does each letter in the SUVAT equations represent?

s – displacement (m) u – initial velocity (m s -1 ) v – final velocity (m s -1 ) a – acceleration (m s -2 ) t – time interval (s)

Under what condition can the SUVAT equations of motion be used?

They can only be used when the acceleration is constant (uniform) and not zero.

An object thrown vertically upwards slows down as it rises, so its acceleration is .......... and its velocity at the highest point is ..........

An object thrown vertically upwards slows down as it rises, so its acceleration is negative and its velocity at the highest point is zero

True or False? The SUVAT equations can be used for any object that is accelerating.

False. They can only be used when the acceleration is constant . They cannot be applied when the acceleration is changing .

In SUVAT calculations, why is the acceleration of a decelerating object given a negative value?

The SUVAT quantities are vectors . If the direction of motion is taken as positive, an acceleration that opposes the motion acts in the opposite (negative) direction.

On a velocity–time graph , what do the gradient and the area under the line represent?

Gradient – acceleration Area under the line – displacement (distance travelled)

On a displacement–time graph, a horizontal line (zero gradient) shows that the object is at ..........

On a displacement–time graph, a horizontal line (zero gradient) shows that the object is at rest

True or False? The area under a displacement–time graph represents the distance travelled.

False. The area under a displacement–time graph has no physical meaning . It is the gradient that gives the velocity.

What does a curved line on a velocity–time graph represent?

Non-uniform (changing) acceleration .

What is the physical meaning of the area under a graph ?

It represents the y -axis quantity multiplied by the x -axis quantity. For example, on a velocity–time graph, velocity × time = displacement .

How do you find the area under a curved line ?

Divide the area into rectangles and triangles Calculate the area of each shape Count any remaining part-squares Add all the areas together

To find the instantaneous acceleration at a point on a curved velocity–time graph, draw a .......... to the curve and find its gradient

To find the instantaneous acceleration at a point on a curved velocity–time graph, draw a tangent to the curve and find its gradient

True or False? When calculating a gradient, you should use the two furthest-apart plotted data points.

False. You should choose two points that lie on the line of best fit , as far apart as possible. The plotted data points themselves may not lie exactly on the line.

Define a scalar quantity.

A scalar is a quantity that has magnitude only , with no direction.

Define a vector quantity.

A vector is a quantity that has both magnitude and direction .

What is the difference between distance and displacement ?

Distance – the total length of the path travelled, regardless of direction (a scalar) Displacement – the straight-line distance and direction from the start point to the finish point (a vector)

How can an object have a constant speed but a changing velocity ?

If the object is changing direction . Velocity is a vector , so a change in direction changes the velocity even when the speed (magnitude) stays the same.

.......... is a measure of the displacement of an object per unit time, whereas speed is a measure of the distance travelled per unit time

Velocity is a measure of the displacement of an object per unit time, whereas speed is a measure of the distance travelled per unit time

True or False? Mass is a vector quantity.

False. Mass has magnitude only , so it is a scalar . It is weight (a force) that is the vector quantity.

Define the components of a vector.

The components of a vector are the two perpendicular vectors into which it can be split, which together have the same effect as the original vector.

When a single vector is resolved, the two components produced are always .......... to each other

When a single vector is resolved, the two components produced are always perpendicular to each other

State the two methods that can be used to resolve a vector into its components.

Scale drawing – an accurate diagram drawn with a ruler and protractor Calculation – using trigonometry (sine and cosine)

True or False? The two perpendicular components of a vector add together numerically to give the original vector's magnitude.

False. Because the components are perpendicular , they combine using Pythagoras' theorem , not by simple addition.

Define the resultant of two or more vectors.

The resultant is the single vector that has the same effect as two or more vectors combined. It is also called the net vector.

What are the two methods for adding vectors, and when is each used?

Calculation – used when the vectors are perpendicular Scale drawing – used when the vectors are not perpendicular

Describe how to add two vectors using the triangle method .

Link the two vectors head-to-tail . The resultant is drawn from the tail of the first vector to the head of the second vector.

When adding two perpendicular vectors by calculation, how are the magnitude and direction of the resultant found?

Magnitude – using Pythagoras' theorem Direction – using trigonometry (the angle from the horizontal or vertical)

In the parallelogram method, the vectors are drawn tail-to-tail and the resultant is the .......... of the parallelogram

In the parallelogram method, the vectors are drawn tail-to-tail and the resultant is the diagonal of the parallelogram

True or False? The magnitude of the resultant is always found by adding the magnitudes of the individual vectors.

False. This is only true when the vectors act in the same direction . In general the resultant is found by scale drawing , or by Pythagoras if the vectors are perpendicular.

Define the time of flight , maximum height and range of a projectile.

Time of flight – how long the projectile is in the air Maximum height – the highest vertical point reached by the projectile Range – the horizontal distance travelled by the projectile

After release, what is the only force acting on a projectile (ignoring air resistance), and what is its effect?

The only force is gravity (its weight). This produces a constant downward acceleration acting on the vertical component of motion only.

At its maximum height, the .......... component of a projectile's velocity is momentarily zero

At its maximum height, the vertical component of a projectile's velocity is momentarily zero

True or False? A projectile's horizontal velocity decreases as it travels through the air.

False. Ignoring air resistance, there is no horizontal force , so the horizontal velocity stays constant throughout the motion.

When solving a projectile problem, which quantity is common to both the horizontal and vertical calculations?

Time . The time of flight is shared by both components, so it links the horizontal and vertical parts of the motion.

Define a free-body force diagram .

A free-body force diagram shows all the forces acting on a single object , each drawn as a labelled vector arrow , with the object shown free from contact with any other object.

In a free-body diagram, what three things does each force arrow show?

Magnitude – shown by the length of the arrow Direction – shown by the way the arrow points Type of force – shown by a label or symbol

For a box sliding down a slope, name the three forces acting on it and their directions.

Normal contact force (R) – perpendicular to the slope Friction (F) – parallel to the slope, opposing the motion Weight (W) – vertically downward

When three forces acting on an object are balanced, their vector arrows form a .......... triangle

When three forces acting on an object are balanced, their vector arrows form a closed triangle

What is meant by modelling an object as an extended but rigid body ?

All parts of the object stay in the same position relative to each other when it moves — the object does not change shape or deform.

True or False? A free-body diagram should include the forces that the object exerts on other objects.

False. A free-body diagram shows only the forces acting on that one object , not the forces it exerts on anything else.

International A Level (IAL)PhysicsEdexcelFlashcards1. Mechanics & MaterialsMotion

Motion (Edexcel International A Level (IAL) Physics): Flashcards

Exam code: YPH11

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FrontEquations of Motion
What quantity does each letter in the SUVAT equations represent?
BackEquations of Motion
s – displacement (m)
u – initial velocity (m s^-1)
v – final velocity (m s^-1)
a – acceleration (m s^-2)
t – time interval (s)
BackEquations of Motion
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FrontEquations of Motion
State the four SUVAT equations of motion.
BackEquations of Motion
$v = u + a t$
$s = u t + \frac{1}{2} a t^{2}$
$v^{2} = u^{2} + 2 a s$
$s = \frac{(u + v)}{2} t$

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Cards in this collection (46)

What quantity does each letter in the SUVAT equations represent?
- s – displacement (m)
- u – initial velocity (m s^-1)
- v – final velocity (m s^-1)
- a – acceleration (m s^-2)
- t – time interval (s)
Under what condition can the SUVAT equations of motion be used?
They can only be used when the acceleration is constant (uniform) and not zero.
State the four SUVAT equations of motion.
- $v = u + a t$
- $s = u t + \frac{1}{2} a t^{2}$
- $v^{2} = u^{2} + 2 a s$
- $s = \frac{(u + v)}{2} t$
An object thrown vertically upwards slows down as it rises, so its acceleration is .......... and its velocity at the highest point is ..........
An object thrown vertically upwards slows down as it rises, so its acceleration is negative and its velocity at the highest point is zero
True or False?
The SUVAT equations can be used for any object that is accelerating.
False.
They can only be used when the acceleration is constant. They cannot be applied when the acceleration is changing.
In SUVAT calculations, why is the acceleration of a decelerating object given a negative value?
The SUVAT quantities are vectors. If the direction of motion is taken as positive, an acceleration that opposes the motion acts in the opposite (negative) direction.
On a displacement–time graph, what does the gradient (slope) represent?
The velocity of the object.
On a velocity–time graph, what do the gradient and the area under the line represent?
- Gradient – acceleration
- Area under the line – displacement (distance travelled)
On an acceleration–time graph, what does the area under the line represent?
The change in velocity.
On a displacement–time graph, a horizontal line (zero gradient) shows that the object is at ..........
On a displacement–time graph, a horizontal line (zero gradient) shows that the object is at rest
True or False?
The area under a displacement–time graph represents the distance travelled.
False.
The area under a displacement–time graph has no physical meaning. It is the gradient that gives the velocity.
What does a curved line on a velocity–time graph represent?
Non-uniform (changing) acceleration.
Define the gradient (slope) of a graph.
The gradient is the change in the y-value divided by the change in the x-value: $gradient = \frac{Δ y}{Δ x}$
What is the physical meaning of the area under a graph?
It represents the y-axis quantity multiplied by the x-axis quantity. For example, on a velocity–time graph, velocity × time = displacement.
How do you find the area under a curved line?
- Divide the area into rectangles and triangles
- Calculate the area of each shape
- Count any remaining part-squares
- Add all the areas together
How do you determine the units of a gradient?
Divide the units of the y-axis by the units of the x-axis: $units of gradient = \frac{units of y}{units of x}$
To find the instantaneous acceleration at a point on a curved velocity–time graph, draw a .......... to the curve and find its gradient
To find the instantaneous acceleration at a point on a curved velocity–time graph, draw a tangent to the curve and find its gradient
True or False?
When calculating a gradient, you should use the two furthest-apart plotted data points.
False.
You should choose two points that lie on the line of best fit, as far apart as possible. The plotted data points themselves may not lie exactly on the line.
Define a scalar quantity.
A scalar is a quantity that has magnitude only, with no direction.
Define a vector quantity.
A vector is a quantity that has both magnitude and direction.
What is the difference between distance and displacement?
- Distance – the total length of the path travelled, regardless of direction (a scalar)
- Displacement – the straight-line distance and direction from the start point to the finish point (a vector)
How can an object have a constant speed but a changing velocity?
If the object is changing direction. Velocity is a vector, so a change in direction changes the velocity even when the speed (magnitude) stays the same.
.......... is a measure of the displacement of an object per unit time, whereas speed is a measure of the distance travelled per unit time
Velocity is a measure of the displacement of an object per unit time, whereas speed is a measure of the distance travelled per unit time
True or False?
Mass is a vector quantity.
False.
Mass has magnitude only, so it is a scalar. It is weight (a force) that is the vector quantity.
Define the components of a vector.
The components of a vector are the two perpendicular vectors into which it can be split, which together have the same effect as the original vector.
For a force F acting at angle θ to the horizontal, state its horizontal and vertical components.
- Horizontal component: $F_{x} = F \cos θ$
- Vertical component: $F_{y} = F \sin θ$
When a single vector is resolved, the two components produced are always .......... to each other
When a single vector is resolved, the two components produced are always perpendicular to each other
State the two methods that can be used to resolve a vector into its components.
- Scale drawing – an accurate diagram drawn with a ruler and protractor
- Calculation – using trigonometry (sine and cosine)
True or False?
The two perpendicular components of a vector add together numerically to give the original vector's magnitude.
False.
Because the components are perpendicular, they combine using Pythagoras' theorem, not by simple addition.
Define the resultant of two or more vectors.
The resultant is the single vector that has the same effect as two or more vectors combined. It is also called the net vector.
What are the two methods for adding vectors, and when is each used?
- Calculation – used when the vectors are perpendicular
- Scale drawing – used when the vectors are not perpendicular
Describe how to add two vectors using the triangle method.
Link the two vectors head-to-tail. The resultant is drawn from the tail of the first vector to the head of the second vector.
When adding two perpendicular vectors by calculation, how are the magnitude and direction of the resultant found?
- Magnitude – using Pythagoras' theorem
- Direction – using trigonometry (the angle from the horizontal or vertical)
In the parallelogram method, the vectors are drawn tail-to-tail and the resultant is the .......... of the parallelogram
In the parallelogram method, the vectors are drawn tail-to-tail and the resultant is the diagonal of the parallelogram
True or False?
The magnitude of the resultant is always found by adding the magnitudes of the individual vectors.
False.
This is only true when the vectors act in the same direction. In general the resultant is found by scale drawing, or by Pythagoras if the vectors are perpendicular.
Define the time of flight, maximum height and range of a projectile.
- Time of flight – how long the projectile is in the air
- Maximum height – the highest vertical point reached by the projectile
- Range – the horizontal distance travelled by the projectile
After release, what is the only force acting on a projectile (ignoring air resistance), and what is its effect?
The only force is gravity (its weight). This produces a constant downward acceleration acting on the vertical component of motion only.
At its maximum height, the .......... component of a projectile's velocity is momentarily zero
At its maximum height, the vertical component of a projectile's velocity is momentarily zero
True or False?
A projectile's horizontal velocity decreases as it travels through the air.
False.
Ignoring air resistance, there is no horizontal force, so the horizontal velocity stays constant throughout the motion.
When solving a projectile problem, which quantity is common to both the horizontal and vertical calculations?
Time. The time of flight is shared by both components, so it links the horizontal and vertical parts of the motion.
Define a free-body force diagram.
A free-body force diagram shows all the forces acting on a single object, each drawn as a labelled vector arrow, with the object shown free from contact with any other object.
In a free-body diagram, what three things does each force arrow show?
- Magnitude – shown by the length of the arrow
- Direction – shown by the way the arrow points
- Type of force – shown by a label or symbol
For a box sliding down a slope, name the three forces acting on it and their directions.
- Normal contact force (R) – perpendicular to the slope
- Friction (F) – parallel to the slope, opposing the motion
- Weight (W) – vertically downward
When three forces acting on an object are balanced, their vector arrows form a .......... triangle
When three forces acting on an object are balanced, their vector arrows form a closed triangle
What is meant by modelling an object as an extended but rigid body?
All parts of the object stay in the same position relative to each other when it moves — the object does not change shape or deform.
True or False?
A free-body diagram should include the forces that the object exerts on other objects.
False.
A free-body diagram shows only the forces acting on that one object, not the forces it exerts on anything else.

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