P1 MOTION, FORCES & ENERGY
1.1
Measurement
Use & describe the use of rulers & measuring cylinders to find the length of a
volume – CORE
- Rulers can be used to measure small distances of a few cm. They are able
to measure to the nearest mm.
- When measuring distances in metres a tape measure is more
appropriate or when measuring even larger distances, a trundle wheel.
- Measuring cylinders can be used to measure the volume of liquids or, by
measuring the change in volume, the volume of an irregular shape
Understand that a micrometer screw gauge is used to measure very small
distances – EXTENDED
Micrometers can measure distances to the nearest 1/100th of a mm
Micromesters can be used to measure very small distances
Used in engineering
Use and describe the use of clocks and devices, both analogue and digital, for
measuring an interval of time – CORE
Time:
- Stop-clocks and stopwatches can be used to measure time intervals.
- An important factor when measuring time intervals is human reaction
time.
- This can have a significant impact upon measurements when the
measurements involved are very short (less than a second)
Obtain an average value for a small distance and for a short interval of time
by measuring multiples (including the period of a pendulum) – CORE
Multiple Readings:
- This process of taking a reading of a large number of values and then
dividing by the number, is a good way of getting accurate values for small
figures, including (for example) the time period of a pendulum –
measure the time taken for 10 swings and then divide that time by 10
- 1 x swing of the pendulum – not accurate enough to measure the time.
- 10 x swings of the pendulum – divide it by the time. This is more
accurate.
Pendulum use: clocks, earthquake seismometers, and amusement park rides
Scalars & Vectors
Scalar Quantity (Size)
Quantities (amount or number of a material) that have only a magnitude
(size). NO DIRECTION!!!
Examples of Scalar
Distance, volume, density, speed, energy, mass, and time
Examples of Vector
Acceleration / deceleration, gravitational field strength, impulse, momentum,
weight, velocity
1.2
Motion
Keyword(s)
- Quantity: can be measured using numbers
- Velocity: the direction of the moving object
- Acceleration: the rate of change of the velocity
- Speed: the distance travelled per unit time
Define speed and calculate average speed – CORE
Speed
Speed (measured in metres per second) is the distance moved by an object
each second The average speed of an object is given by the equation:
Example:
A Truck moves at constant speed and makes 3 km and 110 m in 6 minutes. Find
out its speed.
3km 110m = 3000m + 110m = 3110m
6 mins = 360s
Speed = distance/time = 3110m/360s = 8,6 m/s
That same truck starts to increase its velocity during 20 seconds until it drives
at 12 m/s. Find out the acceleration shown.
12 - 8,6 = 3,4
3,4 / 20 = 0,17 m/s^2
The truck starts braking during 10 seconds showing a final velocity of 6 m/s.
Calculate the new acceleration.
6 - 12 = -6
-6 / 10 = -0.6 m/s^2
A car moves at a constant speed and covers 10 km and 40 meters in 8
minutes. Find its speed.
10 km = 10 000m
10 000 + 40 = 10 040m
8 mins = 480 secs
10 040/480 = 20.92m/s
That same car starts to increase its velocity over 15 seconds until it drives at
15 m/s. Find the acceleration during this phase.
15 - 20.92 = -5.92m/s
-5.92/15 = -0.39m/s^2
The car then starts braking for 18 seconds, reaching a final velocity of 6 m/s.
Calculate the new acceleration during this braking period.
6 - (-5.92) = 11.92m
11.92/18 = 0.66m/s^2
B
B
A
D
C
B
B
D
D
B
Velocity-time graph
A drone toy was moving at a velocity of 2.5m/s. The drone then slowed
down to 0.2m/s within 6.0 seconds, narrowly hitting the wall. Calculate the
new acceleration.
0.2 - 2.5 = -2.3m/s
-2.3/6.0 = -0.38m/s^2
Free Fall
Freefall: Basics
No air resistance, all objects fall with the same acceleration, regardless of
their mass
Acceleration is caused by Gravity (gravitational field strength) 10 or 9.8 m/s2
No air resistance, the speed of a falling object will increase at a faster rate,
the longer it falls for.
Terminal Velocity: Constant Air Resistance
Terminal Velocity: the highest velocity attained by an object falling
When a parachutist jumps out of an airplane, two main forces act:
Weight (the force of gravity)
Air resistance
Terminal Velocity: Constant Air Resistance
1) The air resistance is very small. There is a downwards unbalanced force and
the skydiver accelerates
2) As the skydiver speeds up, the air resistance increases
3) Air resistance = the weight. The skydiver travels at a constant speed –
terminal velocity.
4) When the parachute is opened the increased air resistance on the parachute
creates an upwards unbalanced force, making the parachute slow down .
1.3
Weight & Mass
Weight: the force exerted on the mass of a body by a gravitational field.
Mass: the quantity of matter which a body contains, as measured by its acceleration
under a given force or by the force exerted on it by a gravitational field.
Density
