Mechanics
Modelling Assumptions
Particle → The object's mass is concentrated at a single point, and its dimensions are
neglected.
Rod → Rigid does not bend or buckle.
Light Object → Mass is 0.
Uniform Object → Mass acts at the geometric centre of the object.
Light String → Tension is the same at both ends of the string.
Inextensible String → Acceleration is the same at both ends of the string.
Smooth and Light Pulley → Tension is the same on both sides.
Smooth surface → No friction.
Rough surface → Frictional forces more than 0.
Kinematics
A vector can be positive or negative to indicate the direction.
A scalar is always positive.
Vectors: (Velocity, Displacement, and Acceleration)
Scalars: (Speed, Distance, and Time)
Formula Used when
v=u+at s is not given and not required
v2=u2+2as t is not given and not required
s=ut+1/2 at2 v is not given and not required
s=vt−1/2 at2 u is not given and not required
s=(u+v)/2 x t a is not given and not required
Distance-Time Graph
Inclined line → Constant velocity
Horizontal line → At rest (velocity is 0)
Curved line → Changing velocity (acceleration)
Displacement-Time Graph
Inclined line with positive gradient → Constant velocity in a positive direction
Inclined line with negative gradient → Constant velocity in negative direction
Horizontal line → At rest (velocity is 0)
Curved line → Changing velocity (acceleration)
Speed-Time Graph
Inclined Straight Line With Positive Gradient → Constant/Uniform Acceleration In
Positive Direction
Inclined Straight Line With Negative Gradient → Constant/Uniform Deceleration
Horizontal Straight Line → Constant/Uniform Speed
The total area under the line represents the total distance travelled.
Gradient represents the acceleration.
Velocity-Time Graph
Inclined Straight Line With +ve Gradient → Constant Acceleration In +ve Direction
Inclined Straight Line With -ve Gradient → Constant Acceleration In -ve
Direction/Deceleration
Horizontal Straight Line → Constant Speed
Gradient represents the acceleration
Area Above x-axis + Area Below x-axis = Total Distance Traveled
If there is -ve velocity then the area above the line and below the x-axis is considered -
ve displacement
Area Above x-axis - Area Below x-axis = Total Displacement
Acceleration-Time Graph
Horizontal Straight Line → Constant Acceleration
The area under the graph represents a change in velocity.
Use dotted lines to indicate a change in acceleration
Vector Magnitude
To calculate the magnitude of a vector, use Pythagoras’ theorem.
Calculate the magnitude of the velocity to get the speed.
Calculate the magnitude of the displacement to get the distance.
Connected Particles
Frictional Force
Friction force acts opposite to the direction of motion on a rough surface. (Friction is 0
if a smooth surface was used as μ=0)
Maximum Friction Force = μ×R, (where μ is the coefficient of friction and R is the
reaction force) when the resultant force is zero.
Static Equilibrium
Static Equilibrium is attained by a body if :
The body is stationary
The resultant forces on the body are 0
The resultant moment is 0
A body is also stationary when Fmax≤µR and it is on the point of moving when Fmax=µR
Moments
Two conditions are required for the system to be in equilibrium:
The net force is 0
The net moment is 0
Tilting
When a body is on the point of tilting about a pivot, the reaction at any other pivot (Or
tension in wire/string) is equal to 0.
Pure 1
Quadratic Graphs
quadratic functions come in the form ax2+bx+c where a≠0
if a>0 the graph of the function is a downwards parabola
if a<0 the graph of the function is an upwards parabola
The Discriminant
In a quadratic function, the discriminant (b2−4ac). The discriminant can help find the
number of solutions the function may have.
if b2−4ac>0 the function has two distinct roots
if b2−4ac=0 the function has a repeating root
if b2−4ac<0 the function has no real roots
Completing the Square
ax2+bx+c=a(x−[b/2a])2+(c−[b2/4a] ) where: ([−b/2a] , c−[b2/4a]) , are the coordinates of the
º]] º
turning point of the graph
Radians
Radian to degree:
x×180π
Arc length and Area:
l=rθ where r is the radius of the sector and θ is the angle at the center in radians.
A=0.5r2θ
Pure 2
The Circle Equation
The equation of a circle is written in the form of:
(x−a)2+(y−b)2=r2
Where:
(a,b) is the center of the circle
r is the radius (note: the radius is r; NOT r2)
Key Circle Properties
The angle in a semi-circle is always a right angle
1. A tangent to a circle is where b2−4ac=0
2. A line separate from a circle is where b2−4ac<0
3. A chord to a circle is where b2−4ac>0
A tangent to a circle is the perpendicular to the radius at the point of intersection
The perpendicular bisector of a chord will always pass through the center of a circle
In a right-angled triangle inside a circle, the hypotenuse is always the diameter
Solutions of Simple Trigonometric Equations
→ The CAST/ASTC diagram states that:
1. All angles between 0° and 90° have positive solutions for sin, cos and tan.
2. All angles between 90° and 180° only have positive solutions for sin ratios.
3. All angles between 180° and 270° only have positive solutions for tan ratios.
4. All angles between 270° and 360° only have a positive solution for cos ratios.
→ Note 1: Always go in an anticlockwise direction for positive and clockwise direction for
negative angles. (i.e for −90°, the placement would be at 270°)
→Note 2: Always only add or subtract using 180°or 360° (NOT 90° or 270°)
