REVISION NOTES
IGCSE Edexcel Physics
1.1 Movement and Position
1.1.1 Use the following units: kilogram (kg), metre (m), metre/second (m/s), metre/second2 (m/s2), newton (N), second (s) and newton/kilogram (N/kg)
Quantity | Symbol | SI Unit |
Mass | m | Kilograms (kg) |
Distance | d | Metres (m) |
Velocity | v | Metres per second (m/s) |
Acceleration | a | Metres per second squared (m/s2) |
Force | F | Newtons (N) |
Time | t | Seconds (s) |
Gravitational Field Strength | g | Newtons per kilogram (N/kg) |
1.1.2 Use the following units: newton metre (Nm), kilogram metre/second (kg m/s)
Quantity | Symbol | SI Unit |
Moments | M | Newton metre (Nm) |
Momentum | p | Kilogram metre per second (kg m/s) |
1.1.3 Plot and explain distance−time graphs
1.1.4 Know and use the relationship between average speed, distance moved and time taken:
1.1.5 Practical: investigate the motion of everyday objects such as toy cars or tennis balls
Apparatus needed:
- Stopwatch
- Metre ruler or tape measure
- Marker or pen
Method:
- Mark starting point and end point with marker
Measure distance with metre ruler or tape measure - Line up front of toy car with starting point
- Release the car and start the stopwatch
- Stop stopwatch when the front of the toy car reaches the end point
- Repeat steps and average results for reliability
- Calculate speed
Control variables:
- Ensure that the toy car starts from a stationary speed
- Use same stopwatch for accuracy
1.1.6 Know and use the relationship between acceleration, change in velocity and time taken: acceleration = change in velocity/time taken
1.1.7 Plot and explain velocity−time graphs
The area under the the graph is equal to the distance travelled.
1.1.8 Determine acceleration from the gradient of a velocity−time graph
1.1.9 Determine the distance travelled from the area between a velocity−time graph and the time axis
1.1.10 Use the relationship between final speed, initial speed, acceleration and distance moved: