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LearnEdexcelYMA012018 specificationWME01 · Mechanics 1Kinematics of a particle in a straight line

WME01 · Module

Kinematics of a particle in a straight line

3 subtopics≈ 105 min in total

Start the module: Constant acceleration formulae (suvat)Open graphing calculator

Constant acceleration formulae (suvat)
Five letters, five formulas. Write down $s$ , $u$ , $v$ , $a$ , $t$ , fill in the three you know and the one you want, then pick the formula without the letter you don't need. Every formula assumes the acceleration is constant.
≈ 35 min
Vertical motion under gravity
Without air resistance, every object near the Earth accelerates downwards at $g=9.8$ m s⁻². Pick a positive direction (usually up), make $a=-9.8$ , and use suvat. At the top of its flight an object is momentarily still: $v=0$ .
≈ 35 min
Displacement–time and velocity–time graphs
On a velocity–time graph, the gradient is the acceleration and the area underneath is the displacement. On a displacement–time graph, the gradient is the velocity. Multi-stage journeys become trapezia, and an unknown time or top speed comes from setting the area equal to the total distance.
≈ 35 min