Physics: Kinematics and Newtonian Mechanics

Kinematics Learning Outcomes

• Speed is the distance covered by a body in a particular time, measured in meters per second (m/s), and is a scalar quantity.

Speed, Velocity, and Acceleration

• Speed is different from velocity, with velocity being a vector quantity.
• Average speed is calculated by dividing distance traveled by time taken.
• Uniform acceleration occurs when the velocity of an object changes at a constant rate.
• Acceleration is calculated by dividing the change in velocity by time taken.
• Deceleration is a negative acceleration.

Graphical Analysis of Motion

• Speed-time graphs and distance-time graphs can be plotted and interpreted to understand motion.
• The shape of a speed-time graph can indicate:
• A body at rest (horizontal line)
• A body moving with uniform speed (flat, non-zero line)
• A body moving with uniform acceleration (curved line)
• A body moving with non-uniform acceleration (irregular curve)
• The area under a speed-time graph can be calculated to determine the distance traveled for motion with uniform speed or uniform acceleration.

Free-Fall

• The acceleration of free-fall for a body near the Earth is constant and approximately 9.8 m/s².
• Bodies with constant weight falling with and without air resistance experience:
• Free-fall without air resistance: acceleration at 9.8 m/s²
• Free-fall with air resistance: terminal velocity is reached, and acceleration decreases.