for the OUP text Senior Physics - Concepts in Context by Walding, Rapkins and
Rossiter
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Knowledge & Understanding
Distinguish between and explain the meaning of the terms distance, displacement, speed,
velocity and acceleration.
Use these terms to describe the motion of objects.
Distinguish between instantaneous and average velocity.
Identify scalar and vector quantities and use appropriate sign conventions.
Solve problems involving, velocity, acceleration, displacement and time.
Use equations of motion to solve problems:
v = s/t; v = u + at; s = ½(u + v)t; s = ut + ½ at2; v2= u2 + 2as.
Describe the motion of objects falling vertically under gravity (* including cases
involving terminal velocity).
Explain how the acceleration due to gravity can be determined.
Discuss methods used to record motion.
Solve problems involving combinations of displacement, time, velocity and acceleration.
Apply equations of motion to the complex motion involved in domestic, industrial and
scientific applications.
Critically examine the adequacy of data presented in a variety of real-life situations.
Scientific Techniques
Plot, interpret and use graphs to describe motion.
Describe relationships between these graphs of motion.
Tabulate and analyse motion from tickertimer tapes.
Use mathematical and vectorial operations to quantify, analyse and interpret data
generated by ticker-timers, stroboscopes, electronic timers and computer interfaces.
Use appropriate units of measurement correctly in calculations, reports and tables.
Relate modern ideas to the historical development of the nature of motion.
CHAPTER 2 SUMMARY
The change of position in a particular direction is displacement.
The average speed of an object is the distance covered divided by the time taken. The
average velocity is the displacement divided by the time taken.
Instantaneous velocity is the rate of change of displacement.
The acceleration of an object is its change in velocity divided by the time taken for
the change.
The gradient of a displacement-time graph is the instantaneous velocity.
The area under a velocity-time graph indicates the displacement.
The gradient of a velocity-time graph indicates the acceleration.
Objects that fall freely under gravity on Earth have a constant acceleration of about 10
m s-2 in the negative (downwards) direction.
Stopping distance equals reaction time plus braking distance.