v=u+at
v^2=u^2+2as
s=ut + \frac{1}{2}at^2
s=\frac{1}{2}(u+v)t
Summary/Background
In the exam, start by writing down these important formulae:
v=u+at
s=ut+\frac{1}{2}at^2
s=vt-\frac{1}{2}at^2
v^2=u^2+2as
s=\frac{1}{2}(u+v)t
Kinematics is a branch of mechanics which describes the motion of objects without the consideration of the masses or forces that bring about the motion. In contrast, dynamics is concerned with the forces and interactions that produce or affect the motion.
Kinematics studies how the position of an object changes with time. Position is measured with respect to a set of coordinates. Velocity is the rate of change of position. Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity. Velocity and Acceleration are the two principal quantities which describe how position changes.
Kinematics studies how the position of an object changes with time. Position is measured with respect to a set of coordinates. Velocity is the rate of change of position. Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity. Velocity and Acceleration are the two principal quantities which describe how position changes.
Software/Applets used on this page
Glossary
acceleration
the rate of change of velocity with time. It is a vector quantity with magnitude and direction.
dynamics
The study of the motion of an object or system of objects.
kinematics
The study of the motion of an object or system of objects, without reference to the actions of masses or forces.
rate of change
the derivative; a measurement of how a function changes when its input changes.
suvat
an acronym used in Mechanics for the constant acceleration formulae, where s is displacement, u is initial velocity, v is final velocity, a is acceleration and t is time.
union
The union of two sets A and B is the set containing all the elements of A and B.
velocity
the rate of change of displacement. It is a vector quantity with magnitude and direction.
This question appears in the following syllabi:
| Syllabus | Module | Section | Topic |
|---|---|---|---|
| AQA A-Level (UK - Pre-2017) | M1 | Kinematics | Constant acceleration |
| AQA AS Maths 2017 | Mechanics | Kinematics and Units | Constant Acceleration Formulae |
| AQA AS/A2 Maths 2017 | Mechanics | Kinematics and Units | Constant Acceleration Formulae |
| CCEA A-Level (NI) | M1 | Kinematics | Constant acceleration |
| CIE A-Level (UK) | M1 | Kinematics | Constant acceleration |
| Q Mechanics - Kinematics | Q3 Constant Acceleration Formulae | Constant Acceleration Formulae | |
| Edexcel A-Level (UK - Pre-2017) | M1 | Kinematics | Constant acceleration |
| Edexcel AS Maths 2017 | Mechanics | Constant Acceleration Motion | Constant Acceleration Formulae |
| Edexcel AS/A2 Maths 2017 | Mechanics | Constant Acceleration Motion | Constant Acceleration Formulae |
| OCR A-Level (UK - Pre-2017) | M1 | Kinematics | Constant acceleration |
| OCR AS Maths 2017 | Mechanics | Working with Motion | Constant Acceleration Formulae |
| OCR MEI AS Maths 2017 | Mechanics | Working with Motion | Constant Acceleration Formulae |
| OCR-MEI A-Level (UK - Pre-2017) | M1 | Kinematics | Constant acceleration |
| Pre-U A-Level (UK) | Mech | Kinematics | Constant acceleration |
| Universal (all site questions) | K | Kinematics | Constant acceleration |
| WJEC A-Level (Wales) | M1 | Kinematics | Constant acceleration |