Physics Kinematics and Wavelength Study Guide

KINEMATICS:
1. De ne speed as distance travelled per unit +me and de ne velocity as change in

displacement per unit time.
Speed: Scalar quantity (No direction)
Displacement: Vector quantity (Has a direction)
2. Recall the use of this equation.

Speed = Distance/Time
3. Recall the use of this equation.

Average speed = Total distance travelled/Total time take
4. De ne acceleration as change in velocity per unit time; recall and use the equation:
Acceleration = Change in velocity/Time taken
5. State what is meant by, and describe examples of, uniform acceleration and non-uniform
acceleration.
Uniform acceleration: Constant rate of velocity
E.g. Free-Falling object
E.g. Constant accelerating car
Non-Uniform: Changing rate of velocity
E.g. Projectile motion
E.g. Car accelerating with varying acceleration
6. Know that a deceleration is a negative acceleration and use this in calculations
7. Sketch, plot and interpret distance–time and speed–time graphs

Distance-Time Graph:
If the graph is a straight line with a positive slope (ascending line), it indicates a constant speed. The
steeper the slope, the greater the speed.
If the graph is a horizontal line, it means the object is at rest, as the distance remains constant over
time.
If the graph is a curve, it indicates a changing speed. The curvature and steepness of the curve
provide information about the acceleration or deceleration of the object.
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Speed-Time Graph:
If the graph is a horizontal line, it means the speed is constant. The height of the line represents the
constant speed value.
If the graph is a straight line with a positive slope (ascending line), it indicates uniform acceleration.
The slope represents the rate at which the speed is changing.
If the graph is a straight line with a negative slope (descending line), it indicates uniform
deceleration or negative acceleration. The slope represents the rate at which the object is slowing
down.
If the graph is a curve, it indicates non-uniform acceleration or deceleration. The curvature and
steepness of the curve provide information about the changing rate of speed.
10. State that the acceleration of free fall g for an object near to the surface of the Earth is
approximately constant and is approximately 9.8m/s2
11. Calculate speed from the gradient of a distance–time graph

Choose two points on the distance-time graph.
Identify the change in distance (rise) between the two points.
Identify the change in time (run) between the two points.
Divide the change in distance by the change in time to nd the slope (gradient) of the graph.
slope = (change in distance) / (change in time)
12. Calculate the area under a speed–time graph to determine the distance travelled for
motion with constant speed or constant acceleration
Constant Speed:
If the speed-time graph represents constant speed, the graph will be a horizontal line. To calculate
the distance traveled, you need to nd the area of the rectangle formed by the horizontal line and the
time axis.
Distance traveled = Speed × Time
In this case, the distance traveled is simply the product of the constant speed and the time interval.
Constant Acceleration:
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If the speed-time graph represents constant acceleration, the graph will be a straight line with a
positive or negative slope. To calculate the distance traveled, you need to nd the area of the
trapezoid formed by the line and the time axis.
Distance traveled = [(Initial Speed + Final Speed) / 2] × Time
In this case, the distance traveled is given by the average of the initial and nal speeds multiplied by
the time interval.
13. Calculate acceleration from the gradient of a speed–time graph
Choose two points on the speed-time graph.

Identify the change in speed (rise) between the two points.
Identify the change in time (run) between the two points.
Divide the change in speed by the change in time to nd the slope (gradient) of the graph.
slope = (change in speed) / (change in time)
14. Solve SUVAT-related questions using these equations

v=u+at
s=ut+1/2at^2
v^2=u^2as
s=(v+u)t/2
15. Solve basic projectile motion questions.

Using SUVAT.
GENERAL PROPERTIES OF WAVE:
1. Know that waves transfer energy without transferring matter
2. Describe what is meant by wave motion as illustrated by vibrations in ropes and springs
and by experiments using water waves
Vibrations in Ropes and Springs:

When a rope or a spring is subjected to a disturbance or a force, it can exhibit wave-like behavior.
For example, if one end of a rope is moved up and down, a transverse wave is generated. The
disturbance travels along the rope, causing the individual particles of the rope to oscillate up and
down perpendicularly to the direction of the wave's propagation. This motion creates crests (peaks)
and troughs (valleys) in the rope, forming a pattern of waves.
Experiments Using Water Waves:

Water waves provide another example of wave motion. When a disturbance, such as a stone being
dropped into a still body of water, occurs, it creates ripples that spread outward. These ripples are
known as water waves. They consist of oscillations of the water's surface, with crests and troughs
forming as the waves propagate.
Experiments with water waves can demonstrate various wave phenomena, such as interference,
diffraction, and re ection. For instance, when water waves encounter a barrier, they can bounce
back, similar to how light re ects off a mirror. Additionally, when two waves meet, their amplitudes
can combine or cancel out, resulting in constructive or destructive interference.
In summary, wave motion involves the propagation of disturbances or oscillations through a

medium. Whether it's vibrations in ropes and springs or experiments using water waves, waves
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exhibit characteristic behaviors, such as periodic oscillations, the transmission of energy without the
actual movement of the medium, and the formation of crests and troughs.
3. Describe the features of a wave in terms of wavefront, wavelength, frequency, crest (peak),
trough, amplitude and wave speed
4. De ne the terms frequency, wavelength, and amplitude:

(a) frequency as the number of wavelengths that pass a point per unit time
(b) wavelength as the distance between two consecutive, identical points such as two consecutive
crests
(c) amplitude as the maximum distance from the mean position
5. Recall the use of this equation:

Wave speed = frequency x wavelength
6. Know that for a transverse wave, the direction of vibration is at right angles to the direction
of the energy transfer, and give examples such as electromagnetic radiation, waves on the
surface of water, and seismic S-waves (secondary)
E.g.
- Ripples on the surface of water.
- vibrations in a guitar string.
- a Mexican wave in a sports stadium.
7. Know that for a longitudinal wave, the direction of vibration is parallel to the direction of
the energy transfer, and give examples such as sound waves and seismic P-waves (primary)
E.g.
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- Sound waves
- Seismic P-waves
- Ultrasound waves
ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM
Know that the speed of all electromagnetic waves in a vacuum is 3.0 × 108 m/s (b) air is
approximately the same as in a vacuum

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KINEMATICS:

1. De ne speed as distance travelled per unit +me and de ne velocity as change in

2. Recall the use of this equation.

3. Recall the use of this equation.

6. Know that a deceleration is a negative acceleration and use this in calculations

7. Sketch, plot and interpret distance–time and speed–time graphs

11. Calculate speed from the gradient of a distance–time graph

13. Calculate acceleration from the gradient of a speed–time graph

Choose two points on the speed-time graph.

14. Solve SUVAT-related questions using these equations

15. Solve basic projectile motion questions.

GENERAL PROPERTIES OF WAVE:

1. Know that waves transfer energy without transferring matter

Vibrations in Ropes and Springs:

Experiments Using Water Waves:

In summary, wave motion involves the propagation of disturbances or oscillations through a

4. De ne the terms frequency, wavelength, and amplitude:

5. Recall the use of this equation:

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