Acceleration

MS 1d, 3b, 3c

Students should be able to recall and apply this equation.

The acceleration of an object can be calculated from the gradient of a velocity–time graph.

(HT only) The distance travelled by an object (or displacement of an object) can be calculated from the area under a velocity–time graph.

Students should be able to:

MS 4a, b, c, d, f

• draw velocity–time graphs from measurements and interpret lines and slopes to determine acceleration
• (HT only) interpret enclosed areas in velocity–time graphs to determine distance travelled (or displacement)

WS 3.3

• (HT only) measure, when appropriate, the area under a velocity–time graph by counting squares.

WS 3.3

The following equation applies to uniform acceleration:

final velocity, v, in metres per second, m/s

initial velocity, u, in metres per second, m/s

acceleration, a, in metres per second squared, m/s²

distance, s, in metres, m

Near the Earth’s surface any object falling freely under gravity has an acceleration of about 9.8 m/s².

MS 3b, 3c

Students should be able to apply this equation which is given on the Physics equation sheet.

An object falling through a fluid initially accelerates due to the force of gravity. Eventually the resultant force will be zero and the object will move at its terminal velocity.