Chapter 2

Summary
Acceleration is equal to the rate of change of velocity.
Acceleration is a vector quantity.
v
The gradient of a velocitytime graph is equal to acceleration: a =
t
The area under a velocitytime graph is equal to displacement (or distance travelled).
The equations of motion (for constant acceleration in a straight line) are:
v = u + at
(u + v )
t
2
s = ut + 21 at2
v2 = u2 + 2as
s=

Vectors such as forces can be resolved into components. Components at right angles to one another
can be treated independently of one another. For a velocity v at an angle to the x-direction, the
components are:
x-direction: v cos
y-direction: v sin
For projectiles, the horizontal and vertical components of velocity can be treated independently. In the
absence of air resistance, the horizontal component of velocity is constant while the vertical component of
velocity downwards increases at a rate of 9.81 m s2.

AS and A Level Physics Cambridge University Press

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