Speed, Velocity and Acceleration

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CognitoSpeed, velocity and acceleration

Physics OnlineDistance-time and velocity-time graphs

Key facts & equations

Speed and velocity

Speed = distance / time. Units: m/s. Scalar (magnitude only).
Velocity = displacement / time. Units: m/s. Vector (magnitude AND direction).
An object can have constant speed but changing velocity (e.g. circular motion — direction changes).
Average speed = total distance / total time.
Typical speeds: walking ~1.5 m/s, cycling ~6 m/s, car ~30 m/s, sound ~340 m/s.

Acceleration — fill in the table

Term	Fact
Acceleration
Deceleration
v² = u² + 2as
Free fall
Velocity-time graph

Distance-time graphs — fill in the table

Feature	Meaning
Gradient
Horizontal line
Curved line
Slope going up
Slope going down

Velocity-time graphs — fill in the table

Feature	Meaning
Gradient
Horizontal line
Area under graph
Triangles
Rectangles

Exam questions — 4 questions · 10 marks · AQA 8463 style

3 marksCalculate accelerationAQA 8463 P1 style 🔢 Calculator

A car accelerates from 10 m/s to 30 m/s in 8 seconds. Calculate: (a) the acceleration, (b) the distance travelled using s = ut + ½at². (3 marks)

Hint: (a) a = (v-u)/t. (b) Use s = ut + ½at² with u=10, t=8, a=2.5.

+30 XP

1 markDistance-time graphAQA 8463 style

On a distance-time graph, what does a horizontal straight line represent?

A Constant acceleration

B Constant speed

C The object is stationary

D Deceleration

3 marksv-t graph areaAQA 8463 style 🔢 Calculator

A velocity-time graph shows a car travelling at 20 m/s for 5 s, then decelerating uniformly to rest over 10 s. Calculate the total distance travelled. (3 marks)

Hint: Break into two sections: rectangle (constant speed) and triangle (deceleration to zero). Area of each = distance.

+30 XP

1 markScalar vs vectorAQA 8463 style

Which of the following is a vector quantity?

A Speed

B Distance

C Mass

D Velocity

Quick recall flashcards

Speed, Velocity and Acceleration

Speed and velocity

Acceleration — fill in the table

Distance-time graphs — fill in the table

Velocity-time graphs — fill in the table

Module complete! 🎉