Physics 20

Displacement, velocity and acceleration

I can define and calculate displacement, velocity and acceleration, and explain how they relate.

Scalars vs vectors

I can compare and contrast scalar and vector quantities and classify motion quantities correctly.

Uniform and uniformly accelerated motion

I can explain uniform and uniformly accelerated motion from descriptions, numbers and graphs.

Relative motion

I can interpret the motion of one object relative to another using displacement and velocity vectors.

Two-dimensional motion with vector components

I can explain two-dimensional motion using independent horizontal and vertical vector components.

Net force changes velocity

I can explain that a nonzero net force causes a change in velocity.

Newton's first law (inertia)

I can apply Newton's first law to explain an object's state of rest or uniform motion.

Newton's second law

I can apply Newton's second law to relate net force, mass and acceleration.

Newton's third law (action–reaction)

I can apply Newton's third law to explain the interaction between two objects.

Static and kinetic friction

I can explain and calculate static and kinetic friction acting on an object.

Resultant force from vector components

I can calculate a resultant force, or its components, by adding vectors graphically and algebraically.

Solving problems with Newton's laws

I can solve linear-motion problems on horizontal, vertical and inclined planes using Newton's laws.

Gravity as a fundamental force

I can identify the gravitational force as one of the fundamental forces in nature.

Newton’s law of universal gravitation

I can describe Newton's law of universal gravitation qualitatively and quantitatively.

The Cavendish experiment

I can explain the principles behind the Cavendish experiment used to determine $G$.

The concept of a field

I can define a field and use it to describe gravitational effects.

Linking $G$ to local $g$

I can relate the gravitational constant to the local acceleration due to gravity.

Weight on different planets

I can predict differences in the weight of objects on different planets.

Circular motion as 2-D motion

I can describe uniform circular motion as a special case of two-dimensional motion.

Centripetal acceleration

I can explain and calculate that acceleration in circular motion points toward the centre.

Speed, frequency, period and radius

I can relate speed, frequency, period and radius for circular motion.

Circular motion and Newton's laws

I can explain uniform circular motion in terms of Newton's laws.

Satellite and planetary motion

I can explain planetary and satellite motion using circular motion to approximate orbits.

Finding the mass of a celestial body

I can predict the mass of a celestial body from a satellite’s orbital data.

Kepler's laws and Newton

I can explain how Kepler's laws contributed to Newton's law of universal gravitation.

Mechanical energy

I can define mechanical energy as the sum of kinetic and potential energy.

Kinetic, potential and total energy

I can determine how kinetic, gravitational potential and total energy relate at any point.

Conservation of mechanical energy

I can analyze problems using the conservation of mechanical energy in an isolated system.

Work and power

I can recall work as mechanical energy transferred and power as the rate of doing work.

Describing power

I can describe power qualitatively and quantitatively.

Energy change in a non-isolated system

I can describe the change in mechanical energy in a system that is not isolated.

Period and frequency

I can describe oscillatory motion in terms of period and frequency.

Defining simple harmonic motion

I can define simple harmonic motion by its restoring force.

SHM: displacement, velocity, acceleration, time

I can explain how displacement, velocity, acceleration and time relate in SHM.

Energy in simple harmonic motion

I can determine how kinetic, potential and total energy relate in simple harmonic motion.

Mechanical resonance

I can define mechanical resonance.

Waves as particles in SHM

I can describe mechanical waves as particles of a medium moving in simple harmonic motion.

Energy transport by matter vs waves

I can compare and contrast energy transport by matter and by waves.

Longitudinal and transverse waves

I can define longitudinal and transverse waves by the particle motion.

Wave terminology

I can define the key terms used to describe transverse and longitudinal waves.

Wave speed and the medium

I can describe how a wave’s speed depends on the characteristics of the medium.

The universal wave equation

I can use the universal wave equation $v = f\lambda$ to predict the effect of changing variables.

Reflection of waves

I can explain the reflection of mechanical waves.

Interference and acoustic resonance

I can explain the conditions for constructive and destructive interference and for acoustic resonance.

The Doppler effect

I can explain the Doppler effect on a stationary observer of a moving source.