Physics Flashcards - Relationship between Force, Mass and Acceleration

Nat's Year 10 Science - Physics Unit Flashcards 2025

Scalar

Quantities that are fully described by a magnitude alone, without a direction.

Example of Scalar Quantity

Distance = 10km

Vector

Quantities that are fully described by both a magnitude and a direction.

Example of Vector Quantity

Displacement = 1440m north-east

Properties of Scalar Quantities

Magnitude = Yes, Direction = No, Representation = Number and Unit, Mathematical Rules = Ordinary Algebra, Examples = Temp, Speed and Mass

Properties of Vector Quantities

Magnitude = Yes, Direction = Yes, Representation = Number, Unit and Direction (Arrow), Mathematical Rules = Vector Algebra, Examples = Velocity, Force and Acceleration

Speed

Defined in terms of distance and time - both scalar quantities, so speed is also a scalar quantity. Speed is the same, whether traveling north or south.

Average Speed Formula

Speed = v, Distance = d, Time Taken = t.

Rate

Rate is a scalar quantity per unit time.

Examples of Rate

m/s (minutes per second) and km/h (kilometers per hour).

Distance

How far something travelled. It is a scalar quantity.

Displacement

The straight-line distance between finishing and starting points. Specifies not only distance from starting point but also the direction from the starting point. Displacement is a vector quantity.

Formula for Displacement

a² + b² = c². Remember to include direction in final answer.

Velocity

A vector quantity that refers to the rate at which an object changes its position.

Example of Velocity

A car travelling 80 km/h north.

Average Velocity Formula

Average Velocity = v, Displacement = s, Time = t

Symbol and unit for distance/displacement

Symbol = s, Unit = m (meters)

Symbol and unit for speed/velocity

Symbol = v, Unit = m/s, ms^-1 (meters per second)

Symbol and unit for time

Symbol = t, Unit = s (seconds)

Conversions for Average Speed

km to m = (x1000), hrs to s = (x60 ×60)

Acceleration

The rate at which velocity changes. Change in acceleration can be caused by increase/decrease in speed or the change in direction.

Acceleration Formula

a = acceleration, v = final velocity, u = initial velocity, t = time taken

Example for Acceleration Formula

Formula Summary Sheet