IB Physics HL - Mechanics

Displacement

Vector measurement from start point to finish

Distance

Scalar quantity following path

Speed

Scalar quantity measuring how quickly ground is covered

Velocity

Vector quantity measuring how quickly ground is covered

Acceleration

Usually a vector quantity, measuring the rate of change of velocity over time

v=u+at

First equation of motion (for velocity final)

s=ut+½at²

Second equation of motion (for distance)

v²=u²+2as

Third equation of motion (for velocity final squared)

Newton's First Law of Motion

An object continues to remain stationary or to move at a constant velocity unless an external force acts on it

Newton's Second Law of Motion

Force = Mass x Acceleration

Newton's Third Law of Motion

Every action has an equal and opposite reaction

Translational Equilibrium

When an object is at rest or moving at a constant velocity

Static Friction

Friction when there is no relative movement between surfaces

Dynamic Friction

Friction when there is relative movement between surfaces

Energy Kinetic

Energy associated with the motion of mass

(Gravitational) Potential Energy

Energy associated with the position of a mass in a gravitational field

Electric/Magnetic Energy

Energy associated with charge flowing

Chemical Energy

Energy associated with atoms and their molecular arrangements

Nuclear Energy

Energy associated with the nucleus of an atom

Elastic (Potential) Energy

Energy associated with an object being deformed

Thermal Energy

Energy associated with a change in temperature

Mass Energy

Energy associated with the conversion of binding energy

Joule

Energy required when a force of one Newton acts through a distance of one meter

Principal of Conservation of Energy

Energy cannot be created or destroyed

Work

Force exerted x the distance moved from in the direction of the force

Power

Rate of doing work, measured in Watts (Joules per second)

Change in Energy

A result and equivalent of work done

Hooke's Law

Force = spring constant x extension (∆x)

Efficiency

Useful Work Out ÷ Total Energy In

Useful Power Out ÷ Total Power

Momentum

The product of an objects mass and its instantaneous velocity

Collisions

Interaction between two bodies of mass where a transfer of momentum occurs

Elastic Collision

Momentum is entirely transferred with no energy loss to surrounding

Inelastic Collision

Some initial kinetic energy is loss, typically when objects collide and stick together

Impulse

Force x Time, equivalent to the change in momentum