LV Physics Revision: Forces and Motion

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on the LV Physics Revision notes regarding speed calculations, distance-time graphs, and resultant forces.

Average Speed

Calculated using the formula $\text{Average Speed} = \frac{\text{distance travelled}}{\text{time taken}}$, or $s = \frac{d}{t}$.

Instantaneous speed

The speed of an object at a specific time.

Distance-time graphs

Graphs that show how the distance an object has travelled ($y$-axis) changes with time ($x$-axis).

Gradient

The slope of a distance-time graph, which represents the speed of the object.

Resultant force

The sum of all the individual forces acting on an object.

Acceleration (in relation to forces)

What occurs in the direction of the resultant force when the resultant force is greater than zero.

Adding forces

The process of combining forces that are acting in the same direction to find the resultant force.

Subtracting forces

The process used to find the resultant force when individual forces are acting in opposite directions.