A-Level Physics Specification

Edexcel 9PH0

Section 2: Mechanics

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#2.9

be able to use the equations for uniformly accelerated motion in one dimension:

\(s = \dfrac{(u+v)t}{2}\)

\(v = u + at\)

\(s = ut + \dfrac{1}{2}at^2\)

\(v^2 = u^2 + 2as\)

#2.10

be able to draw and interpret displacement-time, velocity-time and acceleration-time graphs

#2.11

know the physical quantities derived from the slopes and areas of displacement-time, velocity-time and acceleration-time graphs, including cases of non-uniform acceleration and understand how to use the quantities

#2.12

understand scalar and vector quantities and know examples of each type of quantity and recognise vector notation

#2.13

be able to resolve a vector into two components at right angles to each other by drawing and by calculation

#2.14

be able to find the resultant of two coplanar vectors at any angle to each other by drawing, and at right angles to each other by calculation

#2.15

understand how to make use of the independence of vertical and horizontal motion of a projectile moving freely under gravity

#2.16

be able to draw and interpret free-body force diagrams to represent forces on a particle or on an extended but rigid body

#2.17

be able to use the equation \(∑F = ma\), and understand how to use this equation in situations where m is constant (Newton’s second law of motion), including Newton’s first law of motion where a = 0, objects at rest or travelling at constant velocity

Use of the term terminal velocity is expected

#2.18

be able to use the equations for gravitational field strength \(g = \dfrac{F}{m}\) and weight \(W = \dfrac{m}{g}\)

#2.19

CORE PRACTICAL 1: Determine the acceleration of a freely-falling object.

#2.20

know and understand Newton’s third law of motion and know the properties of pairs of forces in an interaction between two bodies

#2.21

understand that momentum is defined as \(p = mv\)

#2.22

know the principle of conservation of linear momentum, understand how to relate this to Newton’s laws of motion and understand how to apply this to problems in one dimension

#2.23

be able to use the equation for the moment of a force, moment of force = Fx where x is the perpendicular distance between the line of action of the force and the axis of rotation

#2.24

be able to use the concept of centre of gravity of an extended body and apply the principle of moments to an extended body in equilibrium

#2.25

be able to use the equation for work \(∆W = F∆s\), including calculations when the force is not along the line of motion

#2.26

be able to use the equation \(E_k = \dfrac{1}{2} mv^2 \) for the kinetic energy of a body

#2.27

be able to use the equation \(∆E_{grav} = mg∆h \) for the difference in gravitational potential energy near the Earth’s surface

#2.28

know, and understand how to apply, the principle of conservation of energyincluding use of work done, gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy

#2.29

be able to use the equations relating power, time and energy transferred or work done \(P = \dfrac{E}{t}\) and \(P = \dfrac{W}{t}\)

#2.30

be able to use the equations

\(\text{efficiency} = \dfrac{\text{useful energy output}}{\text{total energy input}}\)

and

\(\text{efficiency} = \dfrac{\text{useful power output}}{\text{total power input}}\)