Mechanics

Topic 2
AS-Level
English Language School Dubai

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 What is mechanics in physics?
• The branch of science that deals with the study of motion of body, its
causes and effects.

Mechanics

Statics Kinematics Dynamics

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 Mechanics
• Static: the subdivision of mechanics that is concerned with the forces
that act on bodies at rest under equilibrium conditions.
• Kinematics: the subdivision of mechanics that is concerned with the
motion of the objects without considering the factors which cause
motion.
The word kinematics is derived from the Greek word ‘KINEMA’ meaning motion.

• Dynamics: the subdivision of mechanics that is concerned with the

motion of the objects while considering the factors which cause motion.
Dynamics is derived from the Greek word ‘DYNAMIS’ meaning power.
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 REST & MOTION
Rest: An object is said to at rest if it is not varying its position
with respect to time.
Motion: An object is said to be under motion if it changes its
position with respect to time.
Both motion and rest are comparative.

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 Scalar
• Scalar quantities are the Physical quantities which is
complete with a magnitude alone.
Mass, Temperature, Energy, Work, Pressure ………
The mass of my body is 60 kg means my body is made up of
matter 60kg. It doesn’t need any more explanation.

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 Vector
• Vector quantity is the one which need a direction for
completing its existence.
• Velocity, Force/ Weight, Acceleration….
• My weight is 600 N means, I am pulled towards earth with a
force of 600N. It is not complete unless it is specified towards
Earth.

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 Distance & Displacement
• Displacement- Displacement is the difference in position
of the object. It is the straight line distance between the
initial and final positions of an object. It is a vector
quantity.
• Distance- Distance is the length of the path followed
by the object. It is a scalar quantity.

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 Speed
• Speed is the rate of change of distance
• Or the distance covered per unit time
• Speed is the total distance (s) covered in total time (t)

• Speed =

• SI Unit- ms-1

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 Velocity
• Is the rate of change of displacement
• Is a measured speed in a given direction
• It tells us not only the speed of the object but also the
direction
• It is a vector quantity.

• Velocity = =

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 Average speed & Average
velocity

• Average speed =

• Average velocity = total displacement (s)

total time (t)
• If u is the initial velocity & v final velocity of the object

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 Instantaneous Velocity

• It is the average velocity obtained during an interval of time which is

very very small.
• The slope of the tangent to the graph of the position versus time
is velocity.

• v=

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 Understanding Velocity
40

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Displacement
(metres) 20

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Time/s
0
20 40 60 80 100
1) What’s the average velocity?
2) What’s the velocity at 60s? 12
 Acceleration

• Is the rate of change of velocity.

• If u is the initial velocity & v final velocity of the
object
• Acceleration= ( v-u)/t

• SI unit is ms-2

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 A closer look at motion graphs
Consider a bouncing ball:

Displacement

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Time
 A closer look at motion graphs
Consider a bouncing ball:

Velocity

Time

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 A closer look at motion graphs
Consider a bouncing ball:

Velocity

Time

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 A closer look at motion graphs
Consider a bouncing ball:

Acceleration

Time

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 A closer look at motion graphs
Consider a bouncing ball:

Acceleration

Time

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Equations of Motion
u+v
s=
2 t

v = u + at

s = ut + ½at2 They’re
golden!

v2 = u2 + 2as

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 Projectile motion
• A projectile is an object that has been given an initial
velocity by some sort of short-lived force, and then
moves through the air under the influence of gravity.
• Baseballs, stones, or bullets are all examples of
projectiles.

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 Some examples of projectiles include…

• a baseball that has been pitched, batted, or thrown

• a bullet the instant it exits the barrel of a gun or rifle
• a bus driven off an uncompleted bridge
• a moving airplane in the air with its engines and wings
disabled
• a runner in mid stride (since they momentarily lose
contact with the ground)
• the space shuttle or any other spacecraft after main
engine cut off (MECO)

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–ve +ve
Usain Bolt is a Jamaican sprinter and
a three-times Olympic gold
medallist.

Immediately the starting pistol is

fired, Usain accelerates uniformly
from rest. He reaches 8.70 ms-1 in
1.75 s.

Calculate his displacement in this

time.

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–ve +ve
s=?m v  u  at
u = 0 m s–1
v = 8.70 m s–1 1 2
a=? s  ut  at
t = 1.75 s 2
v 2  u 2  2as

v  u  at 1
s  ut  at 2
2
8.70  0  (a  1.75)
1
8.70  1.75a s  (0  1.75)  (  a  1.752 )
2
8.70 1
a  4.97m s –2 s  0  x 4.97  1.752
1.75 2
s  7.61 m 24
 Steps to solve questions
Step 1: Write down the sign convention.

Step 2: Write down what you know (think suvat).

s=
u=
v=
a=
t =

Step 3: Any other information,

eg acceleration due to force of gravity
Step 4: Select formula – use data sheet.

Step 5: Substitute values then rearrange formula.

Step 6: Write the answer clearly including magnitude, direction,

and units. 25
 Example questions
1) Ed flies to Belgium. His aeroplane has a maximum acceleration
on the ground of 3.4ms-2. What is the minimum length of runway
needed to reach its take off speed of 110ms-1 and how long will
this take?

2) Danny likes watching kangaroos. A kangaroo jumps to a vertical

height of 2.8m. For how long was it in the air?

3) Charlie likes baseball. A baseball pitcher can release a ball at

40ms-1 after accelerating through a distance of 2.5m. Calculate
the average acceleration of the ball.

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 Example questions
5) Joey travels in a rocket powered sledge and accelerates from rest to
284ms-1 in 5s and then comes to a rest in 1.5s. Calculate his
acceleration in both stages.

6) Dan wants to play with the air track. The air track is slightly tilted.
He pushes a trolley up the track with a speed of 1ms-1 and its
acceleration due to the tilt is 0.5ms-2 down the track. How long does
it take to drop 1m below the starting point?

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Any Questions

Thank you

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