Motion is an important part of our life. Therefore, we should be able to describe the motion of our body and objects around us. But if we look at the wider perspective, we should be able to understand the motion of all objects from atoms to galaxies.

Another couple of equations for you to stick on your wall! One of the hardest parts of this topic is the graphs. The key thing is to pay close attention to the axes - graphs of distance against time, or speed against time, will look very similar, but mean very different things.

The topic also discusses gravitational pull and the acceleration of free fall.

This topic can be quite difficult at first look, but it’s absolutely fascinating! Graphs are very helpful in many cases, so you will be able to use the knowledge about the graphs several times, not only during this course.

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For this Topic, you will need to work through pages 28-37 in your coursebook. It is helpful to solve the worked examples like on page 29 again. Please make efforts to solve all questions at the bottom of each double-page spread of the coursebook. There are check-up questions on pages 56-57, but they cover part of the next module as well. The ones that are relevant for 1.3 are 1, 2, 7 and 10.

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Please estimate the speed of an object falling from a table. Design the measurement carefully and try to minimise the error. Do not forget the safety precautions. Hint: The time you will measure will be smaller than your reaction time, but you may record a video with your mobile and analyse it frame by frame.

To understand how to safely plan and conduct your own experiments, read these documents:

READ - Experiments at home

READ - Physics investigations handbook

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Imagine a ball thrown vertically up at 20 m/s and falling back. Please plot the velocity – time, acceleration – time and displacement – time graphs of the motion. Hint: The gradient of the velocity – time graph gives the acceleration, the gradient of the displacement – time graph gives the velocity.

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If you would like to study this topic in more depth or are aiming for grades A/A*or 7-9, please complete our extension worksheet.

COMPLETE - Extension Worksheet 1.3

CHECK - Extension Worksheet 1.3 Answers

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Here is a Twig film explaining the difference between speed, velocity and acceleration.

WATCH – Speed, Velocity and Acceleration (Twig) [Link not available in sample course]

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Now that you have reached the end of this Module you will need to check your knowledge and understanding before you submit your Assignment.

Make sure you have done all short questions at the bottom of each double-page spread of the coursebook and the longer questions at the end of the chapters (answers are in the back of the coursebook, starting on page 320). In case you feel that a question is challenging, please read the relevant topic again, and after some break attempt to solve the question for the second time. Do not give up easily. Your problem-solving skills will improve with practice.

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A good, quick test of how your study of the Module is proceeding is the multiple-choice quiz. This can be done several times to check your progress.

Worksheet Icon.png Assignment

When you are fully prepared and feel confident with the material, you should complete Assignment One and submit it to your tutor for marking and feedback. The assignments are not official tests, therefore there is no time limit. Please read the questions carefully, each word matters. You may double check your work before submission, too.