Physics HL
5
Chapters
329
Notes
Theme A - Space, Time & Motion
Theme B - The Particulate Nature Of Matter
Theme C - Wave Behaviour
Theme D - Fields
Theme E - Nuclear & Quantum Physics
Physics HL
Theme A - Space, Time & Motion
Understanding Horizontal & Vertical Motion in Physics
628 words
4 mins read
Last edited on 5th Nov 2024
Table of content
Key concepts
- Assumptions
- Earth's surface is locally flat.
- No friction or air resistance.
- Gravity only acts vertically.
- Horizontal Motion
- Horizontal acceleration is zero (no air resistance).
- Horizontal velocity doesn't change.
- Horizontal distance = horizontal speed x time.
- Real-world example: A frisbee thrown in space would continue to move horizontally at a constant speed, because there's no friction or gravity to change its speed or direction.
- Vertical Motion
- The distance (s) travelled varies with time (t) as s ∝ t².
- If time doubles, distance quadruples.
- Real-world example: Drop a stone from a building, it will fall faster over time due to gravity. If it falls 1 meter in the first second, it'll fall 4 meters in the next second (not considering air resistance).
- Independent Motions
- Horizontal and vertical motions are independent.
- Analyze them separately, then combine to find overall velocity and displacement.
- Maximum Range: To get the furthest horizontal distance, a ball should be thrown at an angle, not straight up or horizontally.
Understanding trajectories
- The motion of an object launched at an angle can be split into horizontal and vertical components
- Horizontal speed: u cos θ
- Initial vertical speed: u sin θ
- The object's trajectory forms a parabola due to varying vertical position (with t²) and constant horizontal position (with t).
- To analyze the motion
- Resolve initial velocity into horizontal and vertical components.
- Use kinematic equations for calculations.
Working with problems
- Practice solving problems by using the ideas in the text and diagrams. Understand the components of motion and how they affect the overall trajectory.
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Physics HL
Theme A - Space, Time & Motion
Understanding Horizontal & Vertical Motion in Physics
628 words
4 mins read
Last edited on 5th Nov 2024
Table of content
Key concepts
- Assumptions
- Earth's surface is locally flat.
- No friction or air resistance.
- Gravity only acts vertically.
- Horizontal Motion
- Horizontal acceleration is zero (no air resistance).
- Horizontal velocity doesn't change.
- Horizontal distance = horizontal speed x time.
- Real-world example: A frisbee thrown in space would continue to move horizontally at a constant speed, because there's no friction or gravity to change its speed or direction.
- Vertical Motion
- The distance (s) travelled varies with time (t) as s ∝ t².
- If time doubles, distance quadruples.
- Real-world example: Drop a stone from a building, it will fall faster over time due to gravity. If it falls 1 meter in the first second, it'll fall 4 meters in the next second (not considering air resistance).
- Independent Motions
- Horizontal and vertical motions are independent.
- Analyze them separately, then combine to find overall velocity and displacement.
- Maximum Range: To get the furthest horizontal distance, a ball should be thrown at an angle, not straight up or horizontally.
Understanding trajectories
- The motion of an object launched at an angle can be split into horizontal and vertical components
- Horizontal speed: u cos θ
- Initial vertical speed: u sin θ
- The object's trajectory forms a parabola due to varying vertical position (with t²) and constant horizontal position (with t).
- To analyze the motion
- Resolve initial velocity into horizontal and vertical components.
- Use kinematic equations for calculations.
Working with problems
- Practice solving problems by using the ideas in the text and diagrams. Understand the components of motion and how they affect the overall trajectory.
Unlock the Full Content!
Dive deeper and gain exclusive access to premium files of Physics HL. Subscribe now and get closer to that 45 🌟