Work through the list without notes. If you cannot do a statement, follow its link, then come back. Guide = study guide; Practice = practice questions.
Understanding
- I can name the five ways to represent a motion and say what each one shows well. (Guide: “One motion, five representations”)
- I can read a motion diagram: decide whether an object speeds up or slows down, and whether its acceleration is constant, from the dot spacing. (Guide: Figure 1; Practice Q1)
- I can explain why the acceleration at the top of a vertical throw is −g, not zero. (Guide: “Common misconceptions”; Practice Q5(b))
- I can state the conditions for the free-fall model and the accepted values of g. (Guide: “Free fall near Earth”)
Skills
- I can sketch matching x–t, v_x–t and a_x–t graphs for motion in stages, with the correct curvature on x–t. (Guide: Worked example 1; Practice Q2, Q5(a))
- I can find a change in velocity from the area under an a_x–t graph, and displacement and distance from a v_x–t graph. (Guide: “The graph links”; Practice Q4)
- I can choose the constant-acceleration equation that leaves out the quantity I do not need, and use it for vertical motion. (Guide: Worked example 2; Practice Q6(c))
- I can solve a free-fall quadratic and reject the root that does not fit the motion. (Guide: Worked example 2)
- I can derive a symbolic expression for a time or distance and check its units. (Guide: Worked example 2(d); Practice Q7)
Reasoning
- I can predict a factor of change from a proportion, such as h ∝ v₀² or t ∝ √h. (Guide: “Functional dependence”; Practice Q3, Q5(d))
- I can use motion-sensor data to justify a claim that the acceleration is constant, and use slopes and areas to find values. (Practice Q6)
- I can test a claim about distances in two stages by comparing average velocities. (Practice Q7)
All ticked? Move on to Topic 1.4, Reference Frames and Relative Motion, or return to the course roadmap.