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 state Newton’s first law and explain that “constant velocity” includes both speed and direction, with rest as one case. (Guide: “Newton’s first law”; Practice Q1)
- I can explain why equilibrium does not mean being at rest, and why being at rest for an instant does not mean equilibrium. (Guide: “Translational equilibrium”; Practice Q1)
- I can describe an inertial reference frame and explain why an accelerating vehicle is not one. (Guide: “Inertial reference frames”; Practice Q3)
Calculation
- I can find the net force on a system by adding forces as vectors, component by component, leaving out third-law partners. (Guide: “Net force”; Practice Q2)
- I can write ΣF_x = 0 and ΣF_y = 0 for a system in equilibrium and solve them for two unknown forces. (Guide: Worked example 1; Practice Q4)
- I can differentiate position functions to decide along which axes the forces on a system are balanced. (Guide: Worked example 2; Practice Q5)
- I can use equal displacements in equal times from motion data as evidence that the net force is zero. (Practice Q6(a))
Reasoning
- I can sketch velocity–time graphs that show a balanced direction (flat line) and an unbalanced one (sloping line). (Guide: Figure 2; Practice Q5(c), Q6(d))
- I can explain that the velocity changes only along the direction of an unbalanced force. (Guide: “Balanced in one direction, unbalanced in another”)
- I can rebut the claims that motion needs a force and that constant speed means equilibrium. (Practice Q6(b), Q7)
All ticked? Move on to Topic 2.5, Newton’s second law, or return to the course roadmap.