Kinematics lessons for Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Physics

In the Edexcel IGCSE syllabus

1. Lesson 4Scalars vs Vectors

   Current has a direction, so why is it a scalar?

   Syllabus details

   Syllabus: 1(c) Forces, movement, shape and momentum, 1.13 understand how vector quantities differ from scalar quantities

2. Lesson 9What Is Acceleration? Why It's 180, Not 20

   You gain 30 points in 120 days, your friend gains 10 points in 10 days. Who improved faster?

   Syllabus details

   Syllabus: 1(b) Movement and position, 1.6 acceleration = change in velocity / time taken; 1.8 determine acceleration from the gradient of a velocity-time graph; 1.10 v^2 = u^2 + (2 x a x s)

Partly in the syllabus

Only part of the lesson is in the syllabus. Each lesson says which part.

1. Lesson 5Distance vs Displacement

   Run a full lap on a 400 m track: is your displacement 400 m or 0?

   Syllabus details

   Syllabus: 1(b) Movement and position, 1.3 plot and explain distance-time graphs; 1.4 know and use the relationship between average speed, distance moved and time taken

   In it: Distance moved is listed, as the quantity inside speed and on distance-time graphs. Not in it: Displacement is not listed, so distance versus displacement is not tested directly.

2. Lesson 6Average Speed vs Average Velocity vs Instantaneous Velocity

   Two taxi rides to the same place: 7.5 km in 14 min, or 10 km in 15 min. Which one is faster?

   Syllabus details

   Syllabus: 1(b) Movement and position, 1.4 average speed = distance moved / time taken

   In it: Average speed is listed. Not in it: Velocity, average velocity and instantaneous velocity are not named as ideas, apart from inside the acceleration equation.

3. Lesson 7How to Find Average Velocity of a Multi-Part Trip

   A car covers 1/4 of the trip at 20 m/s and the rest at speed v. The whole-trip average velocity is 16 m/s. What is v?

   Syllabus details

   Syllabus: 1(b) Movement and position, 1.4 average speed = distance moved / time taken

   In it: Total distance divided by time taken is listed, which is the method for a trip in several parts. Not in it: Average velocity (total displacement / total time) is not listed, only average speed.

4. Lesson 8How to Find Change in Velocity: Why It's 7, Not 3

   A ball hits the ground at 5 m/s and bounces up at 2 m/s. Is its change in velocity 3 m/s or 7 m/s?

   Syllabus details

   Syllabus: 1(b) Movement and position, 1.6 acceleration = change in velocity / time taken, a = (v - u)/t

   In it: Change in velocity appears inside the acceleration equation, which students know and use. Not in it: Finding Δv with signs and direction, such as a ball bouncing back, has no entry of its own.

5. Lesson 10Speeding Up or Slowing Down? Check a and v

   A car's acceleration keeps getting smaller. Is it speeding up or slowing down?

   Syllabus details

   Syllabus: 1(b) Movement and position, 1.7 plot and explain velocity-time graphs; 1(c) 1.11 describe the effects of forces ... such as changes in speed, shape or direction

   In it: Plotting and explaining velocity-time graphs, and forces changing speed or direction, are listed. Not in it: Deceleration, and the rule linking the directions of a and v to speeding up or slowing down, are not stated.

Not listed as a separate topic

These are basic ideas that the later lessons build on, so they are still worth watching first.

1. Lesson 1Point Mass (Particle) Explained

   Can a walking cat be treated as a particle?

2. Lesson 2Frame of Reference & Coordinate System

   Sitting still on a speeding subway: are you moving or not?

3. Lesson 3Instant vs Time Interval

   Is "the 3rd second" a moment or a stretch of time?