Kinematics lessons for IB Physics

In the IB syllabus

1. Lesson 5Distance vs Displacement

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

   Syllabus details

   Syllabus: A.1 Kinematics, Understandings: 'the change in position is the displacement'; A.1 Understandings: 'the difference between distance and displacement'

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: A.1 Kinematics, Understandings: 'the difference between instantaneous and average values of velocity, speed and acceleration, and how to determine them'

3. 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: A.1 Kinematics, Understandings: 'acceleration is the rate of change of velocity'; 'instantaneous and average values of ... acceleration'

Partly in the syllabus

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

1. Lesson 4Scalars vs Vectors

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

   Syllabus details

   Syllabus: Tool 3: Mathematics, skill 'Identify a quantity as a scalar or vector'

   In it: Telling a scalar from a vector is listed as a general maths skill. Not in it: Section A.1 Kinematics itself has no scalar and vector entry.

2. 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: A.1 Kinematics, Understandings: 'the difference between instantaneous and average values of velocity, speed and acceleration, and how to determine them'

   In it: Average values of velocity and speed, and how to determine them, are listed in A.1 for both SL and HL. Not in it: Trips split into stages with different speeds, and finding one stage's speed from the whole-trip average, are not named.

3. 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: A.1 Kinematics, Understandings: 'velocity is the rate of change of position, and acceleration is the rate of change of velocity'

   In it: Acceleration as the rate of change of velocity is listed. Not in it: Calculating Δv with direction, such as a rebound, is not listed on its own.

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?

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

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