Kinematics lessons for NSW HSC Physics

In the NSW HSC syllabus

1. Lesson 4Scalars vs Vectors

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

   Syllabus details

   Syllabus: Module 1: Kinematics, Motion in a Straight Line: 'describe uniform straight-line (rectilinear) motion and uniformly accelerated motion through ... the use of scalar and vector quantities'; Outcome PH11-8: 'describes and analyses motion in terms of scalar and vector quantities in two dimensions'

2. Lesson 5Distance vs Displacement

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

   Syllabus details

   Syllabus: Module 1: Kinematics, Motion in a Straight Line: measure or calculate 'distance', 'displacement'; Module 1, Motion on a Plane: 'represent the distance and displacement of objects moving on a horizontal plane using: vector addition; resolution of components of vectors'

3. 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: Module 1: Kinematics, Motion in a Straight Line: 'conduct a practical investigation ... the analysis of instantaneous and average velocity'; Module 1: measure or calculate 'speed', 'velocity'

4. 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: Module 1: Kinematics, Motion in a Straight Line: measure or calculate 'acceleration'; 'uniformly accelerated motion'; s = ut + 1/2 at^2, v = u + at, v^2 = u^2 + 2as

Partly in the syllabus

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

1. Lesson 2Frame of Reference & Coordinate System

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

   Syllabus details

   Syllabus: Module 1: Kinematics, Motion in a Straight Line: 'calculate the relative velocity of two objects moving along the same line using vector analysis'; Module 1, Motion on a Plane: 'describe and analyse, using vector analysis, the relative positions and motions of one object relative to another object on a plane'; Glossary: 'frame of reference' (a coordinate system that enables the position of a body to be specified)

   In it: Relative position and relative velocity between objects are listed, and the glossary defines a frame of reference as a coordinate system. Not in it: Choosing a frame or origin and showing that motion depends on the observer is not a content point of its own.

2. Lesson 3Instant vs Time Interval

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

   Syllabus details

   Syllabus: Module 1: Kinematics, Motion in a Straight Line: measure or calculate 'time'; analysis of 'instantaneous and average velocity'

   In it: Time is a measured quantity and instantaneous values of velocity are listed. Not in it: Nothing tells an instant from a time interval or explains why 'the 3rd second' is a stretch.

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: Module 1: Kinematics, Motion in a Straight Line: 'instantaneous and average velocity'; Module 1, Motion on a Plane: 'represent the distance and displacement of objects moving on a horizontal plane using: vector addition'

   In it: Average velocity and adding displacements of several movements on a plane are listed. Not in it: A trip split into parts at different speeds, and finding the speed of the last part, is not mentioned.

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: Module 1, Motion on a Plane: 'describe and analyse algebraically, graphically and with vector diagrams, the ways in which the motion of objects changes, including: velocity; displacement'; Module 1, Motion in a Straight Line: v = u + at

   In it: How velocity changes is analysed with vectors, and v = u + at links final and initial velocity. Not in it: Finding the signed change in velocity, such as a ball rebounding at 2 m/s after hitting at 5 m/s, is not a listed skill.

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 10Speeding Up or Slowing Down? Check a and v

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