Kinematics (AS Unit 2: Applied Mathematics A) — WJEC A-Level Mathematics
Test yourself on Kinematics (AS Unit 2: Applied Mathematics A) with WJEC A-Level practice questions.
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Kinematics (AS Unit 2: Applied Mathematics A) explained
Kinematics describes particle motion without considering the forces causing it.
Read the full explanation
Position specifies location relative to a chosen origin O. Displacement s is a vector denoting directed distance from O, which can be positive, negative, or zero. Distance travelled is the total scalar path length traversed, which is strictly non-negative. Velocity v is the vector rate of change of displacement (v = ds/dt), whose sign indicates direction of travel; speed is the scalar magnitude |v|. Acceleration a is the vector rate of change of velocity (a = dv/dt). When a particle reverses direction, its instantaneous velocity is momentarily zero, but its acceleration may be non-zero.
Your focus
- Differentiate between vector quantities (displacement, velocity, acceleration) and scalar measures (distance, speed).
- Calculate total distance travelled by identifying turning points where velocity equals zero.
- Interpret the physical meaning of positive and negative signs for displacement, velocity, and acceleration.
Kinematics (AS Unit 2: Applied Mathematics A) exam tips
Marking Points
- distinguishing displacement (directed distance from origin) from total distance travelled
- identifying instantaneous speed as the scalar magnitude of velocity |v|
- setting velocity v = 0 to determine times or positions where a particle changes direction
Examiner Tips
- 💡Sketch a quick 1D position line to trace turning points when asked for total distance travelled.
- 💡Remember that a negative velocity simply indicates motion in the opposite direction to the defined positive axis.
Common Mistakes
- confusing displacement with total distance travelled when a particle reverses direction
- assuming zero velocity implies zero acceleration (e.g. at the apex of vertical projectile flight)