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Topic: Mechanics

Mechanics is divided into four chapters:

1. Vectors and scalars

2. Motion in one dimension

3. Equations of motion

4. Mechanical energy

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For each chapter you'll find:

a. Workbook chapter

b. Video lesson/s

c. Practice test and memo

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The workbook is interactive and goes hand in hand with the video lessons. Download the workbook, fill in information and complete the exercises as you watch the lessons.

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I encourage you to complete the practice test and check your answers using the memo at the end of each chapter to assess your understanding of each chapter.

1. Vectors and scalars

Objectives:

  • Identify physical quantities and categorise them as vectors or scalars.

  • Define a vector and a scalar.

  • Represent vectors graphically with a scale and an arrow.

  • Understand equality of vectors, negative vectors and equilibrants.

  • Define a resultant vector.

  • Add vectors in one dimension and in two dimensions graphically using the head-to-tail method.

  • Add vectors in one dimension and in two dimensions using a right-angled triangle algebraically.

c. Practice test and memo

2. Motion in one dimension

Objectives:

  • Describe the concepts of origin, position and a frame of reference.

  • Define distance and displacement.

  • Calculate distance and displacement for one dimensional motion.

  • Define average speed and velocity.

  • Define instantaneous speed and velocity.

  • Calculate speed and velocity for one dimensional motion.

  • Know how to do speed conversions.

  • Define acceleration.

  • Differentiate between positive acceleration and negative acceleration.

  • Calculate acceleration in one-dimensional motion.

  • Draw graphs of x vs t (position vs time), v vs t (velocity vs time) and a vs t (acceleration vs time), and describe motion for:

    • Stationary objects.

    • Uniform motion

    • Constant acceleration.

  • Determine the velocity of an object from the gradient of an x vs t graph.

  • Determine the instantaneous velocity of an object from the tangent on an x vs t graph.

  • Determine the acceleration of an object from the gradient of a v vs t graph.

  • Determine the displacement of an object by finding the area under a v vs t graph.

  • Determine the velocity of an object by finding the area under an a vs t graph.

c. Practice test and memo

3. Equations of motion

Objectives:

  • Use equations of motion to solve problems involving motion in one dimension for motions that have constant acceleration.

a. Workbook chapter

b. Video lesson 1

Video lesson 2

c. Practice test and memo

4. Mechanical energy

Objectives:

  • Define the gravitational potential energy of an object.

  • Calculate the gravitational potential energy of an object using: Ep = mgh

  • Define kinetic energy of an object.

  • Calculate the kinetic energy of an object using: Ek = 1/2 mv^2

  • Calculate the mechanical energy of an object.

a. Workbook chapter

b. Video lesson 1

Video lesson 2

Video lesson 3

Video lesson 4

c. Practice test and memo

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