《Revision Notes - Unit 2 AQA Physics A-level》.pdf

Physics AS - Unit 2 - Mechanics, Materials and Waves - Revision Notes Mechanics Scalar and Vector Quantities • Definition – A Vector Quantity has magnitude as well as direction while a scalar quantity only had magnitude • Scalar – Distance, Speed, Mass • Vectors – Displacement, Velocity, Acceleration Resultant a b a a+b 2 2 Parallelogram Method Pythagoras - a = b + c Note: when you know the resultant and drawing the horizontal and vertical component draw both of the components from the same point that the resultant starts from (resultant should be in-between 2 components) Resolution Of Vectors • Resolves vector into horizontal and vertical components. a θ y x • x = a cosθ • y = a sinθ Balanced Forces • If an object is in equilibrium the two forces acting upon a point are equal and opposite to each other and the sum of the anticlockwise moments = the sum of the clockwise moments. No resultant force acting. • Equilibrium – 3 forces – 2 of the forces (resultant) are equal and opposite to the third force, there is no resultant force acting. Can also be drawn in a closed triangle. To calculate and unknown force or forces resolve each horizontally and vertically and solve, if object is in equilibrium the