Mechanics definitions

A measure of how far an object has travelled or the amount of space between two objects. Measured in metres (m)

• acceleration (a)

• distance (d)

• speed
• time (t)

A measure of how long an object has been travelling for. Measured in seconds (s)

• acceleration (a)

• time (t)

• distance (d)

• velocity (v)

A measure of the rate of motion of an object. The distance covered by the time taken. Measured in metres per second (m s⁻¹)

• time (t)

• acceleration (a)

• speed
• distance (d)

Speed in a given direction

• deceleration (-a)

• acceleration (a)

• distance (d)

• velocity (v)

The rate of change of velocity or speed per unit of time. Measured in metres per second per second (m s⁻²)

• acceleration (a)

• velocity (v)

• distance (d)

• time (t)

The rate of decreasing velocity or speed per unit of time

• force (F)

• deceleration (-a)

• weight (F_w)

• friction

A graph used to show the distance an object has travelled over a period of time. Can be used to determine the speed of an object

• speed-time graph
• force-acceleration graph
• distance-time graph
• weight-mass graph

A graph used to show the speed an object has over a period of time. Can be used to determine the distance of an object has travelled

• force-acceleration graph
• distance-time graph
• weight-mass graph
• speed-time graph

A push, or a pull, that causes an object to undergo a change in speed, a change in direction, or a change in shape. Measured in newtons (N)

• force (F)

• mass (m)

• distance (d)

• time (t)

occurs when the sum of all of the forces acting on an object equals zero and the object's motion does not change (has a constant velocity or is stationary)

• unbalnced forces
• balanced forces
• friction
• weight