FORM 4 SPM PHYSICS SHORTHAND NOTES

Chapter 2 Force and Motion 1

Prepared by: Chern Jiek Lee

2.1 Linear Motion

Distance: The distance traveled by an object is the total length that is

traveled by that object.

SI unit: meters (m)

Speed: Rate of change in distance.

SI unit: meter per second (m/s)

Quantity: scalar

𝑑
𝑣=
𝑡

v is the speed; d is the distance traveled, and t is the time taken

Velocity: Is speed with a given direction!

SI unit: meter per second (m/s)

Quantity: vector

𝑠
𝑣=
𝑡

v is the speed, s is the displacement and t is the time taken

Note: In velocity the positive/ negative sign indicates direction.

e.g.

5 m/s

5 m/s

Speed of top arrow: 5 m/s

Velocity of top arrow: -5 m/s
Speed of bottom arrow: 5 m/s
Velocity of bottom arrow: 5 m/s

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Acceleration: Rate of change of velocity. Flex your brain!

SI unit: meter per second squared (m/s2) A car starts from rest and
Quantity: vector accelerates at a constant
acceleration of 3m/s2 for 10
v−u seconds. The car then travels
a=
t at a constant velocity for 5
seconds. The brakes are then
v is the speed, s is the displacement, and t is the time taken applied, and the car stops in
5 seconds. What is the total
Direction + + - - distance traveled by the car?
Change of + - + -
speed

Acceleration + - - +

Note: Negative acceleration IS NOT deceleration!!!!!

2.2 Linear Motion Graphs

Displacement-Time graph
0 -
VEL. VEL.

+VEL. INC.
VEL.

DEC.
VEL.

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Velocity-Time graph A ball is dropped from a
height of 40 meters.
0 ACC. INC. Calculate the following:
ACC.

1) The time it takes for

the ball to reach the
ground.
2) The ball's final
velocity just before
+ACC. -ACC. it hits the ground.
3) The distance the ball
travels during the
last second before
hitting the ground.

Given: Acceleration due to

DEC. gravity (g) is 9.8 m/s2
ACC.

For a V-T graph, the area underneath the graph is the distance traveled.

2.3 Freefall Motion

Free fall refers to the motion of an object solely under the influence of
gravity. During free fall, an object is subject to no other force except the
force of gravity.

Acceleration (g): The acceleration of an object in free fall near the surface
of the Earth is denoted by 'g' and has a standard value of approximately 9.8
m/s². Without air resistance, an object in free fall will accelerate at a rate of
9.8 meters per second squared.

Motion Velocity-Time Acceleration-

Graph Time Graph

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Direction: The acceleration due to gravity always acts downward towards
the center of the Earth.

One can determine the acceleration due to gravity by calculating the gradient
of a v-t graph. The gradient value is typically 9.8 m/s².

The kinematic equations that describe the motion of an object in free fall
are:
1
𝑠 = 𝑢𝑡 + 𝑔𝑡 2
2
𝑣 = 𝑢 + 𝑔𝑡
𝑣 2 = 𝑢2 + 2𝑔𝑠

s is the displacement
u is the initial velocity
v is the final velocity
t is the time
g is the acceleration due to gravity

2.4 Inertia

Inertia is the property of matter that resists any change in its motion. An
object at rest tends to stay at rest, and an object in motion tends to stay in
motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by
an external force.

Newton's first law states that an object will remain at rest or in uniform
motion in a straight line unless acted upon by a net external force. This
law is also known as the law of inertia.

Inertia is directly proportional to mass. The greater the mass of an object,

the greater its inertia.

Everyday examples of inertia: A book sliding off a car seat when it suddenly
stops, a passenger feeling pushed back into their seat when a car accelerates,
etc.

Celestial Bodies: The motion of planets and other celestial bodies follows
the principles of inertia.

Vehicle Safety: Inertia plays a crucial role in vehicle safety, as seen in the
design of seatbelts and airbags to protect occupants during sudden
deceleration.

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2.5 Momentum Both of Objects are in the
Same Direction before
Momentum is defined by the equation: Collision
A Car A of mass 600 kg
Momentum = mass x velocity moving at 40 ms collides
-1

with a car B of mass 800 kg

p=mxv moving at 20 ms in the -1

same direction. If car B

The SI units of momentum are kg/ ms-1
moves forwards at 30 ms by -1

Momentum is a vector quantity the impact, what is the

velocity, v, of the car A
The conservation of momentum states that in the absence of external
immediately after the crash?
forces (such as friction), the total momentum of a system remains the
same.

i.e., mom before = mom after

Both Objects are in

opposite direction before
collision
A 0.50kg ball traveling at
6.0 ms collides head-on
-1

with a 1.0 kg ball moving in

the opposite direction at a
speed of 12.0 ms . The -1

0.50kg ball moves backward

at 14.0 ms after the
-1

2.6 Force collision. Find the velocity

of the second ball after
Force is a vector quantity that can change an object's state of motion or collision.
shape. It is characterized by its magnitude, direction, and point of
application. Forces can cause objects to accelerate, decelerate, or deform.

Newton's Second Law:

Explosion
A man fires a rifle which has
The acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force
a mass if 2.5kg. If the mass
acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass. of the bullet is 10g and it
reaches a velocity of 250 ms -

F=ma 1
after shooting, what is the
where recoil velocity of the pistol?
F is the net force,
m is the mass, and
a is the acceleration

Unit of Force: The SI unit of force is the newton (N).

Forces have both magnitude and direction, making them vector quantities. A 500 kg car is accelerating
A force can be fully described by specifying its magnitude, direction, and at 2 m/s². Calculate the net
point of application. force acting on the car.

Balanced Forces: Result in no change in motion.

Unbalanced Forces: Result in acceleration or deceleration.
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 A 2000 kg car traveling at
2.7 Impulse and Impulsive Force 20 m/s comes to a stop in 5
seconds. Calculate the
Impulse is the change in momentum average force exerted to
stop the car.
Impulse = mv – mu

OR

F x t = mv – mu

Where
F is the impulsive force
t is the time in contact
m is the mass of the object
v is the final velocity of the object
u is the initial velocity of the object

The SI units for Impulse are the same as momentum, kgms-1.

2.8 Weight If an astronaut has a mass of

80 kg on Earth, what is their
Weight is the force exerted on an object due to gravity. It is a vector weight on the Moon? (Use
quantity with both magnitude and direction, acting vertically downward gMoon≈1.625m/s2)
towards the center of the Earth.

Weight(W) = Mass(m) × Acceleration due to Gravity(g)

W=m×g

Where:
W is weight,
m is mass,
g is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.8 m/s2 on the surface
of the Earth).

Since weight is a force, the SI unit of weights is also Newtons.

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