1

1. Mechanics
Preliminary Material
2.1. SI Units
Quantity Unit Definition
Time Second (s) The time taken for 9 192 631 770 periods of the radiation emitted when an electron makes
a transition between two specified energy levels of the ground state of a
133
Cs atom.
Mass Kilogram (kg) The mass of a platinum-iridium cylinder held at the international bureau of weights and
measures in Svres, France.
Length Metre (m) The distance travelled by light in a vacuum during a time interval of 1/299 792 458 s.
Current Ampere (A) The constant current which, if maintained in two straight parallel conductors of infinite
length and negligible cross-section, placed 1m apart in a vacuum, would produce a magnetic
force between the conductors of 2 x 10
-7
for every metre length of conductor.
Temperature Kelvin (K) The thermodynamic temperature of the triple point of water (where water, ice, and steam
are in equilibrium) is defined as 273.16k above absolute zero.
Amount of
substance
Mole (mol) The number of atoms in 0.012 kg of
12
C.
Intensity Candela (cd) The luminous intensity in a given direction of a source that emits monochromatic radiation
of one wavelength of 540 x 10
12
Hz having a radiant intensity in that direction of 1/683 W
per steradian (an SO unit for solid angles)
You need to be able to derive units for other measurements such as weight, density, pressure etc.

2.2. Dimensions
Find the dimensions of the equation for the time period of a pendulums swing, if you know that the
equation contains the mass of the bob, the gravitational strength, and the length of the line.
T = l

x m

x g

[t] = t
Taking dimensions:
[l

m

] = L

M

1

(LT
-2
)

<- Note: is dimensionless

T = L
+
M

1

T
-2
Since we know that time is [t] = T
1. 1 = -2
=-0.5
2. = 0
3. + = 0
0.5 = 0 => = 0.5

t L
0.5
M
0
1

g
- 0.5

t l g
-1
f()
=> t l_ f()
g

3.6. Mass, weight and density
- Inertia is the tendency of a physical object to resist a change in its state of motion or rest. We use inertia
to measure mass:
M
1
= a
2_
M
2
= a
1
- Weight is the force that gravity exerts on a mass. (N)
- Gravitational field strength is the gravitational force exerted per unit at a point in space. (N kg
-1
)
- Density is the mass per unit volume, and defined by the equation

- Centre of mass is the point through which any applied force produces translation but no rotation. It can
exist outside the material of the body itself.
- The centre of gravity is the point where the resultant force of gravity acts the place where a single force
equal to the weight of the object can represent the gravitational forces acting on the object.
2

Scalars and Vectors
Scalar has magnitude but no direction.
Vector has magnitude and direction (F). Theyre drawn as arrows, with the length giving magnitude.
3i+4j or
|
|
.
|

\
|
4
3
With one direction vectors, you should indicate direction of the +ve.
One case of vector addition is when you are flying in an aeroplane. The vector of your velocity relative to the
surrounding air (airspeed) adds to the wind velocity to give your velocity relative to the ground (groundspeed).
The speedometer and compass in the aeroplane between them give your airspeed (velocity), but the direction
you actually travel will be different.

Moments
Moment (N m) = Magnitude of force (N) x perpendicular distance of the line of
action of the force from the axis of rotation (m)
The moment is the turning effect of a force F about some axis. This can be thought as the leverage of the
force. If a single force is applied off-centre to something, it tends to make it rotate and move off in the
direction of the force (translate).

If pure rotation is desired, its best to apply a pair of equal but opposite forces acting along parallel but
different lines. This is called a couple. Sometimes a single force is applied, but a couple arises in combination
with a reaction force at the hinge or pivot. The moment of a coupe is called a torque:
Moment of couple = F

+ F

= Fd, where d = distance

Equilibrium of coplanar forces:
EXAMPLE: A simple beam bridge across a stream is supported at its ends by rigid blocks 4m apart. The
beam itself weighs 800N. What are the reaction forces at each support a man of weight 700N stands on the
beam 1 m from the left-hand support?

Resolving vertically:

(1)
L + R = W
m
+ W
b
= 1500 N (R = right , L = left)

Moments about X:
(W
m
x 1 m) + (W
b
x 2 m) = R + 4 m
700 N m + 1600 N m = R x 4 m so R = 575 N
From equation
(1)
:
L = 1500 N - 575 N = 925 N so L = 925 N

Kinematics
Displacement is the distance moved in a particular direction.
Speed is the rate at which distance is covered ->

Velocity is speed in a specified direction and is defined as the rate of change of displacement.
Acceleration is the rate of change of speed or velocity. ->

SUVAT Equations:
Using a velocity-time graph:
1. Gradient = Acceleration ->

2. Displacement = Area ->

3. Displacement = Area ->

4. Displacement = Area of trapezium ->

5. Using 1. , and 4.

Using calculus:
1. v = a dt = at + C, and C {the constant of integration} is u, so v = u + at.
3

2. s = v dt = (u+at) dt = ut + at
2
+ C -> As s is the displacement since the beginning, C=0.
3. Working in one dimension, and here the proof involves an integration with respect to s rather than t.
When you integrate a ds:
| | ( )
2 2
2
1
2
2
1
u v v dv v dv
dt
ds
dt
ds
dv ds
dt
dv
ds a
v
u
= = = = = =
} } } } }
, and we note that this version is
true even if acceleration isnt constant.
4.

w = switched v for w, change in v = w

g l
[ ]

Trajectories:
Vertical and horizontal motion is independent for a projectile moving freely under gravity:
The distance moved vertically: s = ut + at
2
- = ut + x 9.8 ms
-2
x t
2

The distance moved horizontally: s = ut (assuming no air resistance)

Newtons Laws of Motion
1
st
Law Unless there is a [resultant] force on an object, its velocity will not change.
2
nd
Law If there is a resultant force on an object, it will accelerate. The acceleration will be proportional to the force,
and inversely proportional to the mass of the object. (F=ma)
3
rd
Law For every action (force of object A upon object B) there is an equal and opposite reaction (force of B upon A).

Newton expressed his laws in terms of momentum:
1. The momentum of an object is constant unless there is a force upon it. (if F=0, then p is constant)
2. The rate of change of an objects momentum is proportional to the force. (F dp/dt) This means that if a force is
applied for some time, the change in the objects momentum will be proportional to the impulse of the force.
3. As above.

Momentum
P = mv momentum is conserved in an elastic collision!
- An elastic collision is an encounter between two bodies in which the total kinetic energy of the two bodies after the
encounter is equal to their total kinetic energy before the encounter.
- An inelastic collision is a collision in which kinetic energy is not conserved, and heat energy is lost.

F =

=> Impulse (Ns) = change in momentum (Ns) = force (N) x time (s)
Kinetic Energy = x m x v
2


Applying two dimensional momentum problems:
1. There is an elastic collision between a moving ball and a stationary ball of equal mass. Prove that if the
balls are both moving after the collision, their velocities are perpendicular.

- Let mass be m, and let u be cue ball velocity before the collision, and let the cue ball velocities after be x and y
respectively.
- Conservation of momentum gives mu = mx+my, so u = x+y.
- The fact that this is an elastic collision means that mu
2
= mx
2
+ my
2
.
- Therefore u
2
= u
2
+ v
2
.
- Now draw a vector diagram showing u, u and v. Using Pythagoras




4

Pressure & Density

Archimedes Principle A floating object displaces its own weight of water. An immersed object displaces its
own volume of water.

Flotation: For a rectangular block of density d, height x and a cross-sectional area A fully submerged at depth h
in a liquid of density :
Force on bottom surface = pghA
Force on top surface = pgA (h - x)
Resultant force = pghA - pgA (h - x) = pgAx => this force is called upthrust, as reaction force

Gravitational fields
Gravitational field strength g is the gravitational force exerted per unit mass at a point in the field. Weight w
(F) = mg. This is derived from F = ma, since

=>

. Field strength is a property of the field and

independent of the test mass.

The idea of a gravitational field is that field lines point in the direction a
free body would accelerate if released. The density of these field lines
measures its strength. Proof that a = g:

All gravitational field lines come from

infinity and end on masses.
Gravitational potential is the gravitational potential energy (GPE) per unit
mass at a point in the field:

Note that GPE is a scalar quantity, but

gravity is a vector!

Energy concepts
Working is an energy transfer when an applied force moves.
Heating is an energy transfer resulting from a temperature difference.
Work is defined as the product of force F applied ad displacement s moved in the
direction of the force:


l lll
When the force is not along the line of motion, resolve into components.

Calculating the work done in a force-displacement graph is simple just find the area under the two points.

Power is the rate at which work is done by the system. Imagine that a force acts at angle to the particles
displacement

Since

= v, P =

Gravitational potential
=> formula for calculating gravitational potential near the Earths surface.






w = work required
s = distance
F = force applied
5

Kinetic and strain energy

Assuming :

(Note, squaring the extension removes any directional information)

In a material where Hookes law is obeyed, simply use the area of a triangle to obtain

.
Energy cannot be created or destroyed note that E = mc
2
does NOT go against this.