IP Physics Notes (Upper Secondary, Year 3-4): 2) Kinematics

Study guide29 Sep 2025, 00:00 ZUpdated 16 Jul 2026

Scalar vs vector travel, kinematics graphs, free fall, and the SUVAT toolkit for IP Year 3-4 problems.

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Q: What does IP Physics Notes (Upper Secondary, Year 3-4): 2) Kinematics cover?
A: Scalar vs vector travel, kinematics graphs, free fall, and the SUVAT toolkit for IP Year 3-4 problems.

Quick recap -- Recognise scalar vs vector motion, read gradients/areas off kinematics graphs, treat free fall as constant acceleration, and deploy the correct SUVAT equation based on the knowns you have.

The core idea is simple: Kinematics describes motion using displacement, velocity, acceleration, and time.

Use it as a working check: Gradients and areas on motion graphs carry meaning: gradient of displacement-time is velocity, gradient of velocity-time is acceleration, and area under velocity-time is displacement.

Then go one layer deeper: Use the SUVAT toolkit by listing knowns first, choosing the equation that avoids the missing variable, and checking sign direction for free-fall or reverse motion.

Keep your practice loop tight via our IP Physics tuition hub-it links each topic here to quizzes, diagnostics, and WA-style problem sets.

New to the Integrated Programme? Start with What is IP? | Browse all free IP notes.

For Integrated Programme students: Your current school materials, teacher instructions, and assessment scope take precedence because IP topic sequence and depth vary by school. This is an Eclat IP guide, not the O-Level / SEC G3 exam-track guide.

How this chapter applies

Eclat core: speed, velocity, acceleration, motion graphs, free fall, and graph-based problem solving follow Marcus Pang's current Chapter 2 route.
School-sensitive extension: Marcus notes that some schools defer the four constant-acceleration equations until a later H1 or H2 pathway and rely on graphical analysis first. Treat SUVAT and the projectile example as school-sensitive when your current class has not introduced them.
2027 national comparison: K323 Topic 2 overlaps with the definitions, one-dimensional graph interpretation, area under a velocity-time graph, and near-Earth free fall. K323 does not require the full SUVAT extension presented here.
Check your school: use the sign convention, graph notation, and allowed equation set in the current assessment.
Exam-track route: use the separate O-Level and SEC G3 Physics notes for K323 topic ownership.

Scalars, Vectors & Core Definitions

Reviewed by

Chee Wei Jie·Academic Advisor (Physics)

Region on the graph	Area sign for displacement	How to treat it for total distance	Common trap
Above the time axis	Positive area	Add the area.	Forgetting the shape may be a triangle or trapezium.
Below the time axis	Negative area	Add the magnitude of the area.	Cancelling it when the question asks for distance.
Crosses the time axis	Split the graph at the crossing point first.	Add each section's magnitude separately.	Finding one large area across both directions.
Ends at the starting position	Positive and negative areas cancel to zero displacement.	Distance is still the sum of both journeys.	Saying no motion occurred because displacement is zero.

Situation	If upward is positive	Key equation move	Common trap
Object dropped from rest	$u=0$ , $a=-g$ , displacement is negative if it falls below the start	Use $s=ut+\tfrac{1}{2}at^2$ .	Writing $a=+g$ while keeping downward displacement negative.
Object thrown upward	$u \gt 0$ , $a=-g$	At maximum height, set $v=0$ .	Setting acceleration to zero at the top.
Object returns to launch height	Final displacement $s=0$	Solve for the non-zero time if total flight time is asked.	Reporting $t=0$ , which is the launch instant.
Object lands below launch height	Final displacement $s \lt 0$	Use the positive root of the time equation.	Rejecting the negative displacement just because distance is positive.

If the missing quantity is...	Prefer this equation	Why it helps
$s$ is not needed.	$v = u + at$	Connects initial velocity, final velocity, acceleration, and time directly.
$v$ is not needed.	$s = ut + \tfrac{1}{2}at^2$	Finds displacement from initial velocity, acceleration, and time.
$t$ is not needed.	$v^2 = u^2 + 2as$	Avoids time when only speeds, acceleration, and displacement are known.
$a$ is not needed.	$s = \tfrac{1}{2}(u + v)t$	Uses average velocity when acceleration is not given or requested.
$u$ is not needed.	$s = vt - \tfrac{1}{2}at^2$

IP Physics Notes (Upper Secondary, Year 3-4): 2) Kinematics

How this chapter applies

Scalars, Vectors & Core Definitions

Sources

Graphical Analysis

Displacement-Time (s-t)

Velocity-Time (v-t)

Typical motions:

Velocity-time area checkpoint

Acceleration-Time (a-t)

Free Fall Essentials

Free-fall sign checkpoint

SUVAT Toolkit

SUVAT equation chooser

Worked Examples

Two-phase car

Projectile example

Common Pitfalls

Further Reading

Key Takeaways

Practice Quiz

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