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

Study guide29 Sep 2025, 00:00 ZUpdated 30 Nov 2025

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.

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These notes align with SEAB GCE O-Level Physics (6091) content used in IP programmes (exams from 2026).

Status: SEAB O-Level Physics 6091 syllabus (exams from 2026) checked 2025-11-30 - scope unchanged; remains the reference for these notes.

Scalars, Vectors & Core Definitions

Distance (scalar) vs displacement (vector) -- displacement carries direction.
Speed (scalar) vs velocity (vector) -- velocity specifies direction.
Acceleration: rate of change of velocity, $a = \dfrac{v - u}{t}$

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

Scalars, Vectors & Core Definitions

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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