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EnglandMaths

Mechanics

5 dot points across 5 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How do forces cause acceleration, and how do you analyse the forces acting on a body?

Newton's three laws of motion, weight and the relationship between mass and force, resolving forces, friction and the coefficient of friction, and connected particles.
A focused answer to the Edexcel A-Level Mathematics forces content, covering Newton's three laws of motion, weight, resolving forces, friction and the coefficient of friction, and connected particles such as pulleys.
11 min answer →

How do you describe and calculate motion using displacement, velocity, acceleration and time?

Displacement, velocity and acceleration, motion graphs, the constant acceleration formulae, and using calculus to relate displacement, velocity and acceleration that vary with time.
A focused answer to the Edexcel A-Level Mathematics kinematics content, covering displacement, velocity and acceleration, motion graphs, the constant acceleration formulae, and using calculus to relate displacement, velocity and acceleration that vary with time.
10 min answer →

How do you analyse the turning effect of forces and the conditions for a rigid body to balance?

The moment of a force about a point, the principle of moments, equilibrium of a rigid body, and problems involving rods, beams and reactions at supports.
A focused answer to the Edexcel A-Level Mathematics moments content, covering the moment of a force about a point, the principle of moments, equilibrium of a rigid body, and problems involving rods, beams and reactions at supports.
8 min answer →

How do you analyse the motion of a body launched into the air under gravity?

Projectile motion resolved into horizontal and vertical components, the independence of the two motions, and finding range, maximum height, time of flight and the path.
A focused answer to the Edexcel A-Level Mathematics projectiles content, covering motion resolved into horizontal and vertical components, the independence of the two motions, and finding range, maximum height, time of flight and the equation of the path.
9 min answer →

What are the basic quantities and units of mechanics, and how do you model real situations to apply them?

Fundamental and derived quantities and their SI units, scalar and vector quantities, and the modelling assumptions used to simplify mechanics problems.
A focused answer to the Edexcel A-Level Mathematics mechanics content on quantities and units, covering fundamental and derived quantities and their SI units, the distinction between scalars and vectors, and the standard modelling assumptions used to simplify problems.
7 min answer →