What does Eduqas Newtonian mechanics cover?

It covers basic physics (SI units, homogeneity, scalars and vectors, and uncertainty), kinematics with motion graphs, the equations of motion, projectiles and free fall, dynamics with Newton's three laws, free-body diagrams, moments and equilibrium, energy concepts with work, conservation, kinetic and potential energy, power and efficiency, momentum with conservation, impulse and elastic versus inelastic collisions, and circular motion with angular velocity, centripetal acceleration and centripetal force.

Which equations recur most across Newtonian mechanics?

The equations of motion $v = u + at$, $x = ut + \frac{1}{2}at^2$ and $v^2 = u^2 + 2ax$, Newton's second law $F = ma$ and its momentum form $F = \frac{\Delta p}{\Delta t}$, weight $W = mg$, work $W = Fx\cos\theta$ and power $P = Fv$, kinetic energy $\frac{1}{2}mv^2$ and potential energy $mg\Delta h$, momentum $p = mv$ with impulse $F\Delta t = \Delta p$, moments as force times perpendicular distance, and the centripetal force $F = \frac{mv^2}{r} = m\omega^2 r$. Eduqas prints these in the data booklet, so the skill is selecting the right one quickly.

What is the most common mistake in this module?

Applying gravity to the horizontal motion of a projectile. The horizontal velocity stays constant when air resistance is ignored, and the two directions are linked only by the shared time of flight. Close behind are sign errors in momentum problems with rebounds, inventing an outward centrifugal force in circular motion, treating a Newton's third law pair as balanced forces, and forgetting the $\cos\theta$ in work done.

How is momentum examined in Eduqas Physics?

Conservation of momentum problems set the total momentum before equal to the total after, with careful signs in one dimension, and many then ask whether the collision is elastic by comparing total kinetic energy before and after. Impulse questions use $F\Delta t = \Delta p$ or the area under a force-time graph, often in a safety or sport context such as crumple zones, airbags and a golf or tennis follow-through.

How should I revise Newtonian mechanics?

Drill the equations of motion and projectile method until automatic, then practise free-body diagrams, resolving forces on slopes, moments and equilibrium. Learn the energy and momentum conservation routines and the elastic-versus-inelastic test. Master circular motion by always identifying which real force provides the centripetal force. This module underpins the oscillations, fields and astrophysics content, so build it solidly first.

EnglandPhysics

Eduqas A-Level Physics Newtonian mechanics: kinematics, dynamics, energy, momentum and circular motion

A deep-dive Eduqas A-Level Physics guide to the Newtonian mechanics within Component 1. Covers basic physics with units and vectors, kinematics and projectiles, dynamics and Newton's laws, energy, work and power, momentum and collisions, and circular motion, with the calculations Eduqas repeats.

Generated by Claude Opus 4.817 min readA720QS Component 1Updated 2026-06-02

Reviewed by: AI editorial process; not yet individually human-reviewed

Jump to a section

What this module actually demands
Basic physics, kinematics and dynamics
Energy, momentum and circular motion
How this module is examined
Check your knowledge

What this module actually demands

Newtonian mechanics is the foundation of Eduqas Physics, sitting at the front of Component 1 (Newtonian Physics). It starts from describing quantities precisely, builds to describing and causing motion, develops the great conservation ideas of energy and momentum, and finishes with circular motion. The examiners reward fluent calculation, clear free-body diagrams and precise definitions, and the methods here underpin almost everything in the oscillations, fields and astrophysics topics.

This guide walks through the topics in order and sets out the exam patterns Eduqas repeats. Each topic has a matching dot-point page with practice; this overview ties them together.

Basic physics, kinematics and dynamics

Basic physics and units covers the seven SI base units, building derived units, checking the homogeneity of equations, distinguishing scalars from vectors, resolving and adding vectors, and the treatment of measurement uncertainty. Kinematics defines displacement, velocity and acceleration, interprets motion graphs through gradient and area, applies the equations of motion for constant acceleration, and separates a projectile into independent horizontal and vertical motion.

Dynamics and Newton's laws states the three laws, draws free-body diagrams, resolves forces on inclined planes, uses moments and couples with the conditions for equilibrium, and explains terminal velocity.

Energy, momentum and circular motion

Energy, work and power defines work as $W = Fx\cos\theta$ , applies conservation of energy, uses kinetic energy $\frac{1}{2}mv^2$ and potential energy $mg\Delta h$ , relates power to force and velocity with $P = Fv$ , and calculates efficiency. Momentum and collisions conserves momentum in collisions and explosions, expresses Newton's second law as $F = \frac{\Delta p}{\Delta t}$ , uses impulse $F\Delta t = \Delta p$ and the force-time graph, and distinguishes elastic from inelastic collisions. Circular motion defines angular velocity, derives the centripetal acceleration $a = \frac{v^2}{r} = \omega^2 r$ , and applies the centripetal force to banked tracks, vertical circles and the conical pendulum.

How this module is examined

A typical Eduqas profile for Newtonian mechanics:

Calculations. Equations of motion and projectiles, resultant forces and acceleration, moments and equilibrium, work, power and efficiency, momentum and impulse, and centripetal force.
Graph questions. Reading motion graphs, force-time graphs for impulse, and velocity-time graphs for terminal velocity.
Explanation and definition. Newton's laws, conditions for equilibrium, elastic versus inelastic collisions, and why the centripetal force does no work.
Extended answers. Free-body analysis on slopes and in vertical circles, terminal velocity arguments, and energy bookkeeping in multi-stage problems.

Check your knowledge

A mix of recall and calculation questions covering the module. Attempt them under timed conditions, then check against the solutions.

State the seven SI base units. (2 marks)
A car accelerates from rest at $3.0\ \text{m s}^{-2}$ for $5.0\ \text{s}$ . Find its final speed and the distance travelled. (2 marks)
A $1500\ \text{kg}$ car experiences a resultant force of $4500\ \text{N}$ . Find its acceleration. (1 mark)
Define impulse and state its unit. (2 marks)
A $0.20\ \text{kg}$ ball moves at $8.0\ \text{m s}^{-1}$ . Find its kinetic energy. (1 mark)
State the direction of the centripetal force on an object in uniform circular motion. (1 mark)

Solutions

Six questions covering SI base units, equations of motion, Newton's second law, impulse, kinetic energy, and circular motion.

Step 1: Q1 - State the seven SI base units

The International System of Units defines seven independent base quantities from which all other units are derived. It is worth memorising them with their symbols, as Eduqas questions on dimensional analysis and unit checking require them.

Final answer: Metre (m), kilogram (kg), second (s), ampere (A), kelvin (K), mole (mol) and candela (cd).

Step 2: Q2 - Find the final speed and distance for constant acceleration from rest

Starting from rest means $u = 0$ . The equation $v = u + at$ gives the final speed directly. For distance, $x = ut + \frac{1}{2}at^2$ applies; with $u = 0$ , the first term vanishes.

v = u + at = 0 + 3.0 \times 5.0 = 15\ \text{m s}^{-1}

x = ut + \frac{1}{2}at^2 = \frac{1}{2}(3.0)(5.0)^2 = 37.5\ \text{m}

Final answer: Final speed $= 15\ \text{m s}^{-1}$ ; distance $= 37.5\ \text{m}$ .

Step 3: Q3 - Find the acceleration of the car

Newton's second law states that the resultant force on an object equals its mass multiplied by its acceleration: $F = ma$ . Rearranging gives $a = \frac{F}{m}$ .

a = \frac{F}{m} = \frac{4500}{1500} = 3.0\ \text{m s}^{-2}

Final answer: $a = 3.0\ \text{m s}^{-2}$ .

Step 4: Q4 - Define impulse and state its unit

Impulse is defined as the product of a force and the time for which it acts, and by Newton's second law this equals the change in momentum of the object. The unit of impulse is the newton second, which is dimensionally equivalent to $\text{kg m s}^{-1}$ .

Final answer: Impulse is the change in momentum, $F\Delta t = \Delta p$ , measured in $\text{N s}$ (equivalent to $\text{kg m s}^{-1}$ ).

Step 5: Q5 - Find the kinetic energy of the ball

Kinetic energy depends on the mass and the square of the speed. The factor of $\frac{1}{2}$ comes from integrating the work-energy theorem for constant acceleration.

E_k = \frac{1}{2}mv^2 = \frac{1}{2}(0.20)(8.0)^2 = 6.4\ \text{J}

Final answer: $E_k = 6.4\ \text{J}$ .

Step 6: Q6 - State the direction of the centripetal force

An object in uniform circular motion is always changing direction, which means it is accelerating even though its speed is constant. The net force causing this acceleration must point perpendicular to the velocity, continuously redirecting the object along the circular path.

Final answer: Towards the centre of the circle.

Sources & how we know this

Eduqas GCE AS/A Level Physics specification (A720QS) — WJEC Eduqas (2015)