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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 produce acceleration, and how do you analyse the forces on a particle including friction and connected systems?

Newton's three laws of motion, weight, resolving forces, equilibrium of a particle, friction and the coefficient of friction, motion on an inclined plane, and connected particles.
A focused answer to the OCR A-Level Mathematics A forces content, covering Newton's three laws, weight, resolving forces, equilibrium of a particle, friction and the coefficient of friction, motion on an inclined plane, and connected particles over a pulley.
12 min answer →

How do you describe motion in a straight line using the constant-acceleration equations, motion graphs and calculus?

Displacement, velocity and acceleration, the constant-acceleration (suvat) equations, motion under gravity, displacement-time and velocity-time graphs, and using calculus when acceleration varies.
A focused answer to the OCR A-Level Mathematics A kinematics content, covering displacement, velocity and acceleration, the constant-acceleration suvat equations, motion under gravity, interpreting displacement-time and velocity-time graphs, and using differentiation and integration when acceleration varies with time.
12 min answer →

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

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

How do you analyse the motion of a projectile by treating its horizontal and vertical motion separately?

Motion of a projectile under gravity, resolving the initial velocity into horizontal and vertical components, the independence of horizontal and vertical motion, and finding range, maximum height and time of flight.
A focused answer to the OCR A-Level Mathematics A projectiles content, covering motion under gravity in two dimensions, resolving the initial velocity into horizontal and vertical components, the independence of the two motions, and finding the time of flight, range, maximum height and the equation of the trajectory.
12 min answer →

What are the base and derived quantities of mechanics, and how do you distinguish scalars from vectors and model a real situation?

The SI base and derived units used in mechanics, the distinction between scalar and vector quantities, and the standard modelling assumptions such as particles, light strings and smooth surfaces.
A focused answer to the OCR A-Level Mathematics A mechanics quantities content, covering the SI base and derived units, the distinction between scalar and vector quantities, the standard modelling assumptions (particle, light, inextensible, smooth, rigid), and why these idealisations are made.
10 min answer →