🏠 Vault / School / H2 Physics / physics_wa1_mechanics_notes.md

Physics WA1 Mechanics Notes

<#>Physics WA1 Mechanics Notes

Subject: H2 Physics (9478) Exam: WA1 Date: 2026-05-20

<##>Download physics_wa1_mechanics_notes.pdf — integrated WA revision notes with diagrams, worked examples, formula/method bank, exam pattern bank, and common traps.

<##>Topics Covered | Topic | Key concepts | |---|---| | Quantities and Measurement | SI base/derived units, prefixes, homogeneity, estimates, random/systematic errors, uncertainty propagation, scalars/vectors/components | | Kinematics | motion terms, s-t/v-t/a-t graphs, SUVAT derivation and use, free fall, projectile components, air resistance and terminal velocity | | Dynamics | free-body diagrams, force types, Newton's laws, mass/inertia, F = ma, momentum, impulse, force-time graphs, collisions | | Equilibrium | Hooke's law, upthrust, translational/rotational equilibrium, moments, centre of gravity, couples, vector triangles | | Energy | work, kinetic energy derivation, gravitational/elastic potential energy, conservation of energy, power, efficiency |

<##>Quick Formulae

Graphs: s-t gradient = velocity; v-t gradient = acceleration; v-t area = displacement.
SUVAT: v = u + at; s = ut + 1/2 at^2; v^2 = u^2 + 2as; s = 1/2(u + v)t.
Dynamics: p = mv; impulse = Delta p = area under F-t graph; resultant force = ma for constant mass.
Equilibrium: sum of forces = 0 and sum of moments = 0; moment = force × perpendicular distance.
Energy: W = Fs cos theta; Ek = 1/2 mv^2; Delta Ep = mg Delta h; elastic energy = 1/2 kx^2; P = E/t = Fv; efficiency = useful output / total input.

<##>Notes Sources used: HCI C1 2026 Physics Chapters 1–5 materials and SEAB 9478 2027 syllabus scope. Field-line content from the later Energy and Fields syllabus section is intentionally excluded unless specifically taught for WA1.