Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 1

Lesson Video

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Performance objectives

• Define and differentiate key terms like distance, displacement, speed, and velocity.
• Understand and apply the equations of uniformly accelerated motion.
• Represent motion using graphs and interpret them.
• Connect kinematics to real-life applications in Ghana and beyond.

Lesson summary

Today, we are exploring the exciting world of Kinematics, which is the study of motion. Motion is all around us in Ghana. From the tro-tro accelerating from a bus stop in Accra, to a footballer in Kumasi kicking a ball, to a mango falling from a tree in the village, understanding motion helps us describe and predict how things move. This knowledge is fundamental to many fields, including engineering, sports science, and even road safety design. In this lesson, we will develop the mathematical tools – the equations of motion – that allow us to precisely calculate the speed, distance, and time for objects that are speeding up or slowing down at a steady rate.

Lesson notes

Part A: Foundational Terminologies

Before we can derive the equations, we must be very clear on the language we use. In Physics, some words have very specific meanings. Scalar vs. Vector: A Scalar quantity has only magnitude (size or amount). Examples: 10 kg, 5 seconds, 20 metres. A Vector quantity has both magnitude and direction. Examples: a force of 10 Newtons *downwards*, a movement of 20 metres *East*. Distance (Scalar) vs. Displacement (Vector): Distance is the total path length covered by an object. It doesn't care about direction. Displacement is the change in position of an object in a specific direction. It is the straight-line "distance" from the start point to the end point. *Example:* If a student walks 10m from their desk to the board and then 10m back to their desk, the distance covered is 20m. However, their displacement is 0m, because they ended up exactly where they started. Speed (Scalar) vs. Velocity (Vector): Speed is the rate at which an object covers distance. `Speed = Distance / Time`. Velocity is the rate of change of displacement. It is speed in a given direction. `Velocity = Displacement / Time`. *Example:* A tro-tro travelling at 60 km/h has a speed. A tro-tro travelling at 60 km/h *towards Kasoa* has a velocity. Acceleration (Vector): Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity. An object is accelerating if its velocity is changing. This can mean: It is speeding up (positive acceleration). It is slowing down (negative acceleration, also called deceleration or retardation). It is changing direction (even if its speed is constant, like a car turning a corner). The formula for acceleration is: `a = (Final Velocity - Initial Velocity) / Time` `a = (v - u) / t` *Where:* `a` = acceleration (in m/s²) `v` = final velocity (in m/s) `u` = initial velocity (in m/s) `t` = time taken (in s) Uniform Acceleration: This is the most important concept for today's lesson. It means the velocity of the object changes by the same amount every second. The acceleration is constant. The equations we will derive ONLY work for motion with uniform (constant) acceleration.

Part B: Deriving the Equations of Uniformly Accelerated Motion

We will now establish the three fundamental equations that describe motion when acceleration is constant.

Evaluation guide

• Establi sh equations of uniformly accelerated motion and its application in daily life.
• Talk for learning :
•  Learners brainstorm and define the terminologies distance, displacement, speed, velocity,
• acceleration, average velocity, instantaneous velocity and disting uish between them.