📘 FORCES & MOTION – COMPLETE EXAM NOTES

(WITH WORKED EXAMPLES)

These notes cover ALL examinable topics for FM1–FM4 and include definitions, explanations,
formulas, graphs, and fully worked examples. Use this as your main revision document.

FM1: MOTION

1. Measuring Length, Volume & Time

Length - Measured using a ruler (mm, cm) - Very small distances (e.g. wire thickness) measured using
a micrometer screw gauge - Check for zero error - Reading = main scale + thimble scale

Volume - Measured using a measuring cylinder - Read from the bottom of the meniscus at eye level

Time - Measured using analogue or digital clocks / stopwatches - Time interval = final time − initial
time

Reducing Error - Measure multiples (e.g. 10 oscillations of a pendulum) and divide by 10 to find the
average

2. Speed

Definition: Speed is the distance travelled per unit time.

Formula

distance
v=
time

Worked Example A runner covers 120 m in 20 s.

120
v= = 6 m/s
20

3. Speed vs Velocity

Speed Velocity

Scalar Vector

No direction Has direction

1
⚠️ If direction changes, velocity changes even if speed stays constant.

4. Distance–Time Graphs

• Gradient = speed

Δdistance
speed =
Δtime

Graph Shape Meaning

Horizontal line Object at rest

Straight sloping line Constant speed

Steeper slope Faster speed

Curve Changing speed

5. Speed–Time Graphs

• Gradient = acceleration
• Area under graph = distance travelled

Worked Example (Area) Speed = 10 m/s, Time = 8 s

Distance = 10 × 8 = 80 m

6. Acceleration

Definition: Rate of change of velocity.

Formula

Δv
a=
t

Worked Example Velocity changes from 5 m/s to 25 m/s in 10 s.

25 − 5 2
a= = 2 m/s
10

Free Fall - Acceleration due to gravity g is constant near Earth - Independent of mass (ignoring air
resistance)

FM2: MASS & WEIGHT

2
7. Force

• A push or pull
• Measured in newtons (N)

8. Mass vs Weight

Mass Weight

kg N

Constant Changes with gravity

Amount of matter Gravitational force

Formula

W = mg

Worked Example Mass = 4 kg, g = 10 N/kg

W = 4 × 10 = 40 N

• Earth is the source of a gravitational field

• Balances compare mass using equal weights

FM3: FORCE & ACCELERATION

9. Effects of Forces

Forces can change: - Speed - Direction - Shape - Size

10. Newton’s Second Law

Formula

F = ma

• Force and acceleration act in the same direction

• Mass resists change in motion (inertia)

Worked Example Mass = 2 kg, Acceleration = 3 m/s²

F =2×3=6N

3
11. Resultant Forces & Equilibrium

• Forces in same direction add

• Forces in opposite directions subtract

Equilibrium - Resultant force = 0 - Object at rest or moving at constant velocity

12. Pressure

Formula

F
P =
A

Worked Example Force = 200 N, Area = 0.5 m²

200
P = = 400 Pa
0.5

• Smaller area → higher pressure

13. Hooke’s Law

Formula

F = kx

• Valid up to the limit of proportionality

• Beyond this, permanent deformation occurs

Worked Example Force = 8 N, Extension = 0.04 m

8
k= = 200 N/m
0.04

14. Force–Extension Graphs

• Straight line through origin → direct proportion

• Gradient = spring constant (k)

Type Equation

Direct proportion y = mx

Linear y = mx + c

4
FM3.1: CORE PRACTICAL – HOOKE’S LAW
You must be able to: - Measure original and stretched length - Use a fiducial marker - Calculate
extension - Plot force vs extension graph - Calculate spring constant from gradient - Identify limit of
proportionality - Translate between table, graph, and equation

FM4: MOMENTS & CENTRE OF MASS

15. Moment of a Force

Formula

Moment = Force × perpendicular distance

Worked Example Force = 15 N, Distance = 0.4 m

Moment = 15 × 0.4 = 6 Nm

16. Principle of Moments

For equilibrium:

Clockwise moments = Anticlockwise moments

Worked Example 10 N at 0.3 m balances 6 N at distance d

10 × 0.3 = 6 × d ⇒ d = 0.5 m

17. Centre of Mass

• Point where the entire weight of an object appears to act

• Found using the plumb line method

Stability - Lower centre of mass → more stable - Wider base → more stable - Object topples when
centre of mass passes outside base

✅ EXAM STRATEGY CHECKLIST

• Always write the formula
• Substitute values clearly
• Show all working
• Include correct units
• Label graphs fully

5
📌 This document now contains EVERYTHING you need to revise for the test, including worked
examples.