O-Level Physics Revision
Notes
(Pearson Edexcel Syllabus)
1. MOTION (Speed, Acceleration,
SUVAT)
Key Definitions
Quantity Definition Unit
Total path length
Distance m
travelled (scalar)
Distance in a specified
Displacement m
direction (vector)
Distance travelled per
Speed m/s
unit time
Displacement per unit
Velocity m/s
time (vector)
, Quantity Definition Unit
Rate of change of
Acceleration m/s²
velocity
Core Formulas
Average speed = Distance ÷ Time
Acceleration, a = (v − u) / t
v = final velocity, u = initial velocity, t =
time taken
SUVAT Equations (constant acceleration
only)
Variables: s = displacement, u = initial velocity, v
= final velocity, a = acceleration, t = time
1. v = u + at
2. s = ut + ½at²
3. v² = u² + 2as
4. s = ½(u + v)t
Tip: Identify which 3 quantities are given,
choose the equation missing the 4th
unknown.
Graphs
Distance–time graph
Notes
(Pearson Edexcel Syllabus)
1. MOTION (Speed, Acceleration,
SUVAT)
Key Definitions
Quantity Definition Unit
Total path length
Distance m
travelled (scalar)
Distance in a specified
Displacement m
direction (vector)
Distance travelled per
Speed m/s
unit time
Displacement per unit
Velocity m/s
time (vector)
, Quantity Definition Unit
Rate of change of
Acceleration m/s²
velocity
Core Formulas
Average speed = Distance ÷ Time
Acceleration, a = (v − u) / t
v = final velocity, u = initial velocity, t =
time taken
SUVAT Equations (constant acceleration
only)
Variables: s = displacement, u = initial velocity, v
= final velocity, a = acceleration, t = time
1. v = u + at
2. s = ut + ½at²
3. v² = u² + 2as
4. s = ½(u + v)t
Tip: Identify which 3 quantities are given,
choose the equation missing the 4th
unknown.
Graphs
Distance–time graph
