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UPDATED TO 2023 SYLLABUS

EDEXCEL IAL
MATHS
SUMMARIZED NOTES ON THE MECHANICS 1 (WME01/01) SYLLABUS
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EDEXCEL IAL MATHS

The magnitude of the acceleration due to gravity ( g ) is 9.8

ms−2 (unless otherwise specified).
1. Kinematics Gravity ( g ) always acts downwards.
Acceleration is equal to -9.8 ms−2 when a particle is in
1.1. Introduction free fall (if an answer is needed in terms of g then a = −g
).
A vector quantity has both a magnitude and a direction. Velocity is equal to 0 ms−1 at the greatest height reached
A scalar quantity only has a magnitude. by the particle.
A vector can be positive or negative to indicate the When a particle is moving upwards consider velocity and
direction. displacement positive.
A scalar is always positive. When a particle is moving downwards consider velocity
Vectors: (Velocity, Displacement, and Acceleration) and displacement negative.
Scalars: (Speed, Distance, and Time) When a particle moves upwards then downwards the
Motion upwards and motion towards the right will be initial velocity is positive, the final velocity is negative, and
considered positive in these notes. the displacement is negative.
Always write your final answer as a scalar quantity. Air resistance is neglected.
Deceleration is negative acceleration. If the motion of two particles is required or not enough
Displacement is the distance between the starting point values are given, solve simultaneously using two paths.
and the ending point.
suvat Formulae (Not included in the formula sheet): 1.4. Motion Graphs I
Formula Used when Label the required speeds and times clearly (using a scale
v = u + at s is not given and not required is not needed).
v2 = u 2 + 2as t is not given and not required You might need to use the suvat formulae to calculate
the values used in the graph.
s = ut + 12 at2 ​ v is not given and not required
s = vt − 12 at2​ u is not given and not required Distance-Time Graph
s = ( u+v
2 )t
​ a is not given and not required
Inclined line → Constant velocity
Horizontal line → At rest (velocity is 0)
u = initial velocity | v = final velocity | s = displacement |
Curved line → Changing velocity (acceleration)
a = acceleration | t = time

1.2. Horizontal Motion

1. Draw a diagram to visualise the problem.
2. Write down the values you know and the values you
need to find.
3. Use the appropriate formula.
4. Substitute with the values and solve to find the
required variable.

If the motion of two particles is required or not enough

values are given, solve simultaneously using two paths.
Formulas can only be used when acceleration is constant
If acceleration is zero (constant velocity) use s = ut
Displacement-Time Graph

1.3. Vertical Motion Inclined line with positive gradient → Constant velocity in a
positive direction
1. Draw a diagram to visualise the problem. Inclined line with negative gradient → Constant velocity in
2. Write down the values you know and the values you negative direction
need to find. Horizontal line → At rest (velocity is 0)
3. Use the appropriate formula. Curved line → Changing velocity (acceleration)
4. Substitute with the values and solve to find the
required variable.

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1.5. Motion Graphs II

1.6. Motion Graphs III
Speed-Time Graph
Acceleration-Time Graph
Inclined Straight Line With Positive Gradient →
Constant/Uniform Acceleration In Positive Direction Horizontal Straight Line → Constant Acceleration
Inclined Straight Line With Negative Gradient → The area under the graph represents a change in velocity.
Constant/Uniform Deceleration Use dotted lines to indicate a change in acceleration
Horizontal Straight Line → Constant/Uniform Speed
The total area under the line represents the total distance
travelled.
Gradient represents the acceleration.

2. # Forces in Vectors
Add the vectors to calculate resultant force.
Velocity-Time Graph Resultant force is zero when the object is stationary/in
equilibrium.
Inclined Straight Line With Positive Gradient → Resultant force is equal to mass multiplied by acceleration
Constant/Uniform Acceleration In Positive Direction if the object is moving with a changing velocity (constant
Inclined Straight Line With Negative Gradient → acceleration).
Constant/Uniform Acceleration In Negative Direction (or
Deceleration) 2.2. Solved Example
Horizontal Straight Line → Constant/Uniform Speed
Gradient represents the acceleration. [In this question, i and j are horizontal unit vectors due east
Area Above x-axis + Area Below x-axis = Total Distance and due north respectively and position vectors are given
Traveled with respect to a fixed origin.]
If there is negative velocity then the area above the line
and below the x-axis is considered negative displacement. A ship S is moving along a straight line with constant velocity.
Area Above x-axis - Area Below x-axis = Total At time t hours the position vector of S is s km. When t = 0, s
Displacement = 9i - 6j. When t = 4,
s = 21i + 10j. Find
a) the speed of S ,

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EDEXCEL IAL MATHS

b) the direction in which S is moving, giving your answer as a

bearing.

a) the speed of S

1 - Convert the vectors to column vectors:

9
At t = 0 → s = ( −6 ) ​

21
At t = 4 → S = ( 10 ) ​

2 - Velocity is required to calculate speed:

r = r 0 + vt
​

The ship moved from position r 0 to position r in 4

​

seconds
Replace variables by values given
21 9
→( 10 ) = ( −6 ) + ( xy ) × 4
​ ​

21 9 4x 21 9+4x
Solve → ( 10 ) = ( −6 ) + ( 4y ) → ( 10 ) = ( −6+4y )
​ ​ ​ ​

9 + 4x = 21 & −6 + 4y = 10 → x = 3 & y = 4
3
The velocity is ( 4 )
3- Use trigonometry rules to calculate the required angle.
3 - Find the speed:
Answer is required as a bearing so the angle between the
Use Pythagoras’ theorem to find the magnitude north and the vector is required.
of the velocity which is speed
Speed = (3)2 + (4)2 = 5 ms−1

b) the direction in which S is moving, giving your

answer as a bearing.

1- Draw the horizontal and vertical axis.

3
tan (θ ) = 4 →θ
​ = tan−1 ( 34 ) = 036.9°
​

2.3. Position Vectors

To find a vector passing through two points:
AB = b − a = OB − OA
The vector AB is equal to the position vector B - the
position vector of A
2- Draw the vector. To find the distance between two points (x 1 , y1 ) and ​ ​

(x 2 , y2 ):
​ ​

d = (x 1 − x 2 )2 + (y1 − y2 )2
​ ​ ​ ​ ​

To find the position of a particle at time t:

r = r 0 + vt
​

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r = position at time t | r 0 = initial position | v =

​ To get the angle between two vectors:
velocity | t = time Draw the horizontal and vertical axis.
Draw the first vector.
Use trigonometry rules to calculate the angle it makes
2.4. Vector Kinematics
with horizontal axis.
suvat equations may be required in some questions. Draw the second vector.
Don’t calculate the magnitude unless asked for a scalar Use trigonometry rules to calculate the angle it makes
quantity (eg. Speed or Distance) with horizontal axis.
Find the difference between both angles.

Vectors 3. Forces
2.5. Introduction
3.1. Weight and Resultant Force
Vectors in 2 directions will be assessed in this unit of
Weight is a downward force that pulls objects towards
Mechanics 1 (WME01)
2-dimensional vectors can be represented in two ways: Earth.
Column Vectors → ( pq ) Weight is calculated using the formula w = mg with m
being the mass and g being the force of gravity (9.8
i and j vectors → (pi + qj)
N kg −1 ).
In this example the vector represents p units in the
A reaction force always acts upwards on the object if it
positive horizontal direction (to the right) and q units
rests on a surface.
in the positive vertical direction (upwards).
A force acting at an angle can be split into vertical and
The magnitude of a vector v is written as ∣v∣.
horizontal components.
Convert i and j vectors to column vectors for simplicity in
Newton’s Second Law → F = ma with F being the
manipulations, then convert to i and j vectors in the final
resultant force, m being the mass, and g being the
answer.
acceleration.
Vectors may be added to each other.
a c a+b Always draw a diagram and label the forces to
Ex. ( b ) + ( d ) = ( c+d )
​ ​

understand the problem.

Vectors may be multiplied by scalars. Tension is a force that acts away from the particle; Thrust
p py
Ex. ( q ) × y = ( qy ) ​

is a force that acts towards a particle.

When two vectors are parallel cross multiply. If the object is in equilibrium, the resultant force is zero,
( ab ) is parallel to ( pq ) → aq = bp meaning that the forces to the right are equal to the
forces on the left and that the forces upwards are equal to
the forces downwards.
2.6. Vector Magnitude
To calculate the magnitude of a vector, use Pythagoras’ 3.2. Resolving Forces
theorem.
Vertical and horizontal components can be found when a
Example force is acting at an angle.
a = 6i − 8j, Find |a| Steps to resolve forces:
Construct a right-angle triangle
Use Pythagoras’ theorem: 6 2 + (−8 )2 = 10
​
Use trigonometry to calculate the magnitude of the
horizontal and vertical components.
Calculate the magnitude of the velocity to get the speed.
Calculate the magnitude of the displacement to get the 3.3. Horizontal Surfaces
distance.
1. Draw a diagram to visualise the problem.
2.7. Vector Direction 2. Draw the weight and reaction forces.
3. Draw the vertical and horizontal external forces.
To get the angle between the vector and the horizontal 4. Draw other forces (forces that are at an angle) and
axis ( i) or the vertical axis ( j ): resolve them to their vertical and horizontal
Draw the horizontal and vertical axis. components.
Draw the vector. 5. Draw the friction force (opposite to the direction of
Use trigonometry rules to calculate the required motion).
angle. 6. Total force upwards = Total Force downwards

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7. If the object is stationary, at rest, in limiting

equilibrium, not accelerating, or moving with a
constant velocity, then the Forces to the right = Forces
to the left.

Example of a diagram:

3.4. Connected Particles

Car and Caravan

Both particles are connected using a rod

The motor provides a forward driving force For the second type:
Tension in the rod pulls the caravan forward and pulls the 1. Draw a diagram to visualise the problem.
car backwards 2. Draw the weight. (Resolve if the surface is inclined)
3. Draw the tension forces in the string.
1. Draw a diagram to visualise the problem. 4. Draw the friction force if the surface is rough (not
2. Draw the weight and reaction forces. smooth).
3. Draw the tension forces in the rod. 5. Form an equation for each object.
4. Form an equation for the car. 6. Form an equation for the system by adding both
5. Form an equation for the caravan. equations together.
6. Form an equation for the system by adding both 7. If an object falls and hits the ground the string
equations together. becomes slack and the other objects is moved
sidewards with acceleration equal to to g (-9.81
Pulleys ms−2 )
Example of Diagram:
When the string is taut, the acceleration is equal for both
connected particles.
There are two types of pulley scenarios:
1. A pulley with both stings hanging vertically.
2. A pulley at the end of a horizontal table.
For the first type:
1. Draw a diagram to visualise the problem.
2. Draw the weight.
3. Draw the tension forces in the string.
4. Form an equation for each object.
5. Form an equation for the system by adding both
equations together.
6. If an object falls and hits the ground the string
becomes slack and the other objects is thrown
upwards with acceleration equal to g (-9.81 ms−2 )
Example of Diagram:
3.5. Inclined Surfaces

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1. Draw a diagram to visualise the problem.

2. Draw the weight and reaction forces.
3. Resolve the weight into its vertical and horizontal
components
4. Draw other forces (forces that are at an angle) and
resolve them to their vertical and horizontal
components.
5. Draw the friction force (opposite to the direction of
motion).
6. Total force upwards = Total Force downwards
7. If the object is stationary, at rest, in limiting
equilibrium, not accelerating, or moving with a
constant velocity then the Forces to the right = Forces
to the left.

Example of a diagram:

3.7. Resultant Force Constructions

1. Draw a diagram with both forces
2. Construct a parallelogram
3. Use trigonometry rules to calculate the resultant force
or the angle required.

3.8. Frictional Force

Friction force acts opposite to the direction of motion on a
rough surface. (Friction is 0 if a smooth surface was used
as μ = 0 )
Maximum Friction Force = μ × R, (where μ is the
coefficient of friction and R is the reaction force) when
the resultant force is zero.

3.6. Lifts
4. Momentum
1. Draw a diagram to visualise the problem.
2. Draw the weight and reaction forces. 4.1. Momentum
3. Form an equation for the object.
4. Form an equation for the lift. Velocities are vectors which therefore, in one dimension,
5. Form an equation for the system by adding both could be positive or negative depending on their
equations together. directions; this means that the corresponding momentum
Diagram Example: could also be positive or negative.
Momentum = mass × velocity = mv
Law of Conservation of Momentum → Total Momentum
Before = Total Momentum After
m1 u 1 + m2 u 2 = m1 v1 + m2 v2
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Impulse = Change in Momentum = Momentum After -

Moment Before = mv − mu
v = final velocity | u = initial velocity | m = mass
m can be taken as a common factor if it is the impulse
on one object (mass did not change) to give:
Impulse = m(v − u)

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During a collision, each particle receives an impulse.

4.2. Colliding Particles
These impulses are equal in magnitude but opposite in
direction. 1. Draw a diagram to visualise the problem.
Change in M omentum (Impulse) m(v−u)
Force = T ime of Contact ​
= t ​
= ma Example:
Coalesce means that bodies move off together as one
body after the collision
When two particles coalesce they combine to form 1
particle which has a mass equal to the mass of both
particles combined, and they move with the same 2. Add the masses and velocities to your diagram.
velocity. 3. Apply the law of conservation of momentum to find
The unit for impulse and momentum is newton-second ( the required value.
N s)

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EDEXCEL IAL
Maths

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