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Free Fall & Motion Graphs

Motion, forces and energy · IGCSE Physics

Free Fall & Motion Graphs — IGCSE Physics Notes

Exam years: 2025–2027 Topic: Motion, forces and energy Lesson 4 of 48

Free Fall & Motion Graphs

Kinematics (Constant a)

Equations
  • v = u + a t
  • s = u t + ½ a t²
  • v² = u² + 2 a s
Worked Example

Throw up: u=14, a=−9.8. Top time t=14/9.8≈1.43 s; height ≈10 m.

Graph Reminders

  • s–t slope ⇒ velocity; v–t slope ⇒ acceleration; v–t area ⇒ displacement.
  • Negative v region ⇒ opposite direction.
Common Mistakes
  • Using wrong sign for g.
  • Mixing speed vs velocity on signed graphs.