Unit A: Kinematics

Themes: Change and Systems
Overview: In this unit, students investigate changes in the position and velocity of objects and systems in a study of kinematics.
This unit builds on:

• Grade 7 Science, Unit D: Structures and Forces
• Grade 8 Science, Unit D: Mechanical Systems
• Science 10, Unit B: Energy Flow in Technological Systems

This unit prepares students for further study, in subsequent units and physics courses, of dynamics, Newton’s laws and particles in gravitational, electric and magnetic fields.

Unit A will require approximately 15% of the time allotted for Physics 20.
Links to Mathematics: Refer to page 20.

Focusing Questions:

• How do changes in position, velocity and acceleration allow us to predict the paths of moving objects and systems?
• How do the principles of kinematics influence the development of new mechanical technologies?

General Outcomes:
There is one major outcome in this unit.
Students will:

A1. describe motion in terms of displacement, velocity, acceleration and time.

Key Concepts: The following concepts are developed in this unit and may also be addressed in other units or in other courses. The intended level and scope of treatment is defined by the outcomes.

• scalar quantities
• vector quantities
• uniform motion
• uniformly accelerated motion
• two-dimensional motion

General Outcome A1. students will describe motion in terms of displacement, velocity, acceleration and time.

Specific Outcomes for Knowledge
Students will:

20–A1.1k define, qualitatively and quantitatively, displacement, velocity and acceleration

20–A1.2k define, operationally, and compare and contrast scalar and vector quantities

20–A1.3k explain, qualitatively and quantitatively, uniform and uniformly accelerated motion when provided with written descriptions and numerical and graphical data

20–A1.4k interpret, quantitatively, the motion of one object relative to another, using displacement and velocity vectors

20–A1.5k explain, quantitatively, two-dimensional motion in a horizontal or vertical plane, using vector components.

Specific Outcomes for Science, Technology and Society (STS) (Nature of Science Emphasis)
Students will:
20–A1.1sts explain that the goal of science is knowledge about the natural world (NS1)

• identify common applications of kinematics, such as determining the average speed of a run, bike ride or car trip, or the acceleration required to launch an aircraft from a carrier

20–A1.2sts explain that scientific knowledge is subject to change as new evidence becomes apparent and as laws and theories are tested and subsequently revised, reinforced or rejected (NS4)

• analyze lunar free fall as illustrated in a video

20–A1.3sts explain that the process for technological development includes testing and evaluating designs and prototypes on the basis of established criteria (ST5d) [ICT C6–4.5]

• investigate the application of kinematics principles, such as determining the appropriate length of airport runways, the design of merging lanes or the timing of traffic lights

Specific Outcomes for Skills (Nature of Science Emphasis)
Initiating and Planning
Students will:
20–A1.1s formulate questions about observed relationships and plan investigations of questions, ideas, problems and issues

• identify, define and delimit questions to investigate;
e.g., What are the relationships among displacement, velocity, acceleration and time? (IP–NS1)
• explain why distances are measured in different units (as the crow flies, days of travel, mileage from city centre to city centre, light years).

Performing and Recording
Students will:
20–A1.2s conduct investigations into relationships among observable variables and use a broad range of tools and techniques to gather and record data and information

• perform an experiment to demonstrate the relationships among displacement, velocity, acceleration and time, using available technologies;
e.g., interval timers, photo gates (PR–NS2, PR–NS3) [ICT C6–4.4]

• collect information from various print and electronic sources to explain the use of kinematics concepts;
e.g., the synchronization of traffic lights (PR–ST1) [ICT C1–4.1].

Analyzing and Interpreting
Students will:
20–A1.3s analyze data and apply mathematical and conceptual models to develop and assess possible solutions

• construct graphs to demonstrate the relationships among displacement, velocity, acceleration and time for uniform and uniformly accelerated motion (AI–NS2)
• analyze a graph of empirical data to infer the mathematical relationships among displacement, velocity, acceleration and time for uniform and uniformly accelerated motion (AI–NS2) [ICT C7–4.2]
• solve, quantitatively, projectile motion problems near Earth’s surface, ignoring air resistance (AI–NS3)[ICT C6–4.1]
• relate acceleration to the slope of and displacement to the area under, a velocity-time graph (AI–NS2, AI–NS6) [ICT C7–4.2]
• analyze uniform motion examples, using computer simulations (AI–NS3) [ICT C6–4.4].

Communication and Teamwork
Students will:
20–A1.4s work collaboratively in addressing problems and apply the skills and conventions of science in communicating information and ideas and in assessing results

• use appropriate Système international(SI) units, fundamental and derived units and significant digits (CT–NS2)
• use appropriate numeric, symbolic, graphical and linguistic modes of representation to communicate ideas, plans and results (CT–NS2)
• use delta notation correctly when describing changes in quantities (CT–NS2).

To be developed throughout the course.


Links to Mathematics
The following mathematics outcomes are related to the content of Unit A but are not considered prerequisites.
Concept - Mathematics Course, Strand and Specific Outcome
Data Collection and Analysis

• Grade 9 Mathematics, Statistics and Probability (Data Analysis),Specific Outcome 3

Measurement and Unit Conversions

• Mathematics 10C,Measurement,Specific Outcomes 1 and 2;
• Mathematics 10-3, Measurement, Specific Outcome 1;
• Mathematics 20-3, Algebra, Specific Outcome 3

Trigonometry

• Mathematics 10C, Measurement, Specific Outcome 4;
• Mathematics 10-3, Geometry, Specific Outcomes 2 and 4

Rate and Proportions

• Mathematics 20-2,Measurement,Specific Outcome 1

Graph Analysis

• Mathematics10C, Relations and Functions,Specific Outcomes 1, 4 and 7;
• Mathematics 20-3, Statistics,Specific Outcome 1 Solving Equations
• Grade 9 Mathematics, Number, Specific Outcome 6

Scale Diagrams

• Mathematics 20-2,Measurement,Specific Outcome 2;
• Mathematics 20-3, Geometry, Specific Outcome 2

Slope

• Mathematics10C, Relations and Functions,Specific Outcomes3 and 5;
• Mathematics 20-3, Algebra, Specific Outcome 2 Area Calculations
• Mathematics 10-3, Measurement, Specific Outcome 4

Powers

• Mathematics10C, Algebra and Number, Specific Outcome 3

Note: The use of systems of equations, the quadratic formula and trigonometric ratios for angles greaterthan 90º is not required in this unit