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6 Dec 2025

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Forces and Motion Explained for Edexcel IGCSE Physics

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Nat @womanb

Forces and motion form the backbone of physics, explaining everything from why your phone drops when you let... Show more

FORCES + MOTION

-Velocity + Acceleration-

average speed = $\frac{distance \ moved}{time \ token}$

acceleration = $\frac{Change \ in \ vel

Velocity, Acceleration and Motion Graphs

Speed and acceleration are two different things that often get mixed up. Speed tells you how fast something's moving, whilst acceleration shows how quickly that speed is changing. The key formulas you'll need are average speed = distance ÷ time, and acceleration = change in velocity ÷ time taken.

Distance-time and velocity-time graphs are your best friends for solving motion problems. The gradient (slope) of a distance-time graph gives you speed, whilst the area under a velocity-time graph tells you the total distance travelled. These graphs make complex motion problems much easier to visualise and solve.

Don't confuse mass and weight - they're completely different! Mass stays the same whether you're on Earth or the Moon, but weight changes because it depends on gravity. On Earth, weight = mass × 10 sincegravity=10m/s2since gravity = 10 m/s².

Quick Tip Remember that acceleration can be negative - this just means something is slowing down, not speeding up!

FORCES + MOTION

-Velocity + Acceleration-

average speed = $\frac{distance \ moved}{time \ token}$

acceleration = $\frac{Change \ in \ vel

Newton's Laws and Forces

Newton's three laws explain how forces affect motion, and they're simpler than they sound. First law balanced forces mean no change in speed. Second law unbalanced forces cause acceleration Force=mass×accelerationForce = mass × acceleration. Third law forces always come in pairs - push a wall, and it pushes back with equal force.

Terminal velocity happens when falling objects reach their maximum speed. A skydiver falling spreads out to increase air resistance, whilst a streamlined object cuts through air more easily. The balance between weight pulling down and air resistance pushing up determines this maximum speed.

Hooke's Law shows that springs stretch proportionally to the force applied - double the force, double the extension. This works perfectly until you reach the elastic limit, where the spring becomes permanently damaged and won't return to its original shape.

Real-World Connection Your car's stopping distance increases dramatically with speed because kinetic energy increases with the square of velocity!

FORCES + MOTION

-Velocity + Acceleration-

average speed = $\frac{distance \ moved}{time \ token}$

acceleration = $\frac{Change \ in \ vel

Moments and Turning Effects

Moments explain why it's easier to open a door by pushing near the handle rather than near the hinges. The turning effect depends on both the force applied and the distance from the pivot point. The formula is moment = force × perpendicular distance from the pivot.

The principle of moments keeps seesaws balanced and cranes stable. For any balanced object, the total clockwise moments must equal the total anticlockwise moments. If they're not equal, the object will start rotating in the direction of the larger moment.

Centre of gravity is the point where all the weight of an object appears to act from. When you hang any object, its centre of gravity will always end up directly below the suspension point - this is how you can find it experimentally.

Practical Tip Momentum is conserved in collisions, meaning the total momentum before impact equals the total momentum after - this principle helps solve crash and collision problems!

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iOS user

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Basil

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This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

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In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

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very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

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I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

 

Physics

521

6 Dec 2025

3 pages

Forces and Motion Explained for Edexcel IGCSE Physics

user profile picture

Nat

@womanb

Forces and motion form the backbone of physics, explaining everything from why your phone drops when you let go to how cars brake safely. These fundamental concepts help you understand the physical world around you and are essential for your... Show more

FORCES + MOTION

-Velocity + Acceleration-

average speed = $\frac{distance \ moved}{time \ token}$

acceleration = $\frac{Change \ in \ vel

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Velocity, Acceleration and Motion Graphs

Speed and acceleration are two different things that often get mixed up. Speed tells you how fast something's moving, whilst acceleration shows how quickly that speed is changing. The key formulas you'll need are: average speed = distance ÷ time, and acceleration = change in velocity ÷ time taken.

Distance-time and velocity-time graphs are your best friends for solving motion problems. The gradient (slope) of a distance-time graph gives you speed, whilst the area under a velocity-time graph tells you the total distance travelled. These graphs make complex motion problems much easier to visualise and solve.

Don't confuse mass and weight - they're completely different! Mass stays the same whether you're on Earth or the Moon, but weight changes because it depends on gravity. On Earth, weight = mass × 10 sincegravity=10m/s2since gravity = 10 m/s².

Quick Tip: Remember that acceleration can be negative - this just means something is slowing down, not speeding up!

FORCES + MOTION

-Velocity + Acceleration-

average speed = $\frac{distance \ moved}{time \ token}$

acceleration = $\frac{Change \ in \ vel

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Newton's Laws and Forces

Newton's three laws explain how forces affect motion, and they're simpler than they sound. First law: balanced forces mean no change in speed. Second law: unbalanced forces cause acceleration Force=mass×accelerationForce = mass × acceleration. Third law: forces always come in pairs - push a wall, and it pushes back with equal force.

Terminal velocity happens when falling objects reach their maximum speed. A skydiver falling spreads out to increase air resistance, whilst a streamlined object cuts through air more easily. The balance between weight pulling down and air resistance pushing up determines this maximum speed.

Hooke's Law shows that springs stretch proportionally to the force applied - double the force, double the extension. This works perfectly until you reach the elastic limit, where the spring becomes permanently damaged and won't return to its original shape.

Real-World Connection: Your car's stopping distance increases dramatically with speed because kinetic energy increases with the square of velocity!

FORCES + MOTION

-Velocity + Acceleration-

average speed = $\frac{distance \ moved}{time \ token}$

acceleration = $\frac{Change \ in \ vel

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Moments and Turning Effects

Moments explain why it's easier to open a door by pushing near the handle rather than near the hinges. The turning effect depends on both the force applied and the distance from the pivot point. The formula is: moment = force × perpendicular distance from the pivot.

The principle of moments keeps seesaws balanced and cranes stable. For any balanced object, the total clockwise moments must equal the total anticlockwise moments. If they're not equal, the object will start rotating in the direction of the larger moment.

Centre of gravity is the point where all the weight of an object appears to act from. When you hang any object, its centre of gravity will always end up directly below the suspension point - this is how you can find it experimentally.

Practical Tip: Momentum is conserved in collisions, meaning the total momentum before impact equals the total momentum after - this principle helps solve crash and collision problems!

We thought you’d never ask...

What is the Knowunity AI companion?

Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.

Where can I download the Knowunity app?

You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Is Knowunity really free of charge?

That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.

5

Smart Tools NEW

Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines

Mock Exam
Quiz
Flashcards
Essay

Most popular content in Physics

Most popular content

English - inspector calls quotes and analysis

Quotes from every main character

English LiteratureEnglish Literature
10

Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.

Students love us — and so will you.

4.9/5

App Store

4.8/5

Google Play

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user