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4 Dec 2025
•
Edexcel Triple Physics Forces and Motion Revision
F
faraya
@faraya_ztdyy
1 / 10
Vectors, Scalars and Basic Motion
Vectors are quantities that need both size and direction to make sense - like when you tell someone to walk 5 metres north. Scalars only need a size - like saying you weigh 60 kg.
Think of it this way: if you're giving directions, you need vectors (displacement, velocity, acceleration). If you're just measuring something, you usually need scalars (distance, speed, mass, energy).
The most basic motion equation you'll use constantly is the speed triangle: Speed = Distance ÷ Time. You can rearrange this to find any missing value. For average speed, just divide the total distance by the total time taken - simple as that!
Quick Tip: Cover up the value you want to find in the triangle, and the remaining two show you the calculation!
Distance-Time Graphs and Acceleration
Distance-time graphs are brilliant because the steepness of the line tells you exactly how fast something is moving. A steep line means high speed, a gentle slope means slow speed, and a flat horizontal line means the object has stopped completely.
Here's the key trick: the gradient (steepness) of the line equals the speed. So if you go up 10 km and across 5 hours, your speed is 10 ÷ 5 = 2 km/h.
Acceleration measures how quickly velocity changes, using the formula: acceleration = ÷ time. Velocity-time graphs show this perfectly - upward slopes show acceleration, downward slopes show deceleration, and horizontal lines show constant speed.
Remember: Acceleration can be negative, which just means the object is slowing down rather than speeding up!
Newton's Laws of Motion
Newton's first law is basically about laziness - objects don't want to change what they're doing unless something forces them to. A ball won't start rolling until you kick it, and it won't stop rolling unless friction forces it to.
Newton's second law gives us the famous equation F = ma . This tells us that heavier objects need more force to accelerate them, and more force always creates more acceleration. One newton is the force needed to accelerate 1 kg by 1 m/s².
Newton's third law is about action and reaction pairs. When you push a trolley forward, the trolley pushes back on you with exactly the same force but in the opposite direction. These reaction forces are always equal, opposite, and act on different objects.
Physics Fact: When you walk, you're actually pushing backwards on the ground, and the ground pushes forwards on you - that's what moves you forward!
Forces and Their Effects
Forces are simply pushes or pulls that can start movement, speed things up, change direction, or stop objects completely. We measure forces in newtons using a newton meter (force meter).
Forces split into two main types: contact forces (like friction and thrust) need objects to touch, while non-contact forces (like magnetism and gravity) work at a distance through invisible fields.
Magnetic forces only affect magnetic materials - opposite poles attract, same poles repel. Electrostatic forces work between charged particles, and gravitational forces pull any objects with mass towards each other. Centripetal force keeps objects moving in circles by constantly changing their direction.
Real-world example: The centripetal force keeping you in your seat on a roundabout is actually the seat pushing inwards on you!
Force Diagrams and Balance
Force diagrams use arrows to show all forces acting on an object. The length of each arrow represents the size of the force, and the direction shows which way it's pushing or pulling.
When forces are balanced (equal in opposite directions), objects either stay still or keep moving at constant velocity. The resultant force is zero. When forces are unbalanced, objects start moving or change their motion - the resultant force is anything except zero.
This explains why you need to keep pedalling a bike on flat ground. Without your pedal force, friction and air resistance would gradually slow you down and stop you.
Key insight: Constant velocity doesn't mean no forces are acting - it means all forces are perfectly balanced!
Mass, Weight and Stopping Distance
Don't confuse mass and weight - mass is the amount of matter in an object (measured in kg), while weight is the gravitational force acting on that mass (measured in newtons). Your mass stays the same everywhere, but your weight changes depending on gravity strength.
Use the equation Weight = mass × gravity . On Earth, gravity is approximately 9.8 N/kg.
Stopping distance = thinking distance + braking distance. Thinking distance is how far you travel while recognising a hazard and reacting. Braking distance is how far you travel while the brakes actually stop you. Speed affects both, but distractions, tiredness, and road conditions also play major roles.
Safety tip: Doubling your speed roughly quadruples your stopping distance - that's why speed limits exist!
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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
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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
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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
Edexcel Triple Physics Forces and Motion Revision
F
faraya
@faraya_ztdyy
Physics might seem intimidating, but it's actually just the science that explains how everything around you moves and behaves. From why your phone drops when you let go of it to how cars brake safely, physics gives us the tools... Show more
Vectors, Scalars and Basic Motion
Vectors are quantities that need both size and direction to make sense - like when you tell someone to walk 5 metres north. Scalars only need a size - like saying you weigh 60 kg.
Think of it this way: if you're giving directions, you need vectors (displacement, velocity, acceleration). If you're just measuring something, you usually need scalars (distance, speed, mass, energy).
The most basic motion equation you'll use constantly is the speed triangle: Speed = Distance ÷ Time. You can rearrange this to find any missing value. For average speed, just divide the total distance by the total time taken - simple as that!
Quick Tip: Cover up the value you want to find in the triangle, and the remaining two show you the calculation!
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Distance-Time Graphs and Acceleration
Distance-time graphs are brilliant because the steepness of the line tells you exactly how fast something is moving. A steep line means high speed, a gentle slope means slow speed, and a flat horizontal line means the object has stopped completely.
Here's the key trick: the gradient (steepness) of the line equals the speed. So if you go up 10 km and across 5 hours, your speed is 10 ÷ 5 = 2 km/h.
Acceleration measures how quickly velocity changes, using the formula: acceleration = ÷ time. Velocity-time graphs show this perfectly - upward slopes show acceleration, downward slopes show deceleration, and horizontal lines show constant speed.
Remember: Acceleration can be negative, which just means the object is slowing down rather than speeding up!
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Newton's Laws of Motion
Newton's first law is basically about laziness - objects don't want to change what they're doing unless something forces them to. A ball won't start rolling until you kick it, and it won't stop rolling unless friction forces it to.
Newton's second law gives us the famous equation F = ma . This tells us that heavier objects need more force to accelerate them, and more force always creates more acceleration. One newton is the force needed to accelerate 1 kg by 1 m/s².
Newton's third law is about action and reaction pairs. When you push a trolley forward, the trolley pushes back on you with exactly the same force but in the opposite direction. These reaction forces are always equal, opposite, and act on different objects.
Physics Fact: When you walk, you're actually pushing backwards on the ground, and the ground pushes forwards on you - that's what moves you forward!
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Forces and Their Effects
Forces are simply pushes or pulls that can start movement, speed things up, change direction, or stop objects completely. We measure forces in newtons using a newton meter (force meter).
Forces split into two main types: contact forces (like friction and thrust) need objects to touch, while non-contact forces (like magnetism and gravity) work at a distance through invisible fields.
Magnetic forces only affect magnetic materials - opposite poles attract, same poles repel. Electrostatic forces work between charged particles, and gravitational forces pull any objects with mass towards each other. Centripetal force keeps objects moving in circles by constantly changing their direction.
Real-world example: The centripetal force keeping you in your seat on a roundabout is actually the seat pushing inwards on you!
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Force Diagrams and Balance
Force diagrams use arrows to show all forces acting on an object. The length of each arrow represents the size of the force, and the direction shows which way it's pushing or pulling.
When forces are balanced (equal in opposite directions), objects either stay still or keep moving at constant velocity. The resultant force is zero. When forces are unbalanced, objects start moving or change their motion - the resultant force is anything except zero.
This explains why you need to keep pedalling a bike on flat ground. Without your pedal force, friction and air resistance would gradually slow you down and stop you.
Key insight: Constant velocity doesn't mean no forces are acting - it means all forces are perfectly balanced!
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Mass, Weight and Stopping Distance
Don't confuse mass and weight - mass is the amount of matter in an object (measured in kg), while weight is the gravitational force acting on that mass (measured in newtons). Your mass stays the same everywhere, but your weight changes depending on gravity strength.
Use the equation Weight = mass × gravity . On Earth, gravity is approximately 9.8 N/kg.
Stopping distance = thinking distance + braking distance. Thinking distance is how far you travel while recognising a hazard and reacting. Braking distance is how far you travel while the brakes actually stop you. Speed affects both, but distractions, tiredness, and road conditions also play major roles.
Safety tip: Doubling your speed roughly quadruples your stopping distance - that's why speed limits exist!
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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