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Britain & the wider world: 1745 -1901
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Physics
15 Dec 2025
325
1 page
Ever wondered how long it takes a car to stop or why skydivers don't keep accelerating forever? These... Show more
When you're in a moving car, stopping isn't instant—it happens in two stages. Thinking distance is how far the car travels while the driver reacts and hits the brakes. This distance increases if you're tired, distracted, or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
The braking distance is how far the car travels after the brakes are applied. Poor brakes, wet roads, or a heavier vehicle all increase braking distance. Both thinking and braking distances increase with speed—the faster you go, the longer it takes to stop!
When brakes are applied, friction between the brakes and wheels converts kinetic energy into heat energy, warming up the brakes and slowing the vehicle. Your total stopping distance is simply thinking distance + braking distance.
Practical tip Remember that stopping distances increase dramatically with speed! Doubling your speed doesn't just double your stopping distance—it makes it much longer.
Objects falling through air experience two main forces weight pulling them downward (caused by gravity) and air resistance pushing against their motion. These forces create three distinct stages of falling.
Initially, the object accelerates downward because its weight exceeds air resistance. As speed increases, air resistance grows stronger while weight remains constant. Eventually, these forces balance perfectly, and the object reaches terminal velocity—a constant speed where it no longer accelerates.
This is why skydivers reach a steady falling speed and why raindrops don't hit the ground at lethal speeds. Without air resistance (like in space), objects would continue accelerating indefinitely!
Fun fact A skydiver falling spread-eagle reaches terminal velocity at about 120 mph, but by tucking into a dive position, they can reach speeds over 200 mph!
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.
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
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Explore key concepts in motion and mechanics, including speed, velocity, acceleration, and kinematics. This summary covers distance-time and velocity-time graphs, average velocity calculations, and the relationship between speed and acceleration. Ideal for GCSE Physics revision.
PhysicsExplore the fundamentals of motion in physics, focusing on scalar and vector quantities, acceleration, and kinematic equations. This summary covers key concepts such as displacement, velocity, and distance/time graphs, essential for GCSE Combined Science. Ideal for quick revision and understanding of motion mechanics.
PhysicsExplore essential practical tasks for AQA GCSE Physics and Combined Science. This summary covers key experiments on force and acceleration, wave properties, Hooke's Law, reflection, refraction, and infrared radiation. Ideal for exam preparation, it includes setup instructions, calculations, and analysis methods to enhance understanding of core physics concepts.
PhysicsExplore the fundamental concepts of speed, velocity, and acceleration in physics. This summary covers key definitions, formulas, and examples, including scalar and vector quantities, kinematic equations, and how to calculate acceleration. Ideal for KS3 to GCSE students looking to strengthen their understanding of motion.
PhysicsExplore key concepts in kinematics, including distance, displacement, speed, velocity, and acceleration. This summary covers essential equations, graphical interpretations, and real-world applications, tailored for AQA GCSE Physics students. Understand how to calculate and differentiate between scalar and vector quantities, and learn to analyze motion through distance-time and velocity-time graphs.
PhysicsQuotes from every main character
English LiteratureApp Store
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
Ever wondered how long it takes a car to stop or why skydivers don't keep accelerating forever? These physics concepts explain everyday phenomena that directly affect our safety and understanding of movement.
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When you're in a moving car, stopping isn't instant—it happens in two stages. Thinking distance is how far the car travels while the driver reacts and hits the brakes. This distance increases if you're tired, distracted, or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
The braking distance is how far the car travels after the brakes are applied. Poor brakes, wet roads, or a heavier vehicle all increase braking distance. Both thinking and braking distances increase with speed—the faster you go, the longer it takes to stop!
When brakes are applied, friction between the brakes and wheels converts kinetic energy into heat energy, warming up the brakes and slowing the vehicle. Your total stopping distance is simply thinking distance + braking distance.
Practical tip: Remember that stopping distances increase dramatically with speed! Doubling your speed doesn't just double your stopping distance—it makes it much longer.
Objects falling through air experience two main forces: weight pulling them downward (caused by gravity) and air resistance pushing against their motion. These forces create three distinct stages of falling.
Initially, the object accelerates downward because its weight exceeds air resistance. As speed increases, air resistance grows stronger while weight remains constant. Eventually, these forces balance perfectly, and the object reaches terminal velocity—a constant speed where it no longer accelerates.
This is why skydivers reach a steady falling speed and why raindrops don't hit the ground at lethal speeds. Without air resistance (like in space), objects would continue accelerating indefinitely!
Fun fact: A skydiver falling spread-eagle reaches terminal velocity at about 120 mph, but by tucking into a dive position, they can reach speeds over 200 mph!
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.
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
7
Smart Tools NEW
Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines
Explore key concepts in motion and mechanics, including speed, velocity, acceleration, and kinematics. This summary covers distance-time and velocity-time graphs, average velocity calculations, and the relationship between speed and acceleration. Ideal for GCSE Physics revision.
PhysicsExplore the fundamentals of motion in physics, focusing on scalar and vector quantities, acceleration, and kinematic equations. This summary covers key concepts such as displacement, velocity, and distance/time graphs, essential for GCSE Combined Science. Ideal for quick revision and understanding of motion mechanics.
PhysicsExplore essential practical tasks for AQA GCSE Physics and Combined Science. This summary covers key experiments on force and acceleration, wave properties, Hooke's Law, reflection, refraction, and infrared radiation. Ideal for exam preparation, it includes setup instructions, calculations, and analysis methods to enhance understanding of core physics concepts.
PhysicsExplore the fundamental concepts of speed, velocity, and acceleration in physics. This summary covers key definitions, formulas, and examples, including scalar and vector quantities, kinematic equations, and how to calculate acceleration. Ideal for KS3 to GCSE students looking to strengthen their understanding of motion.
PhysicsExplore key concepts in kinematics, including distance, displacement, speed, velocity, and acceleration. This summary covers essential equations, graphical interpretations, and real-world applications, tailored for AQA GCSE Physics students. Understand how to calculate and differentiate between scalar and vector quantities, and learn to analyze motion through distance-time and velocity-time graphs.
PhysicsQuotes from every main character
English LiteratureApp Store
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
Sociology