🧠 AQA A-Level Physics – PHYA2: Mechanics, Materials & Waves
📘 Unit 2 Overview:
This unit covers the fundamental principles of mechanics, the behaviour of
materials, and the basic properties of waves. It's essential for understanding how
things move, how materials respond to forces, and how energy is transferred through
waves.
⚙️ Section 1: Mechanics
📌 Key Concepts:
🔹 Scalars vs Vectors
Scalar – Only has magnitude (e.g. speed, distance, mass)
Vector – Has magnitude and direction (e.g. velocity, displacement, force)
🔹 SUVAT Equations (Constant Acceleration)
Used when acceleration is constant:
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s = ut + ½at²
v = u + at
v² = u² + 2as
s = ((u + v)/2) × t
Where:
s = displacement
u = initial velocity
v = final velocity
a = acceleration
t = time
🔹 Free Fall and g
Objects fall with acceleration due to gravity: g ≈ 9.81 m/s²
In a vacuum, all objects fall at the same rate!
🔹 Newton’s Laws
Inertia – Objects stay at rest or keep moving unless acted on.
F = ma – Force = mass × acceleration
Action-Reaction – Every action has an equal and opposite reaction
🧱 Section 2: Materials
📌 Key Concepts:
🔹 Stress and Strain
Stress (σ) = Force / Area
Strain (ε) = Extension / Original Length
🔹 Young’s Modulus (E)
A measure of stiffness:
ini
📘 Unit 2 Overview:
This unit covers the fundamental principles of mechanics, the behaviour of
materials, and the basic properties of waves. It's essential for understanding how
things move, how materials respond to forces, and how energy is transferred through
waves.
⚙️ Section 1: Mechanics
📌 Key Concepts:
🔹 Scalars vs Vectors
Scalar – Only has magnitude (e.g. speed, distance, mass)
Vector – Has magnitude and direction (e.g. velocity, displacement, force)
🔹 SUVAT Equations (Constant Acceleration)
Used when acceleration is constant:
makefile
Copy
Edit
s = ut + ½at²
v = u + at
v² = u² + 2as
s = ((u + v)/2) × t
Where:
s = displacement
u = initial velocity
v = final velocity
a = acceleration
t = time
🔹 Free Fall and g
Objects fall with acceleration due to gravity: g ≈ 9.81 m/s²
In a vacuum, all objects fall at the same rate!
🔹 Newton’s Laws
Inertia – Objects stay at rest or keep moving unless acted on.
F = ma – Force = mass × acceleration
Action-Reaction – Every action has an equal and opposite reaction
🧱 Section 2: Materials
📌 Key Concepts:
🔹 Stress and Strain
Stress (σ) = Force / Area
Strain (ε) = Extension / Original Length
🔹 Young’s Modulus (E)
A measure of stiffness:
ini
