1.quantities, Units and Modelling

CIE A Level Maths: Mechanics
Revision Notes
A Level Maths: Mechanics CIE Revision Notes 1. Mechanics Toolkit

1.1 Quantities, Units & Modelling 1.1.1 Scalars & Vectors
1.1.1 Scalars & Vectors

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Scalars & Vectors
Mechanics uses a variety of di!erent scalar and vector quantities.
What are scalars?

Scalars are quantities without direction, they only have a size
(magnitude)
e.g. a speed of 7 m/s, a distance of 5 m, a time of 15 s or a mass of 12
kg
Scalars can only be positive- you can’t have a negative distance or

speed!
What are vectors?

Vectors are quantities which also have a direction, this is what makes
them more than just a scalar
e.g. two objects with velocities of 7 m/s and -7 m/s are travelling at
the same speed but in opposite directions
Vector quantities can have positive or negative components

Some examples of vector quantities you may come across are
displacement, velocity, acceleration, force/weight, momentum
Displacement is the distance moved in a given direction from a
starting point
Velocity is a speed in a given direction (displacement over time)
Acceleration is the change in velocity over time
Vector quantities of displacement, velocity and acceleration
Worked example
Exam Tip
Make sure you fully understand the definitions of all the words in this
section so that you can be clear about what your exam question is asking
of you
Vectors appear in bold (non-italic) font in textbooks, on exam papers, etc
(i.e. F, α ) but in handwriting should be underlined (i.e. F , α )
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1.1 Quantities, Units & Modelling 1.1.2 Fundamental Units
1.1.2 Fundamental Units

04:00

Fundamental Units
What are fundamental units?
Fundamental units or S.I. units are the international standardised units

used around the world
The three main units you will be using are:
Length measured in metres (m) (also called displacement)
1 km = 1000 m, 1 m = 100 cm, 1 cm = 10 mm
Time measured in seconds (s)

1 hour = 60 minutes, 1 minute = 60 seconds
Mass measured in kilograms (kg)

1 kg = 1000 g, 1 g = 1000 mg
All other quantities can be measured in units derived from S.I. units
Worked example
Exam Tip
Make sure you fully understand the definitions of all the words in this
section so that you can be clear about what your exam question is asking
of you.
Make sure you are confident converting between fundamental S.I Units
e.g. 17 minutes and 42 seconds = 1062 seconds
2.4 km = 2400 m
86000 mg = 0.086 kg.
Watch out for exam questions using non S.I. units such as feet and inches
or miles per hour.
Remember mass (measured in kg) is not a weight (a force measured in
Newtons).
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1.1 Quantities, Units & Modelling 1.1.3 Derived Units
1.1.3 Derived Units

05:03

Derived Units
What are derived units?
Derived units for quantities such as velocity, acceleration and force etc.
are combinations of S.I. units
Speed or Velocity = distance ÷ time = m/s or m s-1 (Velocity is just
speed with direction)
Acceleration = velocity ÷ time = ms-1 /s = m/s2 or m s-2
Weight or Force = mass x acceleration = kg m s-2 or N (N = Newtons)
Worked example
a) Convert the following into S.I. units
i) 72 km h-2 ii) 50 cm per minute iii) 14 g cm-3
b) A cyclist takes 15 minutes to travel 2.54 km. Calculate the average

speed in m s-1?
Revision Notes

1.1 Quantities, Units & Modelling 1.1.4 Types of Force
1.1.4 Types of Force

06:31

Types of Force
What is a force?
A force is a vector quantity, it has both magnitude and direction
A force is a push or a pull on an object
A force is measured in Newtons
In A level mathematical models, forces act at a single point called a
particle which occupies a single point in space
What types of force are used in mechanics?

Weight is the e!ect of mass and gravity, it always acts downwards
Tension is a pulling force, it always acts away from an object
Thrust is a pushing force, it always acts towards an object
Friction is a resistive force, it acts to oppose the motion of an object
Every surface will produce a reaction force, it will always act
perpendicular to the surface
Mass, Gravity and Weight
Mass is a measure of the amount of matter in an object
Mass is a scalar quantity, measured in kilograms, kg
Mass is universal, it does not change based on location
Gravity is the force by which a body (usually a planet or a star) pulls

objects towards its centre
g is the acceleration due to gravity, measured in m s-2
On Earth, g is approximately 10 m s-2 , although its exact value varies
with location
g is di!erent elsewhere in the universe
Weight is the product of mass and gravity, it is a force measured in

Newtons
Weight is a vector quantity
Weight varies with location
Weight always acts vertically downwards towards the ground
Worked example
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Exam Tip
Always sketch a diagram and mark the forces on the diagram clearly, it
will help you to understand the problem. Add more things to the diagram
as you progress through the question. You may not even need all the
forces from your diagram but it is useful to have them there.
You should always round your answers to three significant figures.
Revision Notes

1.1 Quantities, Units & Modelling 1.1.5 Modelling Assumptions
1.1.5 Modelling Assumptions

06:04

Modelling Assumptions
What is modelling in Mechanics?

Mechanics uses modelling to solve problems in real life situations
We use assumptions to simplify real life problems in order to turn them
into equations or graphs that can be solved
We will sometimes need to criticise or refine our assumptions to improve
the model
Modelling Assumptions in Mechanics:
There are many di!erent modelling assumptions that can be made when
dealing with real life situations
Di!erent assumptions will be needed for di!erent models
The assumptions you make will a!ect the calculations in each problem
di!erently
What types of modelling assumptions are there?

Gravity is constant and vertical
Air resistance is usually modelled as negligible and can be ignored
A smooth surface has no friction
A rough surface has a frictional force between the surface and any
object that makes contact with it
A particle has negligible dimensions, therefore forces will all act on a
particle at the same point
A rod or a beam should be treated as a long, rigid particle
A uniform object’s mass is distributed evenly
A light object has zero mass
An inextensible object cannot be stretched
Worked example
a) A and B are both particles.
b) The string is light.
c) The string is inextensible.
d) The pulley is smooth.
e) The surface A is moving along is smooth.
Exam Tip

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CIE A Level Maths: Mechanics

A Level Maths: Mechanics CIE Revision Notes 1. Mechanics Toolkit

1.1.1 Scalars & Vectors

What are scalars?

Scalars can only be positive- you can’t have a negative distance or

What are vectors?

Vector quantities can have positive or negative components

You've read 1 of your 10 free revision notes

Get unlimited access

Downloadable PDFs Unlimited Revision Notes

Topic Questions Past Papers Model Answers

CIE A Level Maths: Mechanics

A Level Maths: Mechanics CIE Revision Notes 1. Mechanics Toolkit

1.1.2 Fundamental Units

Did this video help you? Yes No

Fundamental units or S.I. units are the international standardised units

Time measured in seconds (s)

Mass measured in kilograms (kg)

86000 mg = 0.086 kg.

You've read 2 of your 10 free revision notes

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A Level Maths: Mechanics CIE Revision Notes 1. Mechanics Toolkit

1.1.3 Derived Units

Did this video help you? Yes No

What are derived units?

i) 72 km h-2 ii) 50 cm per minute iii) 14 g cm-3

b) A cyclist takes 15 minutes to travel 2.54 km. Calculate the average

A Level Maths: Mechanics CIE Revision Notes 1. Mechanics Toolkit

1.1.4 Types of Force

Did this video help you? Yes No

What types of force are used in mechanics?

Gravity is the force by which a body (usually a planet or a star) pulls

Weight is the product of mass and gravity, it is a force measured in

A Level Maths: Mechanics CIE Revision Notes 1. Mechanics Toolkit

1.1.5 Modelling Assumptions

Did this video help you? Yes No

What is modelling in Mechanics?

What types of modelling assumptions are there?

b) The string is light.

c) The string is inextensible.

d) The pulley is smooth.

e) The surface A is moving along is smooth.

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