MathsYears 12–13Mechanics

Kinematics in two dimensions

Apply kinematics to 2D motion including projectiles; use vectors for displacement, velocity and acceleration

What you'll learn

  1. 1

    Imagine a ball rolling across a flat table. It moves both forward and sideways at the same time. That's motion in TWO directions!

  2. 2

    How many directions does something move in when it's in TWO dimensions?

  3. 3

    Here's a ball moving diagonally: it's going 3 m/s right and 4 m/s up. Its total speed is the diagonal of the triangle formed by these arrows.

  4. 4

    A ball rolls 3 m/s east and 4 m/s north. What is its overall speed?

  5. 5

    Drag the ball so it moves 6 m/s right and 8 m/s up. What's the total speed?

  6. 6

    If a ball moves 5 m/s right and 12 m/s up, what is its total speed?

  7. 7

    In two dimensions, which two things are completely independent?

Practise Kinematics in two dimensions with Whizlo

Free AI-tutored lessons, unlimited practice questions, and progress tracking for ages 16–18. Aligned to the UK National Curriculum.