UPCAT Physics — Kinematics & Speed, Velocity, AccelerationMemory Anchors

Tags

• definition
• scalar
• vector

Topic

Speed and Velocity

Concept

Speed vs Velocity difference

Anchor Id

A1

Difficulty

easy

Memory Aid

Speed is like a speedometer on a jeepney - it only tells you HOW FAST you're going (30 km/h). Velocity is like GPS navigation - it tells you BOTH how fast AND which direction (30 km/h towards EDSA North). A jeepney going 30 km/h in circles has speed but zero velocity since it ends up where it started!

Anchor Type

analogy

Why It Works

Uses familiar Filipino transportation to distinguish scalar (magnitude only) from vector (magnitude + direction) quantities

Example Usage

When asked about the difference, immediately think: speedometer = speed (scalar), GPS = velocity (vector)

Recall Trigger

Think of a jeepney's speedometer vs GPS

Tags

• formula
• acceleration

Topic

Acceleration

Concept

Acceleration formula: a = (Vf - Vi) / t

Anchor Id

A2

Difficulty

medium

Memory Aid

A Very Funny Tiger: A = (Vfinal - Vinitial) / Time. The tiger (time) makes the velocity change funny (acceleration)!

Anchor Type

acronym

Why It Works

Creates a memorable phrase where each word's first letter matches the formula components in order

Example Usage

In problems asking for acceleration, immediately recall 'A Very Funny Tiger' to write a = (Vf - Vi) / t

Recall Trigger

Think of a funny tiger when you need acceleration formula

Tags

• definition
• inertia
• forces

Topic

Newton's Laws

Concept

Newton's First Law of Inertia

Anchor Id

A3

Difficulty

easy

Memory Aid

Imagine a lazy student on a hammock during summer vacation. Just like the student won't move unless someone pushes them to study, an object at rest stays at rest unless a force acts on it. And just like the student keeps playing video games unless stopped, a moving object keeps moving unless a force stops it. The student's laziness IS inertia!

Anchor Type

micro_story

Why It Works

Connects abstract physics concept to relatable human behavior that Filipino students experience

Example Usage

When explaining inertia in exams, describe the lazy student analogy to show understanding of the concept

Recall Trigger

Think of a lazy student on a hammock

Tags

• formula
• distance
• kinematics

Topic

Kinematics Equations

Concept

Distance formula: d = Vi×t + ½at²

Anchor Id

A4

Difficulty

hard

Memory Aid

Distance is Victory times Time, plus Half Acceleration Time-squared so fine! D = V-i-T + ½-A-T² makes kinematics complete for you and me!

Anchor Type

rhyme

Why It Works

Rhythm and rhyme make formula components easier to remember in correct order

Example Usage

When solving motion problems, recite the rhyme to recall d = Vit + ½at²

Recall Trigger

Sing the distance rhyme

Tags

• constant
• gravity
• acceleration

Topic

Free Fall

Concept

Free fall acceleration g = 9.8 m/s²

Anchor Id

A5

Difficulty

easy

Memory Aid

Picture a basketball falling from the roof of a 9-story building. The ball falls 9.8 meters in the first second - almost reaching the 8th floor! The number 9.8 looks like a falling person (9) landing on their bottom (8). Gravity = 9.8!

Anchor Type

visual_association

Why It Works

Visual imagery of familiar objects and number shapes creates strong memory connection

Example Usage

In free fall problems, visualize the basketball to immediately recall g = 9.8 m/s²

Recall Trigger

See a basketball falling from a 9-story building

Tags

• formula
• force
• mass

Topic

Newton's Laws

Concept

Force formula F = ma

Anchor Id

A6

Difficulty

medium

Memory Aid

Filipino Martial Arts: F = m × a. In martial arts, the Force of your punch equals your muscle mass times the acceleration of your strike!

Anchor Type

mnemonic

Why It Works

Connects to Filipino culture (martial arts) and provides intuitive understanding of the relationship

Example Usage

When asked about Newton's second law, think martial arts to recall F = ma

Recall Trigger

Think of Filipino martial arts

Tags

• units
• direction
• vector

Topic

Velocity

Concept

Velocity units and direction

Anchor Id

A7

Difficulty

easy

Memory Aid

VelocitY = Speed + Direction = m/s + YON (Yonder direction). Always write velocity as '20 m/s North' or '15 m/s at 30° above horizontal' - never just '20 m/s'!

Anchor Type

chunking

Why It Works

Chunks the concept into memorable parts and provides a writing rule

Example Usage

When solving velocity problems, always add direction after the m/s value

Recall Trigger

Y in Velocity = Yon direction

Tags

• projectile
• motion
• components

Topic

Projectile Motion

Concept

Projectile motion horizontal and vertical components

Anchor Id

A8

Difficulty

hard

Memory Aid

A basketball shot is like a kangaroo jumping forward: the kangaroo hops forward at constant speed (horizontal motion - no air resistance) while gravity pulls it up and down (vertical motion - free fall). The two motions are completely independent - like watching TV while eating!

Anchor Type

analogy

Why It Works

Separates complex 2D motion into understandable independent components using familiar actions

Example Usage

In projectile problems, analyze horizontal (constant) and vertical (free fall) motions separately

Recall Trigger

Think of a kangaroo jumping forward

Tags

• definition
• average
• instantaneous

Topic

Speed and Velocity

Concept

Average vs Instantaneous quantities

Anchor Id

A9

Difficulty

medium

Memory Aid

A tricycle driver travels from Quiapo to Divisoria. His AVERAGE speed is total distance ÷ total time (like his daily earnings ÷ hours worked). His INSTANTANEOUS speed is what his speedometer shows RIGHT NOW at this exact moment (like looking at his watch at exactly 3:00 PM). Average = whole trip summary, Instantaneous = this exact moment!

Anchor Type

micro_story

Why It Works

Uses familiar Filipino transportation and relatable time concepts to distinguish between time-averaged and point-in-time values

Example Usage

When asked about average vs instantaneous, think: daily summary vs right now

Recall Trigger

Think of a tricycle driver's daily trip

Tags

• forces
• action-reaction
• pairs

Topic

Newton's Laws

Concept

Newton's Third Law action-reaction pairs

Anchor Id

A10

Difficulty

medium

Memory Aid

Picture two sumo wrestlers pushing each other - when Wrestler A pushes Wrestler B with 500N force to the right, Wrestler B automatically pushes Wrestler A with exactly 500N force to the left. They can't help it! Every action has an equal and opposite reaction. The forces are always equal, always opposite, always simultaneous!

Anchor Type

visual_association

Why It Works

Visual scene demonstrates equal and opposite forces clearly with familiar wrestling scenario

Example Usage

In force problems, visualize wrestlers to identify action-reaction pairs

Recall Trigger

See two sumo wrestlers pushing

Tags

• circular
• motion
• acceleration

Topic

Circular Motion

Concept

Centripetal acceleration in circular motion

Anchor Id

A11

Difficulty

hard

Memory Aid

Walk around SM Mall's circular fountain. First stop: notice you're moving in a circle (circular motion). Second stop: your speed stays constant (uniform). Third stop: even though speed is constant, your direction keeps changing (acceleration exists). Fourth stop: the acceleration points toward the center of the fountain (centripetal = center-seeking).

Anchor Type

method_of_loci

Why It Works

Uses spatial memory of a familiar Filipino landmark to understand why constant speed can still have acceleration

Example Usage

In circular motion problems, mentally walk the fountain to recall that changing direction = acceleration toward center

Recall Trigger

Walk around SM Mall's fountain

Tags

• torque
• equilibrium
• rotation

Topic

Torque

Concept

Torque and rotational equilibrium

Anchor Id

A12

Difficulty

medium

Memory Aid

Torque is like a see-saw (subiran) at the playground. A heavy kid (large force) sitting close to the center (small lever arm) can balance a light kid (small force) sitting far from center (large lever arm). When perfectly balanced, the see-saw doesn't rotate = rotational equilibrium. Torque = Force × Distance from pivot!

Anchor Type

analogy

Why It Works

Uses playground equipment familiar to all Filipino students to visualize force × distance relationships

Example Usage

In torque problems, visualize a see-saw to understand force × lever arm balance

Recall Trigger

Think of kids on a see-saw

Tags

• mass
• weight
• gravity

Topic

Newton's Laws

Concept

Mass vs Weight distinction

Anchor Id

A13

Difficulty

medium

Memory Aid

Juan weighs himself on a bathroom scale in Manila (reads 70 kg × 9.8 = 686 N). He takes the same scale to the Moon where gravity is weaker. His MASS is still 70 kg (same amount of matter in his body), but his WEIGHT is now only 114 N (because Moon's gravity is 1/6 of Earth's). Mass = amount of stuff, Weight = gravity's pull on that stuff!

Anchor Type

micro_story

Why It Works

Concrete scenario showing that mass is intrinsic property while weight depends on gravity

Example Usage

When distinguishing mass vs weight, recall: same person, different planets

Recall Trigger

Think of Juan weighing himself on Earth vs Moon

Tags

• forces
• contact
• classification

Topic

Forces

Concept

Contact forces vs Action-at-distance forces

Anchor Id

A14

Difficulty

easy

Memory Aid

Contact forces = Need to TOUCH (Tension, Friction, Normal, Applied, Spring, Air resistance - think TFNAAS). Action-at-distance = No touching needed (Gravity, Electric, Magnetic - think GEM stones work from far away!)

Anchor Type

chunking

Why It Works

Categorizes all forces into two clear groups with memorable acronyms

Example Usage

When identifying forces, ask: Does it touch? If yes = TFNAAS, if no = GEM

Recall Trigger

Think TFNAAS needs touch, GEM works from far

Tags

• scalar
• vector
• classification

Topic

Kinematics

Concept

Scalar vs Vector quantities

Anchor Id

A15

Difficulty

easy

Memory Aid

Scalars = SIZE only (Speed, Time, Mass, Temperature, Energy - 'STMTE Sister needs SIZE only'). Vectors = SIZE + DIRECTION (Velocity, Acceleration, Force, Displacement - 'VAFD Victor Always Finds Direction')

Anchor Type

acronym

Why It Works

Creates memorable characters (Sister and Victor) to distinguish quantity types

Example Usage

When classifying quantities: ask 'Does it need direction?' If no = Sister's scalars, if yes = Victor's vectors

Recall Trigger

Sister wants SIZE only, Victor Always Finds Direction

Tags

• acceleration
• sign
• interpretation

Topic

Acceleration

Concept

Positive and negative acceleration interpretation

Anchor Id

A16

Difficulty

easy

Memory Aid

Picture a jeepney on EDSA: +15 m/s² acceleration = driver stepping on gas pedal, speeding up by 15 m/s every second (like 😊 happy face). -15 m/s² acceleration = driver hitting brakes, slowing down by 15 m/s every second (like ☹️ sad face). The sign tells you if the jeepney gets happier (faster) or sadder (slower)!

Anchor Type

visual_association

Why It Works

Associates mathematical signs with emotional expressions and familiar transportation scenario

Example Usage

When interpreting acceleration signs: + means getting happier/faster, - means getting sadder/slower

Recall Trigger

Think of happy speeding up vs sad slowing down jeepney

Tags

• problem-solving
• strategy
• equations

Topic

Kinematics Equations

Concept

Kinematics equation selection strategy

Anchor Id

A17

Difficulty

hard

Memory Aid

When solving kinematics problems, ask 'What's MISSING?' Then use VAID: V (velocity), A (acceleration), I (initial), D (distance), T (time). Choose the equation that doesn't need the missing variable: No V? Use d = Vi×t + ½at². No A? Use d = (Vi+Vf)×t÷2. No time? Use Vf² = Vi² + 2ad.

Anchor Type

acronym

Why It Works

Provides systematic approach to equation selection based on what information is unknown

Example Usage

In kinematics problems, identify the missing VAID component to choose the right equation

Recall Trigger

Ask 'What's missing from VAID?'

Tags

• units
• SI
• measurement

Topic

Units

Concept

Units and SI base units for motion

Anchor Id

A18

Difficulty

easy

Memory Aid

Meters per second for speed and velocity, meters per second squared for acceleration's beauty! Distance in meters, time in seconds flat, mass in kilograms - remember that! Force in Newtons (N), that's kg⋅m⋅s⁻² - SI units make physics calculations free!

Anchor Type

rhyme

Why It Works

Rhythmic verse makes unit memorization easier and more enjoyable

Example Usage

Before solving problems, recite the rhyme to ensure correct units in answers

Recall Trigger

Sing the units rhyme

Formula

v = d/t (speed)

Mnemonic

Very Dense Tigers: Velocity = Distance ÷ Time

When To Use

When you know distance and time, need to find speed or velocity

What Each Part Means

v = speed/velocity (m/s), d = distance traveled (m), t = time taken (s)

Formula

a = (Vf - Vi)/t

Mnemonic

A Very Funny Tiger: Acceleration = (Velocity final - Velocity initial) ÷ Time

When To Use

When finding how quickly velocity changes over time

What Each Part Means

a = acceleration (m/s²), Vf = final velocity, Vi = initial velocity, t = time

Formula

F = ma

Mnemonic

Filipino Martial Arts: Force = mass × acceleration

When To Use

Newton's second law - relating force, mass, and acceleration

What Each Part Means

F = force (N), m = mass (kg), a = acceleration (m/s²)

Formula

d = Vit + ½at²

Mnemonic

Distance is Victory Initial Time + Half Acceleration Time-squared

When To Use

Finding distance when you know initial velocity, time, and acceleration

What Each Part Means

d = distance (m), Vi = initial velocity (m/s), t = time (s), a = acceleration (m/s²)

Formula

W = mg

Mnemonic

Weight = Mass × Gravity (Wow, My Goodness!)

When To Use

Converting mass to weight or finding gravitational force

What Each Part Means

W = weight (N), m = mass (kg), g = 9.8 m/s² (gravitational acceleration)

Chain Title

Types of Motion Analysis

Recall Test

What are the 6 steps for solving kinematics problems?

Memory Chain

I Can List Information, Select Solutions: First Identify motion, Choose coordinates, List knowns, Identify unknowns, Select equation, Solve with units

Items To Remember

• Identify motion type
• Choose coordinate system
• List known variables
• Identify unknown variable
• Select appropriate equation
• Solve and check units

Chain Title

Newton's Three Laws in Order

Recall Test

What are Newton's three laws in order?

Memory Chain

I Always Act: First Inertia (objects resist change), then Acceleration (F=ma), then Action-reaction (equal and opposite)

Items To Remember

• Law of Inertia
• Law of Acceleration (F=ma)
• Law of Action-Reaction

Chain Title

Kinematic Variables (Big 5)

Recall Test

What are the 5 kinematic variables you need to consider?

Memory Chain

Very Fast Animals Travel Daily: Vi, Vf, a, t, d are the five variables in every kinematics problem

Items To Remember

• Initial velocity (Vi)
• Final velocity (Vf)
• Acceleration (a)
• Time (t)
• Displacement (d)

Chain Title

Force Types Classification

Recall Test

How do we classify forces into four main categories?

Memory Chain

Can Anyone Balance Unsteadily? Contact forces touch, Action-distance doesn't touch, Balanced means no motion change, Unbalanced causes acceleration

Items To Remember

• Contact forces (touch required)
• Action-at-distance forces (no touch needed)
• Balanced forces (equilibrium)
• Unbalanced forces (acceleration)

Chain Title

Problem-Solving Strategy

Recall Test

What are the 6 steps for solving any physics problem?

Memory Chain

Really Intelligent Children Study Chemistry Carefully: Read-visualize, Identify variables, Choose equation, Substitute values, Calculate with units, Check answer

Items To Remember

• Read and visualize
• Identify given and unknown
• Choose the right equation
• Substitute values
• Calculate with units
• Check if answer makes sense