

Topic: Calculus
Level: IB Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches (HL)
File Type: Editable Slides / Lesson Presentation
Overview
This resource introduces kinematics as an application of calculus for modeling motion in a straight line.
Students will explore the relationships between displacement, velocity, and acceleration using differentiation and integration, and learn to solve motion problems analytically and graphically.
Through engaging visual examples and contextualized problems, students build a deep understanding of how calculus connects to real-world motion, including direction, speed, and change over time.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
- Define and distinguish between displacement, distance, velocity, speed, and acceleration.
- Interpret motion using both graphical and algebraic models.
- Differentiate and integrate to find velocity, acceleration, or displacement.
- Solve motion problems using given position or velocity functions.
- Analyze velocity-time graphs to determine distance travelled and displacement.
- Apply kinematics concepts to vertical motion under gravity.
What’s Included
- Clear visual introduction explaining motion, displacement, and direction on a number line.
- Step-by-step explanation of how velocity and acceleration represent rates of change.
- Examples illustrating positive and negative displacement and velocity.
- Interactive comparisons between displacement and distance to emphasize conceptual understanding.
- Guided example: differentiating displacement ( s(t) ) to find velocity and acceleration, and identifying when the particle is at rest.
- Second example: analyzing a piecewise velocity function to find total distance and displacement using graphical methods.
- Third example: modeling projectile motion of a ball thrown vertically upward, including maximum height, time of flight, and motion symmetry.
- Fully worked solutions for all examples, showing detailed calculus steps.
Topics Covered
- Displacement, velocity, acceleration, and their relationships.
- Differentiation and integration in motion problems.
- Velocity-time and displacement-time graph interpretation.
- Piecewise motion and total distance calculations.
- Applications to free-fall and vertical motion under gravity.
Why You’ll Love It
- Connects abstract calculus concepts to tangible real-world motion.
- Encourages conceptual reasoning and graphical interpretation.
- Includes rich, multi-step examples that align with IB exam-style problems.
- Visually engaging and fully aligned with IB Math HL Topic 5: Calculus (Applications and Interpretation HL).
- Ready-to-teach format ideal for classroom use or guided self-study.
Tags: IB Math HL, Kinematics, Velocity, Acceleration, Displacement, Motion Under Gravity, Calculus Applications, IB Curriculum, Lesson Slides
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