AQA · GCSE · Combined Science
Course version: 8464 · Version from Sept 2018
Speed: distance, s, in metres, m
Distance, s, is the length of the path travelled by an object, measured in metres (m).
Checked against the AQA 8464 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 15 of 18
- 3 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Distance, s, is the length of the path travelled by an object, measured in metres (m). It is a scalar quantity, so direction is not needed. For example, if a cyclist rides 150 m north then 50 m south, the total distance travelled is 200 m, even though the displacement is 100 m north. In speed calculations, s usually represents the distance moved during a time interval. You must be able to read distance from a description or a distance-time graph, convert units such as km to m by multiplying by 1000, and substitute s into v = s / t. Always include the unit m with your answer, and check that the value is reasonable for the context.
What earns the marks
- Distance is the total length of the path travelled and is a scalar quantity, so no direction is required.
- The SI unit of distance is the metre, symbol m; larger distances may be given in km and must be converted to m before substitution.
- On a distance-time graph, distance is read from the vertical axis and the distance travelled is the change in distance between two times.
- In the speed equation v = s / t, s is the distance moved in metres and t is the time taken in seconds.
- When converting km to m, multiply by 1000; for example, 2.5 km = 2500 m.
- A final answer for distance should include the unit m and be stated to an appropriate number of significant figures.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Confusing distance with displacement.
Put it right: For distance, add all path lengths without cancelling opposite directions.
Forgetting to convert km to m before using v = s / t.
Put it right: Multiply km by 1000 to obtain metres.
Reading a distance-time graph as if the vertical axis were speed.
Put it right: The gradient of a distance-time graph gives speed, while the vertical axis value gives distance.
Exam tips
- Underline the distance value and its unit in the question before calculating, then convert to metres if necessary.
- Write the equation v = s / t, substitute the values with units, and show the unit m in your final answer.
- If a journey changes direction, add the separate distances to find total distance rather than subtracting them.
Try the lesson
The start of the Speed: distance, s, in metres, m lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
In the standard physics equations provided in your GCSE course, what are the symbol and standard SI unit for distance?
Listen
Distance, s, is the length of the path travelled by an object, measured in metres (m). It is a scalar quantity, so direction is not needed. For example, if a cyclist rides 150 m north then 50 m south, the total distance travelled is 200 m, even though the displacement is 100 m north. In speed calculations, s usually represents the distance moved during a time interval. You must be able to read distance from a description or a distance-time graph, convert units such as km to m by multiplying by 1000, and substitute s into v = s / t. Always include the unit m with your answer, and check that the value is reasonable for the context. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Distance is the total length of the path travelled and is a scalar quantity, so no direction is required. The SI unit of distance is the metre, symbol m; larger distances may be given in km and must be converted to m before substitution. On a distance-time graph, distance is read from the vertical axis and the distance travelled is the change in distance between two times. In the speed equation v = s / t, s is the distance moved in metres and t is the time taken in seconds. A common slip: Confusing distance with displacement: distance is the total path length, while displacement includes direction. Instead, for distance, add all path lengths without cancelling opposite directions. Exam tip: Underline the distance value and its unit in the question before calculating, then convert to metres if necessary.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Distance
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Scalar quantity
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Distance-time graph
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See every definition
- Distance
- The total length of the path travelled by an object, measured in metres (m), and a scalar quantity so no direction is required.
- Scalar quantity
- A quantity for which direction is not needed, as when distance is read from a description or a distance-time graph.
- Distance-time graph
- A graph from which distance is read from the vertical axis, with the distance travelled being the change in distance between two times.
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