AQA · GCSE · Physics
Course version: 8463 · Version from Sept 2016
Students should be able to express a displacement in terms of both the…
Full specification wording
Distance and displacement: Students should be able to express a displacement in terms of both the magnitude and direction.
Expressing a displacement properly means writing three things: a number, a unit and a direction.
Checked against the AQA 8463 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 4 of 4
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Expressing a displacement properly means writing three things: a number, a unit and a direction. Saying 8.5 km is incomplete; 8.5 km due north, or 8.5 km on a bearing of 040 degrees, is a displacement. Acceptable ways of giving the direction include a compass point, a three-figure bearing measured clockwise from north, an angle to a stated line, or simply to the right or upwards where the situation makes that unambiguous. Along a straight line a sign will do, provided the positive direction has been stated. When the displacement is taken from a scale diagram, measure the straight line from start to finish with a ruler, convert it with the scale, then measure the angle with a protractor. A magnitude on its own always loses the direction mark.
What earns the marks
- The magnitude of the displacement with its unit.
- A direction given as a bearing, a compass point or an angle to a stated line.
- Measuring the straight line from start to finish rather than along the path.
- Applying the scale of the drawing correctly.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Giving the magnitude only and stopping there.
Describing the direction as forwards when no reference direction has been stated.
Measuring the route rather than the straight line when using a scale drawing.
Quoting a bearing measured anticlockwise or from the wrong reference direction.
Exam tips
- Write the direction in the same breath as the number; a displacement without it is half an answer.
- Use the scale printed on the figure rather than assuming one.
Try the lesson
The start of the Distance and displacement: Students should be able to express a displacement in terms of both the magnitude and direction. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which of these is a complete way to express a displacement?
Listen
Expressing a displacement properly means writing three things: a number, a unit and a direction. Saying 8.5 km is incomplete; 8.5 km due north, or 8.5 km on a bearing of 040 degrees, is a displacement. Acceptable ways of giving the direction include a compass point, a three-figure bearing measured clockwise from north, an angle to a stated line, or simply to the right or upwards where the situation makes that unambiguous. Along a straight line a sign will do, provided the positive direction has been stated. When the displacement is taken from a scale diagram, measure the straight line from start to finish with a ruler, convert it with the scale, then measure the angle with a protractor. A magnitude on its own always loses the direction mark. A strong answer earns marks for these points. the magnitude of the displacement with its unit. a direction given as a bearing, a compass point or an angle to a stated line. measuring the straight line from start to finish rather than along the path. applying the scale of the drawing correctly. Exam tip: Write the direction in the same breath as the number; a displacement without it is half an answer.
See it
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
magnitude and direction
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bearings
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scale diagrams
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stating a displacement
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See every definition
- magnitude and direction
- A displacement is expressed in terms of both of these, and a magnitude on its own always loses the direction mark.
- bearings
- A three-figure bearing is measured clockwise from north and is one acceptable way of giving the direction.
- scale diagrams
- From one of these, the straight line from start to finish is measured with a ruler, converted with the scale, then the angle is measured with a protractor.
- stating a displacement
- This means writing three things: a number, a unit and a direction, such as a compass point, a bearing or an angle to a stated line.
Label the diagram
Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.
1Box 1
2Box 2
3Box 3
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