4.5.6.1 Describing motion along a line

Define distance and displacement and explain why they are scalar or vector quantities

Express a displacement in terms of both the magnitude and direction

Explain that the speed at which a person can walk, run or cycle depends on a number of factors and recall some typical speeds for walking, running, cycling

Make measurements of distance and time and then calculate speeds of objects in calculating average speed for non-uniform motion

Explain why the speed of wind and of sound through air varies and calculate speed by recalling and applying the equation: [ s = v t ]

Explain the vector–scalar distinction as it applies to displacement, distance, velocity and speed

Explain qualitatively, with examples, that motion in a circle involves constant speed but changing velocity

Represent an object moving along a straight line using a distance-time graph, describing its motion and calculating its speed from the graph's gradient

Draw distance–time graphs from measurements and extract and interpret lines and slopes of distance–time graphs,

Describe an object which is slowing down as having a negative acceleration and estimate the magnitude of everyday accelerations

Calculate the average acceleration of an object by recalling and applying the equation: [ a = Δv/t ]

Represent motion using velocity–time graphs, finding the acceleration from its gradient and distance travelled from the area underneath

Interpret enclosed areas in velocity–time graphs to determine distance travelled (or displacement)

Measure, when appropriate, the area under a velocity– time graph by counting square

Apply, but not recall, the equation: [ v2 – u2 = 2as ]

Draw and interpret velocity-time graphs for objects that reach terminal velocity

Interpret and explain the changing motion of an object in terms of the forces acting on it

Explain how an object falling from rest through a fluid due to gravity reaches its terminal velocity