POSITION, DISTANCE AND DISPLACEMENT

SS 1 PHYSICS FIRST TERM E-LEARNING NOTE

Subject: 

PHYSICS

Term:

FIRST TERM

Week:

WEEK 4

Class:

SS 1

Topic:

POSITION, DISTANCE AND DISPLACEMENT

Previous lesson: 

The pupils have previous knowledge of

 DIMENSIONS AND MEASUREMENT OF PHYSICAL QUANTITIES

that was taught as a topic in the previous lesson

Behavioural objectives:

At the end of the lesson, the learners will be able to explain each of the following concepts and relate how they are used

• The Concept of Position
• The Concept of Distance and Measurement
• The Concept of Displacement
• Distinction between Distance and Displacement

Instructional Materials:

• Wall charts
• Pictures
• Related Online Video
• Flash Cards

Methods of Teaching:

• Class Discussion
• Group Discussion
• Asking Questions
• Explanation
• Role Modelling
• Role Delegation

Reference Materials:

• Scheme of Work
• Online Information
• Textbooks
• Basic Education Curriculum
• Workbooks

Content:

POSITION, DISTANCE AND DISPLACEMENT

CONTENT

1. The Concept of Position
2. The Concept of Distance and Measurement
3. The Concept of Displacement
4. Distinction between Distance and Displacement

The Concept of Position

The position of an object is its location in space. It is usually expressed in relation to a reference point. To locate an object in space, a co-ordinate system is needed. It is usually a mathematical construct with co-ordinates.

The concept of position is a fundamental idea in physics that refers to the location of an object in space. Position can be described in terms of three dimensions: length, width, and height. An object’s position can also be described in terms of its velocity, or the speed at which it is moving. The concept of position is important not only in physics, but also in many other fields, such as engineering, architecture, and even game design.

There are many different ways to describe position. One common way is to use Cartesian coordinates, which specify an object’s position in terms of its distance from a fixed point in space.

A coordinate system could be two-dimensional as in P(x,y) or three dimensional as in P(x,y,z).

EVALUATION

1. What is the concept of position?
2.  What are three dimensions of position?
3. How can position be described in terms of velocity?
4.  Why is the concept of position important?
5. What is a common way to describe position?

The Concept of Distance and Measurement

Distance can be defined as a physical measurement of length between two points. It does not take into consideration the direction between the two points it measures; hence, it is a scalar quantity. This therefore means that distance has only magnitude but no direction. E.g, 10km.

Distance could be measured using instruments like measuring tape, ruler, venier calliper, micrometer screw gauge, etc

The concept of distance is a fundamental idea in physics that refers to the amount of space between two objects. Distance can be measured in terms of length, width, and height. An object’s position can also be described in terms of its velocity, or the speed at which it is moving. The concept of distance is important not only in physics, but also in many other fields, such as engineering, architecture, and even game design.

There are many different ways to measure distance. One common way is to use a ruler or tape measure. Another common way is to use laser measurements

Evaluation .

1. What is the concept of distance?

2. How is distance measured?

3. What are some common units of measure for distance?

4. Why is the concept of distance important?

5. What are some real-world applications of the concept of distance?

6. What are some challenges associated with measuring distance?

7. What are some potential sources of error when measuring distance?

1. The concept of distance is a fundamental idea in physics that refers to the amount of space between two objects

2. Distance can be measured in terms of length, width, and height. An object’s position can also be described in terms of its velocity, or the speed at which it is moving

3. The concept of distance is important not only in physics, but also in many other fields, such as engineering, architecture, and even game design

4. There are many different ways to measure distance. One common way is to use a ruler or tape measure. Another common way is to use laser measurements

5. The concept of distance is important because it allows us to quantify the amount of space between two objects. This is useful in many fields, such as physics and engineering. It also allows us to calculate things like speed and time.

The Concept of Displacement

Displacement is defined as the distance travelled or moved in a specific direction. It takes into consideration the direction between the different points it seeks to measure; hence, displacement is a vector quantity. Thus, it has both magnitude and direction. E.g, 10km due east. The ‘10km’ is the magnitude (or value), while ‘due east’ is the direction.

Both distance and displacement have the same S.I. unit, metre (m). They could also be expressed in kilometre (km), miles, etc.

Distinction between Distance and Displacement

We need to understand the concepts of distance and displacement.  Distance is the gap between two points with no regard to direction. On the other hand, displacement is distance covered in a particular direction. Therefore distance is a scalar quantity while displacement is a vector quantity. The only similarity between distance and displacement is that they have the same unit. 

Evaluation

1. What is the difference between distance and displacement?

2. Which one is a scalar quantity and which one is a vector quantity?

3. What is the only similarity between distance and displacement?

4. What are the units for distance and displacement?

5. What are some real-world examples of distance

Summarily, the table below shows the difference between distance and displacement

SUMMARY

1. Distance is the gap between two points with no regard to direction 

2. On the other hand, displacement is distance covered in a particular direction 

3. Therefore distance is a scalar quantity while displacement is a vector quantity 

4. The only similarity between distance and displacement is that they have the same unit 

5. The units for distance and displacement are meters 

6. Some real-world examples of distance include the length of a room, the distance between two cities, and the circumference of the Earth 

7. 5km due east is a displacement because it is a specific distance in a specific direction. If you only went 5km, but didn’t specify a direction, then it would just be a distance 

8. Measuring devices for distance include rulers, tape measures, and laser measurements

PRESENTATION 

The topic is presented step by step

Step 1:

The subject teacher revises the previous topics

Step 2.

He introduces the new topic

Step 3:

The subject teacher allows the pupils to give their own examples and he corrects them when the needs arise

EVALUATION

1. Define distance.
2. What is displacement?
3. State the SI unit of distance.
4. Differentiate between distance and displacement.
5. Why is 5km due east a displacement?
6. Enumerate the measuring devices for distance.

CONCLUSION 

The subject teacher wraps up or concludes the lesson by giving out short notes to summarize the topic that he or she has just taught.

The subject teacher also goes round to make sure that the notes are well copied or well written by the pupils.

He or she does the necessary corrections when and where the needs arise.