IB Physics SL A.1.3 Displacement

Use graph areas, sign conventions and vector geometry to find net displacement cleanly in one or two dimensions.

Syllabus
First assessment 2025
Objective
—
Level
SL

Exam points

  • calculate displacement from the area under a v-t graph, often by splitting the region into simple shapes
  • use the stated sign convention to explain why a negative displacement means motion in the chosen negative direction
  • combine horizontal and vertical displacement components with Pythagoras to find the resultant displacement

A.1.3—Displacement question 1

[Maximum number: 1]

This question is in two parts. Part 1 is about kinematics and gravitation. Part 2 is about radioactivity.
Part 1 Kinematics and gravitation
A ball is released near the surface of the Moon at time t=0. The point of release is on a straight line between the centre of Earth and the centre of the Moon. The graph below shows the variation with time t of the displacement s of the ball from the point of release.

Figure for Question A.1.3—Displacement question 1 — IB Physics SL

State the significance of the negative values of s.

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