On time
Teaching Guidance
for 14-16
Restrict time
to time of day
We'd suggest that there's much to be gained from not using the word time
in a cover-all way.
There are times when you'd like to refer to the period of time, during which, say, a force is applied, a journey takes place, or a process happens. This is to report something that can be recorded and measured. We suggest using the word duration
for an elapsed period of time.
There are times when you'd like to accumulate a quantity over some short interval of time – to predict what might come to pass. We suggest using the word interval
for this (typically short) period of time.
We'd suggest leaving the use of time
to telling the time of day – that is, an instant.
Teacher Tip: Use
duration
for periods of time that are measured, or which are to be measured.
Teacher Tip: Use
interval
for periods of time to be used in computations.
Teacher Tip: Use
time
for recording the time of day, or clock reading – what the time is now (and not for how long we've been recording this process).
