3.4.1.1 Scalars and vectors

Question 1

What is a scalar quantity?

Answer 1

A quantity with no direction, magnitude only

Question 2

What is a vector quantity?

Answer 2

A quantity with magnitude and direction

Question 3

What are some examples of scalar quantities?

Answer 3

Length/ distance, speed, mass temperature, time, energy

Question 4

What are some examples of vector quantities?

Answer 4

Displacement, velocity, force, acceleration, momentum

Question 5

How to find resultant vector of two vectors?

Answer 5

… tip to tail

Question 6

What is a free-body diagram?

Answer 6

A diagram which shows a single body on its own. It includes all the forces that act on the body, but not the forces it exerts on the outside world.

Question 7

What is an object in equilibrium?

Answer 7

All forces acting on it are balanced and cancel each other out - no resultant force.
- when you draw these forces using tip to tail, they form a closed loop (vector triangle)

Question 8

How can you investigate equilibrium?

Answer 8

Using a force board