P1-Edexcel - Vectors & Scalars

Question 1

Definition of Vector quantity.

Answer 1

Vector quantities have a magnitude (size) and a direction.

Question 2

Definition of Scalar quantity.

Answer 2

Scalar quantities have magnitude and no direction.

Question 3

Give an example of a Vector quantity.

Answer 3

Force, velocity, displacement, weight, acceleration, momentum, etc.

Question 4

Give an example of a Scalar quantity.

Answer 4

Speed, distance, mass, energy, temperature, time, etc.

Question 5

What is distance?

Answer 5

Distance is only how far an object has moved and it’s a scalar quantity so it doesn’t include direction.

Question 6

What is displacement?

Answer 6

Displacement measures the distance and direction in a straight line from an object’s starting point to its ending point.

Question 7

E.g: If you walk 5m north, then 5m south,
a) What is your displacement?
b) What is your distance travelled?

Answer 7

a) 0m because you have returned to the starting point.
b) 10m because you walked 5m north and then 5m south - 5 + 5 = 10.

Question 8

What is speed?

Answer 8

Speed is only how fast you’re going (e.g. 30 mph or 20 m/s) with no direction.

Question 9

What is velocity?

Answer 9

Velocity is speed in a given direction (30 mph NORTH or 20 m/s, 60 degrees.

Question 10

Give the equation for when the object is travelling at a constant speed.

Answer 10

Distance travelled (m) = average speed (m/s) x time (s). This can also be remembered in the triangle form.

Question 11

What is the typical speed for:
a) Walking?
b) Running?
c) Cycling?
d) Cars?
e) Cars on a motorway?

Answer 11

a) 1.4 m/s (5km/h)
b) 3 m/s (11 km/h)
c) 5.5 m/s (20km/h)
d) 13 m/s (47 km/h)
e) 31 m/s (112 km/h)