Scalar and Vector Quantities Flashcards
What is a scalar quantity
A quantity with magnitude but no direction
What does magnitude mean?
Size
What is a vector quality?
A quantity with both size and direction
Is speed a scalar or vector quantity?
Scalar
Why is speed a scalar quantity?
It only has magnitude (size)
m/s
Is velocity a scalar or vector quantity?
Vector
Why is velocity a vector quantity?
It has both magnitude m/s and direction
Is mass a scalar or vector quantity?
Scalar
Why is mass a scalar quantity?
It has magnitude (kg) but no direction
Is weight a scalar or vector quantity
Vector
Why is weight a vector quantity
It has a magnitude (force, Newtons) acting in a direction due to gravity
Is distance a scalar or vector quantity?
Scalar
Why is distance a scalar quantity?
It only has magnitude (size)
Is displacement a scalar or vector quantity?
Vector
Why is displacement a vector quantity?
It has both magnitude (m) and direction
Is Energy a scalar or vector quantity?
Scalar
Why is energy a scalar quantity?
It only has magnitude (Joules)
Is acceleration a scalar or vector quantity?
Vector
Why is acceleration a vector quantity?
It has both magnitude and direction
What is the definition of displacement?
Displacement is the distance in a given direciton from the starting point
What do you have to make sure to include in your answers for displacement?
The direction
(N,E,S,W)
If two moving objects are travelling at the same speed but different directions what does this mean for their velocity’s
They have different velocities
To have the same velocity objects must be moving at the same speedand the same what?
Direction
What is the difference between a scalar and vector quantity?
[2 marks]
A scalar quantity has only magnitude
A vector quantity has both magnitude and direction
Give four examples of scalar quantities
Mass
Speed
Time
Pressure
Give four examples of vector quantities
Velocity
Weight
Displacement
Momentum
Explain why time is a scalar quantity and not a vector quantity
Time has magnitude but it does not have spacial direction, e.g. it cannot move backwards or to the left
