Vectors and Scalars in Physics

Front

What is a scalar quantity?

Back

A scalar quantity has magnitude only and no direction.

Front

What is a vector quantity?

Back

A vector quantity has both magnitude and direction.

Front

Is length a vector or a scalar?

Back

Length is a scalar quantity.

Front

What is displacement?

Back

Displacement is the shortest distance from the initial to the final position, including direction.

Front

What symbol represents vector quantities?

Back

An arrow represents vector quantities.

Front

What does the Pythagorean Theorem state?

Back

Front

What is the difference between distance and displacement?

Back

Distance is a scalar quantity representing the total path length, while displacement is a vector quantity representing the shortest path between two points.

Front

What is the formula for calculating the resultant vector?

Back

The resultant vector can be calculated using vector addition, often represented as \( R = A + B \) where A and B are the individual vectors.

Front

What is the significance of direction in vector quantities?

Back

Direction is crucial in vector quantities as it determines the vector's orientation in space.

Front

Can scalars be negative?

Back

Scalars can be negative if they represent quantities like temperature or elevation, but not for quantities like mass or length.