Which quantity is a vector?

Prepare for the Year 10 Force and Motion Test. Utilize flashcards and multiple-choice questions with clear hints and explanations to ensure success. Equip yourself for excellence on your exam!

Multiple Choice

Which quantity is a vector?

Explanation:
The main concept is the difference between vector and scalar quantities. A vector has both magnitude and direction, while a scalar has magnitude only. Displacement fits this idea: it’s the straight-line change in position from where you started to where you end, and it includes a direction (for example, 5 meters to the east). That combination of size and direction makes it a vector. Speed, on the other hand, tells how fast something is moving but gives no direction, so it’s a scalar. Time measures how long something lasts, again without direction, and mass describes how much matter there is, also without direction.

The main concept is the difference between vector and scalar quantities. A vector has both magnitude and direction, while a scalar has magnitude only. Displacement fits this idea: it’s the straight-line change in position from where you started to where you end, and it includes a direction (for example, 5 meters to the east). That combination of size and direction makes it a vector. Speed, on the other hand, tells how fast something is moving but gives no direction, so it’s a scalar. Time measures how long something lasts, again without direction, and mass describes how much matter there is, also without direction.

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