SP1a Vectors and scalers

Question 1

Describe the difference between weight and mass

Answer 1

Mass is a measure of how much matter there is in an object, while weight is a measure of the size of the pull of gravity on the object.

Question 2

Explain the difference between a vector and a

scalar quantity.

Answer 2

A quantity which does not depend on direction is called a scalar quantity. Vector quantities have two characteristics, a magnitude and a direction

Question 3

Describe the difference between displacement

and distance.

Answer 3

Distance is the same as length and is measured in metres, but displacement also tells you the direction of the object.

Question 4

Describe the difference between velocity and

speed.

Answer 4

Speed is the time rate at which an object is moving along a path, while velocity is the rate and direction of an object’s movement.

Question 5

Define the terms: acceleration, force, momentum, energy.

Answer 5

Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity
A force is any influence that causes an object to undergo a specific change
Momentum is the tendency of the object to keep moving in the same direction.
Energy is the capacity for doing work. It may exist in potential, kinetic, thermal, electrical, chemical, nuclear, or other various forms.