6.1 Vectors and scalars

Question 1

What is displacement?

Answer 1

» Distance in a given direction

Question 2

What is a vector?

Answer 2

» A physical quantity that has a direction as well as a magnitude

Question 3

What is a scalar?

Answer 3

» A physics quantity that is not directional

Question 4

What is velocity?

Answer 4

» Speed in a given direction?

Question 5

What can you do with vectors of the same type?

Answer 5

» Can be added together using a scale diagram

Question 6

How can you add 2 displacement vectors that are at right angles to each other?

Answer 6

» Use Pythagoras’ theorem
» Draw a scale diagram, and find the magnitude of the vectory

Question 7

How can you find the direction of the vector?

Answer 7

» Find the angle, usually it is the angle with the horizontal

Question 8

When should scale diagrams be used?

Answer 8

» When vectors are at angles other than 90 degrees

Question 9

What is the resultant of 2 vectors that act along the same line?

Answer 9

» The sum

Question 10

What is the resultant of 2 vectors that act in opposite directions?

Answer 10

» The difference

Question 11

How can you resolve any vector into 2 perpendicular components?

Answer 11

» Draw a diagram showing the 2 perpendicular directions and an arrow to show the vector