2.3 Scalars and Vectors

Question 1

What is a scalar quantity?

Answer 1

A physical quantity with magnitude but no direction

Question 2

What is a vector quantity?

Answer 2

A physical quantity with both magnitude and a specified direction

Question 3

Scalar quantities and their vector equivalents (4)

Answer 3

Time = Force
Mass = Acceleration
Speed = Velocity
•Distance = Displacement

Question 4

How are vector quantities represented?

Answer 4

A line (representing magnitude to scale) with a single arrowhead (representing the direction)

Question 5

How are vectors added and subtracted?

Answer 5

Take one direction to be positive and add or subtract as normal

Question 6

How can a resultant vector be broken up into its constituent parts? (2)

Answer 6

All vectors have a horizontal and vertical component
By knowing the magnitude and angle of a vector, trigonometry can be used to calculate the sides of a right angled triangle made of the two components

Question 7

What is true about the forces on a stationary object?

Answer 7

They are in equilibrium meaning both the horizontal and vertical components balance out

Question 8

How are vectors subtracted?

Answer 8

Reverse the direction of the subtracted vector and add
To subtract Y from X:
Reverse the direction of Y and add this vector to X