Physics: Vectors and Scalars
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Questions and Answers

What is a key difference between a scalar and a vector?

  • A scalar is always positive, while a vector can be positive or negative.
  • A scalar is always negative, while a vector can be positive or negative.
  • A scalar has direction, while a vector has magnitude.
  • A scalar has magnitude, while a vector has both magnitude and direction. (correct)

    • Which of the following is an example of a scalar?

  • Speed (correct)
  • Momentum
  • Acceleration
  • Velocity

    • What is the direction of displacement when a ball is thrown off a cliff and is below the cliff top?

  • Negative (correct)
  • Positive
  • Zero
  • Undefined

    • What is velocity?

    <p>Speed with direction</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is a car accelerating while traveling at constant speed around a roundabout?

    <p>Because its direction is constantly changing</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What represents the magnitude of a vector?

    <p>The length of the arrow</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of force is gravitational attraction?

    <p>Non-contact force</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What causes friction between two objects?

    <p>The roughness of the surfaces</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Vectors and Scalars

    • A vector has both magnitude and direction.
    • A scalar has only magnitude.
    • Scalars are generally non-negative, but vectors can be negative as they have a direction associated with them.

    Examples of Vectors and Scalars

    • Speed is a scalar quantity.
    • Velocity is a vector quantity.
    • Distance is a scalar quantity.
    • Displacement is a vector quantity.
    • Time is a scalar quantity.
    • Momentum is a vector quantity.
    • Acceleration is a vector quantity.
    • Energy is a scalar quantity.
    • Force is a vector quantity.
    • Mass is a scalar quantity.

    Displacement and Velocity

    • Displacement can be negative if the direction is considered (e.g., a ball thrown off a cliff).
    • The zero point of a vector can be chosen arbitrarily, depending on the context (e.g., setting the zero point at the bottom of a cliff).
    • Velocity is speed with direction (e.g., 10 m/s vs. 10 m/s at 30° above the horizontal).
    • Even if the speed is constant, the velocity can change if the direction changes (e.g., a car traveling around a roundabout).

    Representing Vectors

    • Vectors can be represented by arrows, with their size/length representing the vector magnitude.

    Object Interaction

    Forces

    • A force is a push or pull that acts on an object due to interaction with another object.
    • Forces can be classified into two types:
      • Non-Contact Forces:
        • Electrostatic forces (caused by charges)
        • Gravitational forces (caused by mass)
      • Contact Forces:
        • Normal contact force (opposite direction to contact)
        • Friction (caused by surface roughness when moving in contact)

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    Quiz Team

    Description

    Distinguish between vectors and scalars in physics, understanding their differences in magnitude and direction. Examples include speed, velocity, distance, displacement, and more.

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