Vectors Scalars Distance Displacement

A quantity that needs both magnitude and direction to be fully described.

• Vector

• Scalar

Which statement describes a vector?

• It has magnitude but no direction

• It has direction but no magnitude

• It has both direction and magnitude

• It has constant magnitude but no
   direction

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-5

Billy runs 400 meters to Andy's house, turns around, and runs 400 meters back home. What is Billy's displacement?

• 0 meters

• 400 meters

• 800 meters

• 1600 meters

A quantity described by magnitude and does not need direction

• Vector

• Scalar

Why is displacement considered a vector quantity?

• It has only magnitude.

• It has both magnitude and direction.

• It is always positive.

• It is measured in meters.

Answer explanation

Displacement is considered a vector quantity because it has both magnitude (the distance) and direction (the path taken). This distinguishes it from scalar quantities, which only have magnitude.

Which of the following best describes the difference between distance and displacement?

• Distance is a vector quantity, while displacement is a scalar quantity.

• Distance is the total path length traveled, while displacement is the shortest path between two points.

• Distance is always greater than displacement.

• Distance and displacement are always equal.

Answer explanation

The correct choice states that distance is the total path length traveled, while displacement is the shortest path between two points. This highlights the key difference: distance measures the actual path, whereas displacement measures the straight-line distance.

Explain why displacement can be zero even if distance is not.

• Displacement is always zero.

• Displacement is the total path length.

• Displacement is zero if the start and end positions are the same.

• Displacement is a scalar quantity.

Answer explanation

Displacement is defined as the change in position from the start to the end point. If the start and end positions are the same, displacement is zero, regardless of the distance traveled along the path.

Is this a scalar quantity or a vector quantity?
A deer running 15 meters per second due west

• Scalar

• Vector

Which of the following quantities are vectors?

• speed, velocity, acceleration

• velocity, acceleration, force

• force, acceleration, mass

• length, mass, time

VELOCITY

• Scalar

• Vector