Physics Review Question Unit: mechanics Year: 1995 Question#: 05 Question: Which term represents a vector quantity? (1 ) work (2 ) power (3 ) force (4 ) distance What is this question really asking? Explanation by: Christine A [ Return to question menu ] Answer 1 work INCORRECT Work is not a vector quantity; rather, it is a scalar quantity. This is because work must be described only by a number with appropriate units; it does not need to include a direction. For example, a measure of work is 5 Joules, NOT 5 Joules North. return to top Answer 2 power INCORRECT Power is a scalar quantity, not a vector quantity. This means that it is described only by a number with appropriate units; not a number with units AND a direction. return to top Answer 3 force CORRECT Force is a vector quantity, because it must always be described by both a number with units and a direction; for example, force must be expressed as "30 N south" rather than simply "30 N." return to top Answer 4 distance INCORRECT Distance is a scalar quantity, described merely by length of path, not the direction. To be a vector quantity, the measurement must include both magnitude AND direction. return to top What's this question really asking? Do you know what a vector quantity is (i.e. do you know how a vector quantity must be defined)? return to top |
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