Which statement correctly identifies the difference between scalar and vector quantities? (AKS 1b3)
Question 6 options:
All quantities can be both scalar and vector quantities.
Scalar quantities have both a magnitude and direction while vector quantities only have a magnitude.
Vector quantities have both a magnitude and direction while scalar quantities only have a magnitude.
Vector quantities can be negative or positive while scalar quantities can only be positive.
The correct statement is:
Vector quantities have both a magnitude and direction while scalar quantities only have a magnitude.
The correct statement that identifies the difference between scalar and vector quantities is:
Vector quantities have both a magnitude and direction while scalar quantities only have a magnitude.
To identify the difference between scalar and vector quantities, we need to understand their definitions.
Scalar quantities are quantities that only have a magnitude, which means they represent a quantity or measurement without any specific direction. Examples of scalar quantities include temperature, time, speed, mass, and energy.
On the other hand, vector quantities have both magnitude and direction. They represent quantities that require both a numerical value and a specific direction to be fully described. Examples of vector quantities include displacement, velocity, acceleration, force, and momentum.
Now, looking at the options provided:
Option 1: All quantities can be both scalar and vector quantities.
This statement is incorrect because there are quantities that can only be scalar or vector, based on their definition. For example, time and mass cannot have a direction, so they can only be scalar quantities.
Option 2: Scalar quantities have both a magnitude and direction while vector quantities only have a magnitude.
This statement is incorrect. Scalar quantities do not have a direction, so they only have a magnitude. Vector quantities possess both magnitude and direction.
Option 3: Vector quantities have both a magnitude and direction while scalar quantities only have a magnitude.
This statement is correct. Vector quantities have both magnitude and direction, while scalar quantities only have magnitude.
Option 4: Vector quantities can be negative or positive while scalar quantities can only be positive.
This statement is incorrect. Both scalar and vector quantities can be negative or positive. The sign indicates the direction or orientation of the vector quantity, such as velocity or force.
Therefore, the correct statement that identifies the difference between scalar and vector quantities is:
"Vector quantities have both a magnitude and direction while scalar quantities only have a magnitude."