Multiple Choice
Which of the following best describes the difference between a scalar quantity and a vector quantity?
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3. Vectors
Review of Vectors vs. Scalars
Multiple Choice
In a review of vectors vs. scalars, what is the main difference between speed and velocity?
A
Speed and velocity differ only because speed is measured in and velocity is measured in .
B
Speed is a scalar (magnitude only), while velocity is a vector (magnitude and direction).
C
Speed and velocity are both scalars because they are measured in .
D
Speed is a vector (magnitude and direction), while velocity is a scalar (magnitude only).
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the definitions of speed and velocity: Speed is how fast an object is moving regardless of direction, while velocity describes how fast and in which direction the object is moving.
Recall that scalars are quantities that have only magnitude (size or amount), and vectors are quantities that have both magnitude and direction.
Identify that speed is a scalar quantity because it only measures the magnitude of motion (how fast), without any direction involved.
Recognize that velocity is a vector quantity because it includes both the magnitude of speed and the direction of motion.
Conclude that the main difference between speed and velocity is that speed is scalar (magnitude only), whereas velocity is vector (magnitude and direction).
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