Question

classify the given quantities into scalar quantities and vector quantity.
(Area, velocity, weight, speed, displacement , distance, mass.)

Answer 1

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Classify the given quantities into scalar quantities and vector quantity:-

Area, velocity, weight, speed, displacement , distance, mass.

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First, let's know what are vectors and scalars:-

Vector Quantity: When a physical quantity has both magnitude and direction, is called a vector quantity.

Scalar Quantity: When a physical quantity is only by its magnitude, is called a scalar quantity.

Therefore, our answers are:-

Vector quantities:-

• Velocity
• Weight
• Displacement

Scalar quantities:-

• Area
• Speed
• Distance
• Mass

Now, to explain briefly:-

• Area is a scalar quantity because it have magnitude but no direction. To be a vector, it should have both magnitude and direction. Hence, area is scalar.

• Velocity is a physical vector quantity because both magnitude and direction are needed to define it. If there is a change in speed, direction or both, then the object has a changing velocity and is said to be undergoing an acceleration. That's why velocity is a vector.

• Weight can be defined as the force by which a body is attracted towards the centre of the planet. We can define weight as a force with direction towards the centre of the planet. weight has both the magnitude and direction. Hence, weight is a vector quantity.

• Speed is a scalar quantity, having only magnitude and giving no information about direction. For example, 40m/s is a speed, it tells us how fast an object is traveling, but nothing abut which direction the object is traveling in.

• Displacement is a vector quantity because it has both magnitude and direction. Displacement is considered as the minimal distance between the initial and the final point of the object within a given time.

• Distance is a scalar quantity. It refers only to how far an object has traveled. For example, 30 kilometers is a distance which gives no information about direction.

• Mass is scalar quantity because of it doesn't include direction in measurement of magnitude of mass . Mass have no effect of direction so it is scalar quantity. It is same at earth's surface and moon surface