1.

4 Scalar and vector

1.4 Examples of scalar and vector quantities

Scalar: magnitude only

Vector: magnitude and direction

Scalar Vector
Speed Velocity
distance Displacement
temperature in Kelvin scale temperature in Celsius scale
Mass Acceleration
Work(done), energy, power, time Force, momentum
Electric charge, voltage, electric field strength

2003 June

2006 June + 2011 Nov 12

2011 Nov 11
1.4 Scalar and vector
2012 June 11

2012 Nov 11

2012 Nov 12

2012 Nov 13
1.4 Scalar and vector
2013 June 11

2013 June 12 + 2006 June

2014 Nov 13

2015 June 11

2015 Nov 12
1.4 Scalar and vector
2012 June 11

Add and subtract coplanar vectors to find resultant

2002 June + 2007 Nov

1.4 Scalar and vector
2003 June

2003 Nov

2004 June
1.4 Scalar and vector
2008 Nov

2011 June 11

2011 Nov 12
1.4 Scalar and vector

2012 Nov 11

2013 June 13

2013 Nov 13
1.4 Scalar and vector

2015 June 13

Resolving vectors as two perpendicular components

2009 June
1.4 Scalar and vector

2010 Nov 12

2013 June 13

2010 June 11
1.4 Scalar and vector

2012 June 12

2014 June 13
1.4 Scalar and vector
2015 June 12
1.4 Scalar and vector
2010 June 21
2 (a) Complete Fig. 2.1 to show whether each of the quantities listed is a vector or a scalar.
distance moved speed acceleration
vector / scalar
[3]

2011 June 22 Q1 + 2014 June 23 Q2

1 (a) Distinguish between scalar quantities and vector quantities.

[2]
(b) In the following list, underline all the scalar quantities.
acceleration force kinetic energy mass power weight
[1]

2003 June
1 Complete Fig. 1.1 to show each quantity and its unit. [4]
Quantity Unit
Speed m s–1
density
s–1
electric field strength
kg m s–1

2004 June
1 (a) State the difference between a scalar quantity and a vector quantity.

[2]
(b) Two forces of magnitude 6.0 N and 8.0 N act at a point P. Both forces act away from point P and the
angle between them is 40°. Fig. 1.1 shows two lines at an angle of 40° to one another.
1.4 Scalar and vector

On Fig. 1.1, draw a vector diagram to determine the magnitude of the resultant of the two forces.
magnitude of resultant = ...................................... N
[4]

2010 Nov 22
1 (a) (i) Distinguish between vector quantities and scalar quantities.
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................. [2]
(ii) State whether each of the following is a vector quantity or a scalar quantity.
1. temperature
.............................................................................................................................. [1]
2. acceleration of free fall
.............................................................................................................................. [1]
3. electrical resistance
.............................................................................................................................. [1]
(b) A block of wood of weight 25 N is held stationary on a slope by means of a string, as shown in Fig. 1.1.

The tension in the string is T and the slope pushes on the block with a force R that is normal to the
1.4 Scalar and vector
slope. Either by scale drawing on Fig. 1.1 or by calculation, determine the tension T in the string.

2011 Nov 23
1 (a) Distinguish between scalars and vectors.

[1]
(b) Underline all the vector quantities in the list below.
acceleration kinetic energy momentum power weight
[2]
(c) A force of 7.5 N acts at 40° to the horizontal, as shown in Fig. 1.1.

Calculate the component of the force that acts

(i) horizontally,
horizontal component = ............................................. N
[1]
(ii) vertically.
vertical component = ............................................. N
[1]

2012 Nov 22
1 (d) Underline all the vector quantities in the list below.
Distance energy momentum weight work
[1]

(e) The velocity vector diagram for an aircraft heading due north is shown to scale in Fig. 1.1. There is a
wind blowing from the north-west.

The speed of the wind is 36 m s–1 and the speed of the aircraft is 250 m s–1.
(i) Draw an arrow on Fig. 1.1 to show the direction of the resultant velocity of the aircraft. [1]
(ii) Determine the magnitude of the resultant velocity of the aircraft.
1.4 Scalar and vector

resultant velocity = ...................................... m s–1

[2]

2014 Nov 22
1 (c) An object B is on a horizontal surface. Two forces act on B in this horizontal plane. A vector diagram
for these forces is shown to scale in Fig. 1.1.
1.4 Scalar and vector

A force of 7.5 N towards north and a force of 2.5 N from 30° north of east act on B.
The mass of B is 750 g.
(i) Draw an arrow to show the approximate direction of the resultant of these two forces.
[1]
(ii) 1. Show that the magnitude of the resultant force on B is 6.6 N.
[1]
2. Calculate the magnitude of the acceleration of B produced by this resultant force.

magnitude = ................................................ m s–2

[2]
(iii) Determine the angle between the direction of the acceleration and the direction of the 7.5 N
force.

angle = ........................................................ °
[1]

2015 June 23
1 (d) Underline all the scalar quantities in the list below.
acceleration energy momentum power weight
[1]
(e) A boat travels across a river in which the water is moving at a speed of 1.8 m s –1.
The velocity vectors for the boat and the river water are shown to scale in Fig. 1.1.
1.4 Scalar and vector

In still water the speed of the boat is 3.0 m s–1. The boat is directed at an angle of 60° to the river bank.
(i) On Fig. 1.1, draw a vector triangle or a scale diagram to show the resultant velocity of the boat.

[2]
(ii) Determine the magnitude of the resultant velocity of the boat.

resultant velocity = ................................................ m s–1

[2]

2015 Nov 22
1 (c) The following list contains scalar and vector quantities. Underline all the scalar quantities.
acceleration force mass power temperature weight
[1]
(d) A boat is travelling in a flowing river. Fig. 1.1 shows the velocity vectors for the boat and the river
water.

The velocity of the boat in still water is 14.0 m s–1 to the east. The velocity of the water is 8.0 m s–1
from 60° north of east.
(i) On Fig. 1.1, draw an arrow to show the direction of the resultant velocity of the boat. [1]
(ii) Determine the magnitude of the resultant velocity of the boat.

magnitude of velocity = ................................................ m s–1 [2]