Question 1
Which of the following quantities is a scalar?No clue? Show me the answer
Correct answerCorrect!
IncorrectStep-by-step walkthrough
Choose a solution method
Method #1Direct ApproachStep 1: Recall the definition of scalar
A scalar quantity has magnitude only — no direction. A vector quantity has both magnitude and direction.
Step 2: Check each option
Temperature (e.g. 25°C) has no direction — you cannot say temperature acts 'northward.' It is purely a size/amount.
Step 3: Confirm the answer
Velocity, force, and displacement all require a direction to be fully described, making them vectors. Temperature is the scalar.
Method #2Process of EliminationStep 1: Identify what a scalar is
A scalar has magnitude only — no direction. We need to find which option has no directional component.
Step 2: Eliminate velocity
Velocity always includes a direction (e.g. 60 km/h north). It is a vector quantity.
Step 3: Eliminate force
Force has a direction (e.g. 20 N downward). It is a vector and can be resolved into components.
Step 4: Eliminate displacement
Displacement describes a change in position with a direction (e.g. 5 m east). It is a vector.
Step 5: Select temperature
Temperature has magnitude only (e.g. 25°C) and no direction, making it the scalar in this list.
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