1.1.1Forces and Their Effects
Scalars and Vectors — Oxford AQA International GCSE Combined Science - Physics Revision Notes & Topical Questions
5 min read 9 parts Lesson 2 of 16
Part 1 of 7Scalars and vectors
Scalar
Scalar a quantity with magnitude only
Vector
Vector a quantity with both magnitude and direction
Level
- Level this is Extended tier content
Part 2 of 7Distance and displacement
Distance
- Distance how far an object has travelled, the total length of the path, a scalar
Displacement
- Displacement the distance between two points in a straight line in a stated direction, a vector
Part 3 of 7Speed and velocity
Speed
- Speed distance travelled per unit time regardless of direction, a scalar
Velocity
- Velocity speed in a given direction, a vector
Part 4 of 7Examples of scalars and vectors
| Scalar | Vector |
|---|---|
| Distance | Displacement |
| Speed | Velocity |
| Time | Force |
| Mass | Weight |
| Energy | Acceleration |
| Temperature | Momentum |
| Electric field strength | |
| Gravitational field strength |
Part 5 of 7Pairs often confused
Speed and velocity
- Speed and velocity velocity includes direction
Mass and weight
- Mass and weight mass is a scalar and weight is a force, so a vector
Part 6 of 7Representing vectors
Arrows
- Arrows a vector is drawn as an arrow with length proportional to its magnitude
Direction
- Direction shown by the arrowhead
Sign
- Sign in one dimension one direction is positive and the opposite direction is negative
Part 7 of 7More from the specification
More from the specification
Calibration of restorative forces
- Calibration of restorative forces measuring elastic extension against known standard masses calibrates spring balances against gravitational forces.
Volume
- The amount of space an object occupies.
Bearing
- Direction measured clockwise from North.
Component
- Part of a vector along one axis.
Reference marker
- Fixed mark showing the equilibrium position of an oscillation.
Scale diagram
- Scale diagram choose a scale such as 1 cm = 10 N so the drawing fills the page, then measure the resultant length with a ruler.
Key terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Scalar | Quantity with magnitude only. |
| Vector | Quantity with magnitude and direction. |
| Distance | Total length of path travelled, a scalar. |
| Displacement | Straight-line distance in a stated direction, a vector. |
| Speed | Distance per unit time, a scalar. |
| Velocity | Speed in a given direction, a vector. |
Avoid these mistakes
1
Using distance and displacement as the same quantity — displacement has a direction and is a straight line.
2
Saying speed and velocity are the same — velocity is speed in a stated direction.
3
Thinking mass and weight are both vectors — mass is a scalar and weight is a vector.
4
Giving a vector without its direction — direction is part of a vector.
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