A level Vectors and Scalars Quiz 1

A level Vectors and Scalars Quiz. Scalars are the physical quantities that can be represented by their magnitude. Examples of such physical quantities include mass, time, length, energy, temperature etc. All of these require a magnitude to be represented. For instance mass is represented by just expressing its magnitude in respective units, like 5 kg, time is expressed in seconds, energy in joules, temperature in Celsius. There is no sense of direction in these physical quantities.

Vectors are the physical quantities that require magnitude and also direction to be represented. Examples include force, velocity, acceleration, etc. All of these require a magnitude and a direction in which they act to be completely defined. For instance force needs to be defined in terms of magnitude in N and also the direction in which it acts; velocity is expressed in ms-1 and needs a direction in which the body is travelling.,

Unit Vector:

A vector having a magnitude equal to 1 and it is denoted by putting a hat (circumflex) on top of the vector symbol.

Unit vector = u^

A unit vector in the x-direction can be denoted by    or  i^i^ similarly, unit vector in y-direction can be denoted by   jj  or this     

Null vector:

A vector having a zero magnitude and arbitrary direction is called as null vector. For example, the result of the sum of a vector and its negative vector is always a null vector.

A+ (-A) =0

Equal vectors:

Two vectors suppose A and B are said to be equal if they have the same magnitude and same direction regardless of the position of their starting points.

Negative of a vector:

Vector equal in magnitude with the other vector but in the opposite direction.  Such vector is called as negative of a vector.  Suppose we have two vectors A and B both have the same magnitude but they are opposite in direction so they will be written as:

A = -B