AQA · Physics · 8463
GCSE Physics: Scalar and vector quantities
Forces · AQA GCSE Physics (8463), specification point 4.5.1.1. Cards are generated from the exam board's own specification for "Scalar and vector quantities", and every card links back to the page it came from. Specification © AQA — used with attribution.
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What is a scalar quantity?
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A quantity that has magnitude (size) only, with no direction.
What is a vector quantity?
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A quantity that has both magnitude and an associated direction.
What is the key difference between a scalar and a vector quantity?
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A vector has a direction as well as a magnitude; a scalar has magnitude only.
Scalar quantities have ? only.
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magnitude
Vector quantities have magnitude and an associated ?.
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direction
How can a vector quantity be represented in a diagram?
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By an arrow.
When a vector is drawn as an arrow, what does the length of the arrow represent?
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The magnitude of the vector quantity.
When a vector is drawn as an arrow, what does the direction of the arrow represent?
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The direction of the vector quantity.
Is speed a scalar or a vector quantity?
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A scalar — it has magnitude only, no direction.
Is velocity a scalar or a vector quantity?
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A vector — it has both magnitude and direction.
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