PHYSICS 11

SCALAR SAMPLE PROBLEMS

This power point project is brought

to you by group 15 of table 4.

Vectors v. Scalars

Vectors- something that has a magnitude

and direction.
- Involves DISPLACEMENT
Scalars- something that ONLY has a
magnitude.
- Involves DISTANCE

Scalar or Vector?
Moving a block 5 meters
Scalar
Moving a block 10 meters to the right
Vector
Running backwards 30 meters
Vector
Crawling 80 centimeters
- Scalar

Keep in mind

Scalars differ from vectors in that they are purely

quantitative (vectors are quantitative and have
direction): meaning that there are some numbers
involved.

True or False: Are the following

scalars?

Acceleration due to
gravity
Volume
Displacement
Number of atoms in
one mole (AKA
Avogadros
number)
Buoyancy

Frequency
Magnitude of
thermal energy
Path of a projectile
Spring Force
Size of a an Object

Review

Acceleration due to gravity is a scalar.

FALSE:
Gravity by itself is just a concept (that is, it is
the long range force that keeps us on earth).
Similarly, the acceleration due to gravity is a
just concept because it is a qualitative
observation. Only if the statement asked for the
magnitude of the acceleration due to gravity
would the statement be true.

Review

Volume displacement is a scalar.

FALSE:
Like before, volume is displacement is a
qualitative observation.

Review

Avogadros Number is a scalar.

TRUE:
Avogadros number (aka 6.022 x 1023) is
quantitative, which fits the definition of a scalar.

Review

Buoyancy is a scalar.
FALSE:
Buoyancy is a qualitative observation. The
magnitude of the buoyant force, however, is a
scalar.

Review

Frequency is a scalar.
FALSE:
The magnitude of frequency is a scalar.
Frequency is a qualitative observation.

Review

The magnitude of thermal energy is a

scalar.
TRUE.

Review

The path of a projectile is a scalar.

FALSE

Review

Spring force is a scalar.

FALSE

Review

The size of an object is a scalar.

TRUE.