Question

A force can be completely described by:
(A) Its magnitude
(B) Its direction
(C) Its magnitude and its direction
(D) Neither magnitude nor direction

Answer 1

Hint: Force can be defined as the amount of work we give or it is push or pull on an object. It can cause an object with mass to change in velocity. It is represented by the symbol F. Force is an interaction, when it gets opposed then it will change the motion of an object. Force is a vector quantity.

Complete step by step solution:
As the given option (A) is its magnitude which is not the correct option because as we know that force is a vector quantity and it cannot be explained only with the magnitude. Magnitude is the sum of two forces acting in the same direction but it is not compulsory that two forces are in the same direction they can be added.

As given in option (B) that force can be completely described by its direction which is not correct because as we know that force cannot explain only by its direction though the forces applied in different directions can also be added.

As given in the option (C) that force can be completely described by its magnitude and its direction which is the correct option because force is a vector quantity. Since magnitude is a scalar quantity such as distance, mass, volume. And direction is a vector quantity such as force, velocity, acceleration.

As given in the option (D) that force can be described neither by magnitude nor by direction which is completely false because to define force it is compulsory that magnitude and direction both are present in it.

Hence option (C) is the correct option.

Note:
Some of you get confused about what is the difference between the scalar and vector quantities. Scalar are the quantities which can be completely described by the magnitude but the vector quantities are described by both vector and scalar quantity. SI Unit of force is Newton.