Question

What are some examples of scalar numbers?

Answer 1

Hint: In the above question we are asked to give some examples of scalar numbers i.e. scalar quantities. Scalars are nothing but numbers more precisely the magnitude of the given physical quantity. Most of the fundamental quantities and few derived quantities are scalar independent of direction. Hence accordingly we will define some scalar quantities which are scalar numbers.

Complete step-by-step answer:
Scalar numbers are nothing but scalar quantities which just have magnitude. Let us now define some of the scalar quantities.
Mass is a scalar quantity. It is the amount of matter of a given body expressed in kilograms. It is just a number which is taken according to the convention of atoms.
Distance is also a scalar quantity. It is defined as the amount of path traced. Displacement is also the amount of distance covered but it depends on the initial and final position. Hence it is not scalar as it has direction associated with respect to it.
Speed is also a scalar quantity which gives us the idea of distance covered in time. But velocity which is similar to speed is not a scalar quantity as it depends on the position between two points i.e. initial and final between which it covers a distance.
Work done is a scalar quantity. Though work done is a product of force into displacement where in both are non scalar but work is scalar. This is because work is nothing but the energy which is a scalar.

Note: It is to be noted that scalars and numbers are the same. The term scalar is just used to indicate or to refer to a scalar quantity. Most of the scalar quantities in physics are as per our conventions or taken relative to something.