Question

Which of the following are scalar quantities, which are victor authorities, and which are neither?
(A) Force
(B) Age
(C) Acceleration
(D) Temperature

Answer 1

Hint: We are asked to classify the given physical quantities as scalar or vector. We can start to answer this question by defining what a scalar quantity and vector quantity is. Once we have defined scalar and vector quantities, we can use the definition to see which physical quantity is a scalar or vector.

Complete step by step solution:
A scalar quantity can be defined as a physical quantity that is described only using the magnitude. A vector quantity is said to have both magnitude and direction. Now that we have defined scalar and vector quantities, we can move on to classifying the given quantities.
(A) Force: It is a vector quantity that is the product of mass and acceleration. The quantity of force depends on the direction of its application. Hence it is a vector quantity.
(B) Age: It is the duration of time in which a person exists or has existed. It only depends on the length or duration of time; hence it is a scalar quantity.
(C) Acceleration: It is the quantity that is the rate of change of velocity. It depends on the direction and magnitude; hence it is a vector quantity
(D) Temperature: It is the measure of how hot or cold a body is. It is the measure of heat or thermal energy of matter. This quantity has no direction and only magnitude; hence it is a scalar quantity.
In conclusion,
Vector quantities are option (A) force and option (C) acceleration
Scalar quantities are option (B) age and option (D) temperature.

Note:
Geometrically, a vector can be defined as a directed line segment whose length is represented by the line segment and the direction is indicated by an arrow on the line segment. These vectors are the elements in a vector space. Vectors were initially used in geometry and physics until the discovery of vector space.