How do a scalar quantity and a vector quantity differ?

Question

How do a scalar quantity and a vector quantity differ??  
A. A scalar quantity has both magnitude and direction, and a vector does not.  
B. A scalar quantity has direction only, and a vector has only magnitude.  
C. A vector has both magnitude and direction, and a scalar quantity has onlymagnitude.  
D. A vector has only direction, and a scalar quantity has only magnitude.

Accepted Answer

Correct Answer: (C)A vector has both magnitude and direction, and a scalar quantity has onlymagnitude.. 
Rationale: A scalar quantity and a vector quantity differ in that a vector has both magnitude and direction, and a scalar quantity has only magnitude.Scalars (e.g., mass, temperature) are fully described by a number and unit, while vectors (e.g., velocity, force) require direction for complete description.A) A scalar quantity has both magnitude and direction, and a vector does notThis reverses the definitions. Vectors require direction; scalars do not. This is incorrect.B) A scalar quantity has direction only, and a vector has only magnitudeThis misassigns properties: scalars have no direction, and vectors must have magnitude. This is incorrect.C) A vector has both magnitude and direction, and a scalar quantity has only magnitudeThis is correct. For example, speed (scalar) is 60 km/h, while velocity (vector) is 60 km/h north.D) A vector has only direction, and a scalar quantity has only magnitudeVectors must have magnitude; a direction alone (e.g., “north”) is incomplete without size. This is incorrect.ConclusionThe key distinction is that vectors include direction, while scalars do not. The correct answer is C) A vector has both magnitude and direction, and a scalar quantity has only magnitude.

How do a scalar quantity and a vector quantity differ?

A scalar quantity and a vector quantity differ in that a vector has both magnitude and direction, and a scalar quantity has only magnitude.

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