Test: Scalars and Vectors - ACT MCQ

Vector addition and subtraction give a vector as the output. Cross product also gives a vector as the output. Only Dot product gives a scalar after acting on two vectors.

Mass represents the amount of matter in a body. It does not have any direction but only mass. Hence, it is a scalar quantity.

Only operations valid for vector with scalars are multiplication and division. A vector can be multiplied or divided by a scalar. Other operations like addition and subtraction are not valid for vectors with scalars.

A scalar quantity is one which only has a magnitude. Examples of scalar quantities are mass, volume, work, energy etc.

Dot product of two vectors gives a scalar quantity as the output. Cross product gives a vector as the output. It is also known as scalar product.

The resultant vector is the vector which is obtained by the addition or subtraction of two vectors. The resultant vector can either be calculated by using the graphical method or the analytical method.

A vector quantity is one which has both magnitude and direction. Unlike scalars, it can also tell the direction in which is the entity is acting. Examples of vector quantities are force, velocity, displacement etc.

The vectors which represent rotational effect and act along the axis of rotation in accordance with right hand screw rule are called axial vector. Axial vector will have its direction along its axis of rotation depending on its anticlockwise or clockwise rotational effect.

The vector which has a starting point or a point of application is called a polar vector. Velocity may be regarded as a polar vector.

A quantity which has only magnitude and no direction is called scalar quantity. Example: mass