AP Physics

Vector Practice Test

Scalar

A scalar is a quantity that is fully described by a magnitude alone and does not have any direction.

Vector

A vector is a quantity that has both magnitude and direction, often represented graphically as an arrow.

Scalar vs Vector

The primary difference between scalar and vector quantities is that scalars are described only by their magnitude, while vectors include both magnitude and direction.

Parts of a Vector

A vector consists of two main parts: magnitude, which indicates size; and direction, which indicates the orientation in space. They are made up of an x and y component.

Distance

is a scalar quantity that represents the total length of the path traveled by an object, regardless of direction.

Displacement

is a vector quantity that measures the shortest path from an object's initial position to its final position, taking into account direction. (The change in an objects position.

Distance vs Displacement

Distance is a scalar quantity that measures the total path traveled by an object. Displacement, however, is a vector quantity that represents the shortest path from an object's initial position to its final position, taking both magnitude and direction into account.

Speed

Speed is a scalar quantity that measures how fast an object is moving, defined as the rate at which an object covers distance.

Velocity

Velocity is a vector quantity that measures the rate at which an object changes its position (its displacement) over time, including both magnitude (speed) and specific direction.

Speed vs Velocity

Speed is a scalar quantity that measures only the magnitude of an object's motion—how fast it is moving—without considering its direction. Velocity, on the other hand, is a vector quantity that describes both the magnitude (speed) and the specific direction of an object's motion.