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Scalar and vector quantities - AQA

Scientists often make measurements. The physical quantities they measure fall into two
categories: scalars and vectors. Scalar and vector quantities are treated differently in
calculations.

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Scalar quantities
A physical quantity is something that can be measured. Scalar quantities only have a
magnitude or size.

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 Examples of scalar quantities

Some examples of scalar quantities include:

temperature, eg 10 degrees Celsius (°C)

mass, eg 5 kilograms (kg)
energy, eg 2,000 joules (J)
distance, eg 19 metres (m)
speed, eg 8 metres per second (m/s)
density, eg 1,500 kilograms per metre cubed (kg/m³)

Calculations involving scalar quantities

Adding scalars

The sum of scalar quantities can be found by adding their values together.

Example

Calculate the total mass of a 75 kg climber carrying a 15 kg backpack.

75 kg + 15 kg = 90 kg

Subtracting scalars

Scalar quantities can be subtracted by subtracting one value from another.

Example

A room is heated from 12°C to 21°C using a radiator. Calculate the increase in
temperature.

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 21°C - 12°C = 9°C

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Glossary

More Guides
Scalar and vector quantities - AQA

Contact and non-contact forces - AQA

Gravity - AQA

Forces and elasticity - AQA

Moments, levers and gears - AQA

Pressure in fluids - AQA

Describing motion - AQA

Forces, acceleration and Newton's Laws - AQA

Momentum - Higher - AQA

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