SMK TAT BENG

PHYSICS
FORM 4

1.3 SCALAR AND VECTOR QUANTITIES

 Scalar and Vector Quantities
 A physical quantity has a value/magnitude and a
unit.
 A physical quantity that has magnitude only is
called a scalar quantity. Examples of scalar
quantities are distance, speed, mass and volume.

Example
Unit
Distance = 100 m

Scalar quantity Magnitude

 A physical quantity that has both magnitude and

direction is called a vector quantity. Examples of
vector quantities are displacement, velocity,
acceleration and momentum
 Scalar and Vector Quantities
Example
The car shown in Figure below moves at a velocity of
60 km h-1 to the left.

Unit

Velocity = 60 km h-1 to the left

Direction
Vector quantity Magnitude
 International Unit Coordination
 Human beings have taken measurements since the
olden days.
 Different systems of measurement were used in
different countries.
 The 'jengkal' and 'clepa' were used for measuring
length in South East Asian countries while the foot
was used in Britain and the inch was used in China.
 Different systems of measurement makes it difficult
for scientists from different countries to interact.
 A conference to discuss measuring systems was
held in Paris, France in 1960 to solve this problem.
 The System International (SI) set of units was
accepted agreed by every country in that
conference. The accepted base units are the metre
(m), kilogram (kg), second (s), kelvin (K) and
ampere (A). Some derived units include the newton
(N), joule (J), watt (W) and newton second (N s).
 International Unit Coordination
 Benefits of unit coordination:-
(a) The organisation of trade between countries is
simplified.
(b) The exchange and transfer of technology can be
carried out. For example, the technology used in heavy
industry in Japan and Germany can be used in Malaysia.
(c) Exchange of data and scientific information between
research bodies can he carried out. For example, the
exchange of the formula or composition of a medicine
can be carried out, where the composition of its contents
is in grams or cubic centimetres.
(d) The results of the work or scientific investigation of a
scientist can be shared with other scientists.
(e) International communication is made easier. For
example, it is easier to express the height of a plane
flying in the sky, wave and wind movements,
telecommunication through cellular phones and radio
waves by using a standard system of units.
 Quiz
1. What is a
(a) scalar quantity?
(b) vector quantity?

Answer
(a) Scalar quantity is a physical quantity that has
magnitude only.
(b) Vector quantity is a physical quantity that has
magnitude and direction.
 Quiz
2. Table below shows some events involving physical
quantities.
Event Description
1 An aero plane flies at 700 km h-1 from Senai Airport
to Kota Kinabalu International Airport.
2 The have buys 3 kg of flour for his mother to bake
cookies.
3 A porter pushing a trolley with a force of 25 N
towards a lift.
4 Jamal heats the water from 20°C to
100°C to make some coffee.

For each event, determine whether each of the

quantities involved is a scalar or vector quantity.
Explain your answer.
 Quiz
Answer (Q2)

Event Type of quantity Explanation

Magnitude of 700 km h-1 and the direction

1 Vector
is required to reach its destination.

2 Scalar Only the magnitude, 3 kg is needed.

The magnitude of force of 25 N and a

3 Vector
direction is required to reach the lift.
Only the magnitude is involved, the
4 Scalar
Temperature from 20°C to 100°C
 Quiz
3. Group the following physical quantities according to
scalar and vector quantities respectively.

distance, speed, velocity, mass,

time, area, acceleration, force
Answer

Scalar Vector
quantity quantity

distance acceleration
mass force
speed velocity
time
area