Scalars vs Vectors
Is time a scalar or vector?
Scalar (No Direction)
Draw a 2 m East vector.
→ short arrow, labeled “2 m”
A car drives West at 20 m/s. What is the vector?
Magnitude = 20 m/s
Direction = West
Vector: “20 m/s West”
Why is velocity a vector?
Because it includes speed AND direction.
Draw a 5 m/s North vector.
↑ longer arrow, labeled “5 m/s”
A ball is kicked at an angle. Where is the vector?
Vector = initial velocity direction + magnitude (angled upward)
Give 3 examples of scalars.
Temperature
Mass
Time
(Also: distance, speed, volume, energy)
Draw 6 N at 45°.
↗ diagonal up-right vector, exactly halfway between up and right, labeled “6 N”
How does wind direction affect a plane?
Wind vector adds to or subtracts from the plane’s velocity vector, changing ground speed and direction.
Give 3 examples of vectors.
Force
Velocity
Acceleration
(Also: displacement, momentum)
Draw two opposite vectors.
→ 4 m and ← 4 m
(or ↑ & ↓, etc.)
Why is “speed limit” a scalar?
It gives only magnitude (“35 mph”), no direction.
Explain why temperature is NOT a vector.
Temperature has magnitude only and no direction — it doesn’t point anywhere.
Draw two vectors that have equal magnitude but are not equal vectors
→5 N and ↑5 N
Same magnitude, different directions → NOT equal
Describe a moment in sports where direction is everything.
Any of these:
A quarterback throwing deep (vector angle determines trajectory)
A soccer player bending a ball
A basketball player shooting a 3 (angle + force)
Or any answer with a direction-dependent answer.