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Quizzes > Science

Vectors Quick Check: Physics Vector Quantity Quiz

Quick, free scalars and vectors quiz with instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Jems AcnhUpdated Aug 23, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
Grade: Grade 10
Study OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art representing a Spot the Vector trivia quiz for high school math students.

This quiz helps you practice physics vector quantities, so you can tell vectors from scalars and apply magnitude and direction with confidence. Work through 20 quick questions with instant feedback, then build on it with a net force quiz, try a kinematics practice quiz, or review in a forces and motion quiz.

Which of the following is a vector quantity?
Mass
Velocity
Distance
Speed
Velocity has both magnitude and direction, making it a vector quantity. In contrast, speed, distance, and mass only have magnitude.
A quantity that has both magnitude and direction is called a:
Scalar
Tensor
Matrix
Vector
A vector quantity possesses both magnitude and direction. Scalars and matrices do not have this characteristic.
Which of these quantities is represented by an arrow in a diagram?
Force
Temperature
Volume
Time
Vector quantities such as force are often represented with arrows that indicate both magnitude and direction. Other options represent scalar quantities.
Which statement best describes displacement?
Displacement indicates only the distance traveled.
Displacement represents energy transfer.
Displacement has magnitude and direction.
Displacement measures the quantity of matter.
Displacement is a vector quantity because it involves both magnitude and direction. The other options describe scalar quantities or are unrelated to displacement.
In diagrams, vectors are typically shown as:
Rectangles
Dotted lines
Curved paths
Arrows
Vectors are visually represented by arrows, where the length denotes the magnitude and the arrowhead indicates direction. This helps differentiate them from scalars which are not directional.
Which property distinguishes a vector from a scalar?
Vectors have both magnitude and direction.
Vectors are represented by numbers only.
Only vectors have units.
Scalars can be negative, while vectors cannot.
Vectors have both magnitude and direction, which is the key difference from scalars that only possess magnitude. Even though both can have units, the directional aspect sets vectors apart.
A force of 10 N acting east and another force of 10 N acting north produce a resultant force with which magnitude?
0 N
10 N
Approximately 14.1 N
20 N
Using the Pythagorean theorem, the resultant force is calculated as √(10² + 10²) which approximates to 14.1 N. This method properly accounts for both the magnitude and perpendicular directions of the forces.
When adding two vectors, which method is commonly used to find the resultant vector?
Algebraic addition of magnitudes
Vector subtraction
Division of magnitudes
The Head-to-Tail method
The Head-to-Tail method is widely used to add vectors because it accounts for both magnitude and direction. The other methods do not incorporate the directional aspect necessary for proper vector addition.
In a vector diagram, what does the length of the arrow represent?
Unit
Direction
Coordinate
Magnitude
The length of the arrow in a vector diagram corresponds to the magnitude of the vector. Its direction, however, is represented by the orientation of the arrow.
How is a vector commonly represented in component form in a 2D Cartesian coordinate system?
As a scalar plus a direction
As a single number multiplied by a unit vector
By its slope only
Using a pair of numbers (x, y) for horizontal and vertical components
A vector in two dimensions is typically represented by its components, for example as (x, y), which specify its horizontal and vertical contributions. This component form simplifies operations such as addition or subtraction of vectors.
A displacement vector from point A to point B is shown in a diagram. What key attribute distinguishes displacement from distance?
Direction
Magnitude only
Speed
Color
Displacement is a vector quantity that includes both magnitude and direction, whereas distance is purely a scalar quantity with only magnitude. Recognizing the directional aspect is crucial for understanding displacement.
Which scenario best illustrates the concept of vector addition?
Combining wind velocity with an airplane's velocity
Calculating the total mass of an object
Adding two numbers on a number line
Determining the temperature change in a room
Combining wind velocity with an airplane's velocity is an example of vector addition since both quantities have magnitude and direction. The other scenarios involve scalar quantities, rendering vector methods inapplicable.
Which of the following is not typically represented as a vector in physics?
Displacement
Force
Acceleration
Temperature
Temperature is a scalar quantity because it has magnitude but no direction. Acceleration, force, and displacement are vector quantities as they are defined by both magnitude and direction.
What happens when a vector is multiplied by a negative scalar?
There is no effect on the vector
Only the magnitude is affected
Its direction reverses while the magnitude is scaled
Its magnitude doubles while the direction remains unchanged
Multiplying a vector by a negative scalar reverses its direction and scales its magnitude by the absolute value of the scalar. This is a fundamental property of scalar multiplication with vectors.
Which graph type is most representative of a vector in diagrams?
An arrow indicating direction and length
A bar graph showing frequency
A line graph showing trends
A pie chart with percentages
Vectors are typically depicted as arrows, as these clearly show both the magnitude (length) and the direction (arrowhead). Other graph types do not convey the necessary directional information.
Given two vectors A = (3, 4) and B = (-2, 5), what is the x-component of their sum?
1
3
-1
5
To find the x-component of the sum, add the x-components of A and B: 3 + (-2) equals 1. This demonstrates the component-wise addition used in vector operations.
If a vector has a magnitude of 5 and makes an angle of 60° with the positive x-axis, what is its approximate y-component?
Approximately 2.5
Approximately 4.33
Approximately 3.0
Approximately 5
The y-component of the vector is calculated by multiplying the magnitude by the sine of the angle: 5 * sin(60°) ≈ 5 * 0.866, which is approximately 4.33. This application of trigonometry is key in resolving vectors.
How can you confirm that two vectors are perpendicular using their components?
If the difference between their directions is 90°
If the sum of their magnitudes is zero
If their dot product equals zero
If they have opposite x-components
Two vectors are perpendicular if their dot product equals zero, which indicates that they have no projection along each other. This method is based on their component representation and is a standard test for orthogonality.
A vector is rotated 45° counterclockwise. Which statement accurately describes the process of finding its new components?
The new components are obtained by applying a rotation matrix to the original components
Only the magnitude changes while the individual components remain constant
Both x and y components remain unchanged
The x-component increases and the y-component decreases uniformly
When a vector is rotated, its new components are calculated using a rotation matrix that adjusts both the x and y components based on the angle of rotation. This transformation preserves the magnitude while updating the direction.
An object moves with an initial velocity of 20 m/s at 30° above the horizontal and later with a velocity of 20 m/s at 30° below the horizontal. What is the change in velocity vector?
It is a 20 m/s vector directed vertically downward.
It is zero since the speeds are the same.
It is a horizontal vector with no vertical component.
It is a 40 m/s vector in the direction of motion.
Even though the speeds are identical, the directions change, resulting in a net change in velocity. By subtracting the initial vector from the final vector, the horizontal components cancel while the vertical components differ by 20 m/s, yielding a downward vector.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand the defining characteristics of vector quantities.
  2. Identify vector quantities in various mathematical problems.
  3. Differentiate between vector and scalar quantities accurately.
  4. Apply vector concepts to solve contextual mathematical problems.
  5. Analyze mathematical representations to recognize vectors quickly.

Vector Quantity Quiz: Test Your Knowledge Cheat Sheet

  1. Vectors vs Scalars - Vectors are like arrows representing both how much and which way, while scalars only care about size. Think of a runner's speed (just a number) versus their velocity (number + direction) for the full story. physicsclassroom.com
  2. Common Vector Quantities - Displacement, velocity, acceleration, and force all need a direction to tell the complete tale. Spotting these in physics helps you solve puzzles faster and impress your friends. byjus.com
  3. Graphical Representation - Use arrows for vectors: length shows "how much" and the arrowhead shows "which way." Diagrams become your best mates when you learn to draw them right. geeksforgeeks.org
  4. Vector Addition Techniques - Practice the triangle or parallelogram law to find resultants like a pro. It's like fitting puzzle pieces together to get the single arrow that does the job of two. byjus.com
  5. Speed vs Velocity - Speed is a solo number, while velocity packs direction to give the complete picture. Remember, your speedometer shows speed, but GPS needs velocity to tell you where you're headed! physicsclassroom.com
  6. Scalar Quantities - Scalars like mass and temperature only care about size - no arrows needed. They keep things simple, like knowing how much ice cream you have without worrying which direction it's scooped. geeksforgeeks.org
  7. Decomposing Vectors - Split vectors into perpendicular components to tackle complex problems step by step. Break one arrow into an x and y buddy, then solve each separately for easier math. byjus.com
  8. Vector Math Rules - You can't just add magnitudes like scalars; vectors follow special tip‑to‑tail and subtraction laws. Master these rules to get the right answers every time. geeksforgeeks.org
  9. Magnitude of Vectors - A vector's magnitude is always a non‑negative scalar showing its size. Think of it as measuring arrow length with a ruler - you can't have negative length, no matter how tricky the problem. physicsclassroom.com
  10. Practice with Real Examples - Test your skills by spotting scalars vs vectors in quizzes and real‑life scenarios. The more you practice, the more these concepts will stick like your favorite study jam. physicsclassroom.com
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