SNC 2D Name: _________________

Scalars and Vectors Date: _________________

Definitions:
A scalar is a measurement that has a magnitude and a unit but no direction.
Examples:
Word and symbol Example
distance, d 5 km
time, t 3h
km
speed, v 2.5
h

A vector is a measurement that has a magnitude, a unit and a direction. Generally, a

measurement that is a vector has a symbol with an arrow on top.
Examples:
Word and symbol Example Definition
→
position, d 5 km [east of home] – an object’s location in comparison
to some starting point, as seen by
an observer
→
displacement, ∆d Joe went - the change in the position of an
3 km [east of home], object
and then 2 km
[east of home] - Total displacement tends to be
so his displacement is the shortest distance and
5 km [east]. and direction from start to
finish.

→ km
velocity, v 2.5 [up] - the rate of change of position
h
[mathematically expressed as
→
→ ∆d ]
v=
∆t
→ km
acceleration, a 3.2 2 [N 50 E]
o
- the rate of change in velocity
h
[mathematically expressed as
→
→ ∆ v ] Note the exponent on
a=
∆t
the time unit in the denominator.

The directions we use for vectors, are for the most part:
• compass directions (in degrees E or W of N or S and in the RCS degree scale)
• up, down, right, left
1. Decide whether each statement below describes a scalar quantity or a vector quantity.
Write your answer on the blank provided to the LEFT of each statement.

Vector or Scalar? Statement Type of Quantity

1a) _______________ The dog ran 4 km. 2a) __________________

b) _______________ The boy rode at 4 . b) __________________

c) _______________ The boy rode 2.0 km [east]. c) __________________

d) ________________ It took 2 h to get home. d) __________________

e)________________ The elephant accelerated at e) __________________

10 down the hill.

f) ________________ The ant ran 6 cm [ right of the line]. f) __________________

g) ________________ The girl ran at 7 [N]. g) __________________

2. Go back to each statement in question 1 above. Decide whether each statement is

describing distance, time, speed, position, displacement, velocity or acceleration. Write
your answer on the line to the right of each statement.

3. Identify each symbol or unit below as representative of distance, time, speed, velocity,
position, displacement or acceleration.
→
a) d __________ b) d ____________ c) km ____________
→
d) km [N of home] ________ e) v ____________ f) v ____________

_______

g) __________ h) [left] ____________ i) min ____________

→
j) [down] __________ k) t ____________ l) a ____________
→
n) ∆d __________ o) km [E] __________

Answers
1a) scalar b) vector c) vector d) scalar e) vector f) vector g) vector 2a) distance b) speed c) displacement d) time
2e) acceleration f) position g) velocity 3a) position b) distance c) distance d) position e) velocity f) speed g) speed
3h) velocity i) time j) acceleration k) time l) acceleration n) displacement o) displacement
 4. The magnitude of a vector refers to its size (e.g. 2 cm in length). There are two
ways to show the compass direction for a displacement vector: E, N, W, S compass
directions and the RCS direction. These ideas are shown in the table below.
Magnitude and E, N, W, S Drawing for Magnitude and Magnitude and RCS direction
Compass Direction Compass Direction [Due east is 0o on this scale;
proceed around to 360o in a
counter clockwise direction.]

Based on what you have learned above, fill in the table below. You must have a ruler
and a protractor for this work. Borrow them from your teacher if necessary.
Magnitude and Compass Drawing for Magnitude and Drawing for Magnitude and
Direction Compass Direction RCS direction