Scalars And Vectors In One Dimension

A student walks 80 m east, then 50 m west, and finally 30 m east. Which row correctly gives both the total distance traveled and the magnitude of the displacement?

Which of the following quantities is a vector?

An object travels in a straight line and returns exactly to its starting position. Which statement correctly describes the object’s distance and displacement?

A physics student says, “My velocity is −6 m/s, so I must be slowing down.” What is the correct interpretation of the negative sign?

Three forces act on a box along a single axis. Taking rightward as positive: F₁ = +10 N, F₂ = −6 N, and F₃ = −7 N. What is the net force on the box?

A delivery drone flies 120 m north, 200 m south, and then 40 m north. Taking north as positive, what is the drone’s displacement?

A train moves at a constant velocity of −25 m/s along a track where eastward is defined as positive. Which statement is correct?

A student is asked to represent a 6 N force pointing left and a 10 N force pointing right as vector arrows on the same axis. Which description of the arrows is correct?

During a soccer match, a midfielder runs 30 m toward the opponent’s goal and then 30 m back to her original position. Her coach records her average speed during this sequence as 5 m/s. What is her average velocity for this sequence?

A rescue helicopter lowers a package with a velocity of −4 m/s (taking upward as positive) while a gust of wind exerts an upward force of +15 N and gravity exerts a downward force of −25 N on the package. A student claims that because the velocity is negative, the net force must also be negative. Is the student’s reasoning valid, and what is the actual net force?

Which pair of quantities consists of one scalar and one vector?

Two students argue about how to find the resultant of a 7 N force to the right and a 7 N force to the left along the same axis. Student X says the resultant is 14 N; Student Y says the resultant is 0 N. Which student is correct and why?