Vectors & Scalars is one of 9 topics in the Grade 10 Physical Sciences CAPS syllabus, covered across 3 lessons on Study Vault. Below are real practice questions from this topic with full worked answers.
Sample practice questions
Easy
1. Which of the following is a vector quantity?
Displacement
Distance
Speed
Mass
Answer: Displacement — Displacement has both magnitude and direction, making it a vector quantity, unlike distance, speed and mass, which are all scalars.
Easy
2. A scalar quantity is best described as having:
Magnitude only, no direction
Direction only, no magnitude
Both magnitude and direction
Neither magnitude nor direction
Answer: Magnitude only, no direction — A scalar quantity has only a size (magnitude) with a unit, and no associated direction.
Easy
3. Name the scalar quantity that describes the total path length travelled by an object, regardless of direction.
Answer: distance — Distance is the total path length covered, a scalar quantity that does not depend on direction.
