Concept explainers
Which of the following is a vector: a person's height, the altitude on Mt. Everest, the age of the Earth, the boiling point of water, the cost of this book, the Earth's population, the acceleration of gravity?
The vector quantity for the given examples.
Answer to Problem 1CQ
The acceleration of gravity is the only vector quantity
Explanation of Solution
Given Information:
A person’s height, the altitude on Mt. Everest, the age of the Earth, the boiling point of water, the cost of this book, the Earth’s population, and the acceleration of gravity.
Introduction:
A scalar quantity is usually depicted by a number, numerical value, or a magnitude.
A vector is described by both direction and magnitude.
A person’s height is independent of direction because it is measured in inches and thus it is a scalar quantity.
The altitude on Mt. Everest is a fixed number because it is measured in meters, thus it is a scalar quantity.
The age of the Earth is measured in years. It is independent of direction and thus it is a scalar quantity.
The boiling point of water usually takes place at 100 degree Celsius which is also independent of direction and thus it is a scalar quantity.
The cost of this book is measured in rupees (i.e., fixed number) and thus it is a scalar quantity.
The Earth’s population may increase or decrease but there is no direction of its movement and thus it is a scalar quantity.
The acceleration of gravity may be positive and negative depending on its direction and thus it is a vector quantity.
Conclusion:
The acceleration of gravity is the only vector quantity.
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