Questions: Two students argue over the differences between speed and velocity. One student says, "Speed is a vector because it describes how fast an traveling. Velocity is a scalar because it tells how fast and what direction an object is traveling."
Which of the following statements is correct?
(A) The student's understanding of all four terms (speed, velocity, scalar, and vector) is correct.
(B) The student's understanding of speed and velocity is correct but their understanding of scalar and vector is incorrect.
(C) The student's understanding of all four terms (speed, velocity, scalar, and vector) is incorrect.
(D) The student's understanding of speed and velocity is incorrect but their understanding of scalar and vector is correct.
Transcript text: Two students argue over the differences between speed and velocity. One student says, "Speed is a vector because it describes how fast an traveling. Velocity is a scalar because it tells how fast and what direction an object is traveling."
Which of the following statements is correct?
(A) The student's understanding of all four terms (speed, velocity, scalar, and vector) is correct.
(B) The student's understanding of speed and velocity is correct but their understanding of scalar and vector is incorrect.
(C) The student's understanding of all four terms (speed, velocity, scalar, and vector) is incorrect.
(D) The student's understanding of speed and velocity is incorrect but their understanding of scalar and vector is correct.
Solution
Solution Steps
Step 1: Analyze the Student's Statements
The student claims:
Speed is a vector because it describes how fast an object is traveling.
Velocity is a scalar because it tells how fast and what direction an object is traveling.
Step 2: Define Speed and Velocity
Speed is a scalar quantity that describes how fast an object is moving, without regard to direction.
Velocity is a vector quantity that describes both the speed and direction of an object's motion.
Step 3: Define Scalar and Vector
Scalar quantities have only magnitude (e.g., speed, temperature).
Vector quantities have both magnitude and direction (e.g., velocity, force).
Step 4: Evaluate the Student's Understanding
The student incorrectly identifies speed as a vector and velocity as a scalar.
The correct definitions are that speed is a scalar and velocity is a vector.