William W. answered • 03/30/21
Top Pre-Calc Tutor
A vector has a magnitude (an amount) and a direction. A scalar has only a magnitude (an amount).
For 1 (A child pulling a wagon with a force of 100N at 30o to the horizontal): this has an amount (100 N) and a direction (30° to the horizontal) so it is a vector.
For 2 (A woman skiing at a speed of 25 km/h): this has only an amount (25 km/h) - for all you know, she could be skiing uphill at that speed. So this is a scalar.
For 3) (Acceleration due to gravity on Earth of 9.8 m/s2 downward): this has a magnitude (9.8 m/s2) and a direction (downwards) so it is a vector.
For 4 (Your weight on a bathroom scale) - This has a magnitude (whatever your weight is) and since this scale could actually be on a slanted floor, the direction cannot be specified (and is not given). Therefore this s a scalar.
William W.
You could certainly make a case for it being a vector because it measures the normal force and the normal force is always perpendicular to the surface the scale is sitting on. So, I would go along with your teacher.03/30/21
Ivy K.
Wow thank you so much :D ! For number 4. that makes a lot of sense but for some reason my teacher had said it was vector.03/30/21