Lesson 3.4.1.1

3.4.1.1 Scalars and vectors Quiz: AQA Physics, Unit 4

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 3.4.1.1, Scalars and vectors: 20 multiple choice questions for the AQA Physics (7408), Unit 4: Mechanics and materials, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. Which of these is a scalar quantity?

    • force
    • mass
    • velocity
    • acceleration

  2. Which of these is a vector quantity?

    • mass
    • energy
    • velocity
    • speed

  3. What shape do three coplanar forces in equilibrium form when drawn head-to-tail?

    • Closed triangle
    • Straight line
    • Parallel pair
    • Open square

  4. What is the resultant force on an object moving with constant velocity?

    • Constant positive force
    • Equal to mass
    • Increasing force
    • Zero

  5. What is the resultant of two perpendicular forces of 3 N and 4 N?

    • 12 N
    • 5 N
    • 7 N
    • 1 N

  6. Why are vectors usually resolved into components at right angles to each other?

    • Independent perpendicular addition
    • Replaces force units
    • Doubles total magnitude
    • Eliminates vector direction

  7. A 10 N force acts at 30 degrees above the horizontal. What is its horizontal component?

    • 5.0 N
    • 11.5 N
    • 8.0 N
    • 8.7 N

  8. A 10 N force acts at 30 degrees above the horizontal. What is its vertical component?

    • 7.5 N
    • 8.7 N
    • 5.0 N
    • 3.0 N

  9. A 100 N weight rests on a smooth slope at 30 degrees. What is the component of weight along the slope?

    • 25 N
    • 87 N
    • 100 N
    • 50 N

  10. A 100 N weight rests on a smooth slope at 30 degrees. What is the component of weight perpendicular to the slope?

    • 100 N
    • 50 N
    • 87 N
    • 25 N

  11. An object moves at 6 m/s east and 8 m/s north. What is its resultant speed?

    • 2 m/s
    • 10 m/s
    • 48 m/s
    • 14 m/s

  12. Forces of 3 N and 4 N act at right angles. What force magnitude balances them?

    • 7 N
    • 12 N
    • 1 N
    • 5 N

  13. A runner completes one lap of a 400 m circular track and returns to the start. What is the displacement?

    • 800 m
    • 0
    • 200 m
    • 400 m

  14. What physical property does velocity have that speed does not?

    • Standard units
    • Direction
    • Rate of change
    • Magnitude

  15. What quantity is defined as the rate of change of velocity?

    • Speed
    • Displacement
    • Acceleration
    • Momentum

  16. A ball changes velocity from 5 m/s east to 5 m/s west. What is the change in velocity?

    • 5 m/s west
    • 10 m/s west
    • 0 m/s
    • 10 m/s east

  17. Forces of 6 N east, 6 N west, and 2 N north act on a point. What is the resultant force?

    • 14 N north
    • 2 N south
    • 0 N
    • 2 N north

  18. Two forces of 2 N east and 2 N north act on a particle in equilibrium. What third force is needed?

    • 2.0 N towards the south
    • 2.8 N towards the south-west
    • 2.8 N towards the north-east
    • 4.0 N towards the south-west

  19. What is the direction of the resultant of 3 N north and 4 N east, measured from the east?

    • 37 degrees
    • 53 degrees
    • 25 degrees
    • 45 degrees

  20. In which direction does the vector force of weight always act?

    • Vertically upwards
    • Vertically downwards
    • Perpendicular to motion
    • Horizontally forwards

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