Engineering Physics Questions and Answers – Scalar and Vector

This set of Engineering Physics Multiple Choice Questions & Answers (MCQs) focuses on “Scalar and Vector”.

1. The quantity which has the only magnitude is called ____________
a) A scalar quantity
b) A vector quantity
c) A chemical quantity
d) A magnitude quantity
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: A quantity which has only magnitude and no direction is called scalar quantity. Example: mass

2. Force is a vector quantity.
a) True
b) False
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: Force has both magnitude and direction. A quantity that has both magnitude and direction is called a vector quantity. Therefore, force is a vector quantity.

3. A polar vector is one which?
a) Gives the position of an object
b) Tells how much and in which direction an object has changed its position
c) Represents rotational effect
d) Has a starting point of application
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: The vector which has a starting point or a point of application is called a polar vector. Velocity may be regarded as a polar vector.
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4. Which of the following acts in accordance with right hand screw rule?
a) Polar vector
b) Axial vector
c) Displacement vector
d) Position vector
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: The vectors which represent rotational effect and act along the axis of rotation in accordance with right hand screw rule are called axial vector. Axial vector will have its direction along its axis of rotation depending on its anticlockwise or clockwise rotational effect.

5. What is the magnitude of a unit vector?
a) It has no magnitude
b) Zero
c) Constant but not zero
d) Unity
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: The magnitude of a unit vector is unity. It just gives the direction of a vector. A unit vector has no units or dimensions.

6. Which of the following has zero magnitude?
a) Fixed vector
b) Zero vector
c) Modulus of a vector
d) Unit vector
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: A zero or null vector is a vector that has zero magnitude and an arbitrary direction. The velocity vector of a stationary object is a zero vector.

7. Flying a bird is an example of ____________
a) Collinear vector
b) Multiplication of vector
c) Addition of vector
d) Composition of vector
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: When a bird flies, it pushes the air with force in the downward direction with its wings. In accordance with Newton’s law of motion, the air exerts equal and opposite reaction. According to the parallelogram law, the resultant of the reaction acts on the birds in the upward direction and helps the bird to fly upwards.
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8. Two forces whose magnitudes are in ratio of 3:5 give a resultant of 35N. If the angle of inclination is 60°, calculate the magnitude of each force.
a) 15N and35N
b) 15N and 25N
c) 10N and 15N
d) 20N and 5N
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: P = 3x and Q = 5x R = 35N θ = 120°
R = \(\sqrt{P^2 + R^2 + 2PQcosθ}\)
35 = 7x or x = 35/7 = 5
P = 15N Q = 25N.

9. Walking off a man is an example of ____________
a) Resolution of forces
b) Addition of vectors
c) Subtraction of vectors
d) Multiplication of vectors
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: While walking, a person presses the ground with his feet slightly slanted in the backward direction. The ground exerts upon him an equal and opposite reaction. Its horizontal component enables the person to move forward while the vertical component balances this weight.
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Sanfoundry Global Education & Learning Series – Engineering Physics.

To practice all areas of Engineering Physics, here is complete set of 1000+ Multiple Choice Questions and Answers.

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Manish Bhojasia - Founder & CTO at Sanfoundry
Manish Bhojasia, a technology veteran with 20+ years @ Cisco & Wipro, is Founder and CTO at Sanfoundry. He lives in Bangalore, and focuses on development of Linux Kernel, SAN Technologies, Advanced C, Data Structures & Alogrithms. Stay connected with him at LinkedIn.

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