Displacement: Vector or Scalar?

  • Thread starter Thread starter mmark
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Physics
Click For Summary
Displacement is classified as a vector quantity, which means it has both magnitude and direction. To determine displacement, one must consider how many units are moved (magnitude) and the direction of that movement. The discussion confirms that understanding both aspects is essential for accurately describing displacement. Therefore, the assertion that displacement is a vector is correct.
mmark
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Displacement is which of the following types of quantities?
A. Vector
B. Scalar
C. Magnitude
D. Dimensional

My answer is A. vector...is this correct?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
A vector by definition is an object with magnitude AND direction.

Does displacement have magnitude and direction?

One finds that with displacement, you have to know how many units you're moving (magnitude of displacement) as well as where you are going (direction of displacement).

Thus yes, you are correct. Displacement is a vector quantity.
 
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

Similar threads

  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
1K
  • · Replies 44 ·
2
Replies
44
Views
4K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 35 ·
2
Replies
35
Views
4K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
967
Replies
7
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
8
Views
1K