Lesson 2.3.1

2.3.1 Scalars and vectors Quiz: OCR Physics, Unit 1

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 2.3.1, Scalars and vectors: 20 multiple choice questions for the OCR Physics (H156), Unit 1: Foundations of physics, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. Which of these is a vector quantity?

    • Distance
    • Speed
    • Mass
    • Displacement

  2. Which of these is a scalar quantity?

    • Work done
    • Force
    • Velocity
    • Acceleration

  3. Which characteristic distinguishes a scalar quantity from a vector quantity?

    • No units
    • Direction only
    • Magnitude only
    • Magnitude and direction

  4. Acceleration is best classified as:

    • A base quantity
    • A scalar
    • A vector
    • A unit

  5. Two parallel vectors act in the same direction. How is their resultant magnitude calculated?

    • Multiply their magnitudes
    • Divide their magnitudes
    • Add their magnitudes
    • Subtract their magnitudes

  6. What rule describes adding two coplanar vectors by joining them head-to-tail?

    • Vector triangle
    • Scalar addition
    • Algebraic sum
    • Component resolution

  7. Which expression gives the vector A - B?

    • A + (-B)
    • -A - B
    • B - A
    • A + B

  8. A force F acts at angle θ to the horizontal. Which expression gives the horizontal component?

    • F cos θ
    • F sin θ
    • F tan θ
    • F / cos θ

  9. Two perpendicular forces of 3 N and 4 N act on an object. What is the magnitude of their resultant?

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

  10. Two perpendicular forces of 3 N and 4 N act together. Measured from the 3 N force, what is the angle of the resultant?

    • 127°
    • 45°
    • 37°
    • 53°

  11. A force of 10 N acts at 60° to the horizontal. What is its horizontal component?

    • 17 N
    • 5 N
    • 10 N
    • 8.7 N

  12. A velocity changes from 6 m s^-1 east to 4 m s^-1 west. What is the change in velocity?

    • 2 m s^-1 west
    • 2 m s^-1 east
    • 10 m s^-1 east
    • 10 m s^-1 west

  13. What is the magnitude of the resultant displacement for 3 m north and 4 m east?

    • 5 m
    • 7 m
    • 12 m
    • 1 m

  14. Two forces of 5 N each act at 120° to each other. What is the magnitude of the resultant?

    • 10 N
    • 5 N
    • 8.7 N
    • 0 N

  15. A particle moves 4 m east and then 3 m north. What are its distance travelled and magnitude of displacement?

    • Distance 5 m, displacement 7 m
    • Distance 5 m, displacement 5 m
    • Distance 7 m, displacement 5 m
    • Distance 7 m, displacement 7 m

  16. A 20 N block rests on a smooth slope inclined at 30°. What is the component of its weight along the slope?

    • 20 N
    • 10 N
    • 5 N
    • 17.3 N

  17. Two vectors of magnitude 6 units and 8 units combine to a resultant of 10 units. What is the angle between them?

    • 45°
    • 90°
    • 180°
    • 60°

  18. Forces of 12 N and 9 N act at right angles. What is the angle of the resultant from the 12 N force?

    • 37° from the 9 N force
    • 37°
    • 45°
    • 53°

  19. A boat heads across a river at 5 m s^-1 while the current flows at 3 m s^-1 downstream. What is the boat's resultant speed?

    • 2 m s^-1
    • 4 m s^-1
    • 5.8 m s^-1
    • 8 m s^-1

  20. A ball moving at +4 m s^-1 rebounds at -3 m s^-1 from a wall. What is the magnitude of the change in velocity?

    • 12 m s^-1
    • 1 m s^-1
    • 7 m s^-1
    • 3 m s^-1

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