Chapter 1, Problem 1RQ

To determine

Which of the following is not a vector quantity?

1. a) Force
2. b) Momentum
3. c) Acceleration
4. d) Work
5. e) Weight

Explanation of Solution

Scalar:

A quantity which is completely described by the magnitude alone is called as scalar quantity. Here, the work is scalar quantity and not a vector quantity.

The expression for the work is,

  $\begin{array}{l}\text{Work}\left(W\right)=\text{Force}\left(F\right)\cdot \text{Displacement}\left(d\right)\\ W=Fd\end{array}$

Here, both the force and displacement are vector quantities.

The dot product of two vector quantities will yield a scalar quantity.

Thus, the correct answer is $\text{option}\left(\text{d}\right)\text{Work}$.