Concept explainers
Which of the following is a vector: a person's height, the altitude on Mt. Everest, the age of the Earth, the boiling point of water, the cost of this book, the Earth's population, the acceleration of gravity?
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The vector quantity for the given examples.
Answer to Problem 1CQ
The acceleration of gravity is the only vector quantity
Explanation of Solution
Given Information:
A person’s height, the altitude on Mt. Everest, the age of the Earth, the boiling point of water, the cost of this book, the Earth’s population, and the acceleration of gravity.
Introduction:
A scalar quantity is usually depicted by a number, numerical value, or a magnitude.
A vector is described by both direction and magnitude.
A person’s height is independent of direction because it is measured in inches and thus it is a scalar quantity.
The altitude on Mt. Everest is a fixed number because it is measured in meters, thus it is a scalar quantity.
The age of the Earth is measured in years. It is independent of direction and thus it is a scalar quantity.
The boiling point of water usually takes place at 100 degree Celsius which is also independent of direction and thus it is a scalar quantity.
The cost of this book is measured in rupees (i.e., fixed number) and thus it is a scalar quantity.
The Earth’s population may increase or decrease but there is no direction of its movement and thus it is a scalar quantity.
The acceleration of gravity may be positive and negative depending on its direction and thus it is a vector quantity.
Conclusion:
The acceleration of gravity is the only vector quantity.
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