Which of the following is a vector quantity?

Which of the following is a vector quantity?

• A. Velocity
• B. Speed
• C. Distance
• D. Temperature

Answer: (C)

A vector quantity has both magnitude and direction, while a scalar quantity has magnitude only. Velocity fits the bill as a vector because it describes how fast something is moving and in which direction. Speed only tells how fast, with no direction, so it’s a scalar. Distance measures the total ground covered, regardless of direction, and temperature describes how hot or cold something is, both without direction; both are scalars. So the quantity that is a vector among these is velocity.

A vector quantity has both magnitude and direction, while a scalar quantity has magnitude only. Velocity fits the bill as a vector because it describes how fast something is moving and in which direction. Speed only tells how fast, with no direction, so it’s a scalar. Distance measures the total ground covered, regardless of direction, and temperature describes how hot or cold something is, both without direction; both are scalars. So the quantity that is a vector among these is velocity.