Scalars and vectors: past paper questions

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• Question 4May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows four forces acting on a small object. What is the magnitude of the resultant force?

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• Question 1Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The table shows some physical quantities. Which row correctly identifies the quantities as scalars or vectors?

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• Question 2Oct/Nov 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Which statement about vector quantities is correct?

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• Question 4Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows two coplanar forces, $P$ and $Q$, drawn to scale. Force $R$ is given by $R=Q-P$. Which diagram represents $R$?

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• Question 1May/June 2026, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Which row correctly identifies scalar and vector quantities?

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• Question 4Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows two forces of $6.0\text{ N}$ acting on an object. The angle between the lines of action of the two forces is ${60}^{\circ }$. What is the magnitude of the resultant force?

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• Question 12Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  A kite is in equilibrium at the end of a string, as shown. The kite has three forces acting on it: the weight $W$, the tension $T$ in the string, and the force $F$ from the wind. Which vector diagram represents the forces acting on the kite?

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• Question 4Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  An aeroplane is moving at a constant speed in a straight line at an angle $\theta$ to the horizontal. Four forces act on the aeroplane: thrust force $T$, weight $W$, lift force $L$ and resistive force $R$. Which two equations must be correct?

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• Question 5May/June 2026, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  One object moves directly from P to R. In a shorter time, a second object moves from P to Q to R. Which statement about the two objects is correct for the journey from P to R?

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• Question 10Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows the view from above of two balls moving along a horizontal frictionless surface before they collide. The momentum of each ball is also shown. The balls stick together during the collision.

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• Question 1Oct/Nov 2024, paper 22Structured7 marksHas a diagram

  State what is meant by a vector quantity.

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• Question 4Oct/Nov 2023, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  A boat is crossing a river in which the water is moving at a speed of $4.0{\text{ m s}}^{-1}$ from left to right. In still water, the speed of the boat is $6.0{\text{ m s}}^{-1}$. The boat is directed at an angle $\theta$ to a line perpendicular to the river banks.

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• Question 1May/June 2026, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  Which quantity is a vector quantity?

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• Question 3May/June 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The velocity of an object changes from an initial velocity $u$ to a final velocity $v$. The vectors represent these velocities. Which single vector represents the change in velocity of the object?

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• Question 1Oct/Nov 2023, paper 21Structured5 marksHas a diagram

  Compare scalar and vector quantities.

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• Question 4May/June 2026, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Two coplanar forces act on a small object. One force has magnitude $10\text{ N}$. The other force has magnitude $8.0\text{ N}$ and acts at an angle of ${60}^{\circ }$ to the first force.

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• Question 5May/June 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Which calculation produces a vector quantity?

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• Question 1Oct/Nov 2023, paper 23Structured6 marks

  Table 1.1 lists some physical quantities. Complete the table by placing a tick (✓) next to the scalar quantities.

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• Question 1Oct/Nov 2025, paper 22Structured11 marks

  Scientists are investigating the variation in air pressure at different locations on a mountain. The scientists take measurements of several physical quantities at each location.

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• Question 16May/June 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows the dimensions of an elastic cord used to project a stone. The tension in the cord is $T$ when the cord is pulled into the shape shown. Which force does the elastic cord exert on the stone?

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• Question 4May/June 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Two forces, each of $10\text{ N}$, act at a point P, as shown. The angle between the directions of the forces is ${120}^{\circ }$. What is the magnitude of the resultant force?

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• Question 1May/June 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Which quantity is a vector?

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• Question 1May/June 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  What is a scalar quantity?

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• Question 4May/June 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Two vectors, X and Y, are shown. What are the directions of $\text{X}+\text{Y}$ and $\text{X}-\text{Y}$?

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• Question 4May/June 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  An aircraft travels along a horizontal path. Two of the forces that act horizontally on the aircraft are the thrust force of the engines and the force due to the wind. The vector diagram for these forces is shown.

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• Question 1May/June 2025, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  What represents a vector quantity?

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• Question 4May/June 2024, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  Two physical quantities combined together as a product can produce a scalar quantity or a vector quantity. Which product of two quantities produces a scalar quantity?

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• Question 1May/June 2025, paper 22Structured10 marks

  Table 1.1 lists some physical quantities. Identify with ticks (✓) which quantities are vectors and which are scalars.

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• Question 2May/June 2024, paper 23Structured11 marksHas a diagram

  Define displacement from a point.

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• Question 4May/June 2023, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows two vectors, X and Y, drawn to scale. If $\text{X}=\text{Y}-\text{Z}$, which diagram represents the vector Z?

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