National League for Nursing (NLN PAX) Practice Exam

A quantity that has both magnitude and direction is called what?

1. Resultant

2. Scalar

3. Vector

4. Undefined unit

The correct answer is: Vector

A quantity that has both magnitude and direction is referred to as a vector. In physics and mathematics, vectors are used to represent quantities such as velocity, force, and displacement, which require both how much (magnitude) and which way (direction) for a complete description. The concept of vectors is essential in various fields, including physics, engineering, and computer science, as they provide a means to analyze and solve problems involving multi-dimensional motion and forces. In contrast, a scalar quantity, which is not the correct answer, only has magnitude and does not include direction, such as temperature or mass. Resultant quantities typically refer to the result of vector addition rather than defining what a vector is. An undefined unit does not pertain to the established definitions in physics and does not convey the concepts associated with magnitude and direction. Thus, identifying vector as the correct answer highlights the vital nature of direction in many physical quantities.