A runner keeps the same speed while rounding a corner and changing direction. What does this show about speed?
AIt is a vector, since the corner changes it
BIt is a scalar only while the path is straight
CIt is a vector whenever the path is curved
DIt is a scalar, since it has magnitude only
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: D. It is a scalar, since it has magnitude only
1. Speed does not change at all when the direction of travel changes.
2. A quantity that ignores direction has magnitude only, which makes it a scalar.
3. If speed were a vector it would change as the direction changed, even at constant magnitude.
4. Nothing about the shape of the path can convert a scalar into a vector.
_Source: OpenStax College Physics (CC BY 4.0), Ch 2 "Kinematics", section 2.2 Vectors, Scalars, and Coordinate Systems_
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