Which of these is a scalar quantity?
AThe force on a box
BThe mass of a box
CThe weight of a box
DThe velocity of a box
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. The mass of a box
1. A scalar has only a magnitude, while a vector has a magnitude and a direction.
2. Mass has only a value, with no direction attached to it, so mass is a scalar.
3. Force has a value and a direction, since you push or pull a certain way.
4. Weight also has a direction, always towards the centre of the Earth, and velocity carries a direction too.
_Source: Siyavula Physical Sciences Grade 10 (Everything Science, CC BY 4.0), Chapter 20: Vectors and scalars_