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Physics · Paper 2 · Foundation + Higher · P5

Scalars and vectors

Key ideas1 of 3

Size, with or without direction

A scalar has magnitude only: its size or amount. Examples include mass, temperature, time, distance and speed. A vector has magnitude and direction. Examples include force, displacement, velocity and acceleration. Units matter, but units alone do not distinguish speed from velocity.

Four quantities: A 5 metres per second, B 5 metres per second east, C 20 degrees Celsius, D 10 newtons west.

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Practice, downloads and sources

Daily 5 · Exam practice · Revision sheet ↓

Foundation + Higher · P5. Twenty core lessons, followed by five labelled Higher Tier lessons.

AQA Combined Science Trilogy 8464 · 6.5.1.1. Original notes, questions and diagrams. Models are simplified; teaching data are illustrative.