Which term describes a physical quantity that has magnitude but no direction?

Prepare for your Leaving Certificate Physical Education exam with comprehensive practice tests. Challenge yourself with multiple choice questions and detailed explanations, perfect for exam readiness!

Multiple Choice

Which term describes a physical quantity that has magnitude but no direction?

Explanation:
In physical quantities, there are scalars and vectors. A scalar is described by its magnitude alone—how much there is—without any direction. Examples include mass, temperature, time, and distance. In contrast, a vector has both magnitude and direction, like displacement, velocity, or force. So a quantity that has magnitude but no direction fits the idea of a scalar. The other terms listed don’t describe physical quantities with magnitude only: sedentary behaviour relates to activity levels, skills are abilities, and sports sponsorship is a financial/marketing concept.

In physical quantities, there are scalars and vectors. A scalar is described by its magnitude alone—how much there is—without any direction. Examples include mass, temperature, time, and distance. In contrast, a vector has both magnitude and direction, like displacement, velocity, or force. So a quantity that has magnitude but no direction fits the idea of a scalar. The other terms listed don’t describe physical quantities with magnitude only: sedentary behaviour relates to activity levels, skills are abilities, and sports sponsorship is a financial/marketing concept.

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