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Chapter 3: Q10. (page 67)

Does the odometer of a car measure a scalar or a vector quantity? What about speedometer?

Short Answer

Expert verified

Both odometer and speedometer measure scalar quantities.

Step by step solution

01

Step 1. Definitions of scalar and vector quantities

  • A physical quantity that has both direction and magnitude is called a vector quantity. For example, force, velocity, displacement.
  • A physical quantity that has magnitude and no direction is called a scalar quantity. For example, distance, speed, pressure.
02

Step 2. Determining whether the odometer measures a vector or a scalar quantity

An odometer is a device that shows the total distance traveled by the vehicle. As distance is a scalar quantity, you can say that an odometer measures a scalar quantity.

03

Step 3. Determining whether the odometer measures a vector or a scalar quantity

A speedometer is a device that shows the instantaneous speed of the vehicle. As speed is a scalar quantity, you can say that a speedometer measures a scalar quantity.

04

Step 4. Obtaining the final solution

Hence, both odometer and speedometer measure scalar quantities.

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FIGURE 3-39Problem 32
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