Question:
Read each statement below carefully and state with reasons, if it is true or false : (a) The magnitude of a vector is always a scalar, (b) each component of a vector is always a scalar, (c) the total path length is always equal to the magnitude of the displacement vector of a particle. (d) the average speed of a particle (defined as total path length divided by the time taken to cover the path) is either greater or equal to the magnitude of average velocity of the particle over the same interval of time, (e) Three vectors not lying in a plane can never add up to give a null vector.
Answer:
(a) True, Magnitude represents the physical value of the vector and is indicated by the length of the line representing the vector.
(b) False, Components represent the equivalent of the vector in those directions.
(c) False, It is true only if the particle travels in a straight line.
(d) True, If the particles travels in a straight line, the average speed will be numerically equal to the average velocity. Any other path should be longer. Dividing a longer distance by the same time will give a higher numerical value for the speed.
(e) True, when forces are represented in a vector polygon the closing line represents the resultant vector. If three vectors add to give a null vector, they should form a closed triangle. All three lines of any closed triangle are necessarily to lie in a plane. Hence the given statement is trrue.
Not what you are looking for? Go ahead and submit the question, we will get back to you.
