AQA A-Level Physics Paper 1, June 2023: Question 20

1 mark · Easy difficulty · Multiple Choice

Identify which of the given options represents a pair of vector quantities.

Practise this question

Question

Multiple choice question 20 asking 'Which is a pair of vectors?' worth [1 mark]. Option A lists weight and work, Option B force and energy, Option C displacement and momentum, and Option D acceleration and power. Each option has a box beside it for the student's answer.
Question text

20 Which is a pair of vectors?

[1 mark]

A weight and work

B force and energy

C displacement and momentum

D acceleration and power

Mark scheme

Show the mark scheme Mark scheme for question 20 showing the correct answer is C, corresponding to displacement and momentum.

20 C displacement and momentum

How to answer it

Identifying Pairs of Vectors

What this question tests

This question assesses your fundamental understanding of physical quantities, specifically your ability to distinguish between vector quantities (which have both magnitude and direction) and scalar quantities (which have magnitude only).

Question 20

Exam Part: Multiple Choice [1 mark]

✅ Correct Answer

C (displacement and momentum)

Both displacement and momentum possess magnitude and specific directional components, making them both vectors.

💡 Key Knowledge

  • Vector: Magnitude + Direction (e.g., Displacement, Velocity, Acceleration, Force, Momentum, Weight).
  • Scalar: Magnitude only (e.g., Distance, Speed, Energy, Work, Power, Mass, Time).

🧠 Exam Technique

Go through the options methodically and test each pair individually. If even one quantity in a pair is a scalar, cross out that entire option immediately.

❌ Common Errors

Confusing energy-based quantities or work/power with vectors. Students often mistakenly associate "force-like" ideas or general motion terms with vectors without checking definitions (e.g., confusing work or energy, which are scalars, with vectors).

Examiner Breakdown: Option Analysis
  • A: weight (vector) and work (scalar) — Incorrect pair.
  • B: force (vector) and energy (scalar) — Incorrect pair.
  • C: displacement (vector) and momentum (vector) — Correct pair.
  • D: acceleration (vector) and power (scalar) — Incorrect pair.

Topics

Physics · 3.4 Mechanics and materials

Question and mark scheme from the AQA A-Level Physics examination, Paper 1, June 2023. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.