Year 9 Science · Unit 4 · Lesson 11
Foundation Worksheet
Learning Goals
Sort it!
Write each physical quantity from the pool into the correct category box — Scalar or Vector.
Scalar (magnitude only)
Vector (magnitude + direction)
Match each term to its definition and example
Draw a line connecting each term on the left to its correct definition on the right. Or write the matching letter next to each term.
| Term | Your answer | Definition and example |
|---|---|---|
| Scalar | A. The straight-line distance from start to finish, stated with direction — e.g. 5 km east | |
| Vector | B. A quantity with magnitude AND direction — e.g. 50 km/h north | |
| Distance | C. How fast something is moving, stated WITH direction — e.g. 100 km/h south-west | |
| Displacement | D. A quantity with magnitude (size + unit) only — e.g. 25°C, 70 kg | |
| Speed | E. The total length of the path actually travelled — e.g. 800 m around an oval | |
| Velocity | F. How far an object moves per unit of time, without direction — e.g. 10 m/s |
1. A student walks 400 m north around an oval track and returns to the starting point. State the student's total distance travelled and their total displacement. Explain why these values are different.
2. A Sydney-to-Melbourne flight covers about 713 km. On the return flight, the plane travels at the same speed. Is the velocity the same on both legs of the journey? Justify your answer using the definition of velocity.
Wrap Up
In one sentence, what was the main idea of this lesson?