1997 General Studies, all questions

UPSC Prelims 1997 · General Studies

Question 107: Science and Technology

Which one of the following is a vector quantity?

aMomentum
bPressure
cEnergy
dWork

AnswerThe answer is (a).

Momentum is mass times velocity, so it has a direction and is a vector. Pressure is force per unit area, but it acts equally in all directions and is a scalar. Energy and work are scalars, since they have magnitude only and no direction.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Right: momentum has both size and direction.
  • (b) Pressure is a scalar, though it arises from a force.
  • (c) Energy is a scalar.
  • (d) Work is a scalar: the dot product of force and displacement.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1997, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.