Question

State whether force is a scalar or a vector quantity.

Answer 1

1. Force is the product of mass and acceleration.
2. Mass is a scalar quantity and has no direction.
3. Acceleration is a vector quantity and has direction.
4. As force is the derivative of acceleration, it too has direction.
5. Therefore, the force has both magnitude and direction.
6. Quantities like speed are scalar quantities whereas quantities like force are vectors.

Hence, force is a vector quantity.