# A physics student is comparing four physical quantities: displacement, speed, acceleration, and energy. For each quantity, state whether it is a scalar quantity or a vector quantity, and give the correct SI unit.

> Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Physics (4PH1) — 1.1 Units · State · 4 marks

> A student revising for an examination writes that all four quantities — displacement, speed, acceleration, and energy — have the same type of unit, measured in SI base units only. The student also claims that all four are vector quantities.

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Displacement is a vector quantity with the unit metres (m).
2. Speed is a scalar quantity with the unit metres per second (m/s).
3. Acceleration is a vector quantity with the unit metres per second squared (m/s²).
4. Energy is a scalar quantity with the unit joules (J).

## Key terms

- [scalar quantity](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/scalar-quantity)
- [vector quantity](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/vector-quantity)
- [displacement](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/displacement)
- [acceleration](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/acceleration)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Physics (4PH1)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "State" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

---
Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-physics-student-is-comparing-four-704e73a6) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.