Which of the following best explains why kinetic energy is considered a scalar quantity?
PHYSICS · Single correct · AP · Physics 1: Algebra-based · Work Energy and Power · Work Energy and Power
Problem
Which of the following best explains why kinetic energy is considered a scalar quantity?
(a) Because kinetic energy is always positive, it therefore lacks direction and is a scalar.
(b) Because the velocity in K=21mv2 is squared, squaring a vector removes its directional information, leaving a scalar.
(c) Because it depends only on the object’s speed (the magnitude of velocity) and not on the direction of motion.
(d) Because in perfectly elastic collisions kinetic energy is conserved, so the directions of the objects cancel and only a scalar is needed.