Which of the following quantities has both magnitude and direction?

Study for the SDI Introduction to Physical Science Test. Prepare with multiple choice questions, and access hints and explanations to enhance understanding. Get ready for your exam!

A quantity that has both magnitude and direction is referred to as a vector quantity. Vectors are essential in physics because they provide complete information about a physical quantity's behavior in space. For instance, a velocity vector not only tells you how fast an object is moving (the magnitude) but also in which direction it is traveling.

In contrast, speed only gives the magnitude of how fast an object is moving, without any information about direction, thus making it a scalar quantity. Volume is also scalar as it only measures the amount of three-dimensional space an object occupies, again lacking any directional component. The distinction between vector and scalar quantities is fundamental in understanding how different physical properties interact and are measured.

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