Page 1 of 39
Structural Principles and Practices exam
questions and answer Module 1 Vectors,
Forces and Equilibrium for Kirby Hebert
Louisiana State University.
1. Which of the following best defines a vector quantity?
A) A quantity that has only magnitude
B) A quantity that has both magnitude and direction
C) A quantity that has only direction
D) A quantity that is dimensionless
Answer: B
Rationale: By definition, a vector possesses both magnitude (size)
and direction (orientation in space). Examples include force,
velocity, acceleration, and moment.
,Page 2 of 39
2. Which of the following is a scalar quantity?
A) Force
B) Displacement
C) Speed
D) Acceleration
Answer: C
Rationale: Speed is the magnitude of velocity and has no direction.
Force, displacement, and acceleration are vectors.
3. Two vectors are equal if they have:
A) The same magnitude only
B) The same direction only
C) The same magnitude and the same direction
D) The same magnitude and opposite direction
Answer: C
Rationale: Equality of vectors requires both identical magnitude and
identical direction, regardless of their point of application.
,Page 3 of 39
4. The negative of a vector:
A) Has the same magnitude but opposite direction
B) Has opposite magnitude and same direction
C) Has double the magnitude
D) Is a scalar
Answer: A
Rationale: Multiplying a vector by –1 yields a vector of the same
magnitude but pointing exactly opposite.
5. What is the resultant of two perpendicular vectors of
magnitudes 3 N and 4 N?
A) 5 N
B) 7 N
C) 1 N
D) 12 N
, Page 4 of 39
Answer: A
*Rationale: Using Pythagorean theorem: R = √(3² + 4²) = √25 =
5 N.*
6. Vector addition is:
A) Commutative only
B) Associative only
C) Both commutative and associative
D) Neither commutative nor associative
Answer: C
Rationale: Vector addition follows the commutative law (A+B =
B+A) and associative law (A+(B+C) = (A+B)+C).
7. The parallelogram law of vector addition is used to find:
A) The dot product
B) The cross product
C) The resultant of two vectors
D) The scalar component
Structural Principles and Practices exam
questions and answer Module 1 Vectors,
Forces and Equilibrium for Kirby Hebert
Louisiana State University.
1. Which of the following best defines a vector quantity?
A) A quantity that has only magnitude
B) A quantity that has both magnitude and direction
C) A quantity that has only direction
D) A quantity that is dimensionless
Answer: B
Rationale: By definition, a vector possesses both magnitude (size)
and direction (orientation in space). Examples include force,
velocity, acceleration, and moment.
,Page 2 of 39
2. Which of the following is a scalar quantity?
A) Force
B) Displacement
C) Speed
D) Acceleration
Answer: C
Rationale: Speed is the magnitude of velocity and has no direction.
Force, displacement, and acceleration are vectors.
3. Two vectors are equal if they have:
A) The same magnitude only
B) The same direction only
C) The same magnitude and the same direction
D) The same magnitude and opposite direction
Answer: C
Rationale: Equality of vectors requires both identical magnitude and
identical direction, regardless of their point of application.
,Page 3 of 39
4. The negative of a vector:
A) Has the same magnitude but opposite direction
B) Has opposite magnitude and same direction
C) Has double the magnitude
D) Is a scalar
Answer: A
Rationale: Multiplying a vector by –1 yields a vector of the same
magnitude but pointing exactly opposite.
5. What is the resultant of two perpendicular vectors of
magnitudes 3 N and 4 N?
A) 5 N
B) 7 N
C) 1 N
D) 12 N
, Page 4 of 39
Answer: A
*Rationale: Using Pythagorean theorem: R = √(3² + 4²) = √25 =
5 N.*
6. Vector addition is:
A) Commutative only
B) Associative only
C) Both commutative and associative
D) Neither commutative nor associative
Answer: C
Rationale: Vector addition follows the commutative law (A+B =
B+A) and associative law (A+(B+C) = (A+B)+C).
7. The parallelogram law of vector addition is used to find:
A) The dot product
B) The cross product
C) The resultant of two vectors
D) The scalar component
