Which of the following quantities has magnitude only, without direction?

Prepare for the GACE Physics Exam. Access flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations to help you succeed. Boost your confidence and get ready for the exam!

Temperature is a scalar quantity, which means it possesses magnitude only and does not involve direction. Unlike vector quantities such as velocity, force, and acceleration, which all require both a magnitude and a direction to fully describe them, temperature measures the degree of heat of a substance or the intensity of thermal energy present.

For example, when we say the temperature is 25 degrees Celsius, we do not need to specify any direction; this measure is complete on its own. In contrast, velocity describes an object’s speed in a specific direction, force represents a push or pull acting in a particular direction, and acceleration indicates the change in velocity per unit of time and also requires a directional component. Thus, temperature distinctly stands out as a quantity that inherently lacks direction, confirming it as the correct choice.

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