Scalars & Vectors

Scalar & Vector Quantitiesvideo

Scalar & Vector Quantities

• All quantities can be one of two types:

  • A scalar

  • A vector

Scalars

• Scalars are quantities that have only a magnitude

  • For example, mass is a scalar since it is a quantity that has magnitude without a direction

  • Distance is also a scalar since it only contains a magnitude, not a direction

Vectors

• Vectors have both magnitude and direction

• Velocity, for instance, is a vector since it is described with both a magnitude and a direction

  • When describing the velocity of a car it is necessary to mention both its speed and the direction in which it is travelling

  • For example, the velocity might be 60 km per hour (magnitude) due west (direction)

• Distance is a value describing only how long an object is or how far it is between two points - this means it is a scalar quantity

• Displacement on the other hand also describes the direction in which the distance is measured - this means it is a vector quantity

  • For example, a displacement might be 100 km north

Examples of Scalars & Vectors

Examples of Scalars & Vectors

• The table below lists some common examples of scalar and vector quantities:

Scalars and Vectors Table

• Some vectors and scalars are similar to each other

  • For example, the scalar quantity distance corresponds to the vector quantity displacement

• Corresponding vectors and their scalar counterparts are aligned in the table where applicable