2007-01-27 00:18:31 · 2 answers · asked by Naddi S 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
If we're talking about air pressure or water pressure at a particular location, it is a scalar. Reason: The pressure is exerted in all directions, so (unlike a vector) it has a magnitude but no direction.
I think that's the answer you're looking for.
But if we're talking about the amount of pressure being exerted on a surface (see example below), then it would be a vector, because the pressure (and the force) exerted on the surface has a magnitude AND a direction, which means it can be represented by a vector.
Example: If a pole vaulter weighs 60 kilograms and the end of his pole has an area of 10 sq cm, and if, during his vault, his maximum vertical acceleration is 6 m / s^2, what is the maximum pressure exerted by the pole against the ground/
2007-01-27 00:29:18 · answer #1 · answered by actuator 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pressure itself is a scalar, because it has no defined direction. The force caused by pressure at the edges of a container does have a direction (normal to the surface), but pressure itself does not.
2007-01-27 08:22:32 · answer #2 · answered by poorcocoboiboi 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋