I'm a grade 11 physics student studying for an upcoming test, can't find a proper definition anywhere, could you please help?
2007-06-08 14:23:20 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
A vector = magnitude and direction.
A scalar = just magnitude.
This brings to mind the joke, "what's the difference between a mosquito and a mountain climber". One's a vector and the other's a scalar! :-)
2007-06-08 14:27:13 · answer #1 · answered by Bramblyspam 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The above answers are correct, but there is also another way of looking at it. In three dimensional space, a vector needs three numbers to describe it (equivalent to the value in each of three coordinate directions), whereas a scalar can be described with a single number which is independent of direction. So, if the velocity of a car is 12 miles/hr north, 40 miles/hr east, and 0 miles/hr up, it would be a vector expressed as (12,40,0). Its speed, however, is square root of 12^2+40^2+0^2=41.76 mph, and it is a scalar. The ordinary numbers 12, 40, and 0 in the example are also scalars; they indicate magnitude along unit vectors in (in this case) the north, east, and up directions.
2007-06-08 14:54:28 · answer #2 · answered by john henry 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
vector is a physical quantity which has both magnitude and direction like force because when we apply force it acts in a certain direction but scalar has only magnitude like mass.
in mass we only write the value but weight is a vector bcz it has direction and is always directed downward to centre of gravity.
2007-06-08 14:29:29 · answer #3 · answered by amrita 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Scalars are quantities which are fully described by a magnitude alone
Vectors are quantities which are fully described by both a magnitude and a direction.
2007-06-08 14:27:23 · answer #4 · answered by Dick L 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
vector has magnitude and direction, scalar is just a magnitude.
kinda like velocity is a vector, speed is a scalar. velocity is like 20 m/s north, speed would just be 20 m/s
2007-06-08 14:26:24 · answer #5 · answered by TadaceAce 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a scalar quantity has only magnitude but no direction.e.g work,energy.
a vector quantity has both magnitude &direction. e.g. force.
2007-06-08 15:49:07 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
a vector is a quantity that has both magnitude and direction.
scalar quantity has only magnitude
2007-06-08 14:26:52 · answer #7 · answered by 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Can u plz post thie question on http://www.tutorbuddy.org I will answer as soon as u post
2007-06-08 14:27:39 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋