Scalars and Vectors

Another way of classifying physical quantities

1-minute read
Table of Contents

A scalar is a physical quantity that has a magnitude. A vector quantity has both magnitude and direction.

Examples

Some scalars are:

  • distance
  • speed
  • mass

Some vectors are:

  • displacement
  • velocity
  • acceleration
  • force

Classifications of vectors

Vectors can be described in terms of their direction:

  • Horizontal
  • Vertical
  • Oblique

Vectors can also be classified relative to each other:

  • Parallel
  • Anti-parallel
  • Perpendicular

Research Questions

  • What is a scalar quantity?
  • What are some examples of scalar quantities?
  • What is a vector quantity?
  • What are some examples of vector quantities?
  • What are horizontal, vertical and oblique vectors?
  • What does it mean for vectors to be parallel, perpendicular or anti-parallel?
  • What does it mean to resolve a vector?
  • What is the role of resolving vectors when combining multiple vectors into a single resultant vector?
  • What is a resultant vector?
  • Is the adjacent component of a vector always $R\cos{\theta}$ if the vector has a magnitude of $R$ and angle $\theta$?

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