What are Scalar and Vector Quantities? |
| ♦ On the basis of direction and magnitude physical quantities are categorized into two groups. they are .. • 1. Scalar Quantity • 2. Vector Quantities 
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| ♦ Scalar Quantity ◘ A Scalar quantity is a quantity that has _ • Only magnitude. • But no Direction◘ Example • Temperature • Distance • Energy • Speed • Power • Density • Volume • Time • Mass • Electric Current • Charge • Pressure • Work • Specific Heat • Frequency |
| ♦ Vector Quantity ◘ A vector quantity is a quantity that has _ • Both a magnitude and a direction. • It follows the vector algebra rules for the performance of operations. e.g – triangle law or parallelogram law of vector addition.◘ Example :- • Velocity • Displacement • Impulse • Magnetic Field • Current density • Electric Field • Momentum • Weight • Force • Acceleration • Angular velocity |
How to represent Scalar and Vector quantity◘ Scalar Quantity ◘ Examples ◘ Vector Quantity • A vector quantity denoted by – Bold face letter or symbol • A vector is also represented by a bar or an arrow placed over the letter. 
• Example of physical quantities that are represented by vectors are …. • The magnitude of a vector is also represented by modulas function. |
Difference between Scalar and Vector quantities |
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| Scalar | Vector |
|---|---|
| It has only magnitude, but no direction. | It has both magnitude and direction. |
| Scalar quantity can divide another scalar quantity | Two vector quantities cannot be divided. |
| Every scalar quantity is one dimensional. | Vector quantity can be one (e.g UnitVector), two(e.g Force) or three dimensional (e.g Impuls). |
| Any changes in scalar quantity only affects the magnitude of the quantity. | Any Changes in vector quantity may affect the magnitude or direction of the vector or both magnitude and direction may affected . |
| It follows the ordinary algebraic rules like addition, multiplication and subtraction | It follows the vector algebra rules for the performance of operations. |
Similarities between Scalar and Vector Quantities |
| • A certain physical quantity is represented by both scalar and vector quantity. • Both have a specific dimension and unit. • By using a suitable instrument we can measure both the quantities. • Both the quantity holds a certain finite magnitude. • Both scalar and vector quantities can be represented by a numerical magnitude corresponding unit. |
| ♦ More Related Topics • Units and Measurements • Units / System of Units |
