1.3 Scalar and Vector Quantities

Scalar Quantity

1. Scalars are quantities which are fully described by a magnitude alone.
2. Magnitude is the numerical value of a quantity.
3. Examples of scalar quantities are distance, speed, mass, volume, temperature, density and energy.

Vector Quantity

1. Vectors are quantities which are fully described by both a magnitude and a direction.
2. Examples of vector quantities are displacement, velocity, acceleration, force, momentum, and magnetic field.

Example 1
Categorize each quantity below as being either a vector or a scalar.

Speed, velocity, acceleration, distance, displacement, energy, electrical charge, density, volume, length, momentum, time, temperature, force, mass, power, work, impulse.

Answer:
Scalar Quantities:

• speed
• distance
• energy
• electrical charge
• density
• volume
• length
• time
• temperature
• mass
• power
• work

Vector Quantities

• velocity
• acceleration
• displacement
• momentum
  
• force
• impulse
  

External Link
Vectors - An Introduction
Vectors by Uni. of Guelph
Electronic Science Tutor - Introduction to Vector

Interactive Animation