LESSON 1:

VECTOR AND SCALAR QUANTITIES

In the study of nature and the physical world, the major quantities
we encounter are classified into two: scalars and vectors.

A scalar is a quantity that is described completely by specifying its

magnitude only. A magnitude is composed of a number and unit.

Now, take a look at this:

1 in
NUMBERS UNITS
S 1 m/s
The absence of one component is NOT ACCEPTED because a
magnitude will always have a number and unit.

The sub-quantities below are examples of scalar quantities.

SUBQUANTITIES EXAMPLES COMMON UNITS USED

1 in
distance 1 cm
-refers to how far inches (in), centimetres (cm), meters
1m
the object is from (m), feet (ft), kilometres (km), miles
1 ft
its starting point. (mi)
1 km
1 mi

1 m/s metres per second (m/s), kilometres

speed 1km/h per hour (km/h), miles per
-refers to how fast 1 mph hour (mph)
the object is.
SCIENCE 8 – Mr. Gerard A. Macadatu
 A vector is a quantity that can only be described completely if
both its magnitude and direction are given. Now, take a look at
this:

1 in, E
MAGNITUDE DIRECTION
1 m/s, Down
A vector quantity will always have a magnitude and direction. The
sub-quantities below are examples of vector quantities.

SUBQUANTITIES COMMON
EXAMPLES DIRECTIONS
UNITS USED

displacement 1 in, N
inches (in),
1 cm, NE
-refers to how far centimetres
1 m, E North
the object is from its (cm), meters
1 ft, SE North East
starting point in one (m), feet (ft),
1 km, S East
direction. kilometres (km),
1 mi, Up South East
miles (mi)
South
South West
West
velocity metres per North West
second (m/s), Left
-refers to how fast 1 m/s, NE
kilometres per Right
the object in one 1km/h, Down
hour (km/h), Up
direction. 1 mph, E
miles per Down
hour (mph)

SCIENCE 8 – Mr. Gerard A. Macadatu

 Acceleration
Note: These quantities
1 m/s2 m/s2 do not need directions
-refers to the rate of 1km/h2 km/h2 anymore because it is
change of the 1 mph2 mph2 universally accepted

velocity of an that acceleration is a

object with respect vector quantity.

to time.

LET’S PRACTICE!

1. Give what is asked.

SCALAR AND VECTOR QUANTITIES

Quantitative Values Quantities Sub-Quantities

a) 4 centimetres
b) 23 m/s, Up
c) 18 m/s
d) 10 miles, NE
e) 13 m/s2

CAN YOU GUESS THE ANSWERS?

SCIENCE 8 – Mr. Gerard A. Macadatu

 SCALAR AND VECTOR QUANTITIES

Quantitative Values Quantities Sub-Quantities

a) 4 centimetres scalar distance

b) 23 m/s, Up vector velocity
c) 18 m/s scalar speed
d) 10 miles, NE vector displacement
e) 13 m/s2 vector acceleration

SCIENCE 8 – Mr. Gerard A. Macadatu