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Physics: Vector vs Scalar Basics

This document discusses the differences between scalar and vector quantities. It defines scalar quantities as physical quantities that only have magnitude and no direction, and provides examples like height, time, mass, and temperature. Vector quantities are defined as physical quantities that have both magnitude and direction, and examples include displacement, velocity, force, and current. The document also discusses vector addition and how it can be done using the Pythagorean theorem or by breaking vectors into their x and y components and adding them.

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Bert Santos
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118 views23 pages

Physics: Vector vs Scalar Basics

This document discusses the differences between scalar and vector quantities. It defines scalar quantities as physical quantities that only have magnitude and no direction, and provides examples like height, time, mass, and temperature. Vector quantities are defined as physical quantities that have both magnitude and direction, and examples include displacement, velocity, force, and current. The document also discusses vector addition and how it can be done using the Pythagorean theorem or by breaking vectors into their x and y components and adding them.

Uploaded by

Bert Santos
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

C03 – Vector and Scalar

Quantities
SCI09 – Physics 1
Learning Outcomes
After the discussion of this chapter, the student will be able to :

1. Familiarize and differentiate the vector and scalar quantities.


2. Learn the different types of vector addition.
Scalar Quantity Definition
Scalar Quantity
The physical quantities which have only magnitude are known
as scalar quantities. It is fully described by a magnitude or a
numerical value. Scalar quantity does not have directions. In
other terms, a scalar is a measure of quantity. For example, if I
say that the height of a tower is 15 meters, then the height of
the tower is a scalar quantity as it needs only the magnitude of
height to define itself. Let’s take another example, suppose
the time taken to complete a piece of work is 3 hours, then in
this case also to describe time just need the magnitude i.e. 3
hours.
Scalar Quantity Examples
Other examples of scalar quantities are mass, speed, distance,
time, energy, density, volume, temperature, distance, work
and so on.
Vector Quantity Definition
Vector Quantity Definition
The physical quantities for which both magnitude and
direction are defined distinctly are known as vector quantities.
For example, a boy is riding a bike with a velocity of 30 km/hr
in a north-east direction. Then, as we see for defining the
velocity, we need two things, i.e. the magnitude of the velocity
and its direction. Therefore, it represents a vector quantity.
Vector Quantity Examples
Other examples of vector quantities are displacement,
acceleration, force, momentum, weight, the velocity of light, a
gravitational field, current, and so on.
Difference Between Scalar
and Vector Quantities
Resultant
Resultant
Sum of a number of vectors of a particular type (force vectors,
for example) is that single vector that would have the same
effect as all the original vectors taken together.
Vector Addition Using
Pythagorean Theorem
Pythagorean Theorem
Example 1
Example 2
Vector Addition Using
Component Method
X and Y Axis Reference
Example 1
Example 1
Example 2
Example 2
Thank You for listening!
Refer to the classwork tab for the activity.

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