Vector quantity
Unlike a scalar quantity, a vector quantity is a measurement which has both a magnitude and a direction.
For example, we’d consider velocity to be a vector, because it has a speed (magnitude) and a direction (e.g. north, south, east, west, up, down etc).
If a value can have a positive or negative value, then it’s likely to be a vector quantity - because the sign can indicate the direction.
Examples of vector quantities
- displacement
- velocity
- acceleration
- Force
- momentum
- Field strength
- Current (can be positive or negative)
flashcards
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Vector quantity | Unlike a scalar quantity, a vector quantity is a measurement which has both a magnitude and a direction. |
| How can you identify a vector quantity from its sign? | If a value can have a positive or negative value, it’s likely to be a vector quantity because the sign can indicate the direction. |
| Is velocity a vector or a scalar quantity? | Velocity is a vector quantity because it has a speed (magnitude) and a direction (e.g. north, south). |
| What is the vector quantity that has speed as its magnitude? | Velocity (the magnitude of velocity is speed). |
| Give an example of a vector quantity from the list of displacement, velocity, acceleration, force, momentum, field strength, and current. | Displacement (or velocity, acceleration, force, momentum, field strength, current). |