scalars and vectors

• What are scalar quantities defined by?

  Magnitude only
• What does the term 'magnitude' refer to in physics?

  Size of a quantity
• Which of the following is an example of a scalar quantity?

  Distance
• Why does distance not indicate direction?

  Because it is a scalar quantity
• If you travel 800 meters, what does this distance tell you?

  It gives no direction information
• What are examples of vector quantities?

  Displacement, weight, force
• What distinguishes vector quantities from scalar quantities?

  Vector quantities have both magnitude and direction
• How is displacement defined in relation to distance?

  Displacement is distance in a specific direction
• If you travel 800 meters and your displacement is 500 meters due west, what does this indicate?

  You traveled a distance with a specific direction
• How can vectors be represented visually?

  Using arrows
• What does the length of an arrow represent in vector representation?

  The magnitude of the vector
• What does the direction of an arrow indicate in vector representation?

  The direction of the vector
• What are the key differences between scalar and vector quantities?

  • Scalar quantities:
  • Have magnitude only
  • No direction
  • Examples: mass, temperature, distance
  • Vector quantities:
  • Have both magnitude and direction
  • Examples: displacement, weight, velocity
• What is the significance of scalar quantities in physics?

  They provide size without direction
• Why is it important to differentiate between scalar and vector quantities?

  To accurately describe physical phenomena