Scalar and vector quantities

• What are scalar quantities?

  Physical quantities with only magnitude
• What does magnitude refer to in physics?

  Magnitude refers to size or numerical value
• Why is speed considered a scalar quantity?

  It has magnitude but no direction
• Name three other scalar quantities.

  Distance, mass, temperature
• What are vector quantities?

  Physical quantities with both magnitude and direction
• How can you visualize vectors?

  Using arrows to represent magnitude and direction
• How does walking a distance of three kilometers illustrate the difference between scalar and vector quantities?

  • Distance (scalar): 3 kilometers, no direction
  • Displacement (vector): 3 kilometers east, includes direction
• What does the length of an arrow represent in vector representation?

  The magnitude of the vector
• What does a vector pointing to the left indicate?

  A negative vector in the east direction
• How can you label a negative vector?

  As minus two kilometers east
• What are the key differences between scalars and vectors?

  • Scalars:
  • Only magnitude
  • Examples: speed, distance
  • Vectors:
  • Magnitude and direction
  • Examples: velocity, force