Vectors and Scalars

Essentially all of the quantities we encounter in Physics -- certainly all that we will see in this course -- may be classified as scalars or vectors.

Scalars

A quantity is a scalar if it is fully specified by a number and a unit. A few examples are

mass

1.23 kg

temperature

37^o C or 99^o F

time

75 minutes

energy

2.34 joules

volume

5.43 m³

However, some quantities require more information.

Vectors

A quantity is a vector if it is fully specified by a number, a unit -- and a direction. A few examples are

displacement

5.3 km, due North

velocity

2.34 m/s, 30^o W of N

acceleration

9.8 m/s², downward

momentum

1.234 kg-m/s, to the right

electric field

6.7 N/C, 60^o E of N


Table of Contents			Vector Addition

Back to " Trajectory Motion" Page

mass	1.23 kg
temperature	37^o C or 99^o F
time	75 minutes
energy	2.34 joules
volume	5.43 m³

displacement	5.3 km, due North
velocity	2.34 m/s, 30^o W of N
acceleration	9.8 m/s², downward
momentum	1.234 kg-m/s, to the right
electric field	6.7 N/C, 60^o E of N