I read about it and did some googling, but didn’t really understand it. I was hoping someone here could break it down for me. I’d appreciate both examples and definitions on the terms, as well as of course, an explanation.
In: Mathematics
A “vector” quantity is one that needs a direction to be specified. A “scalar” quantity is one without any direction.
Three examples…
**Speed/Velocity**
Speed is a scalar quantity, but velocity is a vector quantity.
10m/s is a *speed*
10m/s upwards is a *velocity*
(People often use the words “speed” and “velocity” as if they mean the same thing, but they don’t.)
**Force**
Force is measured in newtons (N). It is a vector quantity so it also needs a direction specified.
10N *downwards* is a force.
10N (with no direction specified) is just the size (“*magnitude*”) of a force.
**Temperature**
Direction isn’t really an issue here, so the quantities here would only be scalars.
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