All the quantities are classified as either a scalar quantity or a vector quantity. Scalar quantities are those that are characterized by magnitude only. Vector quantities are characterized by magnitude as well as direction. For example, speed is a scalar quantity and is characterized by its magnitude only. Velocity, on the other hand, is a vector quantity and is characterized by both magnitude and direction. That is why we say, someone was walking with a speed of 2 km/hr and someone was moving with a velocity of 5 km/hr in east direction. Vector quantities make use of vector algebra (from mathematics) and we can determine the resultant vectors and their magnitude and direction (say 3 forces acting on a single body with different magnitudes and directions), etc.
Hope this helps.
No comments:
Post a Comment