Vectors are physical quantities that have a size and a direction. A vector tells you
how much of something there is and which direction it is in.
Scalars are physical quantities that have only a numerical value or a size
(magnitude). A scalar tells you how much of something there is.
Examples of Scalar quantities include;
● Time has only a value, no direction
● Mass has only a value, no direction
● Temperature has only a value, no direction
● Electric charge has only a value, no direction
Examples of Vector quantities include;
● Force has a value and direction. Push and pulling with some strength in a
particular direction
● Weight has a value and direction. Your weight is proportional to your mass
(magnitude) and is always the direction to the centre of the Earth.
Vector Notation
There are many ways of writing the symbol for a vector. In this book vectors will be
shown by symbols with an arrow pointing to the right above it.
The F with an arrow pointing to the right above it represents the force vector, and the
F alone, without an arrow represents the magnitude of the force vector.
how much of something there is and which direction it is in.
Scalars are physical quantities that have only a numerical value or a size
(magnitude). A scalar tells you how much of something there is.
Examples of Scalar quantities include;
● Time has only a value, no direction
● Mass has only a value, no direction
● Temperature has only a value, no direction
● Electric charge has only a value, no direction
Examples of Vector quantities include;
● Force has a value and direction. Push and pulling with some strength in a
particular direction
● Weight has a value and direction. Your weight is proportional to your mass
(magnitude) and is always the direction to the centre of the Earth.
Vector Notation
There are many ways of writing the symbol for a vector. In this book vectors will be
shown by symbols with an arrow pointing to the right above it.
The F with an arrow pointing to the right above it represents the force vector, and the
F alone, without an arrow represents the magnitude of the force vector.
