What are vectors?

Vectors can seem complicated at first but they are simple once you understand that you need two pieces of information in order to define a vector. A vector is composed of direction and magnitude. You can think of them as arrows, so the direction is where the arrow is pointing and the magnitude is how long that arrow is. examples: a) ---> b) <-- So a and b are two vectors where the first one is pointing to the right and has a magnitude of three (it is formed of three small lines) and the vector b is pointing to the left and has a magnitude of two. So with the use of arrows we can define any vector, in 2D and 3D. Now vectors are more used than you expect, there are many vectorial values used in physics such as movement or displacement, eg. to describe where you have moved, direction and distance, or velocity, where you are running and at what speed.

EC
Answered by Esperanza C. Physics tutor

6989 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Calculate the frequency of a simple pendulum of length 950 mm. Give answer to an appropriate number of significant figures.


A transmitter from a researcher's boat sends a signal to the seabed of waves speed 300m/s and it takes 5 seconds for the signal to return back to the boat. Calculate the depth of the sea there.


How to solve horizontally-launched projectile motion problems using equations of motion?


What velocity should your boat have if you want to cross a 72m wide river in 6s by the shortest distance, with a 5 m/s downstream current?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning