What is the difference between a vector and a scalar?

A vector is a measurement of something that has more than 1 number associated with it, for example velocity. I can tell you how fast a car is going using the magnitude of velocity, speed, and I can tell you in which direction it is going. Another example is force. A force acts with a certain amount of Newton’s in some given direction. A scalar on the other hand is only associated with 1 number. An example is temperature. I can tell you what temperatures something is at and that is all I can tell you. There is no direction or other quantity involved. A second example is time.

MZ

Related Physics IB answers

All answers ▸

What's the value of the normal force of a vehicle on a convex bridge? What about a concave one?


Define simple harmonic motion.


Outline why a given mass of water has more internal energy than the same mass of ice at the same pressure?


A pipe has one open and one closed end. Determine the ratio of the frequency of the first harmomic to that of the next harmonic.