Describe the key difference between a scalar and a vector quantity
A scalar quantity is one that only has magnitude while a vector has magnitude and an associated direction. For example, temperature is a scalar quantity because temperature only has magnitude/ size, there is no direction associated with temperature. In contrast, force is a vector quantity as both the size of the force and the direction of the force are important when measuring it.
OM
Related Physics IB answers
All answers ▸How much velocity should a small toy rocket, weighing 10kg, acquire in order to escape the Earth's gravitational field? (Neglect any type of friction with the atmosphere)
An electron is trapped within a square well potential of width 10 nm. What would be the wavelength of the photon emitted when an electron moves from the first energy level to the ground level.
What is the potential?
Why does the temperature of a substance during a phase change stay constant, despite heat being transferred?