A vector has a magnitude and a direction. A scalar is only a magnitude.
For example, If I say that I am going 60 m/s, that I have described my speed as a scalar value.
If I say I am going 60 m/s due east, I have described both my speed and direction and therefore it is a vector.
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Vectors;
velocity, displacement, force, acceleration.
Scalars;
Speed, distance, temperature.
A2: What it is is vectors have directions and magnitude and scalars only have magnitudes.
Scalars:
-- temperature; (68 degrees, no direction)
-- cost; ($37.50, no direction)
-- speed; (35 mph, no direction)
Vectors:
-- trip to the store; (2 blocks, West)
-- force of gravity; (170 pounds, Down)
-- velocity; (35 mph, North)
Examples of scalar quantities include temperature, time, and distance. Examples of vector quantities include velocity, force, and acceleration.
Scalars have no direction. Examples are temperature, cost, speed, energy.
Vectors have direction. Examples are velocity, torque, momentum.
A scalar is a magnitude that doesn't specify a direction. A vector is a magnitude where the direction is important - and where it is specified.
Not every scalar quantity has a vector counterpart. Scalars are quantities that have magnitude only, such as temperature or mass, while vectors are quantities that have both magnitude and direction, like velocity or force. Some scalar quantities simply do not have a corresponding vector counterpart.
Those quantities which cannot be derived from any other such as length, mass, time, temperature, electric current, light luminosity are examples for fundamental physical quantities.
Units such as kilograms, seconds, and degrees Celsius can only describe scalar quantities. These units represent values that have magnitude but no direction, unlike vector quantities which require both magnitude and direction for complete description.
Scalar - a variable quantity that cannot be resolved into components. Most of the physical quantities encountered in physics are either scalar or vector quantities. A scalar quantity is defined as a quantity that has magnitude only. Typical examples of scalar quantities are time, speed, temperature, and volume. A scalar quantity or parameter has no directional component, only magnitude. For example, the units for time represent an amount of time only and tell nothing of direction. Vector - a variable quantity that can be resolved into components. A vectorquantity is defined as a quantity that has both magnitude and direction. To work with vector quantities, one must know the method for representing these quantities. Magnitude, or "size" of a vector, is also referred to as the vector's "displacement." It can be thought of as the scalar portion of the vector and is represented by the length of the vector. By definition, a vector has both magnitude and direction. Direction indicates how the vector is oriented relative to some reference axis.
Scalar - a variable quantity that cannot be resolved into components. Most of the physical quantities encountered in physics are either scalar or vector quantities. A scalar quantity is defined as a quantity that has magnitude only. Typical examples of scalar quantities are time, speed, temperature, and volume. A scalar quantity or parameter has no directional component, only magnitude. For example, the units for time represent an amount of time only and tell nothing of direction. Vector - a variable quantity that can be resolved into components. A vectorquantity is defined as a quantity that has both magnitude and direction. To work with vector quantities, one must know the method for representing these quantities. Magnitude, or "size" of a vector, is also referred to as the vector's "displacement." It can be thought of as the scalar portion of the vector and is represented by the length of the vector. By definition, a vector has both magnitude and direction. Direction indicates how the vector is oriented relative to some reference axis.