Question

Differentiate between scalar and vector quantities with examples.

Answer 1

Scaler quantities have only magnitude whereas vector quantity have both magnitude and direction. Scaler quantities e.g. Distance and vector quantities e.g. Displacement

Answer 2

Answer:

Explanation:Scalar quantity has only magnitude and no direction. Vector quantity has both magnitude and direction.

Any change in scalar quantity indicates only change in magnitude of the concerned physical quantity. Any change in vector quantity indicates changes either in magnitude or in direction or in both.

Scalar quantities are always one dimensional. Vector quantities can be either one or two or three dimensional.

Scalar quantity cannot be resolved; in fact, it has exactly same value in all directions. Vector quantity can be resolved in two mutually perpendicular directions using the adjacent angle.

Any mathematical operation, involving only scalar quantities, is carried out following algebraic rules. Vector rules need to follow for any mathematical operation if it contains any vector quantity.

Any mathematical operation between two or more scalar quantities will always fetch a scalar quantity. Mathematical operation between two or more vector quantities may give either vector or scalar quantity.

Any operation between a scalar quantity and a vector quantity will always fetch a vector quantity. Similarly mathematical operation between vector and scalar quantities will result a vector quantity.

Examples of scalar quantity—

Length

Mass

Energy

Density

Temperature

Examples of vector quantity—

Displacement

Velocity

Acceleration

Weight

Force