We say that Scalar quantity is direction independent and Vector ID direction dependent. What is the exact meaning of 'direction dependent ' and 'direction independent'?
Answers
Explanation:
Scalar quantities are defined by a magnitude with no applicable direction. In contrast, vector quantities must have both magnitude and direction of action.
The product of a vector quantity and a scalar quantity will always be a vector quantity. Force results from the product of mass (scalar) and acceleration (vector). Weight is a type of force, generated by the acceleration of gravity.
Voltage is a scalar quantity and can be calculated by the product of current (scalar) and resistance (scalar).
Work is a vector quantity and can be calculated by the product of a force (vector) and displacement (vector).
Velocity is a vector and can be calculated by the quotient of displacement (vector) per unit time (scalar).
Force
Explanation:
A vector has both magnitude AND direction, while a scalar just has a magnitude. When asking if something is a vector or a scalar, ask if a direction would make sense -- in this case, force is the only vector. While a direction would help with speed and distance, those are both scalars; the vector version of speed is velocity, and the vector version of distance is displacement.
A scalar quantity can be defined by magnitude alone, while a vector quantity must be defined by both magnitude and direction of action.
Of the given answer options, mass if the only scalar quantity. Mass has magnitude, generally in kilograms, but cannot act in a direction. "7kg west," for example, is nonsensical.
In contrast, displacement, velocity, force, and momentum must be applied in a given direction. Displacement is the vector equivalent of the scalar quantity distance, and velocity is the vector equivalent of the scalar quantity speed. Forces must always act in a given direction, and have no scalar equivalent. Similarly, momentum must always be directional.