Vector And Scalar Quantities – Definition and Examples

In mathematics and physics, we have physical quantities which can be categorized in two ways, namely

  • Scalar Quantity
  • Vector Quantity

Scalar Quantity Definition

The physical quantities which have only magnitude are known as scalar quantities. It is fully described by a magnitude or a numerical value. Scalar quantity does not have directions. In other terms, a scalar is a measure of quantity. For example, if I say that the height of a tower is 15 meters, then the height of the tower is a scalar quantity as it needs only the magnitude of height to define itself. Let’s take another example, suppose the time taken to complete a piece of work is 3 hours, then in this case also to describe time just need the magnitude i.e. 3 hours.

Scalar Quantity Examples

Other examples of scalar quantities are mass, speed, distance, time, energy, density, volume, temperature, distance, work and so on.

Vector Quantity Definition

The physical quantities for which both magnitude and direction are defined distinctly are known as vector quantities. For example, a boy is riding a bike with a velocity of 30 km/hr in a north-east direction. Then, as we see for defining the velocity, we need two things, i.e. the magnitude of the velocity and its direction. Therefore, it represents a vector quantity.

Vector Quantity Examples

Other examples of vector quantities are displacement, acceleration, force, momentum, weight, the velocity of light, a gravitational field, current, and so on.

Difference Between Scalar and Vector Quantity

Let us discuss some difference here:

Difference Between Scalar and Vector Quantity
Scalar QuantityVector Quantity
It has magnitude onlyIt has both magnitude and the direction
It does not have directionIt has direction
It is specified by a number and a unitIt is also specified by a number along with the direction and unit
It is represented by quantity symbolIt is represented by quantity symbol in bold or with the arrow sign above
Example: Temperature, speed, etcExample: Acceleration, velocity, etc

Vector Representation

Let us have a look at the line segment drawn below. A vector quantity always has a starting point and an endpoint. The two endpoints of the given line segment are distinguishable as and. It represents a directed line segment

In mathematics and physics, we have physical quantities which can be categorized in two ways, namely

The directed line segment with an initial point  A and terminal point B  is symbolically denoted as  AB  in bold.

\(\begin{array}{l}\text{Also, it can be represented as} \ \overrightarrow{AB}\end{array} \)

The length a of the vector represents its magnitude which is denoted by |AB|. Instead of using double letter notation we can use a single letter notation to represent a vector as a, b, c and it denotes their magnitudes. As it is difficult to write letters in bold we use a bar above the letters to represent vectors as ā.

Therefore,

\(\begin{array}{l}\text{If} \ \overrightarrow{AB} = a,\ \text{then} |\overrightarrow{AB}| = a, \\ \text{where} \ |\overrightarrow{AB}|\ \text{indicates the magnitude of a vector.}\end{array} \)

Also, the magnitude is called the modulus.

Characteristics of Vectors

The characteristics of the vectors are as follows:

  • Vectors possess magnitude as well as the direction
  • It does not obey the ordinary law of algebra
  • Either the magnitude or direction change or both change

Scalar and Vector Quantity Example

Question: 

Find out the scalar and vector quantity from the given list.

Force, Speed,  Electric field, Angular Momentum, Magnetic Moment, Temperature, Linear Momentum, Average Velocity.

Solution:

From the given list,

  • Scalar Quantities – Speed, Temperature.
  • Vector Quantities – Force, Electric field, Angular Momentum, Magnetic Moment, Linear Momentum, Average Velocity.

Now we are familiar with what are vectors and scalars. Now if somebody asks if acceleration is a vector or a scalar, we can easily tell that it’s a vector because it has direction as well as magnitude. Similarly, when asked if the distance is a vector or scalar, it is quite evident that as distance has only magnitude, it is a scalar quantity.

Er. Neeraj K.Anand is a freelance mentor and writer who specializes in Engineering & Science subjects. Neeraj Anand received a B.Tech degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from N.I.T Warangal & M.Tech Post Graduation from IETE, New Delhi. He has over 30 years of teaching experience and serves as the Head of Department of ANAND CLASSES. He concentrated all his energy and experiences in academics and subsequently grew up as one of the best mentors in the country for students aspiring for success in competitive examinations. In parallel, he started a Technical Publication "ANAND TECHNICAL PUBLISHERS" in 2002 and Educational Newspaper "NATIONAL EDUCATION NEWS" in 2014 at Jalandhar. Now he is a Director of leading publication "ANAND TECHNICAL PUBLISHERS", "ANAND CLASSES" and "NATIONAL EDUCATION NEWS". He has published more than hundred books in the field of Physics, Mathematics, Computers and Information Technology. Besides this he has written many books to help students prepare for IIT-JEE and AIPMT entrance exams. He is an executive member of the IEEE (Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers. USA) and honorary member of many Indian scientific societies such as Institution of Electronics & Telecommunication Engineers, Aeronautical Society of India, Bioinformatics Institute of India, Institution of Engineers. He has got award from American Biographical Institute Board of International Research in the year 2005.