Physics: Scalar and Vector Quantities Review

Vocabulary-style flashcards defining scalars, vectors, and their representation methods in physics based on the lecture transcript.

Scalar Quantities

Physical quantities which can be specified by a magnitude and a proper unit, do not need direction for their description, and are added, subtracted, multiplied or divided by the simple rules of algebra.

Vector Quantities

Physical quantities having both magnitude and direction with a proper unit and that also obey Vector Algebra.

Analytical Or Symbolic representation

A method of denoting vectors using a letter with an arrow or bold letters such as $\mathbf{A}$, $\mathbf{B}$, or $\mathbf{a}$, $\mathbf{b}$, $\mathbf{A}$, $\mathbf{C}$.

Graphical representation

A method where vectors are denoted by a line segment with an arrow, where the length shows the magnitude and the arrow indicates the direction.

Tail

The starting point of the line segment in the graphical representation of a vector.

Head

The ending point of the line having an arrow in the graphical representation of a vector.

Magnitude (Graphical Representation)

Indicated by the length of the line showing the size or amount of the given vector.

Examples of Scalar Quantities

Work, electric flux, volume, viscosity, density, power, temperature and electric charge.

Examples of Vector Quantities

Displacement, Velocity, acceleration, force, and momentum.