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scalar quantity
a scalar quantity is a quantity with only a magnitude —> it has no direction
vector quantity
a vector quantity is a quantity with both a magnitude and direction
displacement
a vector that is the shortest distance from the initial position to the final position
examples of a scalar quantity
speed, distance
examples of a vector quantity
velocity, displacement, acceleration
why is distance a scalar quantity?
because distance is how far something has moved opposed to how far it has moved and it’s direction of travel
why is displacement a vector quantity?
because it has both magnitude and direction of travel
what is the difference between a scalar quantity and a vector quantity?
scalars only have a magnitude, while vectors have both a magnitude and direction of travel
what do you state when talking about displacement?
magnitude and direction
why do you have to state a displacement’s direction of travel and magnitude/quantity?
because it’s a vector quantity meaning it has both direction and magnitude - therefore requires both to be stated
