Describing Motion: Scalars and Vectors

Vocabulary flashcards covering the definitions of scalar and vector quantities and their applications to distance, displacement, speed, and velocity.

Scalar

A quantity that has magnitude only.

Vector

A quantity that has both magnitude and direction.

Distance

The total path length traveled. It is a scalar, so it does not include direction.

Displacement

The straight line change in position from start to finish. It is a vector that includes direction and is written as $\Delta \vec{d}$.

Speed

A scalar quantity describing how fast an object moves, which does not include direction.

Velocity

A vector quantity describing how fast an object moves and in what direction, written as $\vec{v}$.