Scalars and Vectors

Scalars and Vectors are two different types of physical quantities. Meaning they are 2 different ways of

1. Scalars are quantities that only have magnitude (amount). Examples Scalars:

• Temperature (25°C)
• Mass (50 kg)
• Time (10 seconds)
• Speed (30 m/s)

2. Vectors are quantities that have both magnitude (amount) AND direction. Examples Vectors:

• Velocity (30 m/s east)
• Force (100 N downward)
• Displacement (5 meters north)
• Acceleration (2 m/s² northwest)

SPEED, VELOCITY and ACCELERATION #

Here are some brief notes on Speed, Velocity, and Acceleration:

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Speed #

• Definition: The rate (amount if time) at which an object moves through a distance.
• Scalar Quantity: It is a scalar quantity because it has only magnitude and no direction.
• Unit: Meters per second (m/s).

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Velocity #

• Definition: The rate of change of displacement (Displacement is the distance moved in a specific direction).
• Vector Quantity: It is a vector because it has both magnitude and direction.
• Unit: Meters per second (m/s).

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Acceleration #

• Definition: How quickly speed changes over a given time
• Vector Quantity: Can be positive (speeding up) or negative (slowing down, called deceleration).
• Unit: Meters per second squared (m/s²).

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