Vector & Scalar Quantities
- All quantities in physics are either vectors or scalars
- A scalar quantity describes a magnitude only, e.g. a room temperature of 16° C
- A vector quantity describes both magnitude and direction, e.g. a large pot of rice exerts a force of 40 N downwards on a cooker
- The table below summarises the vector and scalar quantities related to moving objects
Table showing vector-scalar distinction for quantities describing moving objects
