1. Concepts of Vectors and scalars ,magnitude and direction of a vector

Chapter 10

Concepts of Vectors and scalars ,magnitude and direction of a vector :

The Physical quantity is either a vector or a scalar. These two categories can be distinguished from one another by their distinct definitions:

 Scalars are Physical quantities that has magnitude but no particular direction is described as scalar. 

Vectors are Physical quantities that are fully described by both a magnitude and a direction and also satisfy the triangle law of vector addition.

Examples of Scalar Quantities                                             

Some examples of scalar include:

• Mass
• Speed
• Distance
• Time
• Area
• Volume
• Density
• Temperature

Examples of Vector Quantities

Examples of vector quantity include:

• Linear momentum
• Acceleration
• Displacement
• Momentum
• Angular velocity
• Force
• Electric field
• Polarization

Initial Points – The point A where from the vector starts is known as initial point.

Terminal Point – The point B, where it ends is said to be the terminal point.

Magnitude – The distance between initial point and terminal point of a vector is the

Position Vector – Consider a point p (x, y, z) in space. The vector with initial point, origin O and terminal point P, is called the position vector of P.