Thread: vector - scalar

What the difference between vector to scalar?

Scalar represents a quantity/magnitude.
Vector represents a quantity/magnitude with direction.

Example of a scalar includes speed,mass, temperature,electric charge etc... These all have values or quantities but neither of them has direction.

Example of a vector is velocity, magnetic field etc... These all have directions.

A more evident example would be; that car is travelling at 100km/h---scalar
That car is travelling 100km/h toe the east---vector

Heinsberg is correct up to a point, though there is an interesting subtly, via equivalence classes, implied in the concept of a vector.

But beware, this poster is a "hit and run poster", so I shouldn't work too hard to try and help him if I were you.

Originally Posted by Guitarist

Heinsberg is correct up to a point, though there is an interesting subtly, via equivalence classes, implied in the concept of a vector.

But beware, this poster is a "hit and run poster", so I shouldn't work too hard to try and help him if I were you.

lol, so there is a specific name given to these type of posters.. hmm interesting indeed :P

A scalar is a tensor of 0th order, a single number that is invariant under rotations of the coordinate system. A vector is a tensor of 1st order, an element of a vector space.

Scalars are quantity with magnitude only.
Vectors have both magnitude and direction and can be added by triangle law.
Eg speed is salar but velocity is vector.