Question

Current has both magnitude and direction. Then why is it considered scalar and not vector ? [3 MARKS]

Answer 1

• THE answer is of just two words but one should know the reason also. I have given a simple as well as brief explanation of the topic."A scalarquantity is the quantity which has only magnitude and not directionand a vector quantity is the one which has magnitude as well as direction ",we have been told so by everyone, our teacher ,friends , tutors etc.But this is only a necessary condition.This mindset is needed to be changed and i have the required reasons behind it.While the must condition is that,"A scalar quantity is what follows algebric addition law and a vector quantity is what follows the vector addition law."Although current has both magnitude and direction but it follows the algebric law of addition. So, we can say that current is a scalar quantity.