Question

Differentiate between the scalar and vector quantities, giving two examples of each.

Answer 1

Difference between scalar and vector quantity is concerned as:

1. The scalar quantity is described as the quantity that has only one characteristic, i.e. magnitude. The vector quantity is a physical quantity which needs both magnitude and direction to define it.
2. Scalar quantities explain one-dimensional quantities. On the other hand, multi-dimensional quantities are explained by vector quantity.
3. Scalar quantity changes only when there is a change in their magnitude. As against this, vector quantity changes with the change in their magnitude, direction or both.
4. Ordinary rules of algebra are followed by scalar quantities to perform operations like addition, subtraction and multiplication, while for the performance of operations, vector quantities follow vector algebra rules.
5. When comparing two scalar quantities, you have to consider only the magnitude, whereas when the comparison of two vector quantities is made, both magnitude and direction are to be taken into account. In this way, vector quantities are a bit more difficult to deal with, as compared to scalar quantity.
6. Last but not the least, scalar quantity can divide another scalar but this cannot be done in the case of a vector quantity.

Examples of scalar- speed, distance
Examples of vector-velocity, displacement