Question

Is potential a scalar or a vector quantity?

Answer 1

1. A quantity which has only magnitude but no direction is called a scalar quantity.
2. A quantity which has both the magnitude and direction is called a vector quantity.
3. Electric potential is defined as the amount of work done in bringing a unit positive charge from infinity to a point against the direction of an electric field.
4. Work done is a scalar quantity and is defined as the dot product of force and displacement.
5. Since the potential is also a form of work done which in turn is stored as potential energy, potential is a scalar quantity.