Difference between revisions of "Vector quantity"
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| − | A physical measurement that contains directional information | + | A '''vector quantity''' is physical measurement that contains directional information,<ref>Wile, Dr. Jay L. ''Exploring Creation With Physical Science''. Apologia Educational Ministries, Inc. 1999, 2000</ref> as opposed to a [[scalar quantity]]. |
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| + | Force is an example of a vector quantity. | ||
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| + | For example, when an airplane is taking off, the air under the wings is exerting a force in an upward direction, gravity is exerting a force in a downward direction, the engine is exerting a force pushing the plane forward, while winds may be exerting forces from side to side. | ||
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| + | Temperature is an example of a scalar quantity. The temperature is simply a number of units: normal body temperature is 37° Celsius. You can't speak of an upward temperature, or a northeast temperature; it has no direction. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 01:43, May 11, 2007
A vector quantity is physical measurement that contains directional information,[1] as opposed to a scalar quantity.
Force is an example of a vector quantity.
For example, when an airplane is taking off, the air under the wings is exerting a force in an upward direction, gravity is exerting a force in a downward direction, the engine is exerting a force pushing the plane forward, while winds may be exerting forces from side to side.
Temperature is an example of a scalar quantity. The temperature is simply a number of units: normal body temperature is 37° Celsius. You can't speak of an upward temperature, or a northeast temperature; it has no direction.
References
- ↑ Wile, Dr. Jay L. Exploring Creation With Physical Science. Apologia Educational Ministries, Inc. 1999, 2000