Vector quantity

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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.

The absolute of a vector quantity is again a scalar. If the absolute of a vector quantity is zero, the vector quantity is assumed to have all possible directions at once. Since the absolute is therefore all-encompassing, it is often argued to be identical with God.[2]


References

  1. ↑ Wile, Dr. Jay L. Exploring Creation With Physical Science. Apologia Educational Ministries, Inc. 1999, 2000
  2. ↑ Klanderman, D., Robbert, S., & Wheeler, R.: "A Tale of Two Transitions," Proceedings of the 1997 Meeting of the Association of Christians in the Mathematical Sciences, Fall 1997