Scalars and Vectors Flashcards
(11 cards)
What are scalars?
Scalars are quantities that have magnitude but NO direction.
What are some examples of scalars?
Examples include: 1. Temperature 2. Mass 3. Time 4. Distance 5. Speed 6. Energy
What are vectors?
Vectors are quantities that have both magnitude and direction.
What are some examples of vectors?
Examples include: 1. Velocity 2. Force 3. Acceleration 4. Displacement 5. Momentum 6. Electric field
How are vectors represented?
Vectors are represented by a straight line with an arrowhead on it.
What does the length of the line represent in a vector?
Length of the line = Magnitude of the vector
What does the direction of the arrowhead represent in a vector?
Direction of arrowhead = The direction of the vector
What is the resultant vector?
The combined effect of two or more vectors is called the resultant vector.
What are anti-parallel vectors?
Anti-parallel vectors are when adding two vectors with opposite directions, one must be assigned the positive direction, making the other direction negative.
What are orthogonal vectors?
Orthogonal vectors are vectors that are perpendicular (at right angle) to each other.
What is the parallelogram rule?
Vectors may act at angles other than 90 degrees. Use the parallelogram rule to determine the resultant for two vectors that have an angle other than 90 degrees between them.
