Vector and Scalar

Physics homework for 11/7/14:

Friday, November 7, 2014

“Vectors & Scalar” Blog Post

Explain the difference between vector and scalar and find an example of each that we did not cover in class (you can use the internet or pull from your own life)

Vector and Scalar: The Difference and Examples of Both

             Yesterday in class we learned about vector quantities and scalar quantities, two types of classifications for variables such as mass and distance. We also drew vectors and learned how to add vectors (by the way, if that is confusing to anyone I suggest either asking Ms.Reid or someone else for help  or go to Khan Academy as there are a few videos about vectors and scalars, that is where I first learned about vectors and scalars in fact). We also took some notes as usual and took a little clicker quiz at the end to test our understanding of the topic. I remember only getting weight wrong, but gladly I understand why it is a vector and not a scalar. 

Okay, so I keep on saying "vector" and "scalar", but what do those words really mean and what are they? Are there any differences between them? Well, both are types of quantities and certain variables fall into each classification like time, weight, velocity, etc. All quantities I believe are either a vector or a scalar. A scalar quantity (e.g. distance, time, mass, speed, etc.) is a quantity that is fully described by a magnitude/size (or number) without anything else. Whereas a vector quantity (force, weight, velocity, acceleration, etc.) has magnitude as well as a direction like left, right, up, down, etc. So the only big difference is one has direction (vector) and the other doesn't (scalar), the only similarity is that both have magnitude.

You can identify either one of these quantities by looking for numbers and/or directions OR if you want to know if a quantity is a vector or a scalar, then think about its definition and what goes with it. For example, acceleration is a vector quantity because it is a "change in velocity (speed or direction)" and velocity is a vector itself so you can probably identify other vectors this way. 

Also, with vectors and scalars you can apply mathematical operations (most I believe) to find the net or the resultant (the net is the result you get after and usually it is after addition or subtraction). We learned how to add and subtract vectors a bit to find the resultant vector, but I won't explain that. Khan Academy will definitely help if you need it though! : https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/mcat/physical-processes/vectors-and-scalars/v/introduction-to-vectors-and-scalars

Okay, so now let's add some examples of both!~ I'll take one from the web and one from my life.

Well, I know temperature must be a scalar if you measure the magnitude and not the increase or decrease. Many people say it is a scalar and it most likely is as we measure the magnitude of temperature, not the direction. And temperature is all around us. Literally! I mean, I have a body temperature, my house's thermostat has a high temperature since it is winter, and New England cannot make its mind up about whether it wants to be hot or cold. :-(((( Also, I believe just about everything has a temperature since all atoms have kinetic energy, is that correct? Sure we don't measure water bottles, but no atoms are at absolute zero either (most likely). 

And momentum must be a vector as it has direction and size. Also, the formula involves a vector quantity. Before I give an example of momentum, let me give the definition of momentum. Momentum is the amount of motion occurring in something that is moving, or the force that drives something forward (or whatever direction) to keep it moving. The best example I can give is of a huge truck rolling down a hill and a little truck rolling down a hill as well. Apparently one of the trucks will have a greater momentum due to their mass and velocity and I believe gravity plays some kind of a role here. But the objects have some kind of a momentum which involves a number and a direction. In this case it might be some number and going down hill.

There are a lot of examples of these quantities, but for now I will just leave it at that. And it is good having two different classifications of quantities as it can help us understand quantities better and as it can help us measure things better as well as a lot more.

Any ways, buenos morning and hallelujah pancakes and waffles!

B)))))).