PHY100H5 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Unit Vector, International System Of Units
Document Summary
Scalar quantity: one that can be described with a single number (including units), giving its size or magnitude. Vector quantity: one that deals inherently with both magnitude and direction. B/c direction is an important characteristic of vectors, arrows are used to represent them. Direction of arrow gives the direction of the vector. Displacement vectors show how object is displaced from its starting point. Length of arrow represents magnitude of the displacement vector. Length of vector is proportional to the magnitude of the vector. Magnitude of force is measures in si units called newtons (n) Fundamental distinction between scalars and vectors is characteristic of direction. Colinear vectors point in same direction. R : resultant vector total vector. When a vector is multiplied by -1, the magnitude of the vector remains the same, but the direction of the vector is reversed. Another method of expressing vector components is to use unit vectors.