Scalar and Vector quantity
Scalar Quantities
A scalar quantity does not tell us the direction. You can describe it with just a number and a unit.
Examples:
Mass – 5 kg
Time – 10 second
Temperature – 25°C
Speed – 60 km/h
Distance – 20 meters
Example:
If a car travels 20 meters, we only know how far it went — not which way. So, distance is a scalar.
Vector quantity
A Vector quantity has direction. To describe it fully, we must say how much and which direction it acts in.
Vectors are shown using arrows — the length of the arrow shows how much, and the arrowhead shows which direction.
Examples:
Velocity – 60 km/h east
Displacement – 20 meters north
Force – 10 newtons upward
Acceleration – 5 m/s² downward
Example:
If a car moves 20 meters east, we know how far and which direction. So, displacement is a vector.