As mentioned earlier, dimensions are measurable variables. These means they have size, or magnitude.
However, there are many dimensions that also have a direction component.
This means we can now classify dimension into two categories
SCALAR - dimensions that only have a magnitude and
VECTOR - those dimensions that have a magnitude AND a direction.
Some common examples of scalar quantities include time, energy, area, distance and speed
Some common examples of vector quantities include displacement, velocity, force, and magnetic field.
However, there are many dimensions that also have a direction component.
This means we can now classify dimension into two categories
SCALAR - dimensions that only have a magnitude and
VECTOR - those dimensions that have a magnitude AND a direction.
Some common examples of scalar quantities include time, energy, area, distance and speed
Some common examples of vector quantities include displacement, velocity, force, and magnetic field.
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Vectors are represented as arrows, with the length of the arrow proportional to the magnitude of the dimension it represents and the angle the arrow is at, of course the direction.
This means that, even two arrows are are the same length, if the point in different directions, the vectors they represent are NOT the same. Watch the video to lean about vectors, how they are represented and how we add them. |
Interactive
Use the following interactive to explore vector addition
The first button explore vectors in a rectilinear fashion
The second button explore vectors in a 2D fashion
Use the following interactive to explore vector addition
The first button explore vectors in a rectilinear fashion
The second button explore vectors in a 2D fashion
courtesy pHET
A vector interactive developed in Geogebra by Tom Walsh
Problems
Download a worksheet on vectors
