Understanding Vectors: A Complete Guide to Magnitude and Direction in Physics

A physical quantity that has both magnitude and direction.

The physical quantity that has both magnitude and direction is known as a vector

The physical quantity that has both magnitude and direction is known as a vector. Vectors are used to represent various quantities in physics, such as force, displacement, velocity, and acceleration. They have two essential components: magnitude and direction.

Magnitude refers to the size or quantity of the vector, and it is typically represented by a numerical value or a scalar. For example, if we consider the displacement vector of an object, the magnitude of the displacement vector would represent the distance covered by the object.

Direction, as the name suggests, indicates the orientation or path along which the vector is acting. It can be represented by an arrow pointing in a particular direction. For instance, if we consider the velocity vector of a moving car, its direction would show the way the car is moving, such as north, east, south, or west.

To fully describe a vector, both magnitude and direction must be specified. In mathematical terms, vectors are usually represented using boldface letters, such as A, B, or C, with a hat (^) over the symbol to indicate it is a vector (e.g., Ā, B̂, Ĉ).

Vectors can be added or subtracted using vector addition and subtraction rules, which take into account both their magnitudes and directions. This allows us to determine resultant vectors, which are the vectors obtained by combining two or more other vectors.

In summary, a physical quantity that has both magnitude and direction is called a vector. Vectors are essential in physics and are used to represent various quantities, combining magnitude and direction to fully describe a physical phenomenon.

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