Vector Physics Explanation

If you are a student or just someone who is interested in the study of physics, you may be looking for a vector physics explanation. Understanding what a vector is necessary to the study of physics. A vector is a quantity that has both size and direction. Quantity in this sense is defined as something that you are able to measure.

Here is a simple vector physics explanation:

• In physics, there are two types of quantities, there are quantities that can be expressed in only one value such as size. These quantities are labeled as scalars in physics.
• Vectors, on the other hand, must have more than a size quantity; they must also have a quantity expressed in direction.

In simplest physics terms, a vector is an object in motion while a scalar is an object at rest.

Vectors and Velocity

To fully give a vector physics explanation, it is helpful to look at an example:

• If you look at the concept of velocity it can be expressed in one quantity of measurement which is speed.
• However, since velocity is used to describe an object in motion, this means that the object also has direction.
• If you were measuring the wind speed you would measure it by using velocity. You would first determine the speed of the wind outside. However, there would be a second measurement in order to accurately describe the velocity of the wind. This other measurement would be the direction that the wind is blowing in.
• Therefore, to describe the wind accurately you would have to say that the wind was blowing at 30 miles per hour to the North and East. This would make the wind measured in two quantities and thus a vector in physics.

Expressing Vectors

An explanation of vectors in physics also involves looking at how vectors are expressed:

• Vectors in physics are typically drawn as an arrow to illustrate the size, direction, and length if necessary.
• The length of the arrow illustrates the size of the vector.
• The direction in which the arrow points indicates the direction of the vector in physics.
• The arrow can be used to illustrate anything in motion such as a person on a bike.
• When describing the arrow that is drawn the tip of the arrow is called the head of the vector and the tail of the arrow is called the tail of the vector.
• The direction of the vector is typically expressed in the directions on a compass such as North, South, East, and West.

Velocity is not the only measurement in physics that is a vector. Other measurements that would qualify in physics as a vector include displacement, acceleration, force, gravitational field, torque, and electric and magnetic fields. Distance on the other hand would not be considered a vector since it can only be measured in one quantity. Therefore, distance would be considered a scalar.

So, now you have a simple explanation of vectors in physics. You can use this knowledge to further your study of physics and to understand the difference between vectors and scalars.