Summary and Main Ideas

Summary and Key Concepts

• A scalar is a physical quantity with magnitude only.

• A vector is a physical quantity with magnitude and direction.

• Vectors may be represented as arrows where the length of the arrow indicates the magnitude and the arrowhead indicates the direction of the vector.

• The direction of a vector can be indicated by referring to another vector or a fixed point (e.g. \(\text{30}\)\(\text{°}\) from the river bank); using a compass (e.g. N \(\text{30}\)\(\text{°}\) W); or bearing (e.g. \(\text{053}\)\(\text{°}\)).

• The resultant vector is the single vector whose effect is the same as the individual vectors acting together.