Difference between revisions of "Vector"
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===About Vectors=== | ===About Vectors=== | ||
[[Vector]] quantities include: | [[Vector]] quantities include: | ||
| − | *[[Force]]s - A push or a pull which has a [[magnitude]] (size) and a direction. | + | *[[Force]]s (<math>\overrightarrow{F}</math>) - A push or a pull which has a [[magnitude]] (size) and a direction. |
| − | *[[Displacement]] - The distance and direction from one point in space to another. | + | *[[Displacement]] (<math>\overrightarrow{s}</math>) - The distance and direction from one point in space to another. |
| − | *[[Velocity]] - The [[speed]] and direction that an [[object]] is moving. | + | *[[Velocity]] (<math>\overrightarrow{v}</math>) - The [[speed]] and direction that an [[object]] is moving. |
| − | *[[Acceleration]] - The rate of change of [[velocity]] and the direction of this change. | + | *[[Acceleration]] (<math>\overrightarrow{a}</math>) - The rate of change of [[velocity]] and the direction of this change. |
| + | If a quantity does not include direction, then it is called a [[scalar]], not a [[vector]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Representing Vectors=== | ||
| + | : [[Vector]]s are written with either an underline (<math>\underline{F}</math>,<math>\underline{s}</math>,<math>\underline{v}</math>,<math>\underline{a}</math>) or an arrow above (<math>\overrightarrow{F}</math>,<math>\overrightarrow{s}</math>,<math>\overrightarrow{v}</math>,<math>\overrightarrow{a}</math>) | ||
| + | : [[Vector]]s are often drawn on [[diagram]]s. They are drawn as an arrow because an arrow can show the [[magnitude]] (the length of the arrow) and the direction (which way the arrow is pointing). | ||
| + | |||
| + | : Using a [[diagram]] two [[vector]] quantities can be added together by drawing the arrows end to end. | ||
Revision as of 19:23, 3 February 2019
Key Stage 4
Meaning
A vector is a quantity with both magnitude and direction.
About Vectors
Vector quantities include:
- Forces (\(\overrightarrow{F}\)) - A push or a pull which has a magnitude (size) and a direction.
- Displacement (\(\overrightarrow{s}\)) - The distance and direction from one point in space to another.
- Velocity (\(\overrightarrow{v}\)) - The speed and direction that an object is moving.
- Acceleration (\(\overrightarrow{a}\)) - The rate of change of velocity and the direction of this change.
If a quantity does not include direction, then it is called a scalar, not a vector.
Representing Vectors
- Vectors are written with either an underline (\(\underline{F}\),\(\underline{s}\),\(\underline{v}\),\(\underline{a}\)) or an arrow above (\(\overrightarrow{F}\),\(\overrightarrow{s}\),\(\overrightarrow{v}\),\(\overrightarrow{a}\))
- Vectors are often drawn on diagrams. They are drawn as an arrow because an arrow can show the magnitude (the length of the arrow) and the direction (which way the arrow is pointing).