Contents
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).