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Algebra (all content)
Course: Algebra (all content) > Unit 19
Lesson 1: Vector basicsRecognizing vectors practice
Try two questions that make sure you understand that vectors have magnitude and direction.
Problem 1
Problem 2
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i don't understand whether the time is a scalar or vectoral magnitude. if we can say it is vectoral, why do we get a scalar magnitude when we divide the distance (not displacement) by the time?(16 votes)
You are seeing time according to classical physics. If we see time according to the theory of relativity time is vector whose direction is towards future.(7 votes)
- Is Force a scalar or a vector quantity ?(8 votes)
- I think Force should be a vector, since it possess both a scalar and a direction.(12 votes)
The answer choices in problem one confuse me. Why isn't the length of the distance between the points (0,0) and (2,7) considered a vector? Is it required to be a line of some sort in order to be a vector?(4 votes)
Vectors need both a magnitude (distance) and direction.
If you just know the length, you have the magnitude but no direction. The answer options 2 and 4 tell you where to start from, so they give both the distance and direction.
Hope this helps.(10 votes)
is there a tip or something that can help you know about if its a vector or not(4 votes)
The definition of a vector contains tips. If it has a direction AND magnitude/ size, then it is a VECTOR.(9 votes)
- it was tricky , I clearly understood that vectors have sizes and specified directions. so I wanted to test myself for this particular test so I chose A and B because in answer A we have the distance between two objects and on the pool table which I counted as a direction based on what I learnt in the English language that to tell on the right or on the left or
above etc . also,I used the same logical thinking to answer B
for C it was obvious that it didn't make and sense.however, for D it states only the movement of the airplane but not at any directions did the airplane moved to the left or to the right or was it landing gradually so I didn't count it as a correct version of answer
thank you for your help and support I mere want to comment(4 votes)
Well, the airplane is assumed to have a direction and a velocity/acceleration (or some value of interest that can be associated with its direction) so it meets the criterion for a vector. It doesn't matter which way it is moving or if it is landing or taking off.(3 votes)
- Why is electric current scalar when it has a direction?(3 votes)
This might be complicated for you IF you have not yet learnt vector laws. But anyway, there is a law called the Parallelogram Law Of Vectors . If a quantity obeys this rule and the other rules for vectors, it will be considered a vector quantity. But electric current was tested and it did not obey this rule. So, even if it had a magnitude and direction, it was not considered a vector.(5 votes)
How can the movement of an aeroplane be considered as a vector?(2 votes)
The movement of an airplane can be considered a vector, because an airplane always has a speed (or magnitude) and has a movement (or direction). Technically all real world movements can be considered a vector, because a force is always applied (the magnitude {2N for example}) and movement always results in a change of location (which is always in a direction {the left for example})(3 votes)
- why isn't the length of the distance between the black ball and white ball a vector. the length is from the black ball to the white ball and the direction is from the black ball to the white ball.(3 votes)
length is not a vector, length is just a distance. if you add the information of the direction it is no longer just length. In the case of the two points it is then the line segment, but more generally you could think of it as displacement(1 vote)
I am unable to understand unit vectors. Please help.(1 vote)
A unit vector is a vector whose magnitude is 1, and is used for defining directions. Since it is a vector, it has both direction and magnitude. Now if its magnitude is 1, we can use it for defining the direction of other vectors. They tell whether the vector is along the x-axis or y-axis or z-axis. Hope that helps...(3 votes)
- How do Vectors apply in pre-cal?(1 vote)
- They are used to describe a whole host of physical phenomena from wind speed to airplane velocity/acceleration to friction on a wheel to forces acting on a bridge. Vectors are EVERYWHERE(3 votes)
