Difference between Vectors and Scalars

The basic difference between vectors and scalars is that scalar quantity is described completely by its magnitude only while vector quantity is described by magnitude and direction. Speed, energy, power are a few scalar quantity examples. Force, velocity, and acceleration are some vector quantity examples.

Now, we learn in detail about scalar and vector quantities.
Keep reading…

Difference between Vectors and Scalars in Tabular form

Scalars	vectors
Physical quantities have magnitude only but no direction.	Physical quantities have magnitude and direction.
These quantities are completely described by: 1:a number 2:a suitable unit	These quantities are completely described by: 1:a numbers 2:by a suitable unit 3:By certain direction
These quantities are added, subtracted, multiplied, and divided by simple arithmetic rules.	These quantities cannot be added, subtracted, multiplied, and divide by simple arithmetical rules.

What are some examples of scalar quantity?

• Speed
• work
• distance
• energy
• power
• Temperature
• Volume
• Specific heat
• Calorie
• Density
• Entropy
• Gravitational potential
• Charge
• Frequency
• Kinetic energy

Examples of vector quantities

• Force
• Acceleration
• Momentum
• Torque
• Electric flux
• Magnetic field intensity
• Centrifugal force
• Shearing stress
• Electric field intensity

List of scalar and vector quantities

• Mass
• weight
• speed
• work
• power
• energy
• force
• torque
• displacement
• distance

Related topics
Types of vectors
dot product and cross product
Difference between dot product and cross product