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<onlyinclude>A '''vector''' is a mathematical tool used to represent physical quantities that require both a ''magnitude'' and ''direction'' to describe. Such physical quantities include things like positions, [[velocity|velocities]] and [[force]]s.</onlyinclude> | [[File:Vector B2.png|thumb|Figure 1. An example of what a vector can look like in a cartesian coordinate system.<ref>Wikimedia Commons (2023). (Accessed June 9, 2026). ''Vector B'' [Online]. Available: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vector_B.svg</ref>]] | ||
<onlyinclude>A '''vector''' is a mathematical tool used to represent physical quantities that require both a ''magnitude'' and ''direction'' to describe. Such physical quantities include things like positions, [[velocity|velocities]] and [[force]]s.</onlyinclude> | |||
For example, the velocity of a baseball is a vector quantity | For example, the velocity of a baseball is a vector quantity: the moving baseball has both a magnitude and a direction. | ||
# The magnitude of its velocity is known as the '''speed''', so one would say the baseball's speed is 100 km/hr. | |||
# The direction can be described in many ways (once a coordinate system is chosen): the baseball could be traveling "to the left", "to the west", "in the x-direction", etc.<ref>R. Chabay and B. Sherwood, "Describing the 3D World: Vectors," in Matter & Interactions, 3rd ed., Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2011, ch.1, sec.5, pp. 9</ref> | |||
Figure 1 shows an example of a magnetic field vector on a cartesian plane. | |||
To learn more about vectors, [http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/vecm.html#vecmh| visit HyperPhysics]. | To learn more about vectors, [http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/vecm.html#vecmh| visit HyperPhysics]. | ||
== For Further Reading == | |||
* [[Velocity]] | |||
* [[Force]] | |||
* [[Scalar]] | |||
* [[Unit vector]] | |||
* Or explore a [[Special:Random|random page]] | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
[[Category: Uploaded]] | |||
Latest revision as of 20:55, 2 July 2026
Figure 1. An example of what a vector can look like in a cartesian coordinate system.[1]
A vector is a mathematical tool used to represent physical quantities that require both a magnitude and direction to describe. Such physical quantities include things like positions, velocities and forces.
For example, the velocity of a baseball is a vector quantity: the moving baseball has both a magnitude and a direction.
- The magnitude of its velocity is known as the speed, so one would say the baseball's speed is 100 km/hr.
- The direction can be described in many ways (once a coordinate system is chosen): the baseball could be traveling "to the left", "to the west", "in the x-direction", etc.[2]
Figure 1 shows an example of a magnetic field vector on a cartesian plane.
To learn more about vectors, visit HyperPhysics.
For Further Reading
- Velocity
- Force
- Scalar
- Unit vector
- Or explore a random page
References
- ↑ Wikimedia Commons (2023). (Accessed June 9, 2026). Vector B [Online]. Available: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vector_B.svg
- ↑ R. Chabay and B. Sherwood, "Describing the 3D World: Vectors," in Matter & Interactions, 3rd ed., Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2011, ch.1, sec.5, pp. 9
