Physics XI Content
Scalar and Vector – Introduction
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SCALAR QUANTITIES |
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Physical quantities which can completely be specified by a number (magnitude) having an appropriate unit are known as “SCALAR QUANTITIES”. |
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Scalar quantities do not need direction for their description. |
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EXAMPLES |
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Work, energy, electric flux, volume, refractive index, time, speed, electric potential, potential difference, viscosity, density, power, mass, distance, temperature, electric charge, electric flux etc.
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VECTORS QUANTITIES |
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Physical quantities having both magnitude and direction |
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We can’t specify a vector quantity without mention of direction. |
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EXAMPLES |
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Velocity, electric field intensity, acceleration, force, momentum, torque, displacement, electric current, weight, angular momentum etc. |
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REPRESENTATION OF VECTORS |
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On paper vector quantities are represented by a straight line with arrow head pointing the direction of vector or terminal point of vector. |
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A vector quantity is first transformed into a suitable scale and then a line is drawn with the help of the |
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scale chosen in the given direction. |
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