Flashcards: Vectors in Two Dimensions — 11 cards

What defines a scalar quantity?

It is described by magnitude or numerical value alone.

Scalar quantity: description?

Fully described by magnitude only.

What distinguishes displacement from distance?

Displacement has a specified direction, distance does not.

Vector quantity: description?

Described by magnitude and direction.

How is a vector geometrically represented?

By a directed line segment with a tail and an arrowhead.

Vector representation: key feature?

Directed line segment from tail to arrowhead.

When are two vectors equal?

When they have the same magnitude and direction.

Equal vectors: condition?

Same magnitude and same direction.

Magnitude formula: for vector?

|a|=√(x² + y²).

Opposite vector: characteristic?

Same magnitude, opposite direction.

Vector addition law?

Triangle law: u+v=AC.