Vectors, Velocity Vectors, Components of VectorsA series of free High School Physics Video Lessons from Brightstorm online Physics series.
Vector Direction A vector contains two types of information: a magnitude and a direction. The magnitude is the length of the vector while the direction tells us which way the vector points. Vector direction can be given in various forms, but is most commonly denoted in degrees. Acceleration and velocity are examples of vectors.
Vector and Scalar Quantities A scalar quantity contains a magnitude and operates independently of direction while a vector quantity contains a direction. Most scientific data are scalar. A few examples of scalar quantities include time, mass and speed. Examples of vector quantities include velocity and displacement.
Velocity Vectors A velocity vector represents the rate of change of the position of an object. The magnitude of a velocity vector gives the speed of an object while the vector direction gives its direction. Velocity vectors can be added or subtracted according to the principles of vector addition.
Components of Vectors Two-dimensional vectors have two components: an x vector and a y vector. Each of these vector components is a vector in the direction of one axis. The sum of the components of vectors is the original vector. Three-dimensional vectors have a z component as well.
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