| FEATURE | SCALAR QUANTITYMAGNITUDE ONLY |
VECTOR QUANTITYMAGNITUDE + DIRECTION |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Has magnitude (size) only | Has both magnitude and direction |
| Direction | No direction associated | Direction is essential to specify it |
| Representation | Written as a single number with a unit (e.g., 5 kg) |
Written with magnitude, unit, and direction (e.g., 5 m/s North), or using arrow notation (v) |
| Arithmetic Rules | Follows standard algebraic rules (3 + 4 = 7) |
Follows vector algebra (triangle/parallelogram law of addition) |
| Change | Changes if its magnitude changes | Changes if its magnitude, direction, or both change |
| Dimensions | 1D (can be represented on a simple line axis) | 1D, 2D, or 3D coordinate space |
| Examples |