A natural object that can be measured is called a physical quantity. in other words, measurable things are called physical quantities.
Example: Length, mass, time, velocity, acceleration, movement, weight, etc. are examples of physical quantities.
- Physical objects and physical quantities are not same. Iron, gold, water, wood are physical objects not physical quantity Because these cannot be measured.
- Their weight, length, mass, volume etc are measured. That is why physical objects are not physical quantities.
Types of physical quantity
There are two types of physical quantities which are –
- Scalar quantity
- Vector quantity
What is scalar quantity?
A physical quantity that has only a magnitude but no direction is called a scalar quantity. in other words, quantities that can only be expressed by magnitude are called scalar quantities.
For example:
- Mass
- Speed
- Distance
- Time
- Area
All these quantity’s are expressed by magnitude only. No direction is required.
What is Vector quantity
A physical quantity that has both magnitude and direction is called a vector quantity. in other words, quantities are expressed by values and directions. These quantities are called vector quantities.
Examples of Vector Quantities
- Displacement
- Momentum
- Angular velocity
- Force
- Linear momentum
- Acceleration