What are vector quantities?

• Vector  quantities  are  the physical quantities that  have a size or magnitude  as well as a direction

Examples of vector  quantities:

• Momentum, velocity, acceleration and force

Let us understand why the above are the examples of vector quantities with the help of  a few examples.

• Momentum: Momentum is a vector quantity as it is a product of mass( scalar quantity) and velocity ( vector quantity). The direction of momentum is in the direction of the velocity.
• Velocity: In simple terms, we can say that velocity is the speed in a given direction. So if  I say that an object is moving 30kmph, then i am referring to the speed of the object, which is a scalar quantity. But if I say that the object is moving 30kmph East, then this means that I am referring to the object's velocity.
• Acceleration: Acceleration is a vector quantity as it has magnitude as well as direction. We all know that objects accelerate towards the Earth with approximately 10m/s².
• Force:   Force is a vector quantity as it has magnitude as well as direction. Weight, tension force, drag force, air resistance are all examples of forces.