What is a scalar quantity?


Quick Answer

A scalar quantity is a physical measurement that reflects a single attribute. The magnitude of the quantity describes it fully. For example, the distance between two objects is a scalar quantity.

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Full Answer

The distance between several objects is a scalar quantity, provided the starting point is irrelevant and the final value is the same. A vector quantity reflects two or more attributes, which are magnitude and direction. The velocity of an object is a vector quantity, whereas the speed of an object is a scalar quantity. In physics, speed is described as the scalar quantity of velocity. Scalar quantities can be compared easily, whereas vector quantities can require complicated math.

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