Question #84ddc

1 Answer
Sep 12, 2016

Scalars are specified by a magnitude completely while vectors need a magnitude and one direction for their specification.

Explanation:

Any Physical quantity is a tensor.

Tensors of rank 0 are called scalars. They can be specified only by a magnitude. (examples include mass, work, current, etc.)

Tensors of rank 1 are called vectors. They can be specified by a magnitude and a direction. (examples include force, displacement, current density etc.)

There are tensors of rank 2, 3.....in mathematics.
Most common examples of rank 2 tensors in physics are moment of inertia and effective mass of a particle.