General Knowledge - Physics - Discussion

Scalar having magnitude only, but vector having magnitude and this magnitude act in some specific direction only (i.e. , Vector possess both magnitude and direction). Pressure is force acting per unit area. Force having magnitude but this force is acting equally in all the direction not in any specified direction.

For e.g take a rubber ball, put some small holes around the ball by pin and fill it with water. If you apply force water comes out in all direction via hole, but not in any specific direction. So in case of pressure we do not point out any single direction because pressure acting equally in all the direction. Pressure a Scalar quantity.

Scalar:
A scalar is a physical quantity that has only a magnitude (size).

Vector:
A vector is a physical quantity that has both a magnitude and a direction.

Examples of scalar quantities:
-> mass has only a value, no direction
-> electric charge has only a value, no direction

Examples of vector quantities:
-> force has a value and a direction. You push or pull something with some strength (magnitude) in a particular direction
-> weight has a value and a direction. Your weight is proportional to your mass (magnitude) and is always in the direction towards the centre of the earth.

Scalar has direction but no direction. But, vector has both magnitude and direction. Let us compare this relation with the given questions here. The unit of force is n/msq that means it has both direction and magnitude. But, while considering the pressure the unit is also same but it doesn't have any specific direction. So, the answer is PRESSURE.

Eg: While you blow a balloon you can give the pressure but the direction of flow of air is not uniform it spreads to the shape of the balloon.

Well you don't need to worry if pressure has no direction as long as you know that force, acceleration and velocity have magnitude and direction and as such are vector quantities which makes pressure the odd one out.

Pressure is defind as 'the fource per unit area.

Here fource is vector quantity but aria is a scaler quantity.

Hence any vector quantity divide scalar quantity resultant is scaler. That's why pressureis a scalar.

Hi, I am confused here according to what I know SCALAR quantity has magnitude/size only, while vector has both magnitude and direction.

According to this question both VELOCITY and PRESSURE are scalar quantity.

As we know from scalar define scalar is a qnty that have only magnitude. Here others have magnitude as well as direction except pressure. Therefore pressure is the correct option.

Since pressure is calculated as the force acting normally per unit area through out the liquid. That's why direction is not considered. Hence pressure is taken as scalar.

Pressure is a vector quantity because it's related to force and force is a vector quantity. So the direction of pressure will take the same direction of force.

Whenever pressure is applied on any body then it does not move in specific direction that's why it does not have any specific direction.