Is angle a vector or a scalar quantity?

In summary, angle is considered to be a scalar quantity, meaning it only has magnitude and no direction. The difference between vector and scalar quantities is that vectors have both magnitude and direction, while scalars have only magnitude. Although angle can technically be represented as a vector in some mathematical applications, it is typically considered to be a scalar quantity. Angle is typically measured in degrees or radians, with degrees being based on dividing a circle into 360 equal parts and radians being based on dividing a circle into 2π (approximately 6.28) equal parts. While angle itself does not have direction, it can be used to represent the direction of a vector in two-dimensional space, where the direction is given by the angle it makes with the positive
  • #1
Yatin
20
1
Is angle a vector or a scalar quantity?
(eg- θ in l=rθ)
 
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  • #2
Yatin said:
Is angle a vector or a scalar quantity?
(eg- θ in l=rθ)

An angle itself is a scalar, but a rotation is a vector.

The angle ##\pi/4## has no implied direction as an angle. But, you can have a rotation of ##\pi/4## in any direction.
 
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Likes Dale
  • #3
Rotation (angular displacement) has a uniquely-defined magnitude and direction, but is not a vector quantity because it doesn't obey the commutative law of vector addition (the result of two rotations in 3 dimensions depends on the order in which you perform them).
 
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Likes Likith D and mfb

FAQ: Is angle a vector or a scalar quantity?

Is angle a vector or a scalar quantity?

Angle is considered to be a scalar quantity. This means that it only has magnitude and no direction.

What is the difference between vector and scalar quantities?

Vector quantities have both magnitude and direction, while scalar quantities have only magnitude.

Can angle be represented as a vector?

Technically, yes, angle can be represented as a vector in certain mathematical applications. However, in most cases, angle is considered to be a scalar quantity.

How is angle measured?

Angle is typically measured in degrees or radians. Degrees are a unit of measurement based on dividing a circle into 360 equal parts, while radians are based on dividing a circle into 2π (approximately 6.28) equal parts.

Is there a relationship between angle and direction?

While angle is a scalar quantity and does not have direction, it can be used to represent the direction of a vector. For example, in two-dimensional space, a vector can be represented by its magnitude and direction, where the direction is given by the angle it makes with the positive x-axis.

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