Definition:Vector Quantity

Definition
A vector quantity is a real-world concept that needs for its model a mathematical object with more than one component to specify it.

Formally, a vector quantity is an element of a vector space, often the real vector space $\R^n$.

The usual intellectual frame of reference is to interpret a vector quantity as having:
 * A magnitude
 * A direction.

Component
In the contexts of physics and applied mathematics, it is a real-world physical quantity that needs for its model a mathematical object which contains more than one (usually numeric) component.

Also known as
A vector quantity in this context is frequently referred to just as a vector.

Some sources use the term free vector, so as to distinguish it from what is referred to in as a directed line segment.

Further to the arrow representation of a vector quantity, some sources refer to such quantities as arrows.

Also see

 * Definition:Scalar Quantity
 * Definition:Scalar (Vector Space)
 * Definition:Scalar Field (Linear Algebra)


 * Definition:Directed Line Segment