What is the formula for magnitude and what exactly is it?

In summary, the formula for magnitude is the square root of the sum of the squared components of a vector, and it represents the length of the vector regardless of changes in coordinate axes. This is particularly useful in physics when dealing with equations in vector form.
  • #1
rachiegrl7
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what is the formula for magnitude and what exactly is it?
 
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You'll have to be more specific. Magnitude can mean a number of things in a number of contexts.
 
  • #3


rachiegrl7 said:
what is the formula for magnitude and what exactly is it?

NickSauce is right. Narrowing the scope somewhat, however, the magnitude of a vector is its length. If the vector's rectangular components are given (say vx,vy,vz) then the vector magnitude is sqrt(vx^2+vy^2+vz^2). Note that if we rotate our coordinate axes about the system's Origin, the components may change. But the magnitude is the same in both cases. That's one reason why the expression of equations in vector form is so useful in physics.
 

1. What is the formula for magnitude?

The formula for magnitude is the square root of the sum of the squares of the components. In mathematical notation, it is written as: Magnitude = √(x^2 + y^2 + z^2), where x, y, and z represent the components of the vector.

2. How is magnitude different from distance?

Magnitude is a measure of the size or intensity of a vector, while distance is a measure of the physical or spatial separation between two points. Magnitude is a scalar quantity, meaning it has only magnitude and no direction, whereas distance is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction.

3. What does magnitude represent in physics?

In physics, magnitude represents the strength or amount of a physical quantity, such as force, acceleration, or electric field. It is a fundamental concept used to describe the properties of objects and their interactions in the physical world.

4. Can magnitude be negative?

Yes, magnitude can be negative. This happens when the vector has a negative component in one or more dimensions. In this case, the square of the negative component will still be positive, resulting in a positive value for the magnitude. However, the negative sign is typically dropped when reporting the magnitude.

5. How is magnitude used in real-world applications?

Magnitude is used in many real-world applications, such as physics, engineering, and navigation. It is used to quantify physical quantities, such as force and velocity, and to determine the strength and direction of these quantities. For example, in navigation, the magnitude and direction of a magnetic field can be used to determine the heading of a ship or plane.

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