Is torque a vector or a scalar quantity?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the classification of torque as either a vector or a scalar quantity, exploring its properties and implications in physics.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the nature of torque, with some asserting it is a vector due to its directional properties, while others express confusion regarding its classification, particularly in the context of introductory problems.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of the concept, with some participants providing affirmations of torque as a vector and others questioning its classification based on specific examples and scenarios encountered in their studies.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention working with simple problems where torque is analyzed in terms of clockwise and counterclockwise directions, which may contribute to their confusion regarding its classification.

JayDub
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Is torque a vector or a scalar quantity? Thanks.
 
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It is a vector because it has direction.
 
Thanks, I was thinking that but then again I was thinking of scalar because it seems weird to say 110 T 89 degrees SofW
 
Torque is a vector. But in many introductory problems, the forces all act in a single plane and all that matters is the orientation of the torque (for example: clockwise versus counterclockwise).
 
Yeah, we are doing simple questions such as Tcw = Tccw to find out forces, lengths, angles or masses. So that is also why it was confusing me. Thanks both of you.
 
yeah it is a vector because it has direction. a scaler only has magnitude whilst a vector has magnitude and direction.
 

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