Passage regarding vector and scalar waves

[Syrus]

Homework Statement

The following is a passage from a quantum mechanics textbook:

"We find empirically that the electron behaves like a simple scalar wave (i.e., not like a vector wave, such as electric field, E, but like asimple acoustic [sound] wave with a scalar amplitude; in acoustics, the scalar amplitude could be the air pressure).

My question is, what is meant by "vector wave" and what makes E such a wave whereas a sound (or plane) wave is a scalar wave? Does E not have a scalar amplitude as well?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

 

[jedishrfu]

What physics book are you reading?

 

[Syrus]

Quantum Mechanics for Scientists and Engineers- D.A.B. Miller, pg. 13

 

[haruspex]

My question would be: why would an electric field be a wave at all? Maybe they're thinking of the E field in a light wave.