Voltage Vector/Scalar Components, SI Units, Direction and Polarity.

In summary, the conversation discusses the nature of voltage as a scalar quantity in physics. While it can be represented as a phasor in alternating current applications, it is not truly a vector. Additionally, the components of voltage, such as acceleration, may be vector quantities, but voltage itself remains a scalar quantity.
  • #1
XPTPCREWX
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All, please help me refine, restate, explain, understand, expand, add, remove, answer the below statements/ questions. Thanks in advance.

1.) Voltage is considered a scalar quantity. (J/C in SI Derived Units) which is a magnitude of energy per coulomb...no direction with this example. Some may say it has polarity, but is this polarity considered a direction in physics? If not what is the difference?

2.) Voltage can also be represented as a scalar function of time as with alternating current applications, where it appears as a phasor but is not really a vector. v(t) = V(peak) sin ( ωt + θ). It is just a method for simplifying and modeling the function by describing the quantity with a phase angle and peak magnitude which behaves like a vector on a real and imaginary coordinate plane.

3.) Voltage = [(kg) x (m/s^2) x (m) x (1/A)] in SI base units. Acceleration is clearly a vector quantity component of Voltage. Why then does it not make Voltage a vector quantity too?
 
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  • #2
Any takers?
 

What is the difference between voltage vector and scalar components?

Voltage vector components refer to the magnitude and direction of voltage in a circuit, while scalar components only refer to the magnitude without direction. Scalar components are used in simple circuits, while vector components are used in more complex circuits with multiple voltage sources.

What are the SI units for voltage?

The SI unit for voltage is the volt (V). However, it is also commonly expressed in units of millivolts (mV) or kilovolts (kV).

How is the direction of voltage determined?

The direction of voltage is determined by the flow of electrons in a circuit. Voltage always flows from a higher potential to a lower potential, and the direction of the voltage is in the opposite direction of the electron flow.

What is the polarity of voltage?

The polarity of voltage refers to the positive (+) or negative (-) charge of a voltage source. The positive terminal is the point at which electrons flow out of the source, while the negative terminal is where electrons flow into the source.

How are voltage vector components represented?

Voltage vector components are typically represented by arrows, with the length of the arrow representing the magnitude of voltage and the direction of the arrow representing the direction of voltage flow. The positive terminal is indicated by a plus sign (+) and the negative terminal is indicated by a minus sign (-).

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