What is the difference between magnitude and intensity in physics?

  • Thread starter Thread starter samar
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Difference
AI Thread Summary
Magnitude refers to the size or quantity of a physical quantity, while intensity specifically measures the time-averaged energy flux in physics. Intensity is not synonymous with strength or amplitude, which can lead to confusion in everyday language. To calculate intensity, one must multiply energy density by the velocity of energy movement, resulting in units of power per area (watt/m²). The discussion highlights the importance of context when using these terms in physics. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for accurate scientific communication.
samar
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
May i know the difference...

Hello,how are you all?

i want to know the main differnce between magnitude and intensity with example?

regards

samar
 
Physics news on Phys.org
samar said:
Hello,how are you all?

i want to know the main differnce between magnitude and intensity with example

Hello samar! :smile:

I'm very well, thankyou. How are you?

erm … the difference between magnitude and intensity of what? :smile:
 
magnitude and intensity not of anything...just magnitude n intensity...like of atom?
 
… wikipedia again … !

Hi samar! :smile:

Intensity isn't normally used in physics, and when it is, it has a very particular meaning … see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intensity:
In physics, intensity is a measure of the time-averaged energy flux. The word "intensity" here is not synonymous with "strength", "amplitude", or "level", as it sometimes is in colloquial speech. For example, "the intensity of pressure" is meaningless, since the parameters of those variables do not match.
To find the intensity, take the energy density (that is, the energy per unit volume) and multiply it by the velocity at which the energy is moving. The resulting vector has the units of power divided by area (i.e. watt/m²).

Have you come across it in some book? :smile:
 
Back
Top