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Physical quantity is considered one of the most asked concept.
23 Questions around this concept.
Which of the following do not represent a physical quantity-
For any physical quantity Q numerical value n is related to unit u by the relation-
Which of the following is the smallest unit of distance-
NEET 2025: Syllabus | Most Scoring concepts | NEET PYQ's (2015-24)
Which of the following is not a ratio quantity:
The quantities that only have magnitude and do not have direction are called -
Which of the following is a scalar quantity ?
Which of the following is not a tensor quantity-
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For a physical quantity which of following is true for numerical value for two system C.G.S and MKS -
A quantity that can be measured and expressed in the form of laws is called a Physical quantity.
A physical quantity is expressed completely by its magnitude and unit
One physical quantity can be represented in terms of one or more units.
$\begin{aligned} & Q=n u \\ & \qquad \begin{array}{l}n=\text { numerical value or magnitude } \\ \\ u=\text { unit }\end{array}\end{aligned}$
For a physical quantity
nu =constant
$\begin{aligned} & \text { So } n_1 u_1=n_2 u_2=\text { constant } \\ & \text { So } n \alpha \frac{1}{u}\end{aligned}$
So, the Larger the unit, the smaller the magnitude.
Types of the physical quantity
1) Scalar Quantity
The quantities having magnitude only are known as scalar quantities.
It does not specify the direction.
Scalar quantity can be added or subtracted by the laws of addition or subtraction
Examples are time, work, energy, etc......
2) Vector Quantity
The quantities having both directions as well as magnitude are known as vector quantities.
It has a specific direction.
Vector quantity can be added and subtracted according to vector laws of addition.
Examples - Displacement, force, velocity, acceleration, momentum ....etc.
3) Tensor Quantity
Scalar and vector are special cases of a tensor.
Tensors are represented in the multi-dimensional array, i.e., in different directions, tensor will have different magnitudes.
If a tensor has only magnitude and no direction, it is called a scalar
If a tensor has magnitude and one direction, it is called a vector.
Examples- Stress, The moment of inertia, coefficient of viscosity
4) Ratio Quantity
When a physical quantity is the ratio of two similar quantities.
eg. Relative density $=\frac{\text { density of object }}{\text { density of waterat } 4^{\circ} \mathrm{C}}$
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