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If velocity is a vector, why doesn't it have a direction when it's given?
Usually in physics problems in school, Vi and Vf are just listed as something like 10 m/s, but there is never a direction with it. I thought vectors were supposed to say directions as well.
2 Answers
- Steve4PhysicsLv 79 years agoFavorite Answer
For simple (1 dimensional) problems, the direction is given by the sign.
E.g.
10m/s means 10m/s in the positive direction (usually to the right)
-10m/s means 10m/s in the negative direction (usually to the left)
- Lucas CLv 79 years ago
Technically, it SHOULD have a direction, otherwise it's just a speed, not a velocity. In many situations + and - are used as directions, so when a direction is not given you may assume that the direction is implied to be positive. But really, it should explicitly say so. In other words, it should be written as +10 m/s if it's meant to be a velocity.
I hope that helps. Good luck!
