Why should mass not be represented by an arrow?

Arrows represent vector quantities, which have both a magnitude (size) and a direction. For example on Earth, weight acts towards the planet's centre due to the effect of the gravitational field, and has a magnitude in Newtons (e.g. 10N). However, mass is a scalar quantity, meaning that it only has a magnitude - it's just the amount of stuff you have. It would be like an arrow without a direction, which of course is not possible (at least not in this universe...)

Answered by DavidOrrell | 2024-06-10

I believe that an arrow in physics represents a change from one form to another or or an absorbance of another form of matter or mass. I learned this concept in Middle School on my Phy. Science class. and since mass can change in number it shouldn't be represented as an arrow for that reason, because it can't always have a definite number representation. I believe that's the answer I'm not 100% positive, I hope this helps

Answered by piersnivans73 | 2024-06-10

Mass is a scalar quantity that has only magnitude and no direction, while arrows are used to represent vector quantities, which have both magnitude and direction. Therefore, it would be incorrect to represent mass with an arrow. In physics, mass signifies the amount of matter in an object, and does not provide information about direction, unlike vector quantities such as force or velocity.
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Answered by DavidOrrell | 2024-12-26