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scalar
scalar quantity or number possessing only sign and magnitude, e.g., the real numbers (see number ), in contrast to vectors and tensors ; scalars obey the rules of elementary algebra. Many physical quantities have scalar values, e.g., length, area, mass, energy, and electric charge. Such quantities as velocity, force, momentum, and spin are vectors and follow different algebraic rules. |
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"scalar." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "scalar." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-scalar.html "scalar." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-scalar.html |
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scalar
sca·lar / ˈskālər/ Math. Physics • adj. Math. & Physics (of a quantity) having only magnitude, not direction. • n. Math. & Physics a scalar quantity. Compare with vector (sense 1). |
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"scalar." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "scalar." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-scalar.html "scalar." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-scalar.html |
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scalar
scalar A number comprising a single value (such as an integer or real number), as opposed to a complex number (containing two scalars) or a vector (which is a scalar only in the special case of its containing one number).
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JOHN DAINTITH. "scalar." A Dictionary of Computing. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JOHN DAINTITH. "scalar." A Dictionary of Computing. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O11-scalar.html JOHN DAINTITH. "scalar." A Dictionary of Computing. 2004. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O11-scalar.html |
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scalar
scalar Mathematical quantity that has only a magnitude, as opposed to a vector, which also has direction. Mass, energy, and speed are scalars.
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"scalar." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "scalar." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-scalar.html "scalar." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-scalar.html |
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