What is the meaning of magnitude in physics?

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Jasmine Grover

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The magnitude of a quantity refers to a number that indicates how large or small the measurement of the quantity is as compared to a given reference value (mostly taken to be zero).

  • Magnitude in physics is simply understood as “quantity or distance”.
  • It denotes the absolute or relative direction or size in which a particular object moves.
  • A Magnitude is a quantitative number whereas intensity describes the idea of an impact. 
  • In physics, magnitude defines the size of an entity or an object’s speed when it is moving.
  • For example, if a car travels faster than an adjacent bike, the magnitude of the speed of the car is greater than the speed of the bike.
  • There are two types of quantity – vector quantity and scalar quantity. Magnitude is a common factor for both these quantities.

Magnitude in physics

In physics, the magnitude of a quantity gives us an idea of how large it is with respect to some reference value. In mathematics, a physical quantity is represented by a numerical value and a unit. 


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CBSE CLASS XII Related Questions

  • 1.
    Draw the number of scattered particles versus the scattering angle graph for scattering of alpha particles by a thin foil. Write two important conclusions that can be drawn from this plot.


      • 2.
        Draw a circuit diagram of a full-wave rectifier using p-n junction diodes. Explain its working and show the input-output waveforms.


          • 3.
            Two heaters rated as \((P_1,V)\) and \((P_2,V)\) are connected in series across a dc source of \(V/2\) volt. The power consumed by the combination will be –

              • \((P_1+P_2)\)
              • \(\dfrac{P_1+P_2}{2}\)
              • \(\dfrac{P_1P_2}{2(P_1+P_2)}\)
              • \(\dfrac{P_1P_2}{4(P_1+P_2)}\)

            • 4.
              Write any two features of nuclear forces.


                • 5.
                  Assertion (A) : All atoms have a net magnetic moment. Reason (R) : A current loop does not always behave as a magnetic dipole.

                    • Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of the Assertion (A).
                    • Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of the Assertion (A).
                    • Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
                    • Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are false.

                  • 6.
                    The figure shows three point charges kept at the vertices of triangle ABC. The net electric field, due to this system of charges, at the midpoint M of base BC will be:

                      • \( \frac{q}{4 \pi \epsilon_0 l^2} \) pointing along MA
                      • \( \frac{q}{\pi \epsilon_0 l^2} \) pointing along AM
                      • \( \frac{q}{2 \pi \epsilon_0 l^2} \) pointing along AM
                      • Zero
                    CBSE CLASS XII Previous Year Papers

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