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.
    Derive an expression for the capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor of plate area A and plate separation d with air present between the plates.


      • 2.
        Consider the nuclear reaction \( X \to Y + Z \). Let \( M_x \), \( M_y \), and \( M_z \) be the masses of the three nuclei X, Y, and Z respectively. Then which of the following relations hold true?

          • \( (M_x - M_z)<M_y \)
          • \( (M_x - M_y)<M_z \)
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          • \( M_x<(M_y + M_z) \)

        • 3.
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          Two capacitors, one of $3 \ \mu$F and the other of $6 \ \mu$F, are connected in series in the circuit as shown in the figure, for a long time. }


            • 4.
              An astronomical telescope consists of two converging lenses. One of them of large aperture and large focal length is called objective lens and the other one, of smaller focal length and smaller aperture is called the eyepiece. It is used to see distant objects which are not seen clearly with naked eyes. The image formed by the objective lens acts as an object for the eyepiece and the final image produced by the eyepiece is magnified.


                • 5.
                  Write two advantages of reflecting telescope over refracting telescope.


                    • 6.
                      Two metal spheres of radii $r_1$ and $r_2$ ($> r_1$) having charges $q_1$ and $q_2$ respectively kept in air, are brought in contact. Which of the following statements is not correct ?

                        • The total charge of the two spheres is conserved.
                        • Both spheres attain the same potential.
                        • The final potential of the system equals $\frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0} \frac{(q_1 + q_2)}{(r_1 + r_2)}$
                        • The final potential of the system equals $\frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0} \frac{(q_1 + q_2) (r_1 + r_2)}{r_1 r_2}$
                      CBSE CLASS XII Previous Year Papers

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