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Vector quantities express which of the following characteristics?

  1. Magnitude only

  2. Direction only

  3. Both magnitude and direction

  4. Neither magnitude nor direction

The correct answer is: Both magnitude and direction

Vector quantities are defined by having both magnitude and direction. This means that for a quantity to be considered a vector, it must not only indicate how much of something there is (the magnitude) but also the specific direction in which that quantity acts. For instance, velocity is a vector quantity; it tells you not just how fast an object is moving (the magnitude), but also in which direction it is moving. This dual characteristic distinguishes vector quantities from scalar quantities, which possess only magnitude and do not involve any directional component. Thus, understanding that vector quantities encapsulate both aspects is crucial in fields such as physics, engineering, and nursing, where analyzing forces, movements, and other related concepts is important.