The spring stretches when force is applied to the hook. The larger the force is applied, the longer the spring stretches and the bigger the reading will be.
The unit of force is called the Newton, and it has the symbol N. So, 10.0 N is bigger force than 4.9 N. In the picture, Force used to pull a sand bag of 0.5 kg. is 4.9 N. Newton is a unit of force and 4.9 N is a magnitude of force. This force has a direction opposite the gravitational force. Therefore, force has a magnitude and direction.
force is a vector quantity because it has a magnitude and direction.
5.2 Vector Quantities
We can represent a vector quantity by a straight line with an arrowhead at one end to show the direction of the quantity. The length of a line is proportional to the magnitude of the quantity. Such line is called a vector.
The arrow pointing upward with the length of 5 cm is the vector that can be represented the man’s force in order to lift an object.