Answer to Question #117843 in Physics for SSG

Question

What is the meaning behind multiplication in physics? Is multiplication in physics purely mathematical or there is a physical explanation to it? How do we explain the product for example, s=v.t? Is there any meaning behind this? For example, I can say that "Distance is defined as the product of velocity 'times' time"? But what does this even mean?

Answer 1

In physics, multiplication makes sense not only in mathematical operations. For example, if the velocity (vector magnitude) is multiplied by the time (scalar magnitude), then we get the path traveled by the body in the direction where the velocity vector was directed.

This means that with uniform movement with constant speed, the distance traveled can be found using the mathematical operation of multiplying speed by time.

If we consider this formula from the point of view of the dimension of physical quantities, then we get the following:

$$[\frac{m}{s}]\times [s]=[m]$$