To write the symbol for force in a manner that accurately represents it as a vector, we need to understand the notation commonly used in physics and mathematics to denote vector quantities. A vector quantity has both magnitude and direction, and it's typically represented with an arrow above the symbol or in bold type in printed text.
Let’s analyze the given options:
A. [tex]$\vec{F}$[/tex]: This notation uses an arrow above the letter "F", which is the standard and widely accepted way to denote that "F" is a vector. In physics, vectors such as force, velocity, and acceleration are often represented with an arrow above the symbol to clearly indicate their vector nature.
B. F: This notation is ambiguous since it does not distinguish between a scalar or a vector quantity. Without any additional notation, "F" could be interpreted as either depending on the context, but it doesn't definitively show that "F" is a vector.
C. E: This changes the symbol entirely to "E". While "E" could represent a different quantity such as electric field (which itself could be a vector), it does not refer to force, and thus is not relevant to the question about the vector notation of force.
D. [tex]$F^{\prime}$[/tex]: This notation typically represents a modified or related quantity, often used to denote a derivative or a second, distinct quantity. It still does not indicate that "F" is a vector and is not the correct notation for a vector force.
Therefore, the correct way to write the symbol to show that it is a vector is:
A. [tex]$\vec{F}$[/tex]
This notation unequivocally indicates that "F" represents a vector quantity.
