What is a vertical?

A vertical can refer to several things, depending on the context in which it is used. Here are some possible meanings of the term:

• In the field of physics, a vertical usually refers to the direction of gravity. It is the direction in which objects fall or move under the influence of gravity, and is usually oriented downwards relative to the surface of the Earth. A vertical line is therefore a line that is perpendicular to the surface of the Earth and aligned with the pull of gravity.

• In the context of architecture and design, a vertical can refer to a feature or element that is oriented perpendicular to the ground or other horizontal surfaces. For example, a vertical column, beam, or wall is one that stands upright and helps support the weight of a building or structure.

• In the context of sports and fitness, a vertical can refer to the height that an athlete can jump or reach from a standing position. This measure is often used to assess the power and explosiveness of an athlete, and is commonly tested in sports like basketball, volleyball, and track and field.

• In computer graphics and image processing, a vertical can refer to the orientation of an image or display in which the height dimension is greater than the width dimension. This is often the case with computer monitors, television screens, and smartphone displays, which are designed to be viewed in a vertical orientation (portrait mode) as well as a horizontal orientation (landscape mode).