Scalars vs.

Vectors
In physics, we try to give as much detail in our observations or measurements as possible. In studying motion, we find it
necessary to use vectors to give a more precise description of our observations.

For example, suppose I told you that there was a box with $1,000,000 buried exactly 100 paces from where you are
standing. You could rush off to find it but which way do you go?
The 100 paces is a “magnitude” it just tells “how much” or ”how many”, but what you also need is a “which way”. A
vector has both a “magnitude” and “direction”.

So if my example read, “suppose I told you that there was a box with $1,000,000 buried exactly 100 paces to the left of
where you are standing”, you could then proceed to find the money.

In physics, we use angle measurement to point vectors in a very specific direction.

In short, Scalars are just magnitudes and Vectors are magnitudes and directions.

Scalars Vectors
distance displacement (distance in a specific direction)
speed velocity (speed in a specific direction)
mass force / weight
time acceleration

Kinematics Equations: 1-Dimensional Motion Toolbox

These equations deal primarily with motion in one dimension, but can be extended two dimensions.

distance traveled d
s= = where s is the average speed
time elapsed t

displacement Δx
v= = where v is the average velocity when the direction is attached.
time elapsed Δt

v f + vo
v= , where vf is the final velocity and vi is the initial velocity
2

Δv v f − vo v f − vo
a= = , where a is the average acceleration in most cases to will be 0 so a =
Δt t f − to t

1 2
d= at where d is distance or displacement
2
Kinematics Equations in Working Form

Δd v f = vo + at
v=
Δt
v f + vo v 2f = vo2 + 2ad
v=
2
⎛ f + vo ⎞
v 1 2
d = ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟t d = vo t + at
⎝ 2 ⎠ 2

Free Fall
In the case of free fall, the acceleration rate due to gravity is approximately 9.8 m/s2 on the planet Earth. We will often
round this value to 10 m/s2.