VECTOR

PHYSICS 10
S

SCALARS AND VECTORS

Scalar a physical property that can be
completely described by a single
number with a unit.
Time, temperature, mass, volume, speed, etc.

Vector a physical property that has

both magnitude (how big) and
direction.
Force, velocity, acceleration, linear momentum etc.

DISPLACEMENT

DISPLACEMENT

A displacement will always be straight line segment directed

from the starting point to the ending point

Fig. 4 Displacement

Fig. 5 The displacement depends on P1 and P2

But not on the path taken

Fig. 6 If the particle makes a roundtrip

The displacement it zero

B
A

C B A
A

C A B

PARALLELOGRAM
METHOD

A
B

VECTOR ADDITION
Suppose a particle undergoes a displacement A and
followed by a second displacement B. How should the
resultant vector look like?

Figs. 7 & 8 Displacement by placing them head to tail

Fig. 9 Parallelogram Method

VECTOR ADDITION
Only when to vectors A and B are parallel does the
magnitude of the sum equal to the sum of their
magnitudes: C = A + B. Fig.10

Fig. 10 The sum of two parallel vectors

Fig. 11 The sum of two anti-parallel vectors

When vectors A and B are anti parallel, the magnitude

of their sum is equal to the difference of their
magnitude. C = | A B |. Fig 11.

VECTOR ADDITION
Example: Find the sum of these three vectors.

VECTOR ADDITION
Solutions

VECTOR
MULTIPLICATION
Multiplying
vectors by a positive scalar and
negative scalar quantity

Fig. 12 A vector multiplied by a positive scalar quantity

Fig. 12 A vector multiplied by a negative scalar

quantity

PROBLEM
A cross-country skier skis 1.00 km N and 2.00 km E on
a horizontal snow field. How far and in what direction is
she from the starting point?

The distance from the starting and ending position is

the length of the hypotenuse

A A
2
x

2
y

1.00km

2.00km
tan
1.00km

(2.00km)

COMPONENTS OF
VECTORS

We can represent any vectors lying in the xy-plane as the sum of the vector
Parallel to the x-axis and vector parallel to the y-axis

COMPONENTS OF
VECTORS
What are the x- and y-components of vector
D. The magnitude of the vector is D=3.00m
and the angle =45..
What are the x- and y- components of vector
E. The magnitude of the vector E =4.50 m
and the angle = 37.0

SOLUTION

NORTH

EAST

WEST

SOUTH

PROBLEM

SUMMARY
Quantities in physics have direction associated with
them and cannot be described by a single number
When a physical quantity is described by a single
number, we call it scalar quantity
Vector Quantities have magnitude (how big) and
direction in space
When adding vectors, place them head to tail
We can add then by Parallelogram construction
The displacement depends on the starting and ending
positions.

EXERCISE
Consider the following vectors:
A = 5.00 m, 45 above +x
B = 6.00 m, towards y
C = 2.50 m, 15 to the left of +y
D = 3.25 m, 30 to the right of y
E = 6.00 m, towards +y
F = 2.50 m, 75 below +x
G = 5.00 m, 45 below x
H = 3.25 m, 60 above x
Determine the resultant vector.

LONG SEATWORK OCTOBER 14,

2015

1. Find the x- and y- components of a 25.0m displacement at an

angle of 210.0

2. The five coplanar forces shown in the figure act on the object.
Find their resultant. Find the x and y components of each force
3. A plane is travelling eastward at an airspeed of 500km/h. But a
90km/h wind is blowing south ward. What are the direction and
speed of the plane relative to the ground?