ENGINEERING PHYSICS X 1A

PHYE1A1
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Vectors A A 𝐴
Vector quantities are physical quantities that have both numerical and
directional properties

Representing Vectors
Cartesian Coordinates Polar Coordinates

origin origin | A| A
magnitude
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Relationship Between Polar to Cartesian Coordinates

x = r cos q
y = r sin q

y
tanq 
x
r  x2  y 2
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Measure or
Adding Two Vectors by calculate the
Triangle Method resultant

next vector

first vector

Measure or For More Vectors, extend to

calculate the the Polygon Method
resultant
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Adding Two Vectors by Parallelogram Method

first
vector

Measure or
calculate the
resultant

next
vector

The order of the two vectors does not change the answer for the addition
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Negative of a Vector
The negative of a vector is opposite in direction but equal in
magnitude.
 Represented as A
 
 A  A  0
Multiplying or Dividing a
Subtracting Vectors Vector by a Scalar
The result of the multiplication or
division of a vector by a scalar is a
vector.
It is the magnitude of the vector
that is multiplied or divided by the
scalar.

 
A  B
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Vector Components

In 2D, components are the projections

of the vector along the x- and y-axes
and they can be used to describe the
vector completely.
A x and Ay are the component vectors of A
Ax and Ay which are scalars, are the components
of A .
A  Ax  Ay
Ax  A cosq
A y  A s in q
Ay
A A A
2
x
2
y and q  tan 1

Ax
where θ is measured with respect to the x-axis
The signs of the components will depend on the
quadrant.
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Unit Vectors

A vector can be stated using its

components and what are known as
unit vectors.
A unit vector is just a direction vector
(magnitude = 1).
E.g. Position vector,
𝑨 = 𝐴𝑥 𝒊 + 𝐴𝑦 𝒋 rˆ  x ˆi  yˆj
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Vectors in 3D

https://iwant2study.org/lo
okangejss/math/Vectors/
ejss_model_e_Vector_si
ngle/e_Vector_single_Si
mulation.xhtml
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Adding Vectors Using Components and Unit Vectors

Using R  A  B 𝑨 = 𝐴𝑥 𝒊 + 𝐴𝑦 𝒋
𝑩 = 𝐵𝑥 𝒊 + 𝐵𝑦 𝒋

  
Then R  Ax ˆi  Ay ˆj  Bx ˆi  By ˆj 
R   Ax  Bx  ˆi   Ay  By  ˆj
R  Rx ˆi  Ry ˆj

So Rx = Ax + Bx and Ry = Ay + By
Ry
R  R R2
x
2
y q  tan 1

Rx
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Adding Three or More Vectors in 3D

The same method can be extended to adding three or more

vectors.
The resultant vector is R  A  B  C

So, for 𝑨 = 𝐴𝑥 𝒊 + 𝐴𝑦 𝒋 + 𝐴𝑧 𝒌
𝑩 = 𝐵𝑥 𝒊 + 𝐵𝑦 𝒋 + 𝐵𝑧 𝒌
𝑪 = 𝐶𝑥 𝒊 + 𝐶𝑦 𝒋 + 𝐶𝑧 𝒌

 
The resultant vector is R   Ax  Bx  Cx  ˆi  Ay  By  Cy ˆj

  Az  Bz  Cz  kˆ
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E.g. Hiker’s journey

Hiker’s journey:
25.0 km southeast
Then 40.0 km in a direction
60.00 north of east
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Direction of Vectors using 50 m 600 N of E

Cardinal Points 50 m on a bearing of 300
50 m at an angle of 600
N
50 m

200 600
W E
20 m 32 m

20 m 200 S of W 32 m E
20 m on a bearing of 2500 32 m on a bearing of 900
20 m at an angle of 2000 32 m at an angle of 00
S
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E.g. Ship Rescue

Radar station locates sinking ship 17.3 km away at 136° clockwise from
North
From the radar station, rescue plane is 29.6 km away at 153° clockwise from
North, 2.20 km above the sea
(a) Sketch vector diagram including the radar’s position, the ship’s position
vector and the plane’s position vector.
(b) With respect to the radar station, state the positions of the ship and the plane.
(c) To rescue the ship, the plane must fly through a displacement D. Add the
vector D to your sketch vector diagram and determine the displacement D.
(d) How far apart are the plane and the ship?
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