VECTOR AND SCALAR QUANTITIES

In this module, you will learn about scalar

and vector quantities and how to add vectors.

At the end of this module you will be able to:

a. define scalar quantity and vector quantity;

b. determine whether a quantity is scalar or vector;
c. differentiate vector and scalar quantities; and
d. apply vector addition to find the resultant vectors.

So, let’s ride, read, enjoy, and discover

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PRE-TEST
Directions: Choose and write the letter of the correct answer on your answer sheet.

1. Which of the following quantities is NOT an example of vector quantity?

A. 80 m/s North of East C. 500 N downward
B. 20 m going to West D. 10 oC

2. If a boy runs 10meters towards East and then 25 meters towards West, what is his
resultant vector of the boy?
A. 35 meters West C. 15 meters East
B. 15 meters West D. 35 meters East

3. Which of the following illustrations DOES NOT illustrate correct vector addition?

A B C D

4. Which of the following is an example of scalar quantity?

A. acceleration B. displacement C. speed D. force

5. A ship sails 40 km North and 30 km East. What is its distance traveled? What is its
displacement?
A. 70km; 50km East of North C. 50km; 70km East of North
B. 50km, 50km East of North D. 70km; 70km East of North

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LEARNING ACTIVITIES

ELICIT

Before we start our lesson, let’s

study first scalar quantity and vector
quantity. Try answering the activity below.

Directions: Complete the column by choosing the appropriate value of each

given quantity. Use separate sheet for your answer.

15 kilograms 9.8m/s2
500N, 20⁰ North of East 20m going East
60 m/s 10.5 Joules
20 seconds 20 m/s Westward

Physical Quantities Value

1. Mass
2. Time
3. Speed
4. Energy
5. Velocity
6. Displacement
7. Acceleration
8. Force

Based from your answer, which do you think are the

scalar quantities? How about vector quantities? Why do you
say so? Can you give the difference between scalar and
vector quantities?
E
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ENGAGE
Scalars and Vectors

➢ Scalars are quantities that are fully described by a magnitude (or numerical
value) alone.
Some examples of scalar quantities include distance, speed, volume, mass,
temperature, power, energy, and time.

➢ Vectors are quantities that are fully described by both a magnitude and a
direction.
Some examples of vector quantities include force, velocity, acceleration,
displacement, and momentum.

What is the difference between a scalar and vector?

A vector quantity has a direction and a magnitude, while a scalar has
only a magnitude. You can tell if a quantity is a vector by whether or not it
has a direction associated with it.

Try this:
Directions: Determine whether the following each quantity is Scalar or Vector.
Use a separate sheet for your answer.
1. 50 minutes __________ 6. 62m/s2 _________
2. 75 meters due East ______ 7. 37mL _________
3. 82 Newtons to the left_______ 8. 90km/hr _______
4. 14m/s, West_______ 9. 21grams ______
0
5. 36 C __________ 10. 11cm upward________

Good job! Now you are ready

to move on the next
activity.

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EXPLORE
How to Draw a Vector
A vector is drawn as an arrow with a head and a tail. The magnitude of the vector is
often described by the length of the arrow. The arrow points in the direction of the
vector. See the picture below.

length of the arrow

tail head
(origin) (magnitude) (direction)

How to Write a Vector

Vectors are generally written as boldface letters. They can also be written with an
arrow over the top of the letter as shown below:

d ; F

How to add Vectors

The head-to-tail method is a graphical way of adding vectors. The tail is the starting
point of the vector, and the head (or tip) is the final, pointed end of the arrow illustrated
below.

C B

A
STEPS in adding vectors:
Step 1: Draw an arrow to represent the first vector (A), use ruler to measure the
magnitude.
Step 2: Now draw an arrow to represent the second vector (B). Place the tail of the
second vector at the head of the first vector.
Step 3: If there are more than two vectors, continue this process for each vector to be
added. In our example above, we have only two vectors.
Step 4. Draw an arrow from the tail of the first vector (A) to the head of the last vector
(B). We called this vector as resultant (C), or the sum of the vectors. Using a
ruler, measure the length of the resultant vector to get its magnitude.

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 FINDING RESULTANT VECTOR
A. Directions: Find the Resultant Vector, use a ruler to measure the magnitude of
each vector to be added. (Use a separate sheet for your answer)

1. 3.

A
A B
B

2. 4.

A B
A B 35o
C

B. Directions: Using graphical method (head-to-tail), determine the resultant vector.

Make your own scale to stablish the length of the magnitude.

1. You jog 3.0km East, then 2.0km South. (a) What is your resultant vector? What is
your final direction?
2. A driver got lost on his way going to his friend’s house. He travelled 12.0km West,
5.0km North, 12km East, and 5.0km South. (a) What is his total distance travelled?
(B) How about his total displacement?

Great job! You have completed the activity. You

may take your time to review and analyze your
answers.

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EXPLAIN
Here are the steps in adding vectors:

Step 1. Draw an arrow to represent the first vector (A), use ruler to measure the
magnitude.
Step 2. Now draw an arrow to represent the second vector (B). Place the tail of
the second vector at the head of the first vector.
Step 3. If there are more than two vectors, continue this process for each vector
to be added. In our example above, we have only two vectors.
Step 4. Draw an arrow from the tail of the first vector (A) to the head of
the last vector (B). We called this vector as resultant (C), or the sum of
the vectors. Using a ruler, measure the length of the resultant vector to
get its magnitude.

The resultant of two vectors that form a right angle may be computed by
applying the Pythagorean theorem. The figure below shows a right triangle with R,
as the hypotenuse, and A and B as the two legs. The angle Ø, one of the
complimentary, is the included angle.

Using Pythagorean theorem: R2 = A2 + B2

To determine the direction of the resultant vector, use the equation

tan =

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ELABORATE
Calculating the resultant magnitude. Show also the vector addition and the resultant.
Pythagorean Theorem can be used in this problem.

EXAMPLE:
40m + 20m
You walk 40 meters East, then
20 meters South. What is the
resultant magnitude?

1. A driver got lost on his way.

He travels 12.0km West and
5.0km South. What is the total
distance travelled and the
driver’s displacement?

2. Suppose a person walks

10.0km south and then
4.0west, what is the person’s
displacement?

3. John leaves his house and

walks going to school 3km,
North and then 3km East.
Determine John’s resultant
displacement.

Now let us deep our understanding by answering the

following problems

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EXTEND
A. Identify whether the following is a scalar quantity or vector quantity. Write S if it is
scalar or V if it is vector. (Use separate sheet for your answer.)

1. 800 J of work 6. 350 mL

2. 120minutes 7. 15km to the left
3. 200 m 8. 45kg
4. 9.8 m/s2 along the negative y-axis 9. 150oF
5. 50 kg.m/ss momentum towards South 10. 40m going up the stairs
B. Calculate the resultant vector of the following using Pythagorean theorem and
graphical method.

1. 5m North and 4 m East

2. 3m/s South and 4m/s West

EVALUATE
Post-Test
1. Which of the following statements is TRUE about scalar and vector quantities?
a. Both have magnitude only.
b. Both have magnitudes and directions.
c. Vector quantity has magnitude only while scalar quantity has both
magnitude and direction.

d. Scalar quantity has magnitude only while vector quantity has both
magnitude and direction.

2. Which of the following quantities is NOT an example of vector quantity?

a. 80 m/s North of East c. 500 N, downward
b. 20 m going to East d. 10 kg

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3. Which of the following illustrations show proper way of adding vectors?

I II III IV

a. I, II and III only c. I, II and IV only

b. II and III only d. III and IV only
4. A ship travels a distance of 40km going to North, then continues to travel a
distance of 50km due East as its final destination. What is its total displacement?
a. 64.04km, North b. 64.04km, East c. 64.04km, NE d. 64.04km, West
b. What is its total displacement?
5. Which of the following vectors covered a total distance but zero
displacement?
a. 4km North, 5km North, 3km South
b. 3km East, 5km West, 2km East
c. 9km West, 3km North, 2km North
d. 8km South, 4km East, 3km North

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