VECTORS AND SCALARS

STUDY GUIDLINES

INTRODUCTORY PHYSICS
P191
TOPIC ONE: PRESENTATION ONE
By
Eng. Kombe D.S BEng EE, MEng REE,
MEIZ, MSAIMM, MIWSN
TOPIC OUTLINE
➢ INTRODUCTION (VECTOR AND SCALAR QUANTITIES)
➢ EXAMPLES OF SCALAR QUANTITIES
➢ EXAMPLES OF VECTOR QUANTITIES
➢ TRIG FUNCTIONS AND VECTORS
▪ SOHCAHTOA
▪ PYTHAGORAS THEOREM
▪ VECTOR RESULTANT EQUATION
▪ UNKOWN RESULTANT ANGLE
▪ RULE OF QUADRANTS
➢ VECTOR RESOLUTION(COMPONENTS)
➢ DETERMINATION OF RESULTANT
➢ DETERMINATION OF UNKOWN VECTOR COMPONENT
➢ VECTOR APPLICATIONS, EQUILIBRIUM CONCEPT
INTRODUCTION
To appreciate and understand this topic, we
must be aware of two main description of
quantities coming from physical quantities
We have:
Scalar quantities
Vector Quantities
each of these bare a significant description
SCALAR QUANTITIES
What is a scalar quantity?
A scalar or scalar quantity in physics is one
that can be described by a single element of a
number field such as a real number, often
accompanied by units of measurement. A
scalar is usually said to be a physical quantity
that only has magnitude, possibly a sign, and
no other characteristics.
EXAMPLES OF SCALAR QUANTITIES
VECTOR QUANTITIES
What is a vector quantity?
Vector quantities refer to the physical
quantities characterized by the presence of
both magnitude as well as direction. For
example, displacement, force, torque,
momentum, acceleration, velocity, etc.
SUMMARY OF QUANTITIES
TRIG FUNCTIONS AND VECTORS
SOHCAHTOA

O HYP
P
P

θ
ADJ

From the figure above, with reference to theta,

sine is opp/hyp, cosine is adj/hyp and tangent is
opp/adj.
PYTHAGOROUS THEOREM
With reference to the previous figure, we can
attain an equation of each line. The equation is
called Pythagoras theorem equation which is
key in the process of understanding vectors.
The equation from the figure will be given as

OPP2 + ADJ2 = HYP2

VECTOR RESULTANT EQUATION
To attain the resultant equation, we have to
consider the Pythagoras theorem equation.
Consider the hypotenuse as a resultant vector. To
find the resultant we need to consider the
adjacent and opposite sides. Take adjacent as x
and opposite as y.
The equation is given by
R=√x +y
2 2
The resultant equation is vital and plays a key
role throughout the entire vectors topic.
UNKNOWN RESULTANT ANGLE
To attain the unknown resultant angle consider the
vector triangle below.
consider the adjacent as x
and the opposite as y
*which trig function are
utilizing?*
the equations is given by

Tan θ = y/x
θ = tan -1 y/x
THE RULE OF QUADRANTS
S A Y-axis

θ
X-axis

T C
All= Sin, Cos, Tan are all +ve
S= Sin +ve, cos and tan –ve
T= Tan +ve, cos and sin are –ve
C= Cos +ve, sin and tan are –ve
The above is true provided the angle is close to the x axis as shown above
VECTOR RESOLUTION (COMPONENTS)
A vector resultant can be resolved into components with reference
to the x and y axes. The figure below shows how this can be
achieved.
Rsinθ
R

θ
Rcosθ

To understand the components, consider SOHCAHTOA and use

the R vector as a point of reference for both the x and y
component.
Practice Example
Q1. In the figure below, the magnitude of the
resultant vector is 40N. Determine the values of
the x and y components respectively.

30o
Practice Examples cont…
Q2. The resultant vector value is observed to be
75N as shown below. Consider the angle being
close to the x-axis as 15o, determine the
components of the resultant Vector.
75N
Practice Questions
Q1. Determine the x and y components in the
figure below, given that the magnitude of the
resultant vector is 55N

70o
Practice Questions cont…
Q2. Assuming a vector falls in the third quadrant
with a magnitude of 80N.
a) Draw the free body diagram illustrating the
resultant vector assuming the angle is close to
the x-axis.
b) Given that the angle is 50o, determine the
components of the resultant vector.
DETERMINATION OF RESULTANT
To achieve this, we have to consider the resultant
equation. In an instance of several vectors, one is
expected to work out the x components, add
them, proceed to the y components add and then
place the results under the Resultant equation
given by
R=√x2+y2
Practical example
Q1. Determine the value of the resultant vector in
the given figure below
78N

30o

50o

100N
Practical example
Q2. Determine the value of the resultant vector in the given
figure below. All the angles are close to the x-axis in each
quadrant. The following are the angles starting from first to
fourth. 15, 65, 74 and 80 respectively.
65N
85N

75N 5ON
Class Task
Class Task cont..
Determine the value of the resultant force in the
figure below

86N
55N

60o 50o

52o

95N
DETERMINATION OF UNKOWN VECTOR COMPONENT
To achieve this, we need to recall Pythagoras
theorem, resultant equation and change of
subject of the formula in linear equations.
Practical Example
Q1. Determine the vector value K in the figure
below given the resultant value as 50N.

30N
CLASS TASK
Q1. Determine the value of the unknown vector
component in the figure below.
65N
28N

D1
VECTORS APPLICATION
EQUILIBRIUM CONCEPT
This is a basic and most prominent application
attributing to the fact that the sum of all vectors
acting on a defined plan exhibit a cancelation
hence equal to zero. In some cases it will be
stated in other cases it will be vividly exhibited
from vector diagram description. Key aspect in
solving equilibrium questions is utilization of
simultaneous equations.
Practical Example
Q1. Determine the value of the weight of the
object in the figure below
Class Task
Q1. A block of weight w is suspended from a rope tied to two other
ropes at point O. One rope is horizontally attached to a wall and the
other is fastened to the ceiling. The angle between ceiling and the
rope is 60°. What are the tensions in each of the ropes? Assume the
weights of the ropes and the knot are negligible. If the weight of the
block is 100 N, what is the tension in the ceiling rope?
THANKS FOR YOUR
ATTENTION
END OF CLASS…..