Mechanics

Vectors
A physical quantity that has magnitude and direction
Example
Physical quantity that has both magnitude and direction
5N left
3m up

Vector examples:
Examples Units measured in
Weight (N)
Displacement (m)
velocity (m.s-1)
Acceleration (m.s-2)
Force (N)
Momentum (kg.m.s-1)
Impulse (N.s)
Electric field (N.s-1)

Vectors are represented graphically with a:

Arrow

Properties of vectors:
Two arrows same size pointing in the same direction
these are called equal vectors

Scalar
A physical quantity that has only one magnitude and no
direction
Eg. 55 m.s-1
Example of speed, has no direction
Example of scalars
Examples Units measured in
Mass (g or kg)
Distance (m)
Time (s)
Speed (m.s-1)
Power (W)
Work (J)
Energy (J)
Change (C)
Vector and scaler examples
Identify if the following is a vector or a scaler
a) 2 m.s-1 East
b) 2m.s-1
Answer:
A is a vector
B is a scaler