PHYSICS 1: VECTORS

PORTIA A. EGKEN. Ed.D

 VECTORS

•A quantity that has both Magnitude and Direction

• Examples :
•Wind
•Boat or aircraft travel
•Forces in physics
 Terminal
• Geometrically point

A directed line segment

Initial point

• Vector Notation

An arrow over a letter V
• Vector Notation
• An arrow over two letters

• The magnitude (length) of a vector is notated with double

vertical lines
 
V AB
• Equivalent Vectors
• Have both same direction
and same magnitude

• Given points Pt  xt , yt  Pi  xi , yi 

• The components of a vector

- Ordered pair of terminal point with initial point at (0,0)
- xt  xi , yt  yi
Find the Vector
• Given P1 (0, -3) and P2 (1, 5) 
• Show vector representation in <x, y> format for P1 P2

● ( 1 – 0 , 5 – (-3) ) = (1,8)
• Try these

• P1(4,2) and P2 (-3, -3) P1 P2
▪ (x2 – x1 , y2 – y1)

▪ (-3 - 4 , -3 - 2 ) = (-7 , -5)

▪ P4 (3 , -2 and P2 (3 , 0 )

▪ (3 - 3 , - 2 - 0 ) = (0 , -2)
 FUNDAMENTAL VECTOR OPERATIONS

Given vectors V = <a, b>, W = <c, d>

• Magnitude V  a  b2 2

Scalar multiplication – changes the magnitude,

not the direction
3V = <3a, 3b>
 PARALLELOGRAM METHOD: (VECTOR
ADDITION)
Draw the vectors so that their initial points coincide. Then
draw lines to form a complete parallelogram. The diagonal
from the initial point to the opposite vertex of the
parallelogram is the resultant.
PARALLELOGRAM METHOD: (VECTOR SUBTRACTION)
 VECTOR SUBTRACTION
- difference of two vectors is the result of adding a
The
negative vector
A – B = A + (-B)
 VECTOR ADDITION / SUBTRACTION
- To add or subtract two vectors, add or subtract the
corresponding components.
- Let u⃗ =⟨u1,u2⟩ and v⃗ =⟨v1,v2⟩ be two vectors.
- Then, the sum of u⃗ and v⃗ is the vector
u⃗ +v⃗ = (u1 + v1 , u2 + v2)
- The difference of u⃗ and v⃗ is
u⃗ + v⃗ = u⃗ + (-v⃗ )
= u1 - v1 , u2 - v2
 VECTOR ADDITION / SUBTRACTION

a. Find (a) u⃗ +v⃗ and (b) u⃗ −v⃗

u = ( u1 , u2) v = (v1 , v2)
if u⃗ =⟨3 , 4⟩ and v⃗ =⟨5 , −1⟩ .
Substitute the given values of u1 , u2 , v1 and v2 into the
definition of vector addition.
u⃗ + v⃗ = (u1 + v1 , u2 + v2)
= ( 3 + 5 , 4 + (-1)
= (8,3)
a. Find u⃗ − v⃗
- Rewrite the difference u⃗ − v⃗ as a sum u⃗ +(−v⃗ ) . We
will need to determine the components of − v⃗ .
- From the definition of scalar multiplication, we have

-v = -1(v1, v2)

= -1( 5, -1) = (- 5, 1)
 if u⃗ =⟨3 , 4⟩ and v⃗ =⟨5 , −1⟩
u = (u1, u2) -v = -1(v1, v2)
= (3 , 4) = (- 5, 1)

• Now add the components of u⃗ and −v⃗ .

• u⃗ + (- v⃗ ) = (3 + (-5) , (4 +1)
= (- 2, 5)
 VECTOR ADDITION / SUBTRACTION
a. Find (1) a⃗ + b⃗ and (2) a⃗ − b⃗
if a⃗ =⟨6 , 4⟩ and b⃗ =⟨ -2 , −5⟩
Substitute the given values of a1 , a2 , b1 and b2 into
the definition of vector addition.
a⃗ + b⃗ = (a1 + b1 , a2 + b2)
= ( 6 +(- 2)) , 4 + (-5))
= ( 4 , -1)
 if a⃗ =⟨6 , 4⟩ and b⃗ =⟨ -2 , −5⟩
a = (a1, a2) -b = -1(b1, b2)

= (6 , 4) = ( 2 , 5)
• Now add the components of a⃗ and −b⃗
a⃗ + (-b⃗) = (a1 + b1 , a2 + b2)
• a⃗ + (- b⃗) = (6 + 2 , (4 +5)

= ( 8, 9)
• The magnitudes of two vectors U and V are equal to 5 and
10 respectively. Vector U makes an angle of 20° with the
positive direction of the x-axis and vector V makes an angle
of 80° with the positive direction of the x-axis. Both angles
are measured counterclockwise. Find the magnitudes and
directions of vectors U + V and U - V.
• The magnitudes of two vectors U and V are equal to 5 and 10
respectively. Vector U makes an angle of 20° with the
positive direction of the x-axis and vector V makes an angle
of 80° with the positive direction of the x-axis. Both angles
are measured counterclockwise. V

80o
U
20o
-x +x
 • Let us first use the magnitudes and directions to find the
components of vectors U and V. ( Note: x =cos , y = sin)
U → = (5 cos(20°) , 5 sin(20°)) = ( 5 , 2 )
V → = (10 cos(80°) , 10 sin(80°)) = ( 2 , 10 )
Magnitude and direction of vector U + V
U → + V→ = (5 cos(20°) , 5 sin(20°)) + (10 cos(80°) , 10 sin(80°))
= (5 cos(20°) + 10 cos(80°) , 5 sin(20°)+10 sin(80°))
= (5 + 2 , 2 + 10 ) = ( 7 , 12) =( x , y)
 = (5 + 2 , 2 + 10 ) =( 7 , 12) =( x , y)

U → + V→ = √ ( 7 + 12) 2 

  ≈ 13.22
If θ is the angle in standard position (angle between vector U+V and
x-axis positive direction) of vector U + V, then

tan(θ) = y-component
x-component
= tan-1 (12 / 7)
= 59.7
 RESULTANT VECTOR

The sum of two vectors is represented by as single

vector

A. GRAPHICAL METHOD

B. ANALYTICAL METHOD / COMPONENT METHOD

 GRAPHICAL METHOD
- Using ruler and protractor

- Resultant Velocity , VR
- Resultant displacement , dR
- Resultant Force , FR
 Example : The ship sails 25km north
Vector diagram
N

scale:
10km = 1cm
25km = 2.5cm
W E

S
Example : The ship sails 20 km south then 15 km east

N
Vector diagram
scale:
10km = 1cm
W E

dR = 2.5cm
dR = 25km
S
Example 2: A person walks 9 blocks east and 5 blocks north.
What is his resultant displacement?

dR = ?
Example 2: A person walks 9 blocks east and 5 blocks north.
What is his resultant displacement?

290
dR = ?

290
Example 2: A person walks 9 blocks east and 5 blocks north.
What is his resultant displacement?

dR = 10.3cm, 290 north of east

290
Example : Carlito was observing an ant that crawled along a
tabletop. With a piece of chalk he followed the path. He
determined the ant’s displacement using a ruler and protractor
The displacement were as follows:
d1 = 2 cm east
d2 = 3.5 cm, 320 north of east
d3 = 2.3 cm , 220 west of north
Find the Resultant Displacement , dR
 N
d1 = 2 cm east
d2 = 3.5 cm, 320 north of east
d2 = 2.3 cm , 220 west of north

Vector diagram

W E

S
in cm

inches
Each line represent 100
d1 = 2 cm east
d1 = 2 cm east
d2 = 3.5 cm, 320 north of east

320
d1 = 2 cm east
d2 = 3.5 cm, 320 north of east
d1 = 2 cm east N 220
d2 = 3.5 cm, 320 north of east
d2 = 2.3 cm ,
220 west of north

E
d1 = 2 cm east N

d2 = 3.5 cm, 320 north of east

d2 = 2.3 cm ,
220 west of north

W
d1 = 2 cm east N

d2 = 3.5 cm, 320 north of east

d2 = 2.3 cm ,
220 west of north

W
d1 = 2 cm east N

d2 = 3.5 cm, 320 north of east

d2 = 2.3 cm ,
220 west of north
dR = 5.5cm

W
 EXAMPLE 3

• Use the graphical technique for adding vectors to find the

total displacement of a person who walks the following
three paths (displacements) on a flat field. First, she walks
25.0 m in a direction 49.0º north of east. Then, she walks
23.0 m heading 15.0º north of east. Finally, she turns and
walks 32.0 m in a direction 68.0° south of east.
• d1 = 25.0 m in a direction 49.0º north of east.
• d2 = 23.0 m heading 15.0º north of east.

• d3 = 32.0 m in a direction 68.0° south of east.

• d1 = 25.0 m in a direction 49.0º north of east.
• d2 = 23.0 m heading 15.0º north of east.

• d3 = 32.0 m in a direction 68.0° south of east.

COMPONENT METHOD /ANALYTICAL
METHOD

Ax and Ay are defined to be

the components of A along
the x– and y-axes. The three
vectors A, Ax, and Ay form a
right triangle:
COMPONENT METHOD /ANALYTICAL
METHOD

To find Ax and Ay, its x– and

y-components, we use the
following relationships for a
right triangle.
 •Ax = A cosϴ
•Ay = A sinϴ
• Example 2: A person walks 9 blocks east and 5 blocks north.
What is his resultant displacement?

A = 10.3 blocks and θ = 29.1º , so that

Ax = A cos ϴ = (10.3 blocks) (cos 29.1º) = 9 blocks
Ay = A sin ϴ = (10.3 blocks) (sin 29.1º) = 5 blocks
A = √ A x 2 + Ay 2

A = √ 92 + 52 = 10.3 Finally, the direction

 𝑌
θ = tan –1( 𝑥 )

 5
θ = tan –1( 9) = 29.10
• Vector A represents the first leg of a walk in which a person walks
53.0 m in a direction 20.0º north of east. Vector B represents the
second leg, a displacement of 34.0 m in a direction 63.0º north of east.
 Vector A = 53.0 m , 20.0º north of east.
Vector B = 34.0 m , 63.0º north of east.

A​x​=A
​ cosθ​ =
​ (53.0m)(cos 20.0​
∘
​)​
= (53.0m)(0.940)
= 49.8 m​​
A​​y=A sinθ​ = (53.0m)(sin 20.0​∘​)​
= (53.0m)(0.342)
= 18.1m​​
 Vector A = 53.0 m , 20.0º north of east.
Vector B = 34.0 m , 63.0º north of east.

B​x​= Bcosθ​​ = (34.0m)(cos 63.0​∘​)​

= (34.0m)(0.454)
= 15.4 m​​
B​y​= Bsinθ​ ​ (34.0m)(sin 63.0​∘​)​
=
= (34.0m)(0.891)
= 30.3 m​​
 The x– and y-components of the
resultant are thus
Rx = Ax + Bx = 49.8 m + 15.4 m = 65.2 m

Ry = Ay + By = 18.1 m + 30.3 m = 48.4 m.

Now we can find the magnitude of the resultant by

using the Pythagorean theorem:
 R = √ R x2 + R y2

R = √ (65.2)2 + ( 48.4)2

R = 81.2 m
 V1 = 25km/hr , 30o NW
V2 = 60 km/hr , 400 NE
V3 = 55 km/hr , 35 WS
0
VR = ?
Velocity x - component y - component
V1 25 ( cos 30) = -21.65 25 ( sin 30) = 12.50
V2 60 ( cos 40) = 45.96 60 ( sin 40) = 38.57
V3 55 ( cos 35) = - 45.05 55 ( sin 35) = -31.55
VR = - 20.74 = 19.52
 VR = √ (-20.74)2 + (19.52)2
28.48 km/h
Velocity x - component y - component
V1 25 ( cos 30) = -21.65 25 ( sin 30) = 12.50
V2 60 ( cos 40) = 45.96 60 ( sin 40) = 38.57
V3 55 ( cos 35) = - 45.05 55 ( sin 35) = -31.55
VR = - 20.74 = 19.52
A boy walks around a block and ends up at his starting point. If each of
the four sides of the block is 100m long, What is his resultant
displacement?
d3

d4 d2
dR = 0

d1
Displacement X -component Y-component
d1
100m 0
d2 0 100m
d3
-100m 0
d4
0 -100m
dR 0 0
A motorcycle is driven 60km west, then 35km south and 35
km, 300 west of south. Find the total displacement using
component method.