SACE Stage 1

Conceptual Physics
Vectors
Vector and Scalar Quantities
 Quantities that require both magnitude and
direction are called vector quantities.
 Examples of vectors are Force, Velocity
and Displacement.
Vector and Scalar Quantities
 Quantities that require just magnitude are
known as Scalar quantities.
 Examples of scalar quantities are Mass,
Volume and Time.
Vector Representation of Force
 Force has both magnitude and direction
and therefore can be represented as a
vector.
Vector Representation of Force

 The figure on the left shows 2 forces in the same

direction therefore the forces add. The figure on
the right shows the man pulling in the opposite
direction as the cart and forces are subtracted.
Vector Representation of Velocity
 The figure on the left shows
the addition of the wind speed
and velocity of the plane.
 The figure on the right shows
a plane flying into the wind
therefore the velocities are
subtracted.
Vector Representation of Velocity
Vector Representation of Velocity
Geometric Addition of Vectors
 Consider a pair of horses pulling on a boat.

 The resultant force is the addition of the two

separate forces F1 + F2.
Geometric Addition of Vectors

The resultant vector

(black) is the
addition of the other
2 vectors (blue +
green)
Mathematical Addition of Vectors
 When we add vectors mathematically, we
use a vector diagram. This may include
using Pythagoras’ Theorem.
Mathematical Addition of Vectors
 Pythagoras’ Theorem, in a right angled
triangle, the square of the hypotenuse is
equal to the sum of the squares of the other
two sides.

a2 + b2 = c2
Mathematical Addition of Vectors
 Example – An 80km/hr plane flying in a
60km/hr cross wind. What is the planes
speed relative to the ground.
Mathematical Addition of Vectors
 Solution
Use Pythagoras’
Theorem to find R

By Pythagoras' Theorem 
R 2  ( 80 )2  ( 60 )2
 R 2  6400  3600
 R 2  10000
Draw a vector representation
of the velocities involved.  R  10000
 R  100km / hr
Mathematical Addition of Vectors
As velocity is a vector, we need Use trigonometry to find the
to find the direction of the vector. angle.
Can do this by finding an angle
(a) with in the vector diagram. opposite
tan  
adjacent
60
 tan  
80
60
  tan 1 ( )
80
  36.9
Mathematical Addition of Vectors
 The answer should include both the size
and direction of the vector.

The velocity of the plane relative to the ground is

100km/hr at 36.9o to the right of the planes initial
velocity.
Equilibrium
 Can you see what happens
when we use the spring
scales to measure weight?
 Consider a block that weighs
10N (1Kg), if suspended by a
single scale it reads 10N.
Equilibrium
 If we hang the same block by
2 scales, they each read 5N.
The scales pull up with a
combined force of 10N.
Equilibrium
 What if the 2 scales weren’t vertical but
were attached at an angle. We can see for
the forces to balance, the scales must give
a reading of a larger amount.
Components of Vectors
 The force applied to
the lawn mower may
be resolved into two
components, x for
the horizontal and y
for the vertical.
Components of Vectors
 The rule for finding the vertical and
horizontal components is simple.
 A vector is drawn in the proper direction
and then horizontal and vertical vectors are
drawn from the tail of the vector.
Components of Weight
 Why does a ball move faster on a steeper
slope?
 We can see what happens when we
resolve the vector representing weight into
its components.
Components of Weight

 Vector A represents the amount of

acceleration of the ball and vector B
presses it against the surface.
 Steeper the slope, more A.
Physics in Surfing