D O W L AT H P H Y S I C S

SCALARS AND VECTORS

D O S V I D E O
SCALARS AND VECTORS
Recall a physical quantity is one which is measureable using an instrument.
A scalar quantity is one which has magnitude only. It is unaffected by direction.
E.g. Mass, Time, Temperature, Heat Capacity, Half Life.
A vector quantity is one which has magnitude and direction. It can be represented
using cartesian planes. E.g. Force, Momentum, Acceleration, Velocity
HOW ARE VECTORS
REPRESENTED?
• Vectors are typically represented using an arrow.
• The length of the arrow represents the size of the vector while the arrow head
represents the direction.
• Any vector quantity is represented using the vector arrow.
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VECTOR
Multiple individual vectors can be incorporated to give a
SINGLE resultant vector. This is referred to as the RESULTANT
VECTOR.

There are different methods to determine the resultant vector

depending on the orientation of the individual vectors:

1. If the vectors are all in the same direction: PARALLEL

VECTORS. To determine the resultant vector these individual
vectors are added together.
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2. If individual vectors are pointing in opposite directions: ANTIPARALLEL, the
resultant vector is found by subtraction.
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FOLLOWING EACH OTHER
• If the individual resultant vectors follow each other, the resultant force is present
to connect one vector to each other like the sides of a triangle.
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A N A N G L E AWA Y F R O M E A C H
OTHER
Consider two vectors acting from a point away from each other, the resultant is
determined from the diagonal of a parallelogram drawn from these two initial
vectors.