Unit 2

Scalars and vectors

 Topic Objectives
• define a scalar as a quantity which has a magnitude, but no direction
(e.g. mass)
• define a vector as a quantity which has both magnitude and direction
(e.g. velocity)
• explain the difference between scalars and vectors and give common
examples
• add two vectors at right angles by calculation to determine a resultant
in magnitude and direction
• add two vectors that are not at right angles by a graphical method to
determine a resultant in magnitude and direction
 Scalars
• Scalars
• Scalars are quantities that have only a magnitude
• For example, mass is a scalar since it is a quantity that has magnitude without
a direction
• Distance is also a scalar since it only contains a magnitude, not a direction
 Vectors
• Vectors have both magnitude and direction
• Velocity, for instance, is a vector since it is described with both a magnitude
and a direction
• When describing the velocity of a car it is necessary to mention both its speed and
the direction in which it is travelling
• For example, the velocity might be 60 km per hour (magnitude) due west (direction)
• Distance is a value describing only how long an object is or how far it is
between two points - this means it is a scalar quantity
• Displacement on the other hand also describes the direction in which the
distance is measured - this means it is a vector quantity
• For example, a displacement might be 100 km north
Examples of scalars and vectors
Adding physical quantities
• We cannot add a mixture of scalars and vectors together.
• Only scalars of the same type can be added together.
• Only vectors of the same type can be added together.
Adding vectors together
• Vector addition can be done by:

• Drawing a scale diagram of the vectors and then taking measurements.

• Drawing a sketch and then using trigonometry and Pythagoras’ theorem
Calculating resultant of vectors at right angles
• A bird is flying on a bearing of 180⁰ at a velocity of 20 m/s. An east
wind of strength 30 m/s blows the bird off course. Determine, by
scale drawing and calculation, the resultant velocity of the bird.
Example 4
• The diagram below shows two forces acting on an object. One force
is pulling the object up, while the other pulls to the right.
• Find the resultant force F, the single force with the same effect as the
two forces.
50N

120N
Example 5
• Ronel and Aini are pulling on two ropes that are tied to Wilfried. The
angle between the two ropes is 120⁰. Ronel pulls with a force of
150N on bearing 330⁰. Aini applies a force of 120 N on bearing 090⁰.
Use a scale of 1cm : 20 N to find the resultant force applied to
Wilfried.

150N
138N
150N

120N 120N
Calculating the resultant of vectors that are
not at right angles
Check your progress P.95
Position, displacement and distance
y

x
Check progress page 99