Unit 1: Mechanic and Materials

Chapter 1: VECTORS
Scalars and Vectors
Scalars have only magnitude/value, such as time, distance, number of people, etc.

Vectors have magnitude and direction, such as velocity, force, momentum, etc.

magnitude

head

c tion
dire
Magnitude is the length of the vector.
tail
The direction can be the angle to the
vertical or the angle to the horizontal.
 Resultant/ Unbalanced Force
The Resultant force is the vector sum of all the forces acting on an object.
1. Vectors in one line of action.
If the forces act in the same direction, If the forces act in the opposite direction,
We add them. We subtract them.

20 N
20 N
Resultant Force Resultant Force
30 N 10 N

10 N 10 N
Resultant/ Unbalanced Force: Parallelogram
Law
2. Two Forces in the same plane
The two forces must be acting away from each other.
 Resultant/ Unbalanced Force: Parallelogram
Law
Question 1: Question 2:
Two forces of 20 N each are acting on a ball at angle of 60 ̊ Calculate the magnitude and the direction of the resultant
to each other. force on the ball.
Calculate the magnitude and the direction of the resultant
force on the ball.

50 N

45 ̊

30 N
Resolution of Vectors
We can resolve any vector into two components: Vertical Component
and Horizontal Component.

Ɵ
 Resultant Force: Resolution of Vectors
Question 1: Question 2:
Two forces of 20 N each are acting on a ball at angle of 60 ̊ Calculate the magnitude and direction of the resultant force
to each other. for the following:
Calculate the magnitude and the direction of the resultant
force on the ball.

40 N
50 N
60 ̊
45 ̊

30 N
Resultant Force: Vector Diagrams