PHYSICS – Scalars and Vectors

LEARNING
OBJECTIVES

Scalars Supplement
• Understand that vectors
and have a magnitude and
direction
Vectors • Demonstrate an
understanding of the
difference between scalars
and vectors and give common
examples
• Determine graphically the
resultant of two vectors
 Scalars and Vectors

In Physics, some quantities have values that

depend on direction and some do not.
 Scalars and Vectors

In Physics, some quantities have values that

depend on direction and some do not.

Scalar quantities such as mass and volume, are

completely described by a magnitude alone (a
number and a unit). Scalars do not have direction.
 Scalars and Vectors

In Physics, some quantities have values that

depend on direction and some do not.

Scalar quantities such as mass and volume, are

completely described by a magnitude alone (a
number and a unit). Scalars do not have direction.

Vector quantities such as forces, are completely

described by a magnitude and direction.
Identify the quantity and put it on its appropriate column.

SCALAR distance
VECTOR
volume
speed
displacement
acceleration
mass
work
power
resistance
force
velocity
weight
pressure
Scalars and Vectors

Scalars are simply added together.

Eg. A mass of 40 kg added to a mass of 60

kg will always give a mass of 100kg.
 Representing Vectors
A vector is generally represented in equations by
using an over-arrow or a bold font.
Example:

or
 Representing Vectors
A vector is generally represented in equations by
using an over-arrow or a bold font.
Example:

or

In diagrams, they are represented by an arrow

pointing in the correct direction.
Example:
40N

50N
 Combining Vectors / Vector Addition
Often in Physics, we need to find what the total
effect of a group of vectors is.
 Combining Vectors / Vector Addition
Often in Physics, we need to find what the total
effect of a group of vectors is.

Resultant vector (R) is the vector that causes the

same effect from adding two or more vectors
together.
 Combining Vectors / Vector Addition
Often in Physics, we need to find what the total
effect of a group of vectors is.

Resultant vector (R) is the vector that causes the

same effect from adding two or more vectors
together.

The directions for vectors can be represented by

the positive sign (+) for (right, up, North, East)
while the negative sign (-) for (left, down, West,
South).
Combining Vectors / Vector Addition
Vectors in the same direction
40N

50N

90N
 Combining Vectors / Vector Addition
Vectors in the same direction
40N

50N

, to the right

90N
 Combining Vectors / Vector Addition
Vectors in the same direction
40N 40N

50N 50N

, to the right

90N

90N
 Combining Vectors / Vector Addition
Vectors in the same direction
40N 40N

50N 50N

, to the right
The (-) sign indicates direction.

90N , to the left

90N
 Combining Vectors / Vector Addition
Vectors in the opposite direction
40N 50N

10N
 Combining Vectors / Vector Addition
Vectors in the opposite direction
40N 50N

, to the right

10N
 Combining Vectors / Vector Addition
Vectors in the opposite direction
40N 50N 50N 40N

, to the right

10N

10N
 Combining Vectors / Vector Addition
Vectors in the opposite direction
40N 50N 50N 40N

, to the right

The (-) sign indicates direction.

10N

, to the left

10N
 Combining Vectors / Vector Addition
Calculate the resultant vector (magnitude and
direction) of each of the following.
 Tip-to-tail Method-Vector Addition
 To do tip-to-tail method, you need the
technical tools like sharp pencil, ruler,
protractor and the paper (graphing or
bond) to show the vectors graphically.

 The output is the connection of vectors

is like a polygon.
 Tip-to-tail Method-Vector Addition
Steps:
i. Draw a coordinate axes.
 Tip-to-tail Method-Vector Addition
ii. Plot the first vector with the tail at the origin.

A
 Tip-to-tail Method-Vector Addition
iii. Place the tail of the second vector at the tip of the
first vector.

A
 Tip-to-tail Method-Vector Addition
iv. Draw the resultant (sum) tail at origin to the tip of
the 2nd vector. (Label all vectors.)

A
+ B
A
R=
 Tip-to-tail Method-Vector Addition
• A = 40 m east
B = 30 m north
• B = 30 m north R
• Find R


A = 40 m east

1. Choose a scale that you prefer. Example we will use

scale 1cm = 10m.
2. Measure the resultant vector R with a ruler.
3. Measure angle (direction) with a protractor.
A+E
D+G
C+H
B+F
D+G+A
F+G+H
E+H+B
 Pythagoras’ Theorem
The Pythagoras’ theorem is a useful method
for determining the result of adding two
(and only two) vectors that make a right
angle to each other.
The Pythagoras’ theorem is a mathematical
equation that relates the length of the sides
of a right triangle to the length of the
hypotenuse of a right triangle.
where
a and b - sides c
b
c - hypotenuse 𝒄= √ 𝒂 + 𝒃
𝟐 𝟐

a
 Pythagoras’ Theorem
To solve for the magnitude of the resultant
vector (R), use the formula

R
B

A
 Pythagoras’ Theorem
c. Perpendicular Vectors (vectors at to each other)

1. A man walks at 40 meters East and 30 meters North.

Find the magnitude of resultant displacement and
its vector angle.

R? B=30 m

A=40 m
 R? B=30 m

A=40 m
2. In this diagram (diagram not to scale),
a. draw the resultant force, and
b. find the resultant force

Z=5 N

Y=12 N
3. A student walks 4 meters to the West,
then 6 meters to the North and finally 4
meters to the West.
a. Draw the individual vectors (A, B, C)
and the resultant vector (R). Use the
scale 1cm = 1 m.
b. Solve the resultant vector (R).
 Parallelogram Method

How do we work out the resultant when the

forces are not acting along the same line?
 Parallelogram Method

How do we work out the resultant when the

forces are not acting along the same line?

To find the resultant in this situation we apply the parallelogram rule.

 What’s all this about a
parallelogram rule? I
might need to sit down for
this bit!

30N

40N

We need to draw the force lines accurately, both in terms of

direction, and size. In this example, 1N = 1mm
 What’s all this about a
parallelogram rule? I
might need to sit down for
this bit!

30N

40N

We need to draw the force lines accurately, both in terms of

direction, and size. In this example, 1N = 1mm
 What’s all this about a
parallelogram rule? I
might need to sit down for
this bit!

30N

X 60N
Y

40N

Draw two lines to complete the parallelogram, and then connect the
diagonal from X to Y. The size and direction of the diagonal
represents the resultant in both size and direction.
 What’s all this about a
parallelogram rule? I
might need to sit down for
this bit!

30N

X 60N
Y

40N

Draw two lines to complete the parallelogram, and then connect the
diagonal from X to Y. The size and direction of the diagonal
represents the resultant in both size and direction.
Parallelogram Method Steps:
1. Draw a coordinate axes
2. Plot the first vector with the tail at the origin
3. Plot the second vector with its tail also at the origin
4. Complete the parallelogram
5. Draw in the diagonal, this is the resultant.
 Parallelogram Method
Steps:
i. Draw a coordinate axes.
 Parallelogram Method
ii. Plot the first vector with the tail at the origin.

A
 Parallelogram Method
iii. Plot the second vector with the tail at the origin.

B
 Parallelogram Method
iv. Complete the parallelogram.

B
 Parallelogram Method
v. Draw in the diagonal, (this is the resultant).

A B
A +
R=
B
 B R

Parallelogram Method Tail to Tip Method

You obtain the same result using either

method.
F1 + F2 = F3 = R
 Add the following velocity vectors using the
parallelogram method
V1 = 60 km/hour east
V2 = 80 km/hour north