Physical Quantities

There are two types of physical quantities. The first one is the scalar quantity
which only consists of magnitude. In scalar quantity, ordinary arithmetic
operations can be performed. Examples of scalar quantities are time, mass, speed,
distance, temperature, volume, area, work, energy, and so on. The second type of
quantity is the vector quantity which consists of both magnitude and direction. In
vector quantity, operations can be performed in a different set of methods
geometrically. Example of vector quantities are velocity, displacement, acceleration,
force, weight, momentum, impulse, and so on.
In physics a free body diagram is a graphical illustration used to visualize the
applied forces, movements, and resulting reactions on a body in a steady state
condition (no acceleration of the system). In representing vector quantities in a free
body diagram, it is necessary to use arrow heads to specify the direction of the
vector as illustrated below(Figure 1).

Figure 1. (Representation of Vector in a free body diagram)

Vector Problems
Different solutions can be performed in adding vectors geometrically. In
subtracting vectors, on the other hand, we change the direction of one of the
vectors(by changing it to its opposite sign), then adding the two vectors
subsequently.
Force is a vector quantity. When two or more forces act simultaneously on a
common point, the forces are called concurrent forces. The vector sum of forces
is called the resultant. The equilibrant is a force equal in magnitude but
oppositely directed to the resultant.

Solving Vector problems can be done graphically or analytically. As what has

been said, several solutions can be performed, but in this discussion, one solution
for each methods will only be presented. Under graphical methods is the Tip-to-tail
method. On the other hand, under analytical method is the component method.
Solutions to Vector Problems
I. Graphical Method: Tip-to-tail Method
To determine the resultant of two or more vectors graphically, apply the
tip-to-tail method or the polygon method. The forces are scaled and connected in a
manner where the tip of the first is connected to the tail of the next force, this goes
on until the all of the forces are connected. The measure from the initial tail up to
the final tip is the resultant. The resultant in effect is the closing side of the polygon
as illustrated below(Figure 2).
F3
F4
F2
F1
F2
R

F1
x
F3
F4
A. Concurrent forces

B. Tip-to-tail method in determining the

magnitude and direction of the resultant

Figure 2. (Tip-to-tail Method)

II. Analytical Method: Component Method

The x and y components of the force are resolved by using the trigonometric
functions cosine and sine respectively.
Technique:
Steps:
1. Resolve the vectors to its x and y component.
with respect to x
1. X-comp = Rcos
2. Y-comp = Rsin

with respect to y
1. X-comp = Rsin
2. Y-comp = Rcos

2. Use this formula to get the resultant:

R Rx 2 Ry 2
3. Angle and direction of resultant

Ry
)
Rx
Rx
tan 1 ( )
Ry

tan 1 (

(With respect to x)
(With respect to y)

E.g.
1. Find the resultant and its direction wrt x of the following vectors:
1 km E; 0.75 km 60 S of E; 0.50 km 20 N of E.
Vectors
X-component
Y-component
A: 1 km E
(1)cos(0)=1
(1)sin(0)=0
B: 0.75 km 60 S of E (0.75)cos(60)=0.375 (0.75)sin(60)=-0.6495
C: 0.50 km 20 N of E (0.50)cos(20)=0.4698 (0.50)sin(20)=0.1710
Rx = 1.8448
Ry = -0.4785
Step 2: Get the summation of the x
and y components

R Rx 2 Ry 2

Step 1: Arrange the vectors using

table of values and determine their
respective x and y components
Note: Be aware of the vectors
direction with respect to an axis
WRT x
WRT y
1. X-comp: cos 1. X-comp: sin
2. Y-comp: sin 2. Y-comp: cos

Step 3: Use the formula to get the

resultant

R = 1.9058 km

tan 1 (

Ry
)
Rx

Step 4: Use the formula to get the

direction of the resultant with respect
to x

= 14. 5408 S of E

R: 1.9058 km, 14. 5408 S of E

Copyright 2016 by Jayvee Tungol