1.

Vectors and Scalars

Distinguish between vector and scalar quantities, and give examples of each.
Vectors have magnitude and direction. Examples include displacement, velocity,
acceleration, force, etc.
Scalars have magnitude only. Examples include distance, speed, mass,
temperature, time, etc.

Draw arrows of appropriate length and direction to represent vector quantities.

Vectors are represented by arrows (length=magnitude)
If two positive vectors are the same, then they are of the same length and are
parallel; two vectors of the same magnitude but in opposite directions are the
negative of each other
A
2A
-A
-0.5A
A vector can be multiplied by a scalar quantity: k x a = ka
The resulting vector will be in the same direction if k>0 and opposite if k<0.

State vector quantities either in terms of magnitude and direction or by their

components along chosen axes.
e.g. 0.5 m left vs. 0.5m; +2 km or 2 km up

Add and subtract vector quantities by the graphical method.

The addition of vectors gives the combined effect of the vectors acting on a body.
The result is that of one force whose effect is the same as the two forces
together. This combined effect is referred to as the net or resultant vector.
Two equivalent graphing methods:
1. Shift B parallel to itself so that its beginning point corresponds to that of A (tip
to tip). Complete the parallelogram (A x B) and draw the diagonal which is
the vector sum (A + B).

A + B
2. Shift B parallel to itself until its beginning touches the end of A (tip to tail) .
Join the beginning of A to the end of B to produce the vector sum (A + B).

A + B

Another notation for vectors = AB, where A and B are points in space and AB
represents the vector that begins at A and ends at B.

AB = -BA
C

DB = DA + DC
DC = AB
DB = DA + AB

A
E

D
AC = AE + EB + BD + DF + FC

When adding these vectors, it is as if the common

letters disappears.

e.g. Add together the following two vectors using a scale drawing: 100 u E + 50

u NE (45)
(length-138.5 u; angle=14.2 - using a protractor)
e.g. A triangle ABC is given. If D and E are the midpoints of AB and AC, show that
DE is half the length of BC.
A
DE = DA + AE
DA = BA
D
E
AE = AC
B

DE = (BA+AC)
DE = BC

e.g. A velocity vector of magnitude 1.2 m s-1 is horizontal. A second velocity vector
of | 2 m s-1 | must be added to the first so that the sum is vertical in direction. What
is the direction of the vector and what is the magnitude of the sum?
measure vertical (mag. of sum) = 1.93 m s-1
= 25

2.0
1.2

Resolve vectors into perpendicular components along chosen axes.

Origin = starting point of a

Components along the axes determined by drawing lines parallel to the axes and
marking intersects

ay = a sin

sin is away from the angle

cos is through the angle

ax = a cos

e.g. Find the vector components for vectors A and B if their magnitudes are 10 u
and 20 u, respectively.
Ax = -10cos45 = -7.07
Ay = -10sin45 = -7.07
= 45
= 30
Bx = 20cos30 = 17.3
A
B
By = -20sin30 = -10
A = 12 units at 30 to the +x axis; B = 8 units at 80 to the +x axis. Using the
graphical method, determine the following vectors: a) A + B b) A - B
c)

A - 2B
2. A person walks 5 km E, 3 km N, 2 km NE. How far and in what direction relative
does the starting point does the person travel? (7.8 units, at 34)
3. Determine the magnitude and direction of the vectors with the following
components:
a. Ax = -4 cm; Ay = -4 cm
b. Ax = 124 km; Ay = -158 km
c. Ax = 0; Ay = -5 m
4. The displacement vector of a moving object has initial components rx = 2 and ry
= 2. After a certain time the displacement vector has rx = 4 and ry = 8. What
vector represents the change?
1.

Interpret the physical meaning of vector components where appropriate.

Add two or more vectors by the method of components.
Solve problems involving the vector nature of physical quantities.