PHYSICS CHAPTER 1

1
Scalar quantity is defined as a quantity with magnitude only.
e.g. mass, time, temperature, pressure, electric current, work,
energy and etc.
Mathematics operational : ordinary algebra

Vector quantity is defined as a quantity with both magnitude &
direction.
e.g. displacement, velocity, acceleration, force, momentum,
electric field, magnetic field and etc.
Mathematics operational : vector algebra
1.2 Scalars and Vectors
PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
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Table 1.6 shows written form (notation) of vectors.







Notation of magnitude of vectors.
1.2.1 Vectors
Vector A
Length of an arrow magnitude of vector A
displacement velocity acceleration
s

s
a v
v v =

a a =

s (bold)
v (bold) a (bold)
Direction of arrow direction of vector A
Table 1.6
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Two vectors equal if both magnitude and direction are the same.
(shown in figure 1.1)





If vector A is multiplied by a scalar quantity k
Then, vector A is






if k = +ve, the vector is in the same direction as vector A.
if k = - ve, the vector is in the opposite direction of vector A.
P

Q P

=
Figure 1.1
A k

A k

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Can be represented by using:
a) Direction of compass, i.e east, west, north, south, north-east,
north-west, south-east and south-west
b) Angle with a reference line
e.g. A man throws a stone with a velocity of 10 m s
-1
, 30 above
horizontal.


1.2.2 Direction of Vectors
30

v

x
y
0
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c) Cartesian coordinates
2-Dimension (2-D)
m) 4 m, 2 ( ) , ( = = y x s

y/m
x/m
4
2
0
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3-Dimension (3-D)
s

2
3
4
m 2) 3, 4, ( ) , , ( = = z y x s

y/m
x/m
z/m
0
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d) Polar coordinates








e) Denotes with + or signs.
( )

N,120 50 = F
F

120

+
+
-
-
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There are two methods involved in addition of vectors graphically i.e.
Parallelogram
Triangle
For example :
1.2.3 Addition of Vectors
Parallelogram Triangle
B

B A

+
O
B A

+
B

B A

+
O
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Triangle of vectors method:
a) Use a suitable scale to draw vector A.
b) From the head of vector A draw a line to represent the vector B.
c) Complete the triangle. Draw a line from the tail of vector A to the
head of vector B to represent the vector A + B.
A B B A

+ = +
Commutative Rule
B

A B

+
O
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If there are more than 2 vectors therefore
Use vector polygon and associative rule. E.g.

R Q P

+ +
R

( ) Q P

+
( ) ( ) R Q P R Q P

+ + = + +
Associative Rule
( ) R Q P

+ +
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11
Distributive Rule :

a.

b.
For example :
Proof of case a: let o = 2
( ) B A B A

o o o + = +
( ) A A A

| o | o + = +
number real are , | o
( ) ( ) B A B A

+ = + 2 o
B

B A

+
O
( ) B A

+ 2
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A

2
O
B

2
B A

2 2 +
( ) B A B A

2 2 2 + = +

B A B A

2 2 + = +o o
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Proof of case b: let o = 2 and | = 1
A

( ) ( ) A A A

3 1 2 = + = + | o
A

3
A A A A

1 2 + = + | o
A

2
A

+
A

3
=
( ) A A A

1 2 1 2 + = +

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For example :
1.2.4 Subtraction of Vectors
Parallelogram Triangle
D

O
D C

O
D

( ) D C D C

+ =
C

D C

D C

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Vectors subtraction can be used
to determine the velocity of one object relative to another object
i.e. to determine the relative velocity.
to determine the change in velocity of a moving object.


1. Vector A has a magnitude of 8.00 units and 45 above the positive x
axis. Vector B also has a magnitude of 8.00 units and is directed along
the negative x axis. Using graphical methods and suitable scale to
determine
a) b)

c) d)
(Hint : use 1 cm = 2.00 units)
Exercise 1.2 :
B A

+ B A

B 2 A

+ B A 2