Scalar

a quantity described by magnitude only

examples include:
time, length, speed, temperature, mass, energy

Vector
a quantity described by magnitude and direction
examples include:
velocity, displacement, force, momentum,
electric and magnetic fields
 Vectors are usually named with capital
letters with arrows above the letter.
They are represented graphically as arrows.
The length of the arrow corresponds
to the magnitude of the vector.
The direction the arrow points
is the vector direction.
Examplesinclude:
A = 20 m/s at 35° NE B = 120 lb at 60° SE

C = 5.8 mph/s west

 Vector Addition
vectors may be added graphically or analytically
Triangle (Head-to-Tail) Method
1. Draw the first vector with the proper length
and orientation.
2. Draw the second vector with the proper length
and orientation originating from the head of
the first vector.
3. The resultant vector is the vector originating
at the tail of the first vector and terminating
at the head of the second vector.
4. Measure the length and orientation angle of
the resultant.
Example: A = 11 N @ 35° NE
Find the resultant
of A and B. B = 18 N @ 20° NW

20° NW
R
R = 14.8 N
A
@ 57° NW
57° NW 35° NE
Parallelogram (Tail-to-Tail) Method
1. Draw both vectors with proper length and
orientation originating from the same point.
2. Complete a parallelogram using the two
vectors as two of the sides.
3. Draw the resultant vector as the diagonal
originating from the tails.
4. Measure the length and angle of the
resultant vector.
Explore more
vectors at
link, link, link,
and link.
 Resolving a Vector Into Components
+y
The horizontal, or
x-component, of A is Ay A
found by Ax = A cos θ. θ
The vertical, or Ax +x
y-component, of A is found by Ay = A sin θ.
By the Pythagorean Theorem, Ax2 + Ay2 = A2.
Every vector can be resolved using these
formulas, such that A is the magnitude of A, and
θ is the angle the vector makes with the x-axis.
Each component must have the proper “sign”
according to the quadrant the vector terminates in.
Analytical Method of Vector Addition
1. Find the x- and y-components of each vector.
Ax = A cos θ = Ay = A sin θ =
Bx = B cos θ = By = B sin θ =
Cx = C cos θ = Cy = C sin θ =
Rx = Ry =
2. Sum the x-components.
This is the x-component of the resultant.
3. Sum the y-components.
This is the y-component of the resultant.
4. Use the Pythagorean Theorem to find the
magnitude of the resultant vector.
Rx2 + Ry2 = R2
5. Find the reference angle by taking the inverse
tangent of the absolute value of the y-component
divided by the x-component.

θ= Tan -1 Ry/Rx
6. Use the “signs” of Rx and Ry to determine the
quadrant.
NW NE
(-,+) (+,+)

(-,-) (-,+)
SW SE