Scalars Versus Vectors

All physical quantities either

fundamental or derived can be classified
as
(1)Scalar quantity: quantity with a
magnitude
e.g. distance, speed, mass
(1)Vector quantity: quantity with a
magnitude and direction
e.g. displacement, velocity, weight
 Scalars Versus Vectors
Magnitude is the measure of the quantity
that gives a number and its standard unit
e.g. 60 kph
Direction can be described by the four
cardinal directions
North, South, East and West
Cardinal Directions
 Cardinal Directions
a vector can be said to have a direction of

(a) 40 degrees North of West (meaning a

vector pointing West has been rotated 40
degrees towards the northerly direction)

(b) 65 degrees East of South (meaning a

vector pointing South has been rotated 65
degrees towards the easterly direction).
 Cardinal Directions
Show the following directions in a Cartesian
Coordinate Plane.

1. 300 North of East 7. 400 East of North

2. 600 North of West 8. 750 West of North
3. 250 South of East 9. 150 East of South
4. 650 South of West 10.500 West of South
5. 450 NE 11. 1350 NW
6. 2250 SW 12. 3150 SE
 A vector is represented by an arrow. The length
of the vector represents the magnitude and the
arrowhead indicates the direction of the vector.

Blue and Blue and Blue and green

orange purple

Two vectors are equal if they have the same

direction and magnitude (length).
Steps in Representation of Vectors
1. Choose a convenient scale that will fit the
vector on your graphing paper.
2. Starting at the origin and pointing to the
given direction, measure the length of the
arrow based on your chosen scale.
3. The Cartesian lines must be drawn lightly
and the vector lines must be darker in
shade.
4. Label the vector and indicate the angle
measurement.
Graphical Representation
1. Vector A = 5 km East
Use a scale 1 cm ; 1 km
The green arrow length must be 5 cm.

A
Graphical Representation
2. Vector B = 60 km 30 O North of East
Use a scale 1 cm ; 5 km
The green arrow length must be 60 cm.

30o N of E
Problem Set: Draw the following vectors.
Give a name for each vector. Choose an
appropriate scale of your own.
1. 18 kph, S 2. 55 N, W
3. 100 km, 350 S of W 4. 80 mph, 150 N of W
5. 500 m, 700 S of E 6. 5m/s, 400 N of E
7. 90 km/h, E 8. 50 m/s, N
9. 20 miles, 550 W of S 10. 33 dynes, 450 NW
 Adding Vectors
Adding vectors graphically: Place the tail of the
second at the head of the first. The vector sum
( resultant) is the measure of the arrow from the
tail of the first to the head of the last.
 Adding Vectors
Examples:
1. 200 m E; 400 m E
2. 500 m E; 300 m W
3. 95 m E; 55 m N
4. 45 N, 600 from x – axis; 65 N
5. 5 N, E ; 2 N, 600 N of E; 3 N, 400 N of W
 Vector Subtraction
In subtracting vectors, simply get the opposite
direction of the vector to be subtracted and
proceed to addition of vectors
Example: 5 N, E ; 2 N, 600 N of E; 3 N, 400 N of W
Problem set: Given the following
vectors.
1 = 6 N, E
2 = 10 N, 30 degrees N of E
3 = 12 N, 20 degrees N of W
4 = 8 N, S
Graphically,
a. Find the resultant. (1 cm = 2 N)
b. R = 1 – 2 + 3 - 4
 The Component Method
Resolving length, angle, and components of a
vector makes use of trigonometric functions.
SOH CAH TOA

Ay = A sin Ɵ

Ax = A cos Ɵ
 The Components of a Vector
Example
 The Components of a Vector
Take note of the signs of vector components:
The Components of Multiple Vectors
Example
5 N, E ; 2 N, 600 N of E; 3 N, 400 N of W
 Problem Set
Resolve the following vectors into their
components. Write the final answer length,
angle and direction form.
A = 10 km, E
B = 15 km, 400 N of E
C = 18 km, 600 N of W
D = 20 km, 550 W of S
E = 5 km, S