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Lec 1 Vectors

This document discusses physical quantities, units, vectors, and vector operations. Some key points: - Physical quantities have a magnitude and associated unit. Common units include meters, kilograms, seconds. - Vectors represent quantities that have both magnitude and direction. They can be expressed using components and unit vectors or a bearing angle. - Vector addition/subtraction involves adding/subtracting the corresponding components of the vectors. - An example problem finds the total displacement vector resulting from traveling along two paths by adding the corresponding displacement vectors.

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Fiehl Rivera Laroza
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38 views

Lec 1 Vectors

This document discusses physical quantities, units, vectors, and vector operations. Some key points: - Physical quantities have a magnitude and associated unit. Common units include meters, kilograms, seconds. - Vectors represent quantities that have both magnitude and direction. They can be expressed using components and unit vectors or a bearing angle. - Vector addition/subtraction involves adding/subtracting the corresponding components of the vectors. - An example problem finds the total displacement vector resulting from traveling along two paths by adding the corresponding displacement vectors.

Uploaded by

Fiehl Rivera Laroza
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Units, Physical Quantities

and Vectors

Physics 71 Lecture 01
10 November 2011
Dr. Jeffrey C. De Vero
[email protected]
Physical Quantity
 Any number that is used to describe a
physical phenomenon quantitatively.

Physical NUMBER UNIT


= +
Quantity (magnitude)
(based on a
standard)

Example: Mass Units are


m= 77 kg useful and
number unit important!
Fundamental Units
 For repeatability of measurements
 SI Units are commonly used
Table 1. SI Base Units

Quantity Name of Unit Symbol

Length meter m
Mass kilogram kg
Time second s
Electric current ampere A
Thermodynamic temperature kelvin K
Amount of substance mole mol
Luminous intensity candela cd
10 megameter Common SI prefixes 10 nanometer
1 nano- = 10-9
(10 Mm) 1 micro- = 10-6 (10 nm)
1 milli- = 10-3
1 centi- = 10-2
1 kilo- = 103
1 mega- = 106
Unit Consistency and
Conversions
 Quantities must be the same no matter how it is
reported

Ex. HEIGHT = 163 cm = 1.63x10-2 m = 5 ft 4 in


• Be consistent on units when you operate quantities.

Add length : L = 100 m + 0.25 in


 m Convert!
Acceleration: a = vt =  2 (0.26hr )
 s
British Systems
 Used by Americans and other countries.
Length: 1 in = 2.54 cm
Force: 1 pound = 4.448 N

Let’s try this:


Convert 160 cm to ft.
Significant Figures

Operation Rule Example

Addition/ Follow least number of


decimal places. 1.0 m + 1 m = 2 m
Subtraction

Multiplication/ Follow least number of 1.0 m / 1.00 s = 1.0 m/s


Division significant figures.
Convert!
57 cm ft

1.822 ft

1 ft +0. 822 ft
Gul Mohammed (40 yrs old)

inch
9.864 inch~ 10 inch
1 ft 10 inch 1 cm= 0.032 ft
1 ft= 10 inch
Vectors
Vector quantity

 Quantites that both has magnitude and direction.


 Represented by characters with arrowhead

A
Where are you?
2 meters from me
north(?) south(?) east(?) west(?)
Scalar vs Vector

 Scalar : magnitude + units


Ex. m = 5 kg, T = 45 K

 Vector : magnitude + units + direction


Ex. x = 45 m, 260 north of east
direction
 velocity, acceleration, force, torque
Vectors
Vectors can be reported in two
ways:
• Using a BEARING : angle with respect to a
chosen axis
• Using components and unit vectors
(split it in its x, y, z components)
Using a BEARING

4m

θ = 45 0

d= 4 m, 450 North of East


4 m, 450 wrt the horizontal
Using UNIT VECTORS

 Unit – magnitude
is “1”
 Vector – points to
a specific direction
x-axis  iˆ
y-axis  ĵ
z-axis  k̂
 Split the vector into its x, y and/or z components

y
Forms a right triangle!
y component

4m
θ
θ = 45°
x
x component
y
If θ = 450
Apply the unit

y component
vector for each
component

4m
θ
θ = 45°
x
x component

SAME!
4 m, 450 North of East
Example:
 Write the following vector in component
form:
y

A = 59.27cm iˆ − 46.30cm ˆj
θ = 38 0 x

75.21 cm
A = 75.21cm, 380 South of East
A
Addition and
Subtraction of Vectors
Addition and Subtraction of Vectors

 NOT as simple as addition/subtraction of


magnitudes.
 Add/subtract components having the same unit
vector.

Recall:

d + d = 4 2 miˆ + 4 2 mˆj
d −d =0
Example:
Naruto bikes a 5 km trail which is 300 N of E
from his starting point and then bikes another
2 km trail westward. How far and in what
direction is he from his starting point?
Answer:

Component T total = 2.33km iˆ + 2.5km ˆj


Form
or
Bearing
T total = 3.42km, 47.020 North of East
Quiz #1: (10 pts)
Consider the vectors shown.
What are the
components of the vector

E =C+B
In your paper, draw the resultant
vector.

ASSIGNMENT: What are the components of vector R:

R = A + B+ C+ D
Draw the resultant vector.

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