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Physics Lesson 2

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Physics Lesson 2

Uploaded by

myintkyaw hein
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Unit:2 Scalar & Vector Quantities

• All quantities can be one of two types:


o A scalar
o A vector

Scalars

• Scalars are quantities that have only a magnitude


o For example, mass is a scalar since it is a quantity that has magnitude
without a direction
o Distance is also a scalar since it only contains a magnitude, not a
direction

Vectors

• Vectors have both magnitude and direction


• Velocity, for instance, is a vector since it is described with both a magnitude
and a direction
o When describing the velocity of a car it is necessary to
mention both its speed and the direction in which it is travelling
o For example, the velocity might be 60 km per hour (magnitude) due
west (direction)
• Distance is a value describing only how long an object is or how far it is
between two points - this means it is a scalar quantity
• Displacement on the other hand also describes the direction in which the
distance is measured - this means it is a vector quantity
o For example, a displacement might be 100 km north

Examples of Scalars & Vectors


• The table below lists some common examples of scalar and vector quantities:

Scalars & Vectors Table


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Mason Hein Urban edge Pre IGCSE PHYSICS


• Some vectors and scalars are similar to each other
o For example, the scalar quantity distance corresponds to the vector
quantity displacement
• Corresponding vectors and their scalar counterparts are aligned in the table where
applicable

Using Scalars & Vectors


• The worked example below illustrates how to determine whether a quantity is a scalar
or a vector

Worked example
Blu is in charge of training junior astronauts. For one of his sessions,
he would like to explain the difference between mass and weight.
Suggest how Blu should explain the difference between mass and
weight, using definitions of scalars and vectors in your answer.
Step 1: Recall the definitions of a scalar and vector quantity

o Scalars are quantities that have only a magnitude


o Vectors are quantities that have both magnitude and direction

Step 2: Identify which quantity has magnitude only

o Mass is a quantity with magnitude only


o So mass is a scalar quantity
▪ Blu might explain to his junior astronauts that their mass will not
change if they travel to outer space

Step 3: Identify which quantity has magnitude and direction

o Weight is a quantity with magnitude and direction (it is a force)


o So weight is a vector quantity
▪ Blu might explain that to his junior astronauts that their weight -
the force on them due to gravity - will vary depending on their
distance from the centre of the Earth

Exam Tip
Make sure you are comfortable with the differences between similar scalars and
vectors, the most commonly confused pairings tend to be:

• Distance and displacement


• Speed and velocity
• Weight and mass
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Calculations with Vectors
• Vectors are represented by an arrow
o The arrowhead indicates the direction of the vector
o The length of the arrow represents the magnitude

The two force vectors acting on the object have both a direction and a
magnitude

• Component vectors are sometimes drawn with a dotted line and


a subscript indicating horizontal or vertical
o For example, Fv is the vertical component of the force F

Calculating Vectors Graphically

• Vectors at right angles to one another can be combined into one resultant
vector

o The resultant vector will have the same effect as the two original ones

• To calculate vectors graphically means carefully producing a scale drawing


with all lengths and angles correct
o This should be done using a sharp pencil, ruler and protractor

• Follow these steps to carry out calculations with vectors on graphs

1. Choose a scale which fits the page


▪ For example, use 1 cm = 10 m or 1 cm = 1 N, so that the
diagram is around 10 cm high
2. Draw the vectors at right angles to one another
3. Complete the rectangle
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4. Draw the resultant vector diagonally from the origin


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5. Carefully measure the length of the resultant vector

Mason Hein Urban edge Pre IGCSE PHYSICS


6. Use the scale factor to calculate the magnitude
7. Use the protractor to measure the angle

Vectors can be measured or calculated graphically if you are confident in using


scales

Combining Vectors by Calculation

• In this method, a diagram is still essential but it does not need to be exactly to
scale
• The diagram can take the form of a sketch, as long as the resultant,
component and sides are clearly labelled

Resolving two force vectors F1 and F2 into a resultant force vector FR


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• Use Pythagoras' Theorem to find the resultant vector

Pythagoras's Theorem makes calculating vectors at right angles much simpler

• Use trigonometry to find the angle


• The mnemonic 'soh-cah-toa' is used to remember how to apply sines and
cosines to resolve the sides of a triangle
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Trigonometry and Pythagoras' Therom are essential in vector calculations

Worked example

A hiker walks a distance of 6 km due east and 10 km due north.

Calculate the magnitude of their displacement and its direction from the horizontal.
Step 1: Draw a vector diagram

Step 2: Calculate the magnitude of the resultant vector using Pythagoras' Theorem

Step 3: Calculate the direction of the resultant vector using trigonometry


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Step 4: State the final answer complete with direction

Resultant vector = 12 km 59° east and upwards from the horizontal

Exam Tip

If the question specifically asks you to use the calculation or graphical method, you
must solve the problem as asked. However, if the choice is left up to you then any
correct method will lead to the correct answer.

The graphical method sometimes feels easier than calculating, but once you are
confident with trigonometry and Pythagoras you will find calculating quicker and
more accurate.
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Measuring Length & Volume
• Rulers can be used to measure small distances of a few centimetres (cm).
o They are able to measure to the nearest millimetre (mm)
• When measuring larger distances (of a few metres) a tape measure is more
appropriate or, when measuring even larger distances, a trundle wheel
• Measuring cylinders can be used to measure the volume of liquids
o By measuring the change in volume, a measuring cylinder can also
be used to find the volume of an irregular shape

Measuring cylinders can be used to determine the volume of a liquid or an irregular


shaped solid

Measuring Time
• Stop-clocks and stopwatches can be used to measure time intervals
• An important factor when measuring time intervals is human reaction time.
This can have a significant impact upon measurements when the
measurements involved are very short (less than a second)

Worked example
• A stopwatch is used to measure the time taken for a runner to complete a lap
of a 400 m track.
• The images below give the readings on the stopwatch at the start and the end
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of the lap.
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Mason Hein Urban edge Pre IGCSE PHYSICS


Exam Tip

You will sometimes find that information is given in the question that is not actually
needed in the calculation.

In this worked example, you were told that the track the runner is running on is 400
m. This had nothing to do with the calculation the question asked you to perform.

This is a common method for making a question seem more difficult. Don't let it catch
you out!
Multiple Readings

• Suppose you have to measure the thickness of a sheet of paper


o The thing that you are trying to measure is so small that it would be
very difficult to get an accurate answer
• If, however, you measure the thickness of 100 sheets of paper you can do so
much more accurately
o Dividing your answer by 100 will then give an accurate figure for the
thickness of one sheet
• This process of taking a reading of a large number of values and then dividing
by the number, is a good way of getting accurate values for small figures,
including (for example) the time period of a pendulum
o Measure the time taken for 10 swings and then divide that time by
10 to find the average
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