Scalars and Vectors:

• Scalar Quantities: Quantities that are fully described by a magnitude (size) only,
such as distance, mass, and temperature.
• Vector Quantities: Quantities that require both magnitude and direction for their full
description, such as displacement, velocity, acceleration, and force.
• Representation: Vectors are often represented by arrows, where the length indicates
magnitude, and the direction of the arrow shows the direction of the quantity.

SI Units:

• The International System of Units (SI) defines basic units for measurement like
seconds for time, meters for distance, and kilograms for mass. Other units, like the
newton (N) for force, are derived by combining these.

Vector Operations:

• Vectors can be added graphically using the head-to-tail method or analytically by

breaking them into components (like in the case of forces acting at angles).
• The result of adding two vectors is called the resultant vector.

Example Problems:

• Vector Addition: A car travels 3 km north and then 5 km east. The resultant
displacement can be found using the Pythagorean theorem.
• Force Components: To find the horizontal and vertical components of a force acting
at an angle, use trigonometry

Vector Quantities in Physics:

• Displacement: A vector quantity that refers to the change in position of an object.

It’s different from distance, as it includes direction.
• Velocity: The rate of change of displacement, a vector quantity indicating both
speed and direction (e.g., 40 m/s East).
• Acceleration: The rate at which an object’s velocity changes over time, also a vector.
• Force: A vector quantity defined as an influence that can change the motion of an
object. Measured in newtons (N), it can be represented as

F=ma (force = mass × acceleration).

Scalars and Vectors Comparison:

• Scalars include: Distance, speed, time, mass, energy, temperature, and volume.
• Vectors include: Displacement, velocity, acceleration, force, and weight.

Equilibrium of Forces:

• An object is in equilibrium when the net force acting on it is zero, meaning all the
forces cancel each other out. This can occur with multiple forces acting in different
directions.

For example, in a problem with forces acting at angles, the object will remain in equilibrium
if the vector sum of all forces is zero.

Key Equations:

• Resultant of Perpendicular Forces: If two force

F1 and F2

Are perpendicular, the resultant force Ra

R is given by:

R=F1+F2

For forces at an angle

Θ, you can resolve each force into its components along the x and y axes.

• Vector Components: To find the components of a vector

F at an angle 𝜃
𝐹x=Fcos 𝜃 (horizontal component)

Fy=Fsin 𝜃 (vertical component)

Example Problems:

1. Velocity Vector: A car moves with a velocity of 40 m/s at an angle of 40° east of
north. The velocity components can be calculated using trigonometric functions to
resolve the vector.

2. Force Problem: Two forces of 12 N and 24 N act at 90° to each other. The resultant
force can be calculated using the Pythagorean theorem:

𝑅= 12+24=36N

Relative Velocity: If two cars A and B are moving at 25 km/h and 40 km/h respectively in the
same direction, the velocity of car B relative to car A is:

𝑉:BA=40Km/h-25Km/h=15km/h

Additional Review Questions:

• Distinguish between vectors and scalars, providing examples of each.

• Given multiple forces acting on an object, calculate the resultant force and
determine whether the object is in equilibrium.
• Solve problems involving vector addition both graphically and analytically.

Applications of Vectors:

Navigation:
 • In aviation and maritime navigation, vectors are used to represent the direction and
speed of an aircraft or ship. Wind speed and direction are also vectors that pilots
and captains account for when plotting a course.

Forces in Engineering:

• Engineers use vectors to analyze forces acting on structures (like bridges or

buildings). By resolving forces into components, they can determine if a structure
will remain stable or if it will collapse under certain conditions.

Projectile Motion:

• In physics, vectors are essential in analyzing the motion of projectiles. The velocity
of a projectile can be split into horizontal and vertical components, which are
analyzed separately to determine the trajectory and range of the object.

Electromagnetic Fields:

• In electromagnetism, electric and magnetic fields are represented as vectors. The

force exerted on charged particles by these fields is a vector quantity, calculated
using the cross product of the velocity and the magnetic field vectors.

Physics of Movement:

• In sports or motion studies, vectors are used to represent displacement, velocity,

and acceleration of moving objects, whether it’s a ball being thrown or a runner
sprinting.

Robotics and Animation:

• In robotics, vectors help program the movement of robotic arms, determining the
precise position and direction for tasks. In computer graphics and animation,
vectors are used to control movement and orientation of objects in 3D space.
These are some practical applications where vectors play a crucial role across different
fields.

Exercise

Scalars and Vectors:

Basic Definitions:

1. Define a scalar quantity and give three examples.

2. Define a vector quantity and give three examples.
3. What is the difference between distance and displacement? Which one is a vector?

Vector Representation:

1. How are vectors represented graphically? What does the length and direction of the
arrow signify?
2. Explain how to find the resultant of two vectors using the head-to-tail method.

Vector Notation and Components:

1. How are vector quantities written in equations? What are some common notations
for vectors?
2. Break down a vector with magnitude

F and direction

Θ into its horizontal and vertical components.

1. How can you determine the direction of a vector given its components?
SI Units:

Basic and Derived Units:

1.List three basic SI units and the physical quantities they measure.

2. What is a derived SI unit? Provide an example, such as the unit for force.

Unit Conversion:

Convert 500 cm into meters.

3. If an object travels 3600 meters in 60 seconds, express its speed in meters per
second.

Vector Operations:

Vector Addition:

4. If a vector of 5 N acts east and another vector of 8 N acts north, calculate the
magnitude and direction of the resultant force.
5. Two forces of 10 N and 15 N act on an object at a right angle. What is the magnitude
of the resultant force?

Resolving Vectors:

1. A car moves with a velocity of 50 m/s at an angle of 30° north of east. Calculate the
horizontal and vertical components of the velocity.
2. A force of 200 N is applied at an angle of 60° to the horizontal. Calculate the
horizontal and vertical components of the force.

Applications of Vectors:

Vectors in Navigation:
 1. A plane flies 300 km north and then 400 km east. Find the plane’s resultant
displacement.
2. How are vectors used in air navigation to account for wind direction and speed?

Forces in Equilibrium:

1. What conditions must be met for an object to be in equilibrium?

2. If three forces act on an object (100 N, 150 N, and 200 N) at different angles, explain
how you would determine if the object is in equilibrium.

Relative Velocity:

1. Car A is moving east at 60 km/h, while car B is moving west at 80 km/h. What is the
velocity of car B relative to car A?
2. Two boats are moving in the same direction with speeds of 25 km/h and 30 km/h.
Find the velocity of the faster boat relative to the slower one.

Projectile Motion:

1. How can vectors be used to analyze the trajectory of a projectile launched at an

angle?
2. A ball is thrown with a speed of 20 m/s at an angle of 45°. What are the initial
horizontal and vertical components of the velocity?

Review and Problem Solving:

General Problem-Solving:

1. Distinguish between scalar and vector quantities by classifying the following:

distance, velocity, acceleration, temperature, force, and energy.
2. Explain how you would graphically add two vectors that are not perpendicular to
each other.

Describe how vector addition and vector components are used in determining the motion
of objects in two dimensions.