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Vectors

The document introduces the concept of vectors, distinguishing between scalar quantities (which have magnitude only) and vector quantities (which have both magnitude and direction). It explains how to add vectors using various methods, including direct addition, vector triangles, parallelograms, and resolving vectors into components. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of direction and the use of positive and negative values in vector calculations.

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6 views34 pages

Vectors

The document introduces the concept of vectors, distinguishing between scalar quantities (which have magnitude only) and vector quantities (which have both magnitude and direction). It explains how to add vectors using various methods, including direct addition, vector triangles, parallelograms, and resolving vectors into components. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of direction and the use of positive and negative values in vector calculations.

Uploaded by

nanettehatinawedu
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Vectors Part 1

Today we are going to look at the concept of


vectors. It is a mathematical concept that you
will use throughout Physics. You will do it
again in maths but in more detail and slightly
differently.
Scalar: A scalar quantity is one that has
magnitude only
e.g. mass, distance, time, work, energy, power,
temperature, speed
Vector: A vector quantity is one that has
magnitude and direction. The direction must
always be given with vectors.
e.g. force, acceleration, velocity,
displacement, and momentum
΄
΄ When you have a negative value with scalars it
means the value is less than zero i.e. a
temperature of -200C means that the
temperature is 200 C less than zero.
΄ The greater the magnitude of the negative
value the smaller the value of the quantity i.e
-300C is a lower temperature than -200C
΄ When you have a negative value with scalars it
means the value is less than zero i.e. a
temperature of -200C means that the
temperature is 200 C less than zero.
΄ The greater the magnitude of the negative
value the smaller the value of the quantity i.e
-300C is a lower temperature than -200C
When you have a negative value with vectors it
means that the vector is in the opposite
direction from the direction you have chosen
as positive.
A force of 5 N has the same size as a force of
– 5N but is in the opposite direction.
A force with a value of – 10 N is a stronger force
than a force of – 5 N.
A vector is often represented by an arrow.
The size of the arrow represents the magnitude
of the vector

The direction of the arrow represents the


direction of the vector
ADDING VECTORS

When two or more vectors are added together


you get the resultant vector. This vector will
have the same effect in both magnitude and
direction as all the vectors you are adding
We are going to look at 4 methods of adding
vectors
1.
If two vectors are along the same line in the
same direction they can simply be added
together. If two vectors are along the same
line but in opposite directions you subtract
the one value from the other. The direction is
in the direction of the largest value.
3N 2N

5N
3N 2N

1N

3N 2N

1N
2. If there is an angle between the two vectors
you can use the vector triangle to find the
resultant.
(a) From the starting point draw the first vector
in the right direction.
(b) Draw the second vector starting at the end of
the first vector.
(c) The resultant is drawn from the start of the
first vector to the end of the second
(d) The magnitude and direction of the
resultant can then be found either by scale
drawing or by trigonometry
3. You can also use the parallelogram of forces
(a) Draw both vectors starting at the same
point
(b) Complete the parallelogram
(c) The resultant is the diagonal starting at
the same point as both your vectors
(d) You can find the magnitude and direction of
your resultant by using either trigonometry or
scale drawing
(d) You can find the magnitude and direction of
your resultant by using either trigonometry or
scale drawing
(d) You can find the magnitude and direction of
your resultant by using either trigonometry or
scale drawing
If we want to draw the negative of a vector we
draw an arrow with the same magnitude and
along the same line but in the opposite
direction

A -A
So to find A – B we do A + (-B)
In other words we draw vector A and the
negative of vector B and then add them.
4. The most common way to find the resultant is
by using the resolving of vectors, especially if
there are more than two vectors
N.B.
Two vectors can be added together to find the
resultant
A single vector can be split into components.
We say the vector is resolved into
components.
The components have the same effect in both
magnitude and direction as the original vector
It is usual to resolve the vector into two
perpendicular components.
(a) Choose the direction of your two
components – usually horizontally and
vertically, north and east, along a plane and
perpendicular to a plane etc
(b) If the angle is between your vector and
direction the component then the component
= Fcosθ. The other component is Fsinθ

F
Fsinθ
θ
F cosθ
(c) If you have several vectors and resolve them
all into components along the same two axes
you then have all your vectors along two lines.
Each set of vectors can be added by simple
addition to end up with just two vectors at
right angles to each other
΄ The resultant is then found by R2 = A2 + B2

΄ Tan θ = A/B
A R

θ
B
N.B. You must be very careful with
your use of positive and negative vectors.
You choose your positive direction and any
vector in the opposite direction is
negative.
REMEMBER
If you are asked for a change you find it by
Final value minus initial value.
This does not only apply to vectors but anything
such as change in temperature, change in
mass.
Examples
1. A ship is travelling due north with a speed of
12 km hr-1 relative to the water. There is a
current of water flowing at 4.0 km hr-1 in an
easterly direction. Determine the velocity of
the ship relative to the shore.
2. A swimmer can swim at a speed of 4 km hr-1
in still water but is swimming in a river which
is flowing at a speed of 3 km hr-1 . Calculate
the speed of the swimmer relative to the bank
if she is swimming
(a) Upstream (b) downstream (c) from bank to
bank

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