Topic 1: Measurement

and uncertainties
1.3 – Vectors and Scalars
Essential idea: Some quantities have direction and magnitude, others have
magnitude only, and this understanding is the key to correct manipulation of
quantities. This sub-topic will have broad applications across multiple fields
within physics and other sciences.
Nature of science: Models: First mentioned explicitly in a scientific paper in
1846, scalars and vectors reflected the work of scientists and mathematicians
across the globe for over 300 years on representing measurements in three-
dimensional space.

Understandings:
• Vector and scalar quantities
• Combination and resolution of vectors
Applications and skills:
• Solving vector problems graphically and algebraically
Guidance:
• Resolution of vectors will be limited to two perpendicular directions
• Problems will be limited to addition and subtraction of vectors and the
multiplication and division of vectors by scalars
International-mindedness:
• Vector notation forms the basis of mapping across the globe
Theory of knowledge:
• What is the nature of certainty and proof in mathematics?
Utilization:
• Navigation and surveying (see Geography SL/HL syllabus: Geographic skills)
• Force and field strength (see Physics sub-topics 2.2, 5.1, 6.1 and 10.1)
• Vectors (see Mathematics HL sub-topic 4.1; Mathematics SL sub-topic 4.1)
Aims:
• Aim 2 and 3: this is a fundamental aspect of scientific language that allows
for spatial representation and manipulation of abstract concepts
 A SCALAR is ANY quantity in physics that has MAGNITUDE.
Magnitude: numerical value with units.

A VECTOR is ANY quantity in physics that has BOTH MAGNITUDE

and DIRECTION.

Scalar Magnitude Magnitude &

Vector Direction
Speed 20 m/s
Distance 10 m Displacement 35 m, 300
Age 15 years Velocity 20 m/s, N
Energy 1000 J Acceleration 10 m/s/s, E
Power 25 W Force 5 N, West

Scalar magnitude can be number

Temperature in Zagreb can be – 200 C (– 4F) in a winter.
That’s one of the reasons I moved to Texas.
How to represent vectors
A picture is worth a thousand word, at least they say so.
Vectors are typically illustrated by drawing an ARROW above the symbol,
for example force is .

x length = magnitude
L Head 6 cm
250
250 above x-axis = direction
Tail H displacement x = 6 cm, 250

Vector’s magnitude is ALWAYS positive, as it is the length with units.

A resultant (the real one) velocity is sometimes
the result of combining two or more velocities.
 A small plane is heading south at speed of 200 km/h
(If there was no wind plane’s velocity would be 200 km/h south)
200 km h
2. It’s Texas: the wind changes
1. The plane encounters a direction suddenly 1800.
tailwind of 80 km/h. Velocity vectors are now in
opposite direction.

80 km
h

200 km h
200 km h 80 km
h e
120 km h
280 km h
e

resulting velocity relative Flying against a 80 km/h wind, the

to the ground is 280 km/h plane travels only 120 km in one
hour relative to the ground.
200 km h 280 km h 120 km h 215 km h 180 km h

You intuitively know that the speed of the plane would be different depending
on in which direction the wind is blowing. So we are coming to the surprising
result. 200 + 80 can be anything between 120 and 280 if 200 and 80 have
direction.
Very unusual math, isn’t it? You added 200 km/h and 80 km/h and
you get 215 km/h. 1 + 1 is not necessarily 2 in vector algebra.
 Vector Addition: 6 + 5 = ?

Till now you naively thought that 6 + 5 = 11.

Not so fast In vector algebra
6 + 5 can be 10 and 2, and 8, and…

When two forces are acting on you, for example 5N and 6N, the resultant force,
the one that can replace these two having the same effect, will depend on
directions of 5N force and 6N force. Adding these two vectors will not necessarily
result in a force of 11N.
The rules for adding vectors are different than the rules for adding two scalars, for
example 2kg potato + 2kg potatos = 4 kg potatoes. Scalars obey old fashioned algebra.

Vectors are quantities which include direction. As such, the addition of two or more
vectors must take into account their directions. Vectors obey vectors algebra.
PRACTICE:

Unfortunately weight is sometimes considered as vector (gravitational

force) and sometimes as scalar (magnitude of gravitational force)
 Let’s talk vectors

The length of the vector, drawn

to scale, indicates the
magnitude of the vector quantity.

the direction of a vector is the angle which

that vector makes with due East or x-axis.
 Let’s talk vectors

Two vectors are equal if they have the same magnitude

and the same direction.
This is the same vector. It doesn’t matter where it is. You
can move/translate it around, . It is determined ONLY by
magnitude and direction, NOT by starting point.
 Let’s talk vectors
Multiplying vector by a scalar

A 2A 3A ½A
Multiplying a vector by a scalar
will ONLY CHANGE its
magnitude.

Multiplying vector by 2 increases its magnitude by a

factor 2, but does not change its direction.
Opposite vectors

One exception: A –A
Multiplying a vector by “-1” does not change
the magnitude, but it does
reverse it's direction
-A

– 3A
Adding vectors:
 Consider two vectors drawn to scale: vector and vector .

 In print, vectors are designated in bold non-italicized print: A, B.

· When doing problems, label vectors as: and

· We take the second-named vector , and

translate it towards the first-named vector , so
that ’s TAIL connects to ’s TIP.

· The result of the sum, which we are calling the

⃗
𝐵 ⃗ vector (for sum), is gotten by drawing an
𝐵 arrow from the START of to the FINISH of .
The order in which two or more vectors are added does not effect result.

vectors can be moved around as long as their length

(magnitude) and direction are not changed.
Vectors that have the same magnitude and the same direction
are the same.

S U LTANT
RE
 Addition of vectors

 As a more entertaining example of the same technique, let us embark

on a treasure hunt.

Arrgh, matey. First, pace

off the first vector A
(1000km, 600).

Then, pace off the

And ye'll be second vector B
(1000km,-300) .
findin' a
treasure,
▪We can think of the sum + = as the directions on a pirate map.
▪We start by pacing off the vector , and then we end by pacing off the vector .
▪ represents the shortest path to the treasure

B
A end

S
A+ B = S
start
 Combination and resolution of vectors
Two forces of magnitudes 7N and 5N act at a point. Which one of the
following is not possible value for the magnitude of the resultant force?
A. 1N B. 3N C. 5N D 7N

▪ Resultant is another word for vector sum.

resultant is smaller
even smaller

Min possible Max possible

vector vector

▪ The longest possible vector is 12 N.

▪ The shortest possible vector is 2 N.
 SUBTRACTION is adding opposite vector.

    
 
C = A - B = A + -B

⃗
𝐵
⃗
𝐴

the opposite of the vector

−⃗
𝐵
⃗
𝐵

⃗
𝐴
 Summation and resolution of vectors

𝑐⃗=
⃗
𝑦 𝑥⃗ +
⃗𝑦
▪ Sketch the sum.
⃗
𝑥
Summation and resolution of vectors

▪ Sketch the difference.

⃗
𝒁 =⃗
𝑿 ⃗
−𝒀
⃗
𝑿
⃗
−𝒀
 Components of Vectors
To resolve a vector means to break it down into its x- and y-components.

y – component of the vector

Vertical component Ax = A cos 

Ay = A sin 

Ay A
Ay
θ = arc tan
q Ax
if the vector is in
Ax
the first
Horizontal component
quandrant;
x – component of the vector
   if not, find  from
A = Ax + Ay the picture.

Data booklet reference:

• AH = A cos 
• AV = A sin 
From magnitude and direction to components of a vector
Examle: A plane moves with velocity of 34 m/s @ 48°.
Calculate the plane's horizontal and vertical velocity components.

A m/s @ 48°.
We could have asked: the plane moves with velocity of 34
It is heading north, but the wind is blowing east.
Find the speed of both, plane and wind.

 v = 34 m/s @ 48° . Find vx and vy

vy
v
q
vx

vx = 34 m/s cos 48° = 23 m/s wind

vy = 34 m/s sin 48° = 25 m/s plane

 
From components of a vector to its magnitude and direction
A
If you know x- and y- components of a you can find the
magnitude and direction of that vector:
Let:
Fx = 4 N
Fy = 3 N .

Find magnitude (always positive) and direction.


Fy
F
q F= 4 2 +3 2 =5N
Fx
 = arc tan (¾) = 370

F  5N @37 0
 Vector addition – numerically

 
C  AB

 C By 
Cy
B C x  Ax  Bx  Acos 1  B cos  2
C y  Ay  By  Asin 1  B sin  2

A Bx
Ay
Ax
Cx
example: F1 = 68 N@ 24° F2 = 32 N @ 65°

F  F1  F2

F2
F
F2
F1

Fx = F1x + F2x = 68 cos240 + 32 cos650 = 75.6 N

Fy = F1y + F2y = 68 sin240 + 32 sin650 = 56.7 N

F  Fx2  Fy2  94.5 N  = arc tan (56.7/75.6) = 36.90


F  94.5N @ 370
 Very important:
Scalar has magnitude
Vector has magnitude and direction.

BUT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Scalar magnitude can be number

Temperature in Zagreb can be – 200 C (– 4F) in winter.
That’s one of the reasons I moved to Texas.

Vector’s magnitude is ALWAYS positive, as it is the length with units.


F  94.5N @ 370