FORCE, VECTORS

AND SCALARS
Objectives:
At the end of the discussion, the students should be able to;
1. Define force and differentiate vector and scalar quantities.
2. Determine the resultant of two or more vector quantities.
3. Find the rectangular components of a vector.
Physics is the branch of science that deals with matter and energy and
their interaction.
Branches of Physics:
 Mechanics
 Sound and Wave Motion
 Thermodynamics
 Electricity and Magnetism
 Optics
 Modern Physics

Mechanics is the area of physics which deals with the motions of

macroscopic objects- objects that are large enough for us to observe
without instrumentation.
 SYSTEME INTERNATIONALLE (SI)
is a version of the metric system. The “standard units:”
Force is any influence capable of changing the motion of a body. It
is a push or a pull. Forces is expressed in dynes (CGS – Centimeter
–gram-second), newton (MKS - Meter, Kilogram, second) and
pound (English units).
Forces applied to objects results in displacements, or changes in
the position of the object relative to its environment. These forces
can be;
 long-range forces - do not require the two objects to be
touching, these forces can exist even if the objects are far apart
and even if there are objects between the two.
Example: Gravity
 contact forces - exist only if the objects are touching each
other.
Example: Ball kicked by a person’s foot.
 VECTOR AND SCALAR
QUANTITIES
Quantities specified with magnitude only is a scalar.
Magnitude – A numerical value with units.
Quantities specified with magnitude and direction is a vector.

are use to convey magnitude and direction

 VECTOR OR SCALAR ?
1. A car traveling 40 mph.

2. A motorcycle traveling 60 mph due north.

3. A train traveling 40mph east to the beach.

4. A child’s weight on a scale.

 Which of the following is NOT a vector ?
1. A boat traveling 50 mph 20°east of north
2. An object falling straight down at 15 mph
3. A worker pushing an object with a force of 30 newtons

#3 There is a magnitude, but no direction!

 COMPONENT OF A VECTOR AND
UNIT VECTORS
 Rectangular components of a vector are its projection on a set
of right-angle axes.

trig functions sine and

cosine

 Component method of adding vectors is to resolve each into its

rectangular components, which are then added, and the resultant
found.
 Resultant of two or more vector quantities is that single
quantity of the same make-up that would produce the same
result.

𝜌=180−𝜃
 EQUILIBRIUM
A body is in equilibrium when there is no change in its
motion. When a body is in equilibrium, the vector sum of all

first condition for equilibrium. That is, 𝚺𝑭𝒙 = 𝟎 𝑎𝑛𝑑

the forces acting on it is equal to zero. This is known as the

𝚺𝑭𝒚 = 𝟎 .

For a system of forces to be in equilibrium, the sum of

condition for equilibrium. That is, = 𝟎.

all the moment or torque is equal to zero. This is the second
 UNIT VECTOR
A unit vector is a dimensionless vector (mass, length, or energy) having

and have no other physical significance. The symbols 𝑖,̂ 𝑗̂, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑘̂ are used to
a magnitude of exactly 1. Unit vectors are used to specify a given direction

represent unit vectors pointing in the positive x, y, and z directions,

respectively.
 UNIT VECTOR NOTATION
An effective and popular system used in engineering is called unit vector
notation. It is used to denote vectors with an x-y Cartesian coordinate system.

A  Axiˆ  Ayˆj
A aiˆ  bˆj
 j= vector of magnitude “1” in the “y” direction
=3j

i = vector of magnitude “1” in the “x” direction

= 4i

The hypotenuse in Physics is

called the RESULTANT or
VECTOR SUM.

The LEGS of the triangle are

A 4iˆ  3 ˆj called the COMPONENTS
3j
Vertical Component

4i iˆ - unit vecto r 1 in the  x direction

Horizontal Component
ˆj - unit vecto r 1 in the  y direction
kˆ - unit vecto r 1 in the  z direction
Examples:
Find the resultant force when a 20-N force due east and a 20-N force due
north is acting on a body as shown in the figure.

R = 28.28N acting at

𝜃=tan
−1 ∑ 𝐹 𝑦 𝑜𝑟 𝑜𝑝𝑝
∑ 𝐹 𝑥 𝑎𝑑𝑗
Two vectors of 8.0 units and 5.0 units make an angle of 60° with each
other. Find their resultant.
Find : R

Solve for :

𝛼=sin −1 ( 𝐴 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜌
𝑅 )
 VECTOR DIRECTION
THREE WAYS TO IDENTIFY VECTOR DIRECTION
1. Quadrant bearing
- vector is between 0° and 90° east or west of the north-south line.
-First, decide whether the arrow is closer to North or South. Next,
decide whether it’s closer to the East of the West. Finally measure
the angle.
t
t vector:
75°

65 °
s vector :

s
2. Standard Position
-is measured counter clockwise from 0°.
 An angle on the coordinate plane is in standard position if the
vertex is at the origin and one ray is on the positive x-axis
 The ray on the x-axis is called the initial side of the angle
 The ray that rotates about the center is called the terminal side.
 If the measure of an angle is positive, the
terminal side is rotated counter clockwise.

 If the measure of an angle is negative,

the terminal side is rotated clockwise.
3. True Bearing
-is always measured clockwise from the north-south line.
-True bearings are always given in three digits.

The bearing of Karen from Stephen can be described as 216.

Vector Direction: Name the direction of vector r, in 3 different ways

Vector Direction: r
Standard Position:
Quadrant Bearing:
True Bearing:

Vector Direction: x
Standard Position:
Quadrant Bearing:
True Bearing:
x
Forces are acting on a body as shown in the figure. A = 10 N, B = 5 N, C =
15 N, and D = 15 N. Determine the resultant of these forces using
component method of adding vectors.
Forces x-comp, Y-comp.
(N) (N)
°
A
B
C
+3.42
5
10.61
-9.4
0
10.61
𝐴𝑥=10cos290 =3.42
D -7.5 12.99

°
𝑅 =∑ 𝑥 + ∑ 𝑦
2 2 2 𝐴𝑦=10sin 290 =−9.4
tan ¿
∑ 𝑦
𝜃=tan
−1 ∑ 𝑦

∑𝑥 ∑𝑥
 EXERCISE
1. Find the components of 2. Four vectors, A, B, C and
vectors D, are shown in the figure.
The sum of these four
vectors is a vector having
magnitude and direction.
 RECTILINEAR
MOTION AND
PROJECTILE
Objectives:
At the end of the discussion, the students should be able to;
1. Apply kinematics on horizontal motion of bodies.
2. Apply kinematics on vertical motion of bodies.
3. Describe the trajectory of a projectile.
Mechanics is a branch of Physics that deals with motion.
Motion - the change in position of an object with respect to its
surroundings in a given interval of time.
Kinematics and Dynamics
Mechanics, the foundation of physics, is classified into two branches,
kinematics and dynamics.
 Kinematics is that branch which deals with a description of motion only,
without involving the factors which tend to cause changes in the motion
of bodies.
the motion of objects without reference to forces

 Dynamics - a study of the factors, like forces and physical properties of

the bodies, which affect the motion of these bodies.
forces and their influence on the motion of objects
 RECTILINEAR MOTION
is the study of motion of bodies, or the kinematics of particles,
moving along a straight line.
measured in meters (SI unit) - other units - inches, feet,
miles, centimeters, millimeters
Symbol Variable Units
t Time s
a Acceleration m/s2
x or y or s Displacement m
vo Initial velocity m/s
v Final velocity m/s
g or ag Acceleration m/s2
due to gravity
 Position (s or x) is the location of an object in space
 Distance (d) how far you have traveled regardless of direction, the length of the
path traveled.
 Displacement is the change in position of an object in time

EXAMPLE:
You are done with your class and can’t wait to go home to play ML. You get in your
car and drive. Find the distance and the displacement.
School
2.0
mi

1.5
mi
Home

2.0
mi
 EXAMPLE - DISTANCE VS. DISPLACEMENT (S OR X)
Total DISTANCE Traveled
= 2 miles + 1.5 miles + 2 miles
d= 5.5 miles

2 2
x  4  1.5
x  18.25
DISPLACEMENT x 4.27 miles
change in position of an object
in time
 Speed (v) is distance per unit time – how fast you go.

 Velocity () is the displacement per unit time - how fast and which direction; the
rate at which position changes.
=
 Instantaneous velocity is the time rate of change of displacement.

 Acceleration – how fast you speed up, slow down, or change direction; it’s the
rate at which velocity changes.

 Instantaneous acceleration – time rate of change of velocity

 SIX CASES OF
ACCELERATION
1 - speed up in positive direction = positive
accel.

+ direction t = 3 seconds
initial

final
a

vi = 5 m/s vf = 8 m/s

Calculate average acceleration!

30
 SIX CASES OF
ACCELERATION
1 - speed up in positive direction = positive accel.
2 - slow down in positive direction = negative
accel.
initial + direction t = 3 seconds

final
a

vi = 8 m/s vf = 5 m/s

Calculate average acceleration!

31
 SIX CASES OF
ACCELERATION
1 - speed up in positive direction = positive accel.
2 - slow down in positive direction = negative accel.
3 - speed up in negative direction = negative
accel. t = 3 seconds
+ direction

initial
final

vf = -8 m/s vi = -5 m/s

Calculate average acceleration!

What is happening to speed?, velocity? 32

 SIX CASES OF
ACCELERATION
1 - speed up in positive direction = positive accel.
2 - slow down in positive direction = negative accel.
3 - speed up in negative direction = negative accel.
4 - slow down in negative direction = positive
accel. t = 3 seconds
+ direction

initial
final

vf = -5 m/s vi = -8 m/s
Calculate average acceleration!

What is happening to speed?, velocity? 33

 SIX CASES OF
ACCELERATION
1 - speed up in positive direction = positive accel.
2 - slow down in positive direction = negative accel.
3 - speed up in negative direction = negative accel.
4 - slow down in negative direction = positive accel.
5 - reverse directions from pos to neg =
negative accel.
+ direction t = 3 seconds
initial

final
a

vi = +1 m/s vf = -1 m/s

Calculate average acceleration!

34
 SIX CASES OF
ACCELERATION
1 - speed up in positive direction = positive accel.
2 - slow down in positive direction = negative accel.
3 - speed up in negative direction = negative accel.
4 - slow down in negative direction = positive accel.
5 - reverse directions from pos to neg = negative
accel.
6 - reverse directions t from
+ direction neg to pos =
= 3 seconds

initial
positive accel.
final

vi = -1 m/s vf = 1 m/s

Calculate average acceleration!

35
Uniformly accelerated motion defined as the motion in a
straight line in which the direction is always the same and the
speed changes at a constant rate.

A freely falling body is acted on by no force of no appreciable

magnitude other than its weight.

2
g a g  9.8 m / s

g a g  32.2 ft / s 2
Example:
1. A car starts from rest and is given a uniform acceleration of 2 . Find its
velocity after 5s and the distance it traveled during this time.

𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑣𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑣1: 𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑣𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑠:
2. A subway train starts from rest at a station and accelerates at a rate of 2m/s2
for 10seconds. It then runs at a constant speed for 30 seconds, and slows down
at -4m/s2 until it stops at the next station. Find the total distance covered.
𝑣 0 =20 𝑚/ 𝑠 𝑣 0 =20 𝑚/ 𝑠

s=100
600m
m

1 2
∆𝑠=𝑣0 𝑡+ 𝑎𝑡 𝑣=𝑣 +𝑎𝑡
1
∆𝑠= ( 𝑣0+𝑣 ) 𝑡
2𝒔=𝟏𝟎𝟎𝒎+𝟔𝟎𝟎0 𝒎+𝟓𝟎𝒎=𝟕𝟓𝟎
2 𝒎 0
2 2
𝑣 =𝑣 +2𝑎∆𝑠
3. A stone is dropped at rest from the top of a cliff. It is observed to hit the ground
5.78 s later. How high is the cliff?
Given:

Find: y

y  yo  voyt  1 gt 2
2
y (0)(5.78)  4.9(5.78) 2
y  -163.70 m

H =163.70m
Projectile is a body which is given an initial velocity and then
allowed to move under the influence of gravity only.
If air resistance is negligible then only gravity affects the path (or
trajectory) of a projectile.
This path is a parabola.

Horizontal and vertical components of velocity are independent.

Vertical velocity decreases at a constant rate due to the influence of
gravity.
Horizontal velocity will remain constant
 Primary Factors Affecting Trajectory
Projection angle
aka release angle or take-off angle
 Projection height
aka relative height
= release height - landing height)
 Projection velocity
aka release velocity or take-off velocity
 PROJECTION ANGLE
 The optimal angle of projection is
dependent on the goal of the activity.
 For maximal height the optimal angle
is 90o.
 Formaximal distance the optimal
angle is 45o.
 Optimal angle changes if projection
height is not equal to 0.
FORMULAS FOR PROJECTILE MOTION
1. A bullet is fired at an angle of 30° above the horizontal with a velocity
of 600 m/s. Find the range, the time it returns to the same level, and
the position and velocity of the bullet 40s after it is fired.
2. A stone is thrown with speed 10m/s at an angle of projection of 30deg from the
top of a cliff and hits the sea 2.5s later. How high is the cliff ? How far from the
base of the cliff does the stone hit the water ?
Given:

a. How high is the cliff ?

1.28m
 𝑡𝑡𝑜𝑡 =𝑡𝑢𝑝 +𝑡 𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑛 1 2
𝑦=𝑣 0 sin 𝜃𝑡+ 𝑔𝑡
2
𝑦 𝑐 = 𝑦 − 𝑦 𝑚𝑎𝑥
b. How far from the base of the cliff does the stone hit the water?
 EXERCISES
1. A boat moves slowly out of a marina 2. A golfer hits the golf ball from the
(so as to not leave a wake) with a tree at an angle of with a speed of
speed of 1.50 m/s. As soon as it 30m/s. Determine the maximum
passes the breakwater, leaving the height of the trajectory, range and
marina, it throttles up and duration of the flight.
accelerates at 2.40 m/s/s.
a. How fast is the boat moving after
accelerating for 5 seconds?
b. How far did the boat travel during
that time?
 SOLUTIONS
1. Given:

a. How fast is the boat moving after accelerating for 5 seconds ? v =?

b. How far did the boat travel during that time?

2. Given:

a. Maximum height of the trajectory ?

b. Range (R) = ?
c. Duration of the flight