Vectors SCALAR A SCALAR quantity is any quantity

Vectors

SCALAR A SCALAR quantity is any quantity in physics that has MAGNITUDE ONLY Number value with units VECTOR A VECTOR quantity is any quantity in physics that has BOTH MAGNITUDE and DIRECTION An arrow above the symbol illustrates a vector quantity. Scalar Example Magnitude Speed 35 m/s Distance 25 meters Age 16 years Vector Example Magnitude and Direction Velocity 35 m/s, North Acceleration 10 m/s 2, South Force 20 N, East

VECTOR APPLICATION ADDITION: When two (2) vectors point in the SAME direction, simply add them together. 46. 5 m, E + 20 m, E 66. 5 m, E EXAMPLE: A man walks 46. 5 m east, then another 20 m east. Calculate his displacement relative to where he started. MAGNITUDE relates to the size of the arrow and DIRECTION relates to the way the arrow is drawn SUBTRACTION: When two (2) vectors point in the OPPOSITE direction, subtract them. 46. 5 m, E - 20 m, W 26. 5 m, E EXAMPLE: A man walks 46. 5 m east, then another 20 m west. Calculate his displacement relative to where he started.

NON-COLLINEAR VECTORS (perpendicular vectors) When two (2) vectors are PERPENDICULAR to each other, you must use the PYTHAGOREAN THEOREM Example: A man travels 120 km east then 160 km north. Calculate his resultant displacement. the hypotenuse is called the RESULTANT FINISH 160 km, N VERTICAL COMPONENT c = resultant = c = 200 km S R T T A 120 km, E HORIZONTAL COMPONENT

WHAT ABOUT DIRECTION? In the example, DISPLACEMENT asked for and since it is a VECTOR quantity, N we need to report its direction. W of N E of N N of E N of W E W N of E NOTE: When drawing a right triangle that conveys some type of motion, you MUST draw your components HEAD TO TOE. S of E S of W E of S W of S S