Vectors and Scalars • Two vectors that have the same length and the

same direction are said to be equal no matter

A vector has magnitude as well as direction. Examples: where they are located.
displacement, velocity, force, momentum
• The negative of a vector is a vector with the
A scalar has only a magnitude. Examples: mass, time, same magnitude (size) but opposite direction
temperature
Distance is the length of the actual path taken by an
object. A scalar quantity contains magnitude only and
consists of a number and a unit.
(20 m, 40 mi/h, 10 gal)
Displacement is the straight-line separation of two points
in a specified direction. A vector quantity contains Addition of Vectors
magnitude AND direction, a number, unit & angle. For vectors in one-dimension, simple addition and
0
(12 m, 30 ; 8 km/h, N) subtraction are all that is needed.

A vector is a quantity that has both magnitude and

direction. It is represented by an arrow. The length of
the vector represents the magnitude and the arrow
indicates the direction of the vector.

You do need to be careful about the signs, as the figure

indicates.

Blue and green vectors have same direction but different

magnitude.
Blue and purple vectors have same magnitude and
direction, so they are equal.
If the motion is in two dimensions, the situation is
Blue and orange vectors have same magnitude but somewhat more complicated.
different direction.
Here, the actual travel paths are at right angles to one
Two vectors are equal if they have the same direction another; we can find the displacement by using the
and magnitude (length). Pythagorean Theorem.
• The magnitude of a vector is a positive number When 2 vectors are
(with units!) that describes its size. perpendicular, you may use the
• Example: magnitude of a displacement vector is Pythagorean theorem. A man walks 95 km, East then 55
its length. km, north. Calculate his RESULTANT DISPLACEMENT.

• The magnitude of a velocity vector is often called

speed.
55 km, N
The magnitude of a vector is expressed using the same
letter as the vector but without the arrow on top of it.
95 km, E
Some Vector Properties
• Two vectors that have the same direction are c2  a 2  b2  c  a2  b2
said to be parallel. c  Resultant  952  552
• Two vectors that have opposite directions are c  12050  109.8 km
said to be anti-parallel.