CHAPTER 3:

THE NATURE OF PHYSICAL QUANTITIES:

SCALARS AND VECTORS

SCALARS - these are quantities expressed as a magnitude (a number and a unit of measurement) only
Examples: a) Mass: a load has a mass of 5 kg.
b) Time: The car has reached its destination after 1hour.
c) Distance: The train has travelled a distance of 80 km.

VECTORS - these are quantities expressed by a magnitude and a direction.

Examples: a) Displacement: An airplane flies a distance of 100 km in an easterly direction.
b) Velocity: A car moves 60 km/h, 35° East of North.
c) Force: A force of 15 Newton (N) acts on a body in an upward direction.

- Vectors have three (3) important parts:

Tail Arrow head

Length of the arrow

a) Arrowhead: indicates the direction of the vector
b) Length of the arrow: represents the magnitude of the vector
c) Tail: represents the origin of the vector

- Vectors can be added graphically or analytically. Vectors that add together are called
Component Vectors, while the sum of component vectors is called the Resultant Vector (R).

OPERATIONS WITH VECTORS

Scalar Quantities can be added and subtracted like ordinary numbers provided the scalars have the
same units. For vectors, the sum depends on the direction of the vectors. Vectors in the same directions are
added, and subtracted if they are in opposite directions.
In finding a resultant vector, a vector diagram is usually utilized. Vector method requires that all
vectors be drawn true to the scale of magnitude and direction thus a SCALING – a linear transformation that
enlarges or diminishes a vector, is used. To specify the direction in the Vector Diagram, Coordinate System and
Direction Guide is also utilized.

Example:

1) The ship sails 25 km North

Given: d = 25 km, North
Scale: 1 cm = 10 km

d = 25 km, North x 1 cm
10 km
d = 2.5 cm, North