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NO DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION REGION III
Matalino St., D. M. Government Center, Maimpis
City of San Fernando (P)

LEARNER'S MATERIALS ON
VECTORS

SELF-LEARNING KIT - SHS

 INTRODUCTION

This Self Learning Kit (SLK) contains information and suggested learning
activities on Vectors and Scalar quantities. Primarily, this SLK will focus on discussing
the components of vectors, addition of vectors and units of vectors.

Symbols or diagrams are graphic designs that explain rather than represent
written language which are used in everyday communication. Sometimes it is better
to use a symbol or diagram to give a mental picture of what you are talking about. In
the modern world of technology, new symbols are used for communication. We have
to know and understand these new concepts and symbols to cope up in this fast-
changing world. In this SLK you will learn how to use symbols called vectors. Vectors
and scalars are used to represent quantities like displacement, velocity and force.

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 VECTORS

CONTENT STANDARD PERFORMANCE STANDARD

The learners demonstrate an
understanding of:
1. vectors and vector addition.
2. components of vector.
3. unit vectors.
The learners are able to solve using
experimental and theoretical approaches,
multi-concept, rich-context problems
involving measurements, vectors, motions
in 1D, 2D, and 3D, Newton's Laws, work,
energy, center of mass, momentum, impulse
and collisions.

LEARNING COMPETENCIES
1. Differentiate Vectors and Scalar Quantities.
2. Perform addition of vectors.
3. Rewrite a vector in component form.
4. Calculate directions and magnitudes of vectors.

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PRE-TEST
Read each question and encircle the letter of the best
answer.

1. A vector quantity measures __________.

a. direction c. magnitude and direction
b. magnitude d. magnitude and distance

2. Speed is a ________.
a. distance c. scalar
b. resultant quantity d. vector

3. A change in position that is specified by magnitude and direction is ____.

a. density c. displacement
b. force d. speed

4. Velocity is a _______.
a. displacement c. scalar
b. resultant quantity d. vector

5. Which of the following arrows represents a vector displacement to the

North?
a. c.

b. d.

6. Which of the following has a scalar interpretation?

a. He ran 200 m Northeast. c. She went to South 1km.
b. He walks a distance of 50 km. d. She drives a car 60km/hr
East.

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WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW

VECTORS AND SCALARS

These are some examples of Vector quantities, Displacement, Velocity, and Force.

Vector examples:

1. A boy walks 300m, North.

2. A bike is moving at 20 km/h,

Southeast.

3. A 200 newton book acts on a

head in a downward direction.

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 These are some examples of Scalar quantities, Mass, Time, and Distance.


Scalar examples:

1. A girl has a mass of 60 kg.

2. The family travelled for 3 hours.

3. You will reach the bus stop in

350 meters.

What have you observed about the examples? What do you think
is the difference between a vector and a scalar quantity?

Vectors are expressed by magnitude and direction while Scalars

are expressed by magnitude alone.

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Remember: Vectors are represented by arrows and has three important parts.

The arrowhead shows the

direction of the vector
The tail shows the origin of the vector.
The length shows the magnitude of the vector.

LOOK AT THIS FIGURE!

Gio went to Mario to get his book. The distance he travelled is two blocks. While
his displacement is two blocks East, Gio’s origin to his destination with DIRECTION
shows DISPLACEMENT VECTOR. Arrow AB represents Gio’s displacement from his
house to Mario’s house.

In a straight path, Displacement and Distance are equal in magnitude. The only
difference is that displacement represents the direction of the movement therefore
it is a VECTOR. While Distance shows the magnitude of his travel therefore, it is a
SCALAR.

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SPECULATE THIS FIGURE

What did you observe? The arrow points are not in a straight path. Then
displacement AC is not the same as the distance AB + BC.

The length of the arrow drawn is proportional to the magnitude of the vector and
it is done by using an appropriate scale.

Remember! If the object returns back to its original point then it is not displaced.
The displacement is 0.

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Study the examples:

Example 1.1: A car travels 5 km, North.

Given: displacement or d = 5km, North
Scale: 1 cm = 1 km
Length of the arrow = d = 5km, North x 1cm/1km = 5 cm, North

Draw the Vector diagram:

5 cm d = 5 km

W E

YOUR TURN!

Direction: Read the sentence below then, illustrate it inside the box by
means of a Vector diagram.

A boy runs 10 km, North, then 5 km, East.

GOOD JOB!!!

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 Resultant Vector
In terms of Scalars, we can always add them like ordinary numbers as long as
their unit of measurements are the same.

But adding Vectors depends on their direction. The sum of two or more vectors
is represented by a single vector called the RESULTANT VECTOR. The length of this
vector can be answered using graphical or component method.

GRAPHICAL METHOD (Scale Method)

By using the coordinate system, we can find out the measurement of the
resultant vector with the use of a graphing paper, a ruler, and a protractor.

Example: James walked 5 km, North. He got tired. To buy water he needed to
walk 3km more going Southeast at an angle of 380 . After drinking, he decided to walk
again 4 km, Southwest at an angle of 250. Find the resultant vector of James.

Given: d1 = 5 km North
d2 = 3 km Southeast, 38 degrees
d3 = 4 km Southwest, 25 degrees
Scale = 1cm = 1km

y
3 cm, 38 degrees SE
d2

5 cm, N
d1
d3 4 cm, 25 degrees SW

R
-x x

-y

Resultant vector = 2.2 cm 48.3 degrees, Southwest

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YOUR TURN!

Find the resultant vector using a proctractor, ruler, or meter stick.

Please perform this self-task:
You walk 4 meters, North then turned left for another 2 meters. You
continuously walk 3 meters, South. Find the resultant vector.

Scale: 1m = 2cm

EXCELLENT!!!

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 Component Method
In getting the Resultant vector accurately, we use the component method of all
the axes in the coordinates. In this method you have to identify the components of the
x and y axes.

SOH = Sin= opposite/ hypotenuse; CAH = Cos = adjacent/hypotenuse, TOA =

Tan=opposite/adj.

Example: A boat travelled a distance of 10 km, South and moves 5 km, West in a 300
angle. It went up again for 6 km, Northwest in a 280 angle.
(Scale 1cm= 1km)

-x x

d3 d1


d2

-y

Finding component of d1:

It lies in the – y axis therefore there is no x component.
X1 = 0
Y1 = -10cm

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Finding components of d2:
It lies in the -x and y component
d2y= sin 30 (5 cm)
d2y = 2.5cm
d2x = cos 30 (5 cm)
d2x = -4.3 cm

Finding the components of d3:

d3y = sin 28 (6 cm)
d3y = 2.82 cm
d3x = cos 28 (6 cm)
d3x = 5.3 cm

Displacement X component Y component

D1 0 -10cm
D2 -4.3 cm 2.5cm
D3 -5.3 cm 2.82 cm
{ -9.6 cm -4.68 cm

DR(resultant vector) = √({dx)2 + ({dy)2

= √(-9.6)2 + (-4.68)2
= √(92.16) + (21.9)
= 31.5 cm

Finding the angle of the resultant vector,

Tan Ѳ= {dy / {dx
Tan Ѳ = -4.68cm / - 9.6cm
Ѳ = 27 degrees

Resultant vector = 31.5 cm 27 degrees, Southeast

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POST-TEST

ACTIVITY 1
Choose and encircle the best answer of your choice.

1. A boy travels at a speed of 20 km/ hr. These shows a quantity of _____.

a. vector c. distance
b. speed d. scalar

2. Velocity measures _____.

a. the speed of a car c. the distance covered by a car
b. the speed and direction d. the direction of the car

3. Which of the following represents a vector displacement Southwest?

a. c.

b. d.

4. Choose the statement that describes a vector quantity.

a. a ball dropped downward c. a ball thrown upward
b. a 900 kg mass d. a boy walking 500 meters
East

5. Choose the statement that describes displacement.

a. a boy walking 300 m c. a car moving at a speed of
100 km/hr
b. a cat jumping 100 meters down d. a dog running 300 m

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POST-TEST

ACTIVITY 2
WHAT DID I LEARN

1. Draw the vectors of the following displacements: (1cm=10km)

a. A ship moving 150km Northeast and turned right 50 km
b. A bike’s displacement from 20 km North to 10 km South

2. Using graphical and component method answer the following problems:

a. Find the resultant vector of a girl running 200 m, South of East at
a 30 degree angle then turned 50 m, North of West at 20 degree
angle and finally stopped at 150 m, West. (10cm = 1m)
b. A soldier jogged 450m 28 degree,s Northwest then moved
Southeast 400m 45 degrees. Finally, he moved 350m, Southwest
at 34-degree angle.
 This material was contextualized by the
Curriculum and Learning Management Division (CLMD)
Learning Resource Management and Development System (LRMDS)
Department of Education

DIVISION OF TARLAC CITY

TERESA D. MABABA, CESO V

Schools Division Superintendent

MICHELLE A. MEJICA
OIC - Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

ROBERT E. OSONGCO, Ed. D.

Chief, Curriculum Implementation Division

LILY BETH B. MALLARI

LRMDS, Education Program Supervisor

AIISA C. CORPUZ, Ph. D.

Science, Education Program Supervisor

RUBY T. SANTOS
Layout Artist/ Illustrator

ELGEENE E. DIZON
Writer

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - REGIONAL OFFICE III

BEATRIZ G. TORNO, Ph.D., CESO IV

Director III
Office of the Regional Director

NICOLAS T. CAPULONG, Ph. D., CESO V

OIC - Assistant Regional Director

ELIZABETH M. PERFECTO. Ed. D.

Chief, CLMD

MA. EDITHA R. CAPARAS, Ed. D.

LRMDS, Education Program Supervisor

LIBRADA M. RUBIO
Science, Education Program Supervisor

17
 Vectors and Scalars are important to learn and understand. Vectors are quantities
with magnitute and direction, while scalars only have magnitude. Displacement,
velocities adn acceleration are examples of physical quantities. Arrows are used to
represent a vector in a diagram.

In graphical method, the length of an arrow is proportional to the magnitude of

a vector. This will also give you an understanding of the difference between a scalar
and a vector.

Curriculum and Learning Management Division (CLMD)

Learning Resource Management and Development Section (LRMDS)
Department of Education
Region III