Scalars vs.

Vectors
Scalar quantities have only a magnitude (amount).
Vector quantities have a magnitude and a direction.
We represent them as arrows.
Distance (d): the separation between two points.
Is distance a scalar or a vector? _____________

Displacement (Δx): A measure of the change in position(x).

Δx = final position – initial position.
The sign of the value for indicates the direction.
Is displacement a scalar or a vector? ______________
a) what is the distance of Car A from Car B? ___________
b) what is the distance of Car B from Car A? ___________
c) what is the position of Car A? ____________
of Car B? ____________
d) what is the displacement of Car A measured from Car
B? ____________
e) what is the displacement of Car B measured from Car
A? ____________
 Ex: A student walks 5 m east and then 3 m west.
a) What is the distance (scalar) travelled?
b) What is the student’s displacement (vector)?

c) d = 5 m + 3 m = 8 m
d) Draw the vector arrows:
5 m east

2 m east 3 m west

Resultant or “net” vector

When adding vectors we use vector

addition or the tip-to-tail method.
 Ex: A polar bear meanders 275 m east and then
turns around and ambles 425 m west.
a) What was the distance travelled by the bear?

b) What was the bear’s displacement?

Ex: A little girl takes her dog for a walk around a
city block as shown.
Start/ 115 m A
Finish
N 125 m 125 m

C 115 m B
a) What is the distance travelled?
b) What is her final displacement?
c) What was her displacement at B?
d) What was her displacement at C?
 Add the following vectors and find their
resultant magnitudes and directions.
1) 15 m East and 25 m North
2) 220 m North and 80 m West Rem
add emb
3) 2.2 m South and 1.8 m North tip- er to
to-t
ail!
4) 150 m East and 180 m South
5) 45 m South and 30 m East and 15 m North

When adding vectors does it matter which one

you add first?