Units Conversion Distance vs.

Displacement
Measurement – is a process of detecting an unknown Scalar Quantity – Scalars are quantities that are fully
physical quantity by using standard quantity. described by magnitude alone.

The metric system is based on powers of ten and it is
called the Système Internationale d'Unités in French
(abbreviated as SI), which uses the meter (m) for length,
the kilogram (kg) for mass, the second (s) for time, and
four more base units.
Vector Quantity – Vectors are quantities that are fully
described by both magnitude and direction.
Distance – is a scalar quantity that refers to “how much
ground an object has covered” during its motion.

Example: Displacement – is a vector quantity that refers to “how

far out of place an object is”; it is the object’s overall
1. Michel, an exchange student from France, is change in position. (∆x)
studying in the United States. He wishes to buy
a new pair of jeans, but the sizes are all inches. Example 1:
He does remember that 1m = 3.28 ft. and that 1. A displacement of 32 cm east is followed by
1 ft. = 12 in. If his waist size is 82 cm, what is his displacement of 48 cm east and then 64 cm
waist size in inches? west. (a) What is the total distance? (b) What is
Strategy: Each conversion factor can be written as a the total displacement?
fraction. If 1m = 3.28 ft, then d = 32 cm + 48 cm + 64 cm
3.28 𝑓𝑡 d = 144 cm
=1
1𝑚
∆x = 32 cm + 48 cm – 64 cm
Solution: We first convert cm to meters. ∆x = 16 cm, East
1𝑚
82 cm x Example 2:
100 𝑐𝑚

Now, we convert meters to feet. 2. d1 = 13m, E

d2 = 5m, N
1𝑚 3.28 𝑓𝑡
82 cm x x d3 = 7m, W
100 𝑐𝑚 1𝑚

Finally, we convert feet to inches. d = 13m + 5m + 8m

d = 26m
1𝑚 3.28 𝑓𝑡 12 𝑖𝑛
82 cm x x x = 32 in.
100 𝑐𝑚 1𝑚 1 𝑓𝑡
∆x = y
In each case, the fraction is written so that the unit we
are converting from cancels out. d3 d2

𝑚 𝑓𝑡 𝑖𝑛 ∆x
cm x x x = in
𝑐𝑚 𝑚 𝑓𝑡 y=5
d1
x x=6
Using the Pythagorean Theorem, we have; Next, to form a parallelogram, you just need to do what
you did in plotting the forces. Create a small Cartesian
C2 = a2 + b2 plane onto the heads of F1 and F2. Place the tail of F1
∆x2 = x2 + y2
onto the head of F2 and the newton and direction are
Substitution Method: just the same. Then, place the tail of F2 onto the head of
F1 and the newton and direction are still the same. And
∆x2 = (6)2 + (5)2 it looks like this,
∆x = √36 + 25
∆x = √𝟔𝟏m y 1N = 1in.

45° Note: Once you have a

To find the angle, let’s use the formula and it’s denoted
𝑦 F2 shape like this, you can
by; 𝜃 = tan−1( )
𝑥 now determine its
F1 R
5 resultant.
𝜃 = tan−1( ) x
6
45° F1
𝜽 = 𝟑𝟗. 𝟖𝟏° Note: Just draw an arrow
F2 from the origin up to the
So, the final answer will be heads of F1 and F2 that
intersect.
∆x = √𝟔𝟏m, 39.81° N of E.

Vectors – Parallelogram Method

When doing the parallelogram method, you always
need to start with the origin when plotting the given
forces. Also, you need to have a protractor and a ruler
for you to accomplish the parallelogram method. The
ruler is for the given newton/meter and the protractor
is for the given angle. Setting a scale or ratio is always
needed in this method.
Use the parallelogram to compute for the resultant.
1. F1 = 10N, N
F2 = 8N, SE
Now we’re done in creating a parallelogram, we can
now find the resultant using the ruler and protractor.
R = 8N, 40° N of E. This answer is based only on the
estimation using a ruler and a protractor.
Vectors – Polygon Method
When doing the polygon method, F1 will start at the
origin then F2 will start at the head of F1, and so on.
Always create a small Cartesian plane before you plot
the next F. Setting also a scale or ratio is always needed
in this method.

Use the polygon method to compute for the resultant.

1. F1 = 5N, E
1N = 1in.
F2 = 6N, 30° N of E
Note: The degree of the F3 = 7N, NW
F1
directions SE, NE, SW and NW
is always 45.
y 1N = 1in.

45° Note: In plotting the forces, F3

you need to place the ruler
F2 on the Cartesian plane based
on the given newton and 45°
direction. When using the F2
protractor, your basis is
always the x-axis.
X 30°

F1
Look at the figure we formed, it was a broken shape,
and then that’s the time when the resultant will exist.
The resultant in polygon method is the arrow that will Use the component method to compute for the
resultant.
close the polygon. From the origin, create an arrow up
to the head of the last force. And it will look like this, 1. F1 = 7N, NE
F2 = 8N, 30° S of E
y 1N = 1in. F3 = 9N, W

First, we need to plot all the given forces but we don’t

need to have an exact graph. All we have to do is just
F3 the approximation of the magnitude, angle and
R direction.

 Graph

x F2 y
F1

F1
We can now compute for the resultant of the figure we
formed. x F3 45°

R = 10N, 58° N of E. This answer is based only on the 30°

estimation using a ruler and a protractor. F2

Vectors – Component Method

In using the component method, we simply identify the
vertical component and horizontal component of a
 ∑Fx = Fcos 𝜃
vector to find its resultant. This method gives you the
∑Fx = 7cos45 + 8cos30 – 9
exact value of the resultant given the following vectors.
∑Fx = 2.88N, E
There are 5 necessary parts we need to find when we
Note: Focus on the directions E and W.
are using this method.
Note: If the direction is going to NE or SE, the sign is
 Graph (when doing the graph, all the given
positive. If the direction is going to NW or SW, the sign
forces must start at the origin)
is negative. But, if the direction is due E, you just need
 ∑Fx = Fcos 𝜃 (it reads as summation of forces in
to copy the force and the sign is positive. It’s the same
x) it means that we will compute all the forces
with the direction that is due W the only thing is the
in terms of x. (E and W)
sign is negative.
 ∑Fy = Fsin 𝜃 (it reads as summation of forces in
y) it means that we will compute all the forces Note: If the answer you got is positive, the direction is
in terms of y. (N and S) due E. Also, if the answer you got is negative, the
 R = √(∑Fx)2 + (∑Fy)2 direction is due W.
∑Fy
 𝜃 = tan−1 ( )
∑Fx Note: If there is a direction that is due N or due S, there
is no horizontal component on this, it’s simply x is equal
to 0.
  ∑Fy = Fsin 𝜃  Velocity – includes the direction of motion as
∑Fy = 7sin45 – 8sin30 + 0 well as the distance travelled per unit time.
∑Fy = 0.95N, N  When a moving object changes direction, its
velocity changes even though its speed may not
Note: Focus on the directions N and S.
have changed.
Note: If the direction is going to NE or NW, the sign is  The rate of change of the velocity is called
positive. If the direction is going to SE or SW, the sign is acceleration.
negative. But, if the direction is due N, you just need to  Acceleration can indicate any kind of change in
copy the force and the sign is positive. It’s the same velocity, including decreasing speed and change
with the direction that is due S the only thing is the sign in direction.
is negative.
Note: Just answer all the questions in the multiple
Note: If the answer you got is positive, the direction is choice and true false. Ako na pong bahala hehe.
due N. Also, if the answer you got is negative, the
Note: Don’t answer the items 8 and 9 on the
direction is due S.
problem solving on the test paper.
Note: If there is a direction that is due E or due W, there
Note: Bring the following on your examination day;
is no vertical component on this, it’s simply y is equal to
0.  Calculator
 Ruler and protractor
 R = √(∑Fx)2 + (∑Fy)2
 Filler Notebook
R = √(2.88)2 + (0.95)2
R = 3.03N Note: Erasures are allowed. Just box your final
answers. Don’t forget the units.
Note: Just substitute all the values we got.
Filler Notebook Color:
∑Fy
 𝜃= tan−1 ( )
∑Fx
 Dent 1 – Yellow
0.95
 𝜃= tan−1 ( )  Dent 2 – Violet
2.88
 𝜽 = 𝟏𝟖. 𝟐𝟔°  Dent 3 – Red
 Dent 4 – Green
Now, we’re done in computing all the necessary parts,
 HSC 7 – Orange
we just need to write our final answer and it will be,
 HSC 8 – Pink
R = 3.03N, 18.26° N of E.  OLS 1 – Sky blue
 PS 1 - Blue
Note: For us to know what direction we’ll write, just
look on the direction of ∑Fy and ∑Fx. The direction of ∑Fy PS: SANA MAKATULONG ITO!!! PINUSUAN KO
always comes first before the direction of ∑Fx. ITO HA!! SO, PLEASE, PAKIARAL!!

PS: KUNG MAY KATANUNGAN, HUWAG

MAHIYANG LUMAPIT SA’KIN.

PS: KUNG MAY ERROR SA GRAMMAR, SORRY,

INTINDIHIN NIYO NA LANG!! PAGOD NA SI SIR.

PS: PAPASA KAYO!!!!!

- Jenger C. Gomez