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Unit 2: Vectors
Lesson 2.1
Scalar and Vector Quantities
Contents
Introduction 1
Learning Objectives 2
Warm Up 2
Bibliography 15
Unit 2: Vectors
Lesson 2.1
Introduction
Have you experienced commuting or traveling to an unfamiliar place, but after a while, you
realized you were lost? When traveling from one place to another, it is not only important
to know how far it is, but you also need to know the direction you should follow to reach
your desired location. Today, simple street maps and online maps in your phones can
easily give directions and instructions for you to reach your destination. In science, you will
encounter varying physical quantities. Some of these quantities are accompanied by
directions; others are not. What are these quantities, and why is specifying the direction
important? In this lesson, you will learn the two categories of physical quantities.
2.1. Scalar and Vector Quantities 1
Unit 2: Vectors
quantities.
● Identify examples of scalar and
vector quantities.
● Represent vector quantities using
arrows in a Cartesian plane.
Warm Up
Material
● strips of paper with physical quantities written on it (e.g., mass, weight, force,
density, temperature, volume, distance, displacement, velocity, speed,
acceleration, momentum)
Procedure
1. Divide the class into five groups.
2. Each group will receive a set of strips of papers containing the names of the physical
quantities.
3. The goal of each group is to categorize the physical quantities into two groups. How
the quantities will be categorized depends on your group. You can use a dictionary to
help you define some of the unfamiliar terms.
2.1. Scalar and Vector Quantities 2
Unit 2: Vectors
4. Write the two categories in a ¼ sheet of paper and submit it to your teacher.
5. Each group will be given a maximum of two minutes to discuss the output.
Guide Questions
1. How did you categorize the two quantities? What is/are the properties you consider?
2. Which of the following quantities needs a direction for it to be described properly?
Which of the quantities does not require direction for it to be sufficiently described?
3. What is the difference between scalar and vector quantities?
2.1. Scalar and Vector Quantities 3
Unit 2: Vectors
Vector Quantities
A vector quantity is a physical quantity with both magnitude and direction. Magnitude
describes the quantity or the size of the physical quantity, while direction describes how the
vector is oriented relative to a reference point.
An example of a vector quantity is velocity. When you want to know the velocity of an object,
it is not enough to simply state how fast it is moving; you also need to specify in which
direction it is moving. Suppose we state that the car is moving at 30 m/s, we are only stating
its speed, which is a scalar quantity. When we specify the direction, in this case, let us say
that the car is moving 30 m/s westward, then we are already describing a vector quantity.
Another example of a vector quantity is force. When force is being described, it is not
enough that we state the amount of the force, the direction in which it is being applied
should also be included. Other examples of vector quantities are acceleration and
displacement.
Vectors are represented by a single letter with an arrow above them, for example, .
This notation is used to differentiate vectors from scalar quantities. It is used to emphasize
The magnitude of vectors is represented by the same letter used in a vector quantity.
However, it is light italic with no arrow on top. Another notation used is the vector symbol
enclosed by two vertical bars, as shown below:
2.1. Scalar and Vector Quantities 4
Unit 2: Vectors
The magnitude of a vector quantity is only a number with a unit. It is a scalar quantity, and it
is always positive.
Remember
A scalar quantity is not equal to a vector quantity since they are two
Representing Vectors
Vectors are represented by arrows. The length of the arrow represents the magnitude,
while the arrowhead indicates the direction of the vector.
Let us discuss in detail a common example of a vector quantity—displacement. It is
important to note that displacement is different from distance. Distance is a scalar quantity,
while displacement is a vector quantity. Distance is simply the length or the extent of space
between two points. Displacement is defined as a change in the position of an object, as
shown in Fig. 2.1.1. Whenever we describe the change in position, we specify both the
magnitude and the direction. For example, a person who walked 1 km eastward has a
different displacement than another person who covered 1 km westward. These two
persons may have covered the same distance or magnitude, but they moved in two
opposite directions. It is not only applicable to displacement but also in other vectors such
as force. In the following examples, we will represent displacements using arrows.
2.1. Scalar and Vector Quantities 5
Unit 2: Vectors
Fig. 2.1.1. Displacement is the change in the position of an object from P1 to P2.
Note that displacement always connects the starting and the ending point in a straight line
even if the path taken is not really straight, as shown in Fig. 2.1.2a. If the starting and ending
points are the same, then the displacement would be zero since there is no change in
position (Fig. 2.1.2b).
Fig. 2.1.2. Displacement only takes into consideration the starting point and the ending
point of the object.
2.1. Scalar and Vector Quantities 6
Unit 2: Vectors
Here are the rules to follow in representing vectors:
1. Begin by deciding on the scale that you want to use. Why is there a need for a scale?
There are instances when the quantities cannot be exactly represented in a drawing.
For example, suppose that the quantity that we want to represent is 5 km, east. It is
impossible to draw a 5-km long line in a small bond paper. This is where the
importance of using a scale comes in. The scale depends on you and the size of the
space that you will draw on. In our example, it is practical to use a scaling of 1 cm = 1
km. Therefore, the 5 km can be drawn in your paper as a 5-cm long arrow.
2. After deciding on the scale to be used, identify where to place the vector based on its
direction. In this lesson, all the vectors will be drawn in a Cartesian plane. When you
already identified the direction and the scale, you can already draw it in a Cartesian
plane, as shown in Fig. 2.1.3.
Fig. 2.1.3. A vector can be represented in an arrow. The length of the arrow represents the
magnitude, while the arrowhead points to the direction of the vector.
2.1. Scalar and Vector Quantities 7
Unit 2: Vectors
Remember
When representing vectors, always include the following
components:
● the scale used;
● the arrowhead which specifies the direction of the vector,
and
● the label or the magnitude and the direction of the vector.
Describing the Directions of Vectors
Not all vectors are directed as north, south, east, or west only. Some are given as northeast,
southwest, in degrees, or in other forms. This is the reason why there are conventions used
to describe the direction of the vectors, which are as follows:
1. The direction of the vector is expressed as an angle of rotation either from the north,
south, east, or west. For example, when a vector has a direction of 30° north of west,
it means that a vector pointing west has been rotated towards the northerly
direction, as shown in Fig. 2.1.4. When using a protractor, you have to measure 40°
from the west (along the horizontal) towards the north direction.
Fig. 2.1.4. In this example, the angle should be measured from the west direction.
2.1. Scalar and Vector Quantities 8
Unit 2: Vectors
2. The direction of the vector is expressed as an angle of rotation in a counterclockwise
(opposite the direction of clock’s hand) direction from the east. When this convention
is used, our example above 30° north of west can be presented as 150°. When using
a protractor, you have to measure 150° from the east direction (along the horizontal
axis), as shown in Fig. 2.1.5.
Fig. 2.1.5. 30° north of west is equivalent to 150°. The angle should be measured from the
east direction.
Let's Practice!
Example 1
Illustrate the displacement of an insect that crawled 3 cm to the west.
Solution
Step 1: Identify what is required in the problem.
You are asked to represent the displacement.
Step 2: Identify the given in the problem.
The given displacement is 3 cm, west.
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Unit 2: Vectors
Step 3: Specify the scale that will be used.
Since the given is already in cm and can still fit in a bond paper, no scaling
will be used.
Step 4: Illustrate the vector.
1 Try It!
A mosquito flew 6 cm, upward. Illustrate its displacement using an arrow.
Example 2
A car moved 12.5 km, 35° south of west. Illustrate this displacement.
Solution
Step 1: Identify what is required in the problem.
You are asked to represent the displacement.
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Unit 2: Vectors
Step 2: Identify the given in the problem.
The given displacement is 12.5 km, 35° south of west.
Step 3: Specify the scale that will be used.
Scale: 1 cm = 2 km
Therefore, the length of the arrow should be 6.25 cm.
Step 4: Illustrate the vector.
2 Try It!
A person traveled a total of 28 km, 85° south of east. Illustrate the vector.
Example 3
Car A covered 550 km, 195° while car B traveled 250 km, 40° south of west. Illustrate the
vectors in one Cartesian plane.
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Unit 2: Vectors
Solution
Step 1: Identify what is required in the problem.
You are asked to represent the displacements in one cartesian plane.
Step 2: Identify the given in the problem.
The given displacements are 550 km, 195°, and 250 km, 40° south of west.
Step 3: Specify the scale that will be used.
Scale: 1 cm = 100 km
Therefore, the length of the arrow for Car A = 5.5 cm while for Car B = 2.5 cm.
Step 4: Illustrate the vectors.
3 Try It!
Leo and Alex are training for a marathon in two different locations. Leo covered 54
km, 110° while Alex covered a displacement of 60 km, 78° south of east. Illustrate the
displacements in one Cartesian plane.
2.1. Scalar and Vector Quantities 12
Unit 2: Vectors
Tips
If possible, use colored pencils or pens when you are required to
draw two or more vectors in one cartesian plane. This is to avoid
confusion when illustrating the vectors.
Key Points
___________________________________________________________________________________________
● A scalar quantity is a physical quantity that has magnitude but no direction.
Examples include distance, mass, and density.
● A vector quantity is a physical quantity with both magnitude and direction.
Examples include displacement, velocity, and acceleration.
● A vector can be represented by an arrow. The length of the arrow represents the
magnitude, while the arrowhead points to the direction of the vector.
● There are two conventions used to describe the direction of the vector.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________ 1. It is the length or the extent of space between two
points.
____________________ 2. It is defined as the change in the position of an object.
____________________ 7. It is a push or a pull that acts on an object due to its
interaction with its surroundings.
____________________ 8. It is a measure of mass over volume of an object.
____________________ 9. It is the quantity of motion of a moving object or body,
calculated as the product between mass and velocity.
____________________ 10. It is the rate of change of velocity of an object per unit
time.
1. 65 km, 350°
2. 120 km, 25°
3. 84 km, 50° north of west
4. 550 m, 185°
5. 780 m, 75° south of west
Challenge Yourself
1. Car A has a displacement of 15 km, 25° south of west, while car B was reported to
have a displacement of 15 km, 25° west of south. Are the displacements of both cars
the same? Explain your answer.
2.1. Scalar and Vector Quantities 14
Unit 2: Vectors
Bibliography
Bauer, W., and Gary D. Westfall. University Physics with Modern Physics. New York:
McGraw-Hill, 2013.
Faughn, Jerry S. and Raymond A. Serway. Serway’s College Physics (7th ed). Singapore:
Brooks/Cole, 2006.
Knight, Randall Dewey. Physics for Scientists and Engineers: a Strategic Approach with Modern
Physics. Pearson, 2017.
Serway, Raymond A. and John W. Jewett, Jr. Physics for Scientists and Engineers with Modern
Physics (9th ed). USA: Brooks/Cole, 2014.
Young, Hugh D., Roger A. Freedman, and A. Lewis Ford. Sears and Zemansky’s University
Physics with Modern Physics (13th ed). USA: Pearson Education, 2012.
2.1. Scalar and Vector Quantities 15
Unit 2: Vectors
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