WORKING WITH

DIRECTIONS
Learning objectives:
• Differentiate a vector quantity from a scalar
quantity.
• Perform vector addition and subtraction using
analytical and graphical methods.
• Perform three ways of vector multiplication
• Resolve a given vector into its components using
three unit vectors
• Perform mathematical operations on vectors using
three unit vectors
• Scalars and vectors are
mathematical quantities used to
describe the motion of objects.
• Scalars and vectors are used to represent
physical situations or phenomenon and to
make a variety of motion calculations in
various fields.
 SCALAR QUANTITY
Scalar quantities are those that can be
described completely by their magnitude and
appropriate units.
Example: mass, temperature, speed and time.
 VECTOR QUANTITY
Vector quantities are completely described by
their magnitudes, appropriate units and
directions.
Example: force, displacement, velocity and
acceleration
VOCABULARY
• Scalar comes from the Latin word scala,
which means “steps” or “ladder”.
• The word vector originates from the word
vehere, which means “to carry”.
Activity 2: Scalar vs. Vector
Tell weather the following quantities is a scalar or vector
quantity. Write your answers on the activity sheet provided.
QUANTITY SCALAR OR VECTOR
1. 38 ° C
1. Scalar
2. 1000 km West 2. Vector
3. 400N, 30 degrees North East 3. Vector
4. 100kph 4. Scalar
5. 1,5000J 5. Scalar
6. 500 Giga Byte 6. Scalar
7. Scalar
7. 100 Hertz
8. Scalar
8. 5×108 m/s
9. Scalar
9. 1 year 10. Vector
10.250 kg. m/s, to the right
Vector Representation and Direction
• A vector quantity could be represented by an arrow.
• The length and direction of the arrow represents the
magnitude and direction of the vector quantity.

F = 3 N, east
30 meters, 45o
Vector arrows may be drawn anywhere
Scale 1N on the page as long as the proper
length and direction are
maintained
DIRECTION
 Vector Representation and Direction
• The symbol for vector quantities is an italicized capital
letter in boldface or with an arrow on top.
F or F
• The magnitude of a vector, say F, is represented by F or |F|.
 Vector Representation and Direction
Several ways to specify the direction of a vector.

N • The word north or south is written

after the measure of the measure
A
of the angle followed by the
phrase “of east” or “of west”.
O 30o
W E • A direction of 60o south of west
60o means that starting from west, you
go to south.
B • Vector A is 30o north of east.
• Vector B is 60o south of west.
S
Sample Problem 2.1
Specify the directions of vectors A, B, C and D as shown in the figure.
N

B A
ANSWERS:
A is 50o north of east.
W
45O 50O
E
B is northwest.
C is 20o south of east.
O 20O
C
D D is south.

S
EXAMPLES:

A = 200N, 40 degrees N of E
B = 4n, 30 degrees E of S
C= 20 cm, downward
Practice Exercise 2.1
Let the students practice representing the magnitude of
a vector through convenient scaling.
• Materials needed: pencil, 8’’×11’’graphing paper, and
ruler
Show the following directions using a vector diagram: (a)
28o north of east, (b) 59o south of west, and (c) 15o south
of east.

Question: What is the difference between southeast and

south of east?
VECTOR ADDITION
•The sum of two or more vector quantities
is called RESULTANT VECTOR.
•The notation R is usually used to
represent the resultant.
VECTOR ADDITION
Two important properties of vector addition:
commutative & associative properties.

• Commutative property – the order of adding

vectors may be changed without affecting the
resultant. In symbols,
A+B=B+A
VECTOR ADDITION
Two important properties of vector addition:
commutative & associative properties.

• Associative property – is the grouping of

vectors to be added may also be changed
without affecting the resultant. In symbols,
(A + B) + C = A + (B + C)
METHODS OF VECTOR ADDITION
Two general methods : GRAPHICAL &
ANALYTICAL.
GRAPHICAL METHOD:
1. Parallelogram Method
2. Polygon Methods
ANALYTICAL METHOD:
1. Laws of sines & cosines (two vectors)
2. Component method (two or more vectors)
 PARALLELOGRAM METHOD
1. Using suitable scale, draw the
arrows representing the vectors
from a common point (a).

2. Construct a parallelogram using

two vectors as sides.
 PARALLELOGRAM METHOD
3. Draw the diagonal of the
parallelogram from the common
point. This represents the
resultant R.
4. Measure the length of the arrow
representing the resultant, and
from the scale used, determine its
magnitude.
5. Determine the direction of the resultant
vector using a protractor.
Sample problem 2.2
Two forces A and B are acting on an object. A
is 3.0 N directed to north and B is 4.0 N, 400
north of east. Find the resultant force acting
on the object using the parallelogram method.
POLYGON METHOD
The polygon method is otherwise known as the
tip-to-tail method. This method is more
convenient than the parallelogram when more
than two vectors are to be added graphically.
POLYGON METHOD
1. Represent each vector quantity by an
arrow drawn to scale.
2. Starting from the origin, draw the first
vector on the rectangular coordinate
system, accounting properly its direction.
3. Connect the tail of the second vector to the
head of the first vector. Then, connect the
tail of the third vector to the head of the
second vector. You may continue drawing
the vectors head to tail until you draw the
last vector to be added.
POLYGON METHOD
4. The resultant will close the figure formed by
connecting the vectors. This resultant is drawn
from the tail of the first vector to the head of
the last vector.
5. Measure the length of the arrow
representing the resultant. Determine the
magnitude of the resultant from the scale
used.
6. Use a protractor to determine the direction
of the resultant.