M Roux Grade 10 Physics 2021/2022

VECTORS AND SCALARS

DEFINITIONS

Vector – A physical quantity that has both magnitude and direction.

Scalar – A physical quantity that has magnitude only.

Resultant vector – A single vector which has the same effect as the original vectors acting
together.

SCALAR
 Only has magnitude. This means that scalar quantities are only measured by their
magnitude/size.
 No direction is present with scalar quantities.
 E.g. Mass, volume, distance, speed.

VECTOR
 Has direction and magnitude.
 This means that the magnitude/size and direction in which the vector acts must be
specified to fully describe the quantity.
 E.g. Weight, displacement, velocity, acceleration.

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DESCRIBING DIRECTION
 Can be horizontal plane movements or motion (forwards, backwards, right, left)

 Can be vertical plane movements or motion (upwards, downwards, up, down)

 Compass direction (North, South, East, West)

o NB: Compass direction ARE HORIZONTAL NOT VERTICAL. Down
does not mean South.

o Direction is specified in degrees relative to one of the 4

main directions.

REPRESENTING A VECTOR QUANTITY

 Use an arrow to indicate the direction.

 The length of the arrow is drawn to scale to represent the magnitude/size of the vector
quantity that is represented.
 If a scale is not given, you chose your own and write it down in the top right corner of
your drawing.
 Draw a Up or North arrow in the top right corner of your drawing.
 Magnitude and direction must be giving on arrow.

o Arrowhead is part of length

or
Length Length

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E.g. A force of 7N is acting on a box that is pushed to the right.

Scale: 1 cm = 1 N
Up
7N Right

(line must then be 7cm to indicate 7N)

Let’s practise drawing vectors

1. A train moves 30km West of its starting point. Use scale 1cm = 3km

2. An egg is dropped from a height of 3m.

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3. A force of 40N is applied to a bag being lifted – draw the vector diagram. (What is the
mass of the bag?)

4. A person applies a force of 490N as they are standing on a deck. Use scale 1cm = 100N
(What is the mass of the person)

5. A book slides 35cm to the right as it is pushed along a table.

A game of to follow…

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M Roux Grade 10 Physics 2021/2022

ADDING VECTORS
In the same direction Resultant vector – A
single vector which has
 The resultant vector is the sum of all the vectors. the same effect as the
 Add the magnitude of the vectors together, the direction original vectors acting
together
stays the same.
 We use a dot to show the start of the vector diagram.
 ‘net’ or ‘res’ or ‘resultant’ can be used to indicate the resultant vector.

E.g. A force of 3N is pushing on a box East. Another force of 4N is pulling the box to the East.
Draw a vector diagram and find the resultant force.

3N East 4N East Scale: 1 cm = 1 N

Fnet = 7N East N

Fnet =3+4
= 7N East

In opposite directions
 When two or more vectors are acting in opposite directions, the one direction is
considered as a positive direction and the other as a negative direction.
 TIP - Choose the bigger vector as the positive direction (makes the math easier). Show
which direction you have chosen as positive.
 The resultant vector is the mathematical sum of the vectors.
 The + or – in the final answer must be substitute with the direction. No + or – in final
answer!

E.g. A force of 3N is pushing on a box to the right. Another force of 4N is pulling the box to the
left. Draw a vector diagram and find the resultant force.
+ 3N Right Scale: 1 cm = 1 N
Left +
4N Left
Fnet = 1N Left

Fnet = -3 + 4
= +1 (Insert chosen + direction and take out the +)
= 1 N Left

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Let’s practise adding vectors!

1) Raquib is visiting his friend Anton. They walk to the nearest supermarket to
buy lunch. Afterwards Raquib goes back to his own home. From Anton’s
house to the supermarket, they walk 1,3km to the right, and then from the
supermarket to Raquib’s house, Raquib must walk 2,1km to the left.

Raquib’s home Anton’s home Supermarket

a. Draw the motion from Anton’s house to the supermarket and then to
Raquib’s house.
b. What is the resultant vector?
c. How far apart does Raquib and Anton live from each other?

2) Cristina and her brother Josh is trying to move the livingroom couch to the
left so that it covers up the coffee stain on the carpet that they just made.
Josh pulls the couch to the left with a force of 120N and Cristina is pushing
on the other side with a force of 95N.

a. Draw the vector diagram to represent these forces.

b. What is the resultant force being applied on the couch?
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