Scalar and Vector Quantities Scalars Versus Vectors

Scalar quantities are completely described by Scalar: quantity is a number with units
magnitude only (temperature …).

Vector quantities need both magnitude (size)

and direction to completely describe them
(force, displacement, velocity,…).
Represented by an arrow, the length of the
arrow is proportional to the magnitude of the
vector.
Head of the arrow represents the direction.
Indicated by the name with an arrow on top
of it.
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Vector: quantity has both a magnitude (with units)
and a direction
How to get to the Library: you need
to know how far (0.5 miles) and
which way.
Need to have consistent systems of
units for the measurements
Need rules for dealing with the
uncertainties

The Components of a
Vector Math Review: Trigonometry

Even though you know

how far and in which
direction the library is,
you may not be able to
walk there in a straight
line.

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Example: how high is the
building?
• Known: angle and one side
• Find: !another side
The Components of a Vector
• Length, angle, and components can be calculated from
each other using trigonometry:
• Convention: We measure counterclockwise from the
+x axis

• Key: tangent is defined via

• two sides!

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2D Cartesian and Polar The Components of a Vector

Coordinate Representations • We can resolve vector into
perpendicular components
using two-dimensional
coordinate systems:

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 Example: Height of a Cliff The Components of a Vector
In Jules Vern’s Mysterious Island,
Capt. Cyrus Harding wants to find the
• Signs of vector components and range of :
height of a cliff. He stands with his
back to the base of the cliff and
marches straight away from it for 500 ft.
At this point, he lies on the ground and
measures the angle from horizontal to
the top of the cliff. (a) If the angle is 34.0°, how high is the cliff?
(b) What is the straight line distance d from Capt. Harding to the top of the
cliff?

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Any valid physical equation must be dimensionally

Question 1 Combining Vectors
A vector has a negative x-component and a Graphically
positive y-component. The angle theta that
specifies its direction is measured
counterclockwise from the x axis.
In what range is theta ?

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 Adding Vectors Adding Vectors Graphically

Adding vectors
graphically:
Place the tail of the
second at the head of
the first. The sum
points from the tail of
the first to the head of
the last.

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Subtracting Vectors Subtracting Vectors

The negative of a vector

is a vector of the
same magnitude pointing
in the opposite
direction.
Here, D = A – B.

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 Adding Vectors by Adding Vectors by
Components Components
• 1) Find the components of each vector
to be added.
• 2) Add the x- and y-components
separately.
• 3) Find the resultant vector.

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Multiplication by a Scalar Properties of Vectors

• Vectors are equal if they have the same

magnitude and direction.
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 Properties of Vectors Vector Summary

Graphical vector addition: Place tail of second at head of

first; sum points from tail of first to head of last or
parallelogram method placing vectors to the same origin.

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Unit Vectors Unit Vectors

Unit vectors are dimensionless vectors of
unit length. For example, the vector

has magnitude (with units) Ax and points

along the +x axis.

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Sum of vectors and product
with a scalar

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