Unit and Conversion

Scalars and Vectors

Volume Capacity
 Significant Figures

The digits in a measurement that you know with certainty

Includes one “doubtful digit”
 Rules for Counting Significant Figures

1. All non-zero digits are significant.

Example: 123.7 has 4 significant figures

2. All zeros between non-zero digits are significant.

Example: 1207 has 4 sig. figs., 120.007 has 6 sig. figs.

3. All zeros at the left of the number are NOT significant.

Example: 0.00032 has 2 sig. figs, 0.03 has 1 sig. fig.

4. When zeros are at the right of the number:

a) If there is no decimal, the zeros are NOT significant.
Example: 300 has 1 sig. fig., 25400 has 3 sig. figs.

b) If there is a decimal, the zeros ARE significant.

Example: 60.0 has 3 sig. figs., 0.00045300 has 5 sig. figs. (the 4 zeros at the left
of the number do not count, but the 2 zeros at the right of the number do count).
Rules for calculating with sig. figs.

add/subtract 14.3
+ 220.75
235.05
1. Keep everything to the left of the decimal
2. Keep only the places in common to the right of
the decimal
3. Use the last digit dropped to round
Rules for calculating with sig. figs.

multiply/divide 6.2 = 1.1

5.45
1. Count the number of sig. figs. in each measurement
2. The answer has as many as the least precise measurement (fewest)
3. Use the last digit dropped to round
 Scalar & Vector Quantities
•All quantities can be one of two types:
• A scalar
• A vector
Scalars
•Scalars are quantities that have only a magnitude
• For example, mass is a scalar since it is a quantity that has magnitude without a
direction
• Distance is also a scalar since it only contains a magnitude, not a direction
Vectors
•Vectors have both magnitude and direction
•Velocity, for instance, is a vector since it is described with both a magnitude and a
direction
• When describing the velocity of a car it is necessary to mention both its speed and
the direction in which it is travelling
• For example, the velocity might be 60 km per hour (magnitude) due west (direction)
 How to represent vector

We draw a vector from the initial point or origin (called the “tail” of a vector) to the
end or terminal point (called the “head” of a vector), marked by an arrowhead.
Magnitude is the length of a vector and is always a positive scalar quantity. 
Vector Addition
  

To find the resultant vector, vectors in the same direction are added,
whereas vectors in the opposite direction are subtracted.

Opposite Direction

The resultant vector of two vectors can be

calculated with the head-to-tail rule, With
this rule, we can calculate the resultant vector
by joining the tail of the first vector with the
head of the second vector. Take a look at the
figures below
The resultant vector of perpendicular vectors can be calculated with the Pythagorean
theorem.
If a vector is at an angle to the horizontal (or vertical), it can be resolved into its x
and y components.
Suppose a vector velocity V130m/s at an angle of 20 degrees from the surface.
Calculating Vx and Vy by using trigonometry gives us: