CHAPTER 2:

VECTORS &
VECTOR
ADDITION
PREPARED BY:
JOHN VON T. MALICSI
GENERAL PHYSICS 1
 SCALAR
QUANTITIES
these are quantities that are expressed only in magnitude
number and a unit of measure
physical quantities such as time, temperature, speed,
distance, mass etc. are considered to be scalar quantities
since they possess a magnitude number and a unit
The car reached its destination after 4 hrs.
The temperature of the child is 37.6 °C.
A load has a mass of 6 kg.
A sprint runner runs 5 m/s.
 VECTOR
QUANTITIES
these are quantities that are expressed in magnitude
number, a unit of measure, and direction
physical quantities such as displacement, force, velocity,
acceleration, etc. are considered to be vector quantities
since they possess a magnitude number, a unit and
direction
A force of 15 N acts on a body in an upward direction.
A car travels 60 km/hr, 30° North of West.
An athlete runs 5 m/s North.
VECTOR
QUANTITIES
a vector quantity can be represented by an arrow (which
consists of three important parts - tail, body, and
arrowhead)
the symbol for vector quantities is a capital letter with an
arrow on top. For example, force may be represented as
TAIL - represents the origin of the vector
BODY - represents the magnitude of the
vector
ARROWHEAD - represents the
direction of the vector
 VECTOR
DIRECTION
these
South)
are the four main compass direction (North, East, West, &

The direction 30° N of E

means that starting from
east, you go north by 30°.
WARM UP
Specify the directions of vectors A, B, C and D as shown in the figure.

A is 50° north of east

B is northwest or 45°
north of west
C is northwest or 45°
northwest
D is south of east
CHECKPOINT: QUESTION
Given:

⃑
𝑩
⃑
𝑨 Question:
𝜽 𝜽 Find the vector direction of
vectors A, B, and C.
𝜽
Answer:
⃑
𝑪
⃑
𝑩 =𝟓 . 𝟎 𝐦 ,𝟑𝟔 . 𝟖𝟕 ° 𝑵 𝒐𝒇 𝑾
⃑
𝑪=𝟓 .𝟒 𝐦 , 𝟐𝟏 .𝟖𝟎 ° 𝑾 𝒐𝒇 𝑺
VECTOR ADDITION
it is the process of adding two or more vectors together
into a vector sum
the sum of two or more vector quantities is called resultant
vector or resultant (R)
+ =
+ =
+ = +
Commutative - the order of
adding vectors may be
changed without affecting
the resultant vector
VECTOR ADDITION
it is the process of adding two or more vectors together
into a vector sum
the sum of two or more vector quantities is called resultant
vector or resultant (R)
(+ )+ =R
+(+ )=R
(+ )+ = +(+ )
Associative - the groupings
of adding vector may be
changed without affecting
the resultant
 VECTOR ADDITION - GRAPHICAL
POLYGON METHOD
this is otherwise known as the tip-to-tail method and the most
convenient way to use when adding two or more vectors graphically
STEPS:
1. Represent each vector quantity by an arrow
drawn to scale.
2. Starting from the origin, draw the first vector
on a rectangular coordinate system, accounting
properly its direction.
 VECTOR ADDITION - GRAPHICAL
POLYGON METHOD
this is otherwise known as the tip-to-tail method and the most
convenient way to use when adding two or more vectors graphically
STEPS:
3. Connect the tail of the second vector to the head
of the first vector. Connect the tail of the third
vector to the head of the second vector. Continue
drawing the vectors in head-to-tail fashion until
you draw the last vector to be added.
 VECTOR ADDITION - GRAPHICAL
POLYGON METHOD
this is otherwise known as the tip-to-tail method and the most
convenient way to use when adding two or more vectors graphically
STEPS:
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.
 VECTOR ADDITION - GRAPHICAL
POLYGON METHOD
this is otherwise known as the tip-to-tail method and the most
convenient way to use when adding two or more vectors graphically
STEPS:
5. Measure the length of the arrow representing
the result.
6. Determine the magnitude of the resultant from
the scale used.
7. Use a protractor to determine the direction of
the resultant
 VECTOR ADDITION - GRAPHICAL
POLYGON METHOD
this is otherwise known as the tip-to-tail method and the most
convenient way to use when adding two or more vectors graphically

(a) First vector with magnitude of (b) Using head-to-tail method, (c) Get the resultant vector by
9 units connect vector 2 to vector 1 using ruler and protractor
 VECTOR ADDITION - GRAPHICAL
POLYGON METHOD
this is otherwise known as the tip-to-tail method and the most
convenient way to use when adding two or more vectors graphically
 VECTOR ADDITION - GRAPHICAL
POLYGON METHOD
this is otherwise known as the tip-to-tail method and the most
convenient way to use when adding two or more vectors graphically
 Graphical: Polygon Method

 Have a proper and suitable scale.

 Starting from the origin, draw the first vector on the rectangular
coordinate system, accounting properly its direction.
 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.
 Graphical: Polygon Method

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.
 Measure the length of the narrow representing the resultant.
Determine the magnitude of the resultant form the scale used.
 Use a protractor to determine the direction of the resultant.
Example #1: Two forces A and B are acting on an object. A is 3.0 N
directed north and B is 4.0 N, 30 degrees north of east. Find the resultant
force acting on the object using the polygon method.
Example #2: Given the following vectors A = 30 m, east and B
= 20 m. 30 degrees N of E, determine the resultant of vectors A
and B.
Example #3: Two forces A and B are acting on an object. A is 6
N, 30 degrees N of E and B is 4 N, 45 degrees N of E. Find the
resultant force acting on the object.
Example #4: Given the following vectors A = 30 m, S and B =
20 m. 30 degrees N of W, determine the resultant of vectors A
and B.
Example #5: Juan runs 50 m east then 50 m north. Determine Juan’s
resultant vector.
*Scaling: 10 m = 1 cm
Example #6: A person walks 9 blocks east and 5 blocks north. Find the
resultant of vectors A and B.
Example #7: A particle is being acted upon by the following forces: F1=
4.0 N, east; F2 = 6.0N northeast, and F3 = 8.0 N, south. Find the resultant
using the polygon method.
Example #8: A particle is being acted upon by the following forces: A= 5
km, east; B =3 km, 50 degrees S of W and C = 4 km, 30 degrees S of E.
Find the resultant using the polygon method.
Example #8: Two person are pulling a box.
1st: 6 N , NE and 2nd: 5 N, 60 degrees of N. What is the resultant force
experienced by the box.
*Scaling: 1 N = 1 cm
Example #9: A bird flies 80 m due East, 100 m NE, 110 m, 30 ⁰ N of W
and 160 m, 20 ⁰ S of W. Where is the bird?
*Scaling: 20 m = 1 cm
 CHECKPOINT: SAMPLE PROBLEM
1. Use the graphical method for adding vectors to find the total
displacement of a person who walks the following three paths
(displacements) on a flat field. First, she walks 25.0 m in a direction
49.0° north of east. Then, she walks 23.0 m heading 15.0° north of east.
Finally, she turns and walks 32.0 m in a direction 68.0° south of east.

2. A commuter airplane takes the route from A to C. First, it flies from the
origin of the coordinate system shown to city A, located 175 km in a
direction 30.0° north of east. Next, it flies 153 km 20.0° west of north to city
B. Finally, it flies 195 km due west to city C. Find the location of city C
relative to the origin.
 CHECKPOINT: SAMPLE PROBLEM
1. A commuter airplane takes the route from A to C. First, it flies from the
origin of the coordinate system shown to city A, located 175 km in a
direction 30.0° north of east. Next, it flies 153 km 20.0° west of north to
city B. Finally, it flies 195 km due west to city C. Find the location of city
C relative to the origin.

2. You are out for an early morning walk. You walk 5.0 m, south and 12.0
m, east. Then, you decided to walk farther and go 4.0m, southwest and 6.0
m, west. (a) How far are you now from your starting point and in what
direction? (b) Would you have arrived at the same spot had you taken
from steps in this order: 12.0 m, east; 4.0m, southwest; and 6.0 m west?
Use the polygon method to determine you answer.
 CHECKPOINT: SAMPLE PROBLEM
1. Use the graphical method for adding vectors to find the total
displacement of a person who walks the following three paths
(displacements) on a flat field. First, she walks 25.0 m in a direction
49.0° north of east. Then, she walks 23.0 m heading 15.0° north of east.
Finally, she turns and walks 32.0 m in a direction 68.0° south of east.

GIVEN:
 CHECKPOINT: SAMPLE PROBLEM
SOLUTION:
The three displacement vectors are:
 CHECKPOINT: SAMPLE PROBLEM
SOLUTION:
By arranging the vector into head-to tail method starting from vector 1
to vector 3 and then tracing the resultant vector after:
 CHECKPOINT: SAMPLE PROBLEM
SOLUTION:
Use a ruler to measure the magnitude of R, and a protractor to measure
the direction of R.
While the direction of the vector can be
specified in many ways, the easiest way is to
measure the angle between the vector and the
nearest horizontal or vertical axis. Since the
resultant vector is south of the eastward
pointing axis, we flip the protractor upside
down and measure the angle between the
eastward axis and the vector.
 CHECKPOINT: SAMPLE PROBLEM
ANSWER:

In this case, the total displacement

R is seen to have a magnitude of
50.0 m and to lie in a direction 7.0°
south of east. By using its
magnitude and direction, this
vector can be expressed as R=50.0
m and θ=7.0° south of east.

𝑹=𝟓𝟎 . 𝟎 𝒎 ,𝟕 . 𝟎 ° 𝑺 𝒐𝒇 𝑬
 CHECKPOINT: SAMPLE PROBLEM
ALTERNATIVE ANSWER:
Vector addition is commutative. It is also important to note that the
resultant is independent of the order in which the vectors are added.
Therefore, we could add the vectors in any order as illustrated in Figure
below and we will still get the same solution.
 Analytical Method: Pythagorean Method

The steps in vector addition using analytical method are the same with
the polygon method, except that instead of determining the magnitude
and direction of the resultant vector by actual measurement, they are
computed analytically and or using the Pythagorean theorem.
Example #12: Juan runs 50 m east then 50 m north. Determine Juan’s
resultant vector.
*Scaling: 10 m = 1 cm
Example #10: A plane flying due north at 100m/s is blown by a strong
wind at 500 m/s due east. What is the plane’s resultant velocity?
*Scaling: 25 m = 1 cm
Analytical Method: Component Method

The step is to rewrite a vector into its components.

 Analytical Method: Component Method

The step is to rewrite a vector into its components.

 The x – components are added together and the y-components
together. Because the directions of the components may be varied, we
use sign conventions in adding the components.
 The resultant is obtained using the Pythagorean Theorem. The
direction of the resultant is obtained using the tangent function.
Example #13: Two person are pulling a box.
1st: 6 N , NE and 2nd: 5 N, 60 degrees of N of W. What is the resultant
force experienced by the box.
*Scaling: 1 N = 1 cm
Example #14: A bird flies 80 m due East, 100 m NE, 110 m, 30 ⁰ N of W
and 160 m, 20 ⁰ S of W. Where is the bird?
*Scaling: 20 m = 1 cm
 VECTOR ADDITION -
ANALYTICAL
COMPONENT METHOD
this method is generally used when there are more
than two vectors to be added
RESOLUTION OF VECTORS
this is the process of breaking or splitting a
single vector into its components
the components are normally along the x-axis
(horizontal component) and y-axis (vertical
component) of the cartesian coordinate
system
 VECTOR ADDITION -
ANALYTICAL
COMPONENT METHOD
this method is generally used when there are more
than two vectors to be added
STEPS:
1. Resolve the given vectors into its horizontal and vertical
components.
2. Get the algebraic sum of all the horizontal components ΣRx. Also,
get the algebraic sum of all the vertical components ΣRy. These
sums represent the horizontal component and the vertical
component of the resultant, respectively.
 VECTOR ADDITION -
ANALYTICAL
COMPONENT METHOD
this method is generally used when there are more
than two vectors to be added
STEPS:
3. Since the horizontal and vertical components are
perpendicular to each other, the magnitude of the
resultant can be calculate using the Pythagorean
theorem.
4. Solve for the angle of the resultant makes with
the horizontal.
 CHECKPOINT: SAMPLE PROBLEM
1. A car travels 20.0 km due north and then 35.0 km in a direction 60.0°
west of north, as shown in Figure a. Find the magnitude and direction
of the car’s resultant displacement.
 CHECKPOINT: SAMPLE PROBLEM
2. A jogger runs 145.0 m in a direction 20.0° east of north (displacement
vector) and then 105.0 m in a direction 35.0° south of east
(displacement vector ). Using components, determine the magnitude
and direction of the resultant vector for these two displacements.
 SEATWORK:
INSTRUCTIONS: Solve the problem below. Express your answer using
G.R.E.S.A. Use unit vector notation for your final answer.

1. A commuter airplane takes the route

shown in Figure 3.20. First, it flies from
the origin of the coordinate system
shown to city A, located 175 km in a
direction 30.0° north of east. Next, it flies
153 km 20.0° west of north to city B.
Finally, it flies 195 km due west to city C.
Find the location of city C relative to the
origin.
 Seatwork #1:

1. A dog, in following a lizard, goes 5 meters east, turns 4 meters

north, and then goes 10 meters west. Find the magnitude and
direction of the dog’s resultant displacement using the graphical
method.
2. Using a convenient scale, find the resultant of the following vectors
graphically: 16m at 140⁰ with the positive x-axis and 10m at 30 ⁰
with the positive axis.
 Seatwork #1:

3. Using the component method of getting the resultant of vectors, find

the resultant of the following vectors: 8 N along the positive x-axis and
6 N making an angle of 45⁰ with the x-axis.
4. An object moved 8.0 cm toward the positive x-axis and then 6.0cm
at an angle of 60⁰ with the positive x-axis. Find the resultant of the
vectors.