Scalar

a quantity described by magnitude only

time, length, speed, temperature, mass, energy

examples include:

Vector
a quantity described by magnitude and direction
examples include:

velocity, displacement, force, momentum, electric and magnetic fields

Vectors are usually named with capital letters with arrows above the letter. They are represented graphically as arrows. The length of the arrow corresponds to the magnitude of the vector. The direction the arrow points is the vector direction.

mples include:

A = 20 m/s at 35 NE

B = 120 lb at 60 SE

C = 5.8 mph/s west

vectors may be added graphically or analytically

Vector Addition

Triangle (Head-to-Tail) Method

1. Draw the first vector with the proper length and orientation. 2. Draw the second vector with the proper length and orientation originating from the head of the first vector. 3. The resultant vector is the vector originating at the tail of the first vector and terminating at the head of the second vector. 4. Measure the length and orientation angle of the resultant.

Example:

Find the resultant of A and B.

A = 11 N @ 35 NE B = 18 N @ 20 NW B R
20 NW

R = 14.8 N @ 57 NW

A
57 NW 35 NE

Parallelogram ( Tail - to - Tail ) Method

1. Draw both vectors with proper length and orientation originating from the same point. 2. Complete a parallelogram using the two vectors as two of the sides. 3. Draw the resultant vector as the diagonal originating from the tails. 4. Measure the length and angle of the resultant vector.

Explore more vectors at link, link, link, and link.

Resolving a Vector Into Components The horizontal, or x-component, of A is found by Ax = A cos .

+y

Ay

+x Ax The vertical, or y-component, of A is found by Ay = A sin . By the Pythagorean Theorem, Ax2 + Ay2 = A2.

Every vector can be resolved using these formulas, such that A is the magnitude of A, and is the angle the vector makes with the x-axis. Each component must have the proper sign according to the quadrant the vector terminates in.

Analytical Method of Vector Addition 1. Find the x- and y-components of each vector.
Ax = A cos = Bx = B cos = Cx = C cos = Rx = Ay = A sin = By = B sin = Cy = C sin = Ry =

2. Sum the x-components. This is the x-component of the resultant. 3. Sum the y-components. This is the y-component of the resultant. 4. Use the Pythagorean Theorem to find the magnitude R the resultant vector. of 2 + R 2 = R2
x y

5. Find the reference angle by taking the inverse tangent of the absolute value of the y-component divided by the x-component.

= Tan-1 Ry/Rx
6. Use the signs of Rx and Ry to determine the quadrant.
NW NE

(-,+) (-,-)

(+,+) (-,+)

SW

SE