Physics: Chapter 3

Vector & Scalar Quantities

Ms. Goldamer
Greenfield High School
Copy everything into your notes.
Characteristics of a Scalar Quantity
 Only has magnitude
 Requires 2 things:
1. A value
2. Appropriate units
Ex. Mass: 5kg
Temp: 21° C
Speed: 65 mph
Characteristics of a Vector Quantity
 Has magnitude & direction
 Requires 3 things:
1. A value
2. Appropriate units
3. A direction!
Ex. Acceleration: 9.8 m/s2 down
Velocity: 25 mph West
More about Vectors
 A vector is represented on paper by an arrow
1. the length represents magnitude
2. the arrow faces the direction of motion
3. a vector can be “picked up” and moved on
the paper as long as the length and direction
its pointing does not change
Graphical Representation of a Vector
The goal is to draw a mini version of the vectors to give
you an accurate picture of the magnitude and
direction. To do so, you must:
1. Pick a scale to represent the vectors. Make it simple
yet appropriate.
2. Draw the tip of the vector as an arrow pointing in
the appropriate direction.
3. Use a ruler to draw arrows for accuracy. The angle
is always measured from the horizontal or vertical.
We don’t have protractors so make your best guess
for angles.
Understanding Vector Directions
To accurately draw a given vector, start at the second direction
and move the given degrees to the first direction.
N
30° N of E

W E

Start on the East

origin and turn 30° to
the North
S
Graphical Representation Practice
 5.0 m/s East
(suggested scale: 1 cm = 1 m/s)

 300 Newtons 60° South of East

(suggested scale: 1 cm = 100 N)

 0.40 m 25° East of North

(suggested scale: 5 cm = 0.1 m)
Graphical Addition of Vectors
Tip-To-Tail Method
1. Pick appropriate scale, write it down.
2. Use a ruler & protractor, draw 1st vector to scale in
appropriate direction, label.
3. Start at tip of 1st vector, draw 2nd vector to scale,
label.
4. Connect the vectors starting at the tail end of the 1st
and ending with the tip of the last vector.
This = sum of the original vectors, its called the
resultant vector.
Mathematical Addition of Vectors
 Vectors in the same direction:
Add the 2 magnitudes, keep the direction
the same.
Ex. + =
3m E 1m E 4m E
Mathematical Addition of Vectors
 Vectors in opposite directions
Subtract the 2 magnitudes, direction is the
same as the greater vector.
Ex.

4m S + 2m N = 2m S
Graphical Addition of Vectors (cont.)
5 Km

Scale: 1 Km = 1 cm

3 Km

Resultant Vector (red) = 6 cm,

therefore its 6 km.
Vector Addition Example #1
 Use a graphical representation to solve the
following: Another hiker walks 2 km south
and 4 km west. What is the sum of her
distance (resultant vector) traveled using a
graphical representation?
Vector Addition Example #1 (cont.)

Answer = ????????
Vector Addition Example #3
 Use a graphical representation to solve the
following: A hiker walks 1 km west, then 2
km south. What is the sum of his distance
traveled using a graphical representation?
Vector Addition Example #3 (cont.)

Answer = ???????? Hint: Use Pythagorean Theorem for

both triangles, and add your two resultant vectors in
red.
Mathematical Addition of Vectors
 Vectors that meet at 90°
Resultant vector will be hypotenuse of a
right triangle. Use trig functions and
Pythagorean Theorem.
Mathematical Subtraction of Vectors
 Subtraction of vectors is actually the addition
of a negative vector.
 The negative of a vector has the same
magnitude, but in the 180° opposite direction.
Ex. 8.0 N due East = 8.0 N due West
3.0 m/s 20° S of E = 3.0 m/s 20° N of W
Subtraction of Vectors (cont.)
 Subtraction used when trying to find a change
in a quantity.
 Equations to remember:
∆d = df – di or ∆v = vf – vi
 Therefore, you add the second vector to the
opposite of the first vector.
Subtraction of Vectors (cont.)
 Ex. = Vector #1: 5 km East
Vector #2: 4 km North
5 km W (v1)

4 km N (v2)
Practice Problems
Adding and Subtracting Vectors(Due Fri. in Packet #4)

 1. A hiker walks 5 km west, then 4 km west. What is the sum

of his distance traveled?
 2. A hiker walks 15 km west, then 12 km east. What is the
sum of his distance?
 3. A hiker walks 34 km north, then 12 km south. What is the
sum of his distance traveled?
 4. A hiker walks .5 km south, then 78.5 km south. What is the
sum of his distance traveled?
 A hiker walks 13 km east, then 2 km west. What is the sum of
his distance traveled using a graphical representation?
Practice Problems (Use Pythagorean Theorem)
 1. A hiker walks 9 km west, then 3 km south. What is the sum
of his distance traveled using a graphical representation?
 2. A hiker walks 12 km north, then 3 km west. What is the
sum of his distance traveled using a graphical representation?
 3. A hiker walks 4 km east, then 3 km south. What is the sum
of his distance traveled using a graphical representation?
 4. A hiker walks 12 km east, then 9 km north. What is the
sum of his distance traveled using a graphical representation?
 5. A hiker walks 4 km west, then 8 km south. What is the sum
of his distance traveled using a graphical representation?
Component Method of Vector Addition
 Treat each vector separately:
1. To find the “X” component, you must:
Ax = Acos Θ
2. To find the “Y” component, you must:
Ay = Asin Θ
3. Repeat steps 2 & 3 for all vectors
Component Method (cont.)
4. Add all the “X” components (Rx)
5. Add all the “Y” components (Ry)
6. The magnitude of the Resultant Vector is
found by using Rx, Ry & the Pythagorean
Theorem:
RV2 = Rx2 + Ry2
7. To find direction: Tan Θ = Ry / Rx
Component Method (cont.)
Ex. #1
V1 = 2 m/s 30° N of E
V2 = 3 m/s 40° N of W
(this is easy!)

Find: Magnitude & Direction

Magnitude = 2.96 m/s
Direction = 78° N of W
Component Method (cont.)
Ex. #2
F1 = 37N 54° N of E
F2 = 50N 18° N of W
F3 = 67 N 4° W of S
(whoa, this is not so easy!)

Find: Magnitude & Direction

Magnitude =37.3 N
Direction = 35° S of W