Physics 3 – CD HANDOUT #2

2nd semester AY 2017-2018 MCTGarcia

Differentiate scalar quantity from vector

quantity.

Define the components of a vector and

use them in calculations.

Solve vector related problems graphically

and analytically

 In general
 Vectors are quantities
• Quantity completely described by that are represented by
magnitude only magnitude and
• Ex. distance, time, temperature direction.
 Magnitude of a
vector is a number
assigned to  Vector
determine quantity
• Quantity having both magnitude and  Direction of a vector  Magnitude
direction is a number that  Direction
• Ex. displacement, velocity, acceleration gives which way the
vector will go
Physics 3 – CD HANDOUT #2
2nd semester AY 2017-2018 MCTGarcia

 Boldface Letter A
 There are 3 ways of writing vectors:
 Letter with arrow above A
 (graphical) Straight line with arrowhead 1. AXIAL NOTATIONS
2. NEWS NOTATION
 VECTOR magnitude representation: 3. UNIT VECTORS
 When dealing with just the magnitude of a vector in print, an
italic letter will be used: A
 or A , A

 write the magnitude and the angle it creates with

any axis  write the magnitude and
the appropriate direction
based on the NEWS
configuration
Physics 3 – CD HANDOUT #2
2nd semester AY 2017-2018 MCTGarcia

N  A unit vector is a  Unit vectors are

y usually written in
1 unit, 45 1 unit, NE dimensionless vector
with unit magnitude. the form
1 unit, 180 1 unit, west
W E
x

1 unit, 330  1 unit, 60 E of S

Vector
S Component in x axis
•rectangular coordinate •geographic reference frame
system (Axial notation) (NEWS)
x-axis unit vector

►Equality of Two Vectors

 Two vectors are equal if they have the same magnitude ►is the vector sum of two or
and the same direction more vectors. It is the
►Movement of vectors in a diagram result of adding two or
 Any vector can be moved parallel to itself without being more vectors together. If
affected displacement vectors A, B,
►Negative Vectors and C are added together,
 Two vectors are negative if they have the same magnitude the result will be vector R.
but are 180° apart (opposite directions)
► A = -B
►Resultant Vector Note: vector R ,in this case, was determined by
using an accurately drawn, scaled , vector addition
 The resultant vector is the sum of a given set of vectors diagram
Physics 3 – CD HANDOUT #2
2nd semester AY 2017-2018 MCTGarcia

►Consider the vector on the right: y

►The x-component of a vector is the
projection along the x-axis
Given the vector
Ax  A cos  Ay
(Vector A) in the
►The y-component of a vector is the
projection along the y-axis  = 60 illustration:
x
Ay  A sin  Ax = Acos = Asinf
Ax Ay =Asin = Acosf
►Then,   
A  Ax  Ay

 The components can be positive or negative depending on

►The previous equations are valid only if  is
the quadrant where the vector is located.
measured with respect to the x-axis
►The components can be positive or negative and will QUADRANT
have the same units as the original vector
►The components are the legs of the right triangle I II III IV
whose hypotenuse is A
Ay X
A  A 2x  A 2y and   tan 1
Ax
+ - - +
 May still have to find θ with respect to the positive x-axis
Y + + - -
Physics 3 – CD HANDOUT #2
2nd semester AY 2017-2018 MCTGarcia

A. Graphical Method
(using ruler and a protractor, draw the vectors graphically)
 Analytical
1. Parallelogram Method
most applicable for two vectors
 Graphical 2. Polygon Method
applicable for three or more vectors

 Experimental
Note: Scaling is important

B. Analytical Method
(utilizes Mathematical concepts in analyzing vectors)
►Choose a coordinate system and sketch the vectors
1. Law of Sine and Cosines ►Find the x- and y-components of all the vectors
Cosine Law: C2 = A2 + B2 – 2ABcosθ ►Add all the x-components
Sine Law: A = B = C  This gives Rx:
sinα sinβ sinθ
Rx   v x
2. Component Method
Dividing the vector into its components and
dealing with it individually
Physics 3 – CD HANDOUT #2
2nd semester AY 2017-2018 MCTGarcia

►Add all the y-components

 This gives Ry: If we have many vectors (A, B, C, D,...N), and we need to
Ry   v y find the resultant we just need to "SUM" all the x's and
all the y's separately, as illustrated
►Use the Pythagorean Theorem to find the magnitude of
the Resultant:
R R 2x  R 2y Rx = Ax + Bx + Cx +Dx +...+ Nx
►Use the inverse tangent function to find the direction of Ry = Ay + By + Cy +Dy +...+ Ny
R:
Ry
  tan 1
Rx