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Chapter 3 Vectors

This document discusses vectors and provides examples of vector and scalar quantities. It explains that vector quantities have both magnitude and direction, while scalar quantities only have magnitude. Examples of vectors include displacement, velocity, acceleration, and force, while examples of scalars include speed, mass, temperature, and area. The document also discusses methods for solving vectors, including the graphical and analytical methods. It provides sample vector problems and an exercise involving solving vector problems analytically.

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Peter Datoy
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166 views

Chapter 3 Vectors

This document discusses vectors and provides examples of vector and scalar quantities. It explains that vector quantities have both magnitude and direction, while scalar quantities only have magnitude. Examples of vectors include displacement, velocity, acceleration, and force, while examples of scalars include speed, mass, temperature, and area. The document also discusses methods for solving vectors, including the graphical and analytical methods. It provides sample vector problems and an exercise involving solving vector problems analytically.

Uploaded by

Peter Datoy
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Chapter Three

VECTORS

“He stretches out the North over the empty space, and hangs the
earth on nothing.” Job 26: 26

In exploring physics, it is very important to identify several quantities.


Quantities with both magnitude and direction are called Vector Quantities while
quantities with magnitude only are called Scalar Quantities.

The following are some examples of vector quantities:


a. displacement
b. acceleration
c. velocity
d. force

Some examples of scalar quantities are the following:


a. speed
b. mass
c. temperature
d. area

Scalar quantities are added algebraically while vector quantities must be


treated geometrically.

Resultant is a single vector representing the sum of two or more vectors.

Methods of Solving Vectors


1. Graphical Method
There is less accuracy in this kind of solution. The accuracy of its solution
depends on the scale and precision of the drawing. The triangle method is
usually used in adding only two vectors. A line represents each vector. The
length of the line signifies the magnitude, and the arrow indicates the direction
of the vector. The two lines are drawn head to tail and the last line closing the
triangle is the resultant.
In solving two or more vectors, the polygon method is usually employed,
using also the head-tail-pattern.

2. Analytical Method
When vectors are analytically solved, principles and formulas in
trigonometry are used like the Pythagorean theorem, the law of sine, the law
of cosine, the trigonometric functions and others.
When there are more than two vectors, the component of vectors, also
referred to as the component method, is used. Here, each vector is resolved
into its horizontal and vertical components. The horizontal and the vertical
components are added algebraically. These sums represent the horizontal and
vertical components of the resultant. The magnitude of the resultant is solved
using the Pythagorean formula and the direction by Tan θ.

SAMPLE PROBLEMS:

1. A boat can move 3 m/s in still water. If it goes downstream along a river
which flows 4 m/s, what is the velocity of the boat?

2. A man walks 6 meters towards the east and 9 meters towards the south.
Find his resultant displacement.

3. Find the resultant force when a 20- lb force east and a 20 -lb force north
act on an object.

4. An object travels 9 km east and then 7 km 30o north of east. Find the
resultant displacement.
5. A boat travels at 8 mi/h in still water. At what angle with the shore must
the boat be steered to reach a point directly opposite if the velocity of the
current is 4 mi/h. Find the magnitude of the resultant velocity.

6. An airplane flies 400 miles west from city A to city B, then 300 miles
northeast to city C, and finally 100 miles north to city D. How far is it from
city A to city D? In what direction must the airplane head to return directly
to city A from city D?

7. Three forces act simultaneously on the same body. These forces are 16 lb,
45o east of north; 5 lb, west and 8 lb, 35o south of east. Find the resultant
force.
Name: _________________________________ Score_______

EXERCISE 3.1
Solve all vector problems using the analytical method.

1. A car travels 100 mi due west and then 45 mi due northwest. Find the resultant displacement.

2. Find the resultant of two 65 N identical forces, one acting easterly and the other northerly.

3. Three cities X, Y and Z are connected by straight highways. City X is 6 km from city Y, city
Y is 4 km from city Z, and city X is 5 km from city Z. Find the angle made by highways XY
and YZ.

4. A girl drives 3 km north, then 12 km northwest and finally 5 km southwest.


a) How far has she traveled?
b) What is her displacement?
5. A cruise ship leaves port and sails due east for a distance of 231 km. To avoid a storm, it
turns and sails 42.1o south of east for 209 km, 54.8o north of east for 262 km, and then sails
100 km north. Determine the magnitude and direction of the resultant displacement.

6. The following forces act on an object resting on a level and frictionless surface: 10 N to the
north; 20 N to the east; 10 N at an angle 40o south of east; and 20 N at an angle 50o west of
south. Find the magnitude and the direction of the resultant force acting on an object.

7. What effect do the following forces have on a point?


100 N, 30o E of N
200 N, 80o S of E
150 N, SW
175 N, 25o W of N
50 N, North

8. Two forces of 10 N each are acting on a point. One force acts east and the other 70 o north of
east. Find the resultant displacement using the laws of sine and cosine.
9. You are on a treasure hunt and your map says “Walk due west for 52 paces, then walk 42
paces 30o north of west, and then walk due north for 25 paces.” How far north and how far
west from your starting point is the treasure?

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