MODULE 2

VECTORS
LESSONS:
1. VECTOR ADDITION
2. COMPONENTS OF VECTOR
3. VECTOR MULTIPLICATION

This module covers the lessons about vectors. This lesson will explain how lessons in
Mathematics, the line segment, Phytagorean theorem and trigonometric functions are applied
in Physics. And many will ask, “What are the applications of these vectors in the society?” In
the next modules or lessons, the concepts of vectors will be used. So take note the important
ideas or concepts. Lastly, check the exercise that you are going to complete in this learning
module.

EXERCISE 2.1. SCALARS vs. VECTORS

EXERCISE 2.2. VECTOR COMPONENTS
EXERCISE 2.3. VECTOR MULTIPLICATIO

LMS TASKS:
 Quiz #2
 Journal Entry #2

NAME:
GRADE AND SECTION:

GENERAL PHYSICS 1 WEEK #2: SEPTEMBER 7-11, 2020

 2

Imagine you are walking to your friend’s house. At an intersection,

a woman approaches you and asks, “Where is the nearest hospital?” You
remember just passing by one, so you tell the woman, “There is one about
a kilometer from here.” You go ahead leaving the woman confused. What
is missing from your description?
Some observations need a direction. This chapter is about vectors.

VECTOR ADDITION
LEARNING COMPETENCIES
 Differentiate vector and scalar quantities
 Perform addition of vectors

 A physical quantity that has a direction is called a vector. An example of

a vector is displacement. The displacement of an object is the vector.
 The displacement of an object is the vector pointing from the initial point
to the final position of the object. In the previous example, you could have
told the woman to walk a displacement of “1 km south” or “1 km to the
right’ to get to the hospital.
 Read and analyze the explanation on page 15-16 to answer the questions.

EXERCISE NO. 2.1. SCALARS VS. VECTORS

A. INSTRUCTION: List examples of scalar and vector quantities.
SCALAR VECTORS
1 2
3 4
5 6
7 8

B. Briefly define the following terms. (2 points each)

a. Magnitude-

b. Scalars-

c. Vector components-

d. Unit vectors
POINT: ____/ 16

 A vector can be
represented by arrow
(Figure 2.1). Its length
represents the magnitude
and its direction indicates
the direction of the vector.

GENERAL PHYSICS 1 WEEK #2: SEPTEMBER 7-11, 2020

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 The vector –P has the same magnitude

as the vector P, but it is in the opposite
direction of vector P. (Figure 2.2) P
 Multiplying the vector P by a scalar m -P
gives a vector with the same direction
as P and a magnitude equal to 𝑚|𝑷|
Figure 2.2

P
Q

Figure 2.3

 The addition of vectors P and Q is a new vector (P+ Q) which is known as

the resultant vector.
 Vector addition obeys the following rules:
o Commutative rule: 𝑷 + 𝑸 = 𝑸 + 𝑷
o Associative Rule: (𝑷 + 𝑸) + 𝑹 = 𝑷 + (𝑸 + 𝑹)
o Distributive Rule: 𝑚 (𝑃 + 𝑄 = 𝑚𝑃 + 𝑚𝑄 (𝑚 𝑖𝑠 𝑠𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑎𝑟)
 Figure 2.4 shows the graphical method of obtaining the resultant vector
of two vectors P and Q drawn in Figure 2.3. Without changing their lengths
and directions, connect the head of one vector to the tail of other vector.
Then draw an arrow from the unconnected tail to the unconnected head.
This arrow represents the resultant vector.

a) Use a suitable scale to draw vector P. b. From the head of vector P,

draw a line to represent vector Q.

P
Q

c. Complete the triangle. The line from the tail P

of P to the head of Q represents the
magnitude and direction of the resultant (P+Q)

P
Figure 2.4

LEAVE QUESTIONS HERE:

GENERAL PHYSICS 1 WEEK #2: SEPTEMBER 7-11, 2020

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VECTOR SUBTRACTION
 The subtraction of two vectors P and Q results in another vector (P-Q).
Subtraction of vectors does not obey the commutative rule and the
associative rule but obeys the distributive rule.
o Commutative rule: 𝑷 − 𝑸 ≠ 𝑸 + 𝑷
o Associative Rule: (𝑷 − 𝑸) − 𝑹 ≠ 𝑷 − (𝑸 − 𝑹)
o Distributive Rule: 𝑚 (𝑃 − 𝑄 = 𝑚𝑃 − 𝑚𝑄 (𝑚 𝑖𝑠 𝑠𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑎𝑟)
 Figure 2.5 shows the graphical method finding the difference of two
vectors. Without changing their lengths and directions, connect the tails
of the two vectors together. Then draw an arrow from the head of the
subtrahend to the head of the minuend. This arrow represents the
resultant vector.

a. Use a suitable scale to draw vector b. From the tail of vector P,

P. draw a line to represent
vector Q.
P

P Q

c. Complete the triangle. The line from the tail

of P to the head of Q represents the
magnitude and direction of the resultant (P+Q)
P-Q

P Q

Figure 2.5

 An alternative method of finding the difference of two vectors P and Q

is to flip the subtrahend and proceed using vector addition. Figure 2.6
shows this process.

a. Use a suitable scale to draw vector b. From the tail of vector P,

P. draw a line to represent
vector Q.

-Q
P

c. Complete the triangle. The line from the tail

of P to the head of Q represents the
magnitude and direction of the resultant (P+Q)

-Q P

Figure 2.6

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EXERCISE NO. 2.1. VECTOR ADDITION AND SUBTRACTION

1. The figure below shows two vectors F1 and F2.

F1= 4.0 N F2= 3.0 N N = the symbol unit

of Newton

By drawing arrows, draw the resulting vector for the following

operations: (2 points each)

a) 𝐹1 + 𝐹2 b) 𝐹1 − 𝐹2 c) 𝐹2 − 𝐹1

2. The figure shows three vectors P, Q and R. In the same graph, draw P+ Q-
R. (5 points)
P

3. A plane flies 120 km the north of a point O and then 50 km to the east. By
drawing arrows, find the distance of the plane from O. (4 points)

POINT: ____/ 15

GENERAL PHYSICS 1 WEEK #2: SEPTEMBER 7-11, 2020

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2.2 COMPONENTS OF VECTORS

LEARNING COMPETENCIES
 Rewrite a vector in component form.
 Express a vector in terms of unit vectors.
 Calculate the directions and magnitudes of vectors.
1. Any vector R can be written as the sum of two vectors P and Q. P and
Q are called components of R. You can check using the graphical method
that each set of vectors P, Q and R. in Figure 2. 7 follows R= P+Q. Refer
on page 16-17 about components of vectors.
(a) (b) (c)
R R
P R P
P
Q 𝜃
Q Q
Figure 2.7

2. Figure 2.7 (c) shows components P and Q which are perpendicular to

each other. If 𝜃 is the angle between the component Q and the vector
R, then by applying the Pythagorean Theorem and SOHCAHTOA, you can
derive the following expressions.
|𝑸| 𝑸
𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜽 = =
|𝑹| 𝑹

𝑄 = 𝑅𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃
|𝑷| 𝑷
𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝜽 = =
|𝑹| 𝑹

𝑃 = 𝑅𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
𝑷
𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝜽 =
𝑸

𝑅 = √𝑃2 + 𝑄 2

If P and Q lie along the x- and y- axes of a Cartesian coordinate system,

then P and Q are called the x-component and y-component of vector R
(abbreviated as 𝑹𝒙 + 𝑹𝒚, respectively.
3. Vectors can be added using the components:
a. Solve for the x- and y- components of the vectors.
b. Add all x-components. Similarly, add all y- components.
c. The sum of the x-components is the x-component of resultant
vector. Similarly, the sum of y-components is the y-component
of the resultant vector. See Example 1.4. Hiking and Vector on
page 18-19.

GENERAL PHYSICS 1 WEEK #2: SEPTEMBER 7-11, 2020

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EXAMPLE 2.2
Bear in mind that force is a vector. The figure shows three forces, F1, F2
and F3 acting on a point O.
F2= 7 N

120º F1= 8 N
100º
O

F3= 4 N

Calculate the resultant force

SOLUTION:
y

F2= 7 N

120º
F1= 8 N
220º x
O
y
F3= 4 N

Ry
R

𝜃
O Rx x

We place the vectors in a Cartesian coordinate system, as shown on the left side of
he figure above. Using the component method, the sum of x-components is

𝑅𝑥 = 8𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 + 7 cos 120° + 4 cos 220° = 1.436 𝑁

The sum of the component is

𝑅𝑦 = 8𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 + 7 sin 120° + 4 sin 220° = 3.41 𝑁

Looking at the right side of the figure above, we see that R, Rx, and Ry form a right
triangle. Using Pythagorean Theorem, the ,agnitude of the resultant force is

𝑅 = √𝑅𝑥 2 + 𝑅𝑦 2

= √1.4362 + 3.4912 𝑁
Using SOHCATOA leads to
𝑅𝑦 3.491 𝑁
𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 = =
𝑅𝑥 1.436 𝑁

= 67.6°

GENERAL PHYSICS 1 WEEK #2: SEPTEMBER 7-11, 2020

 8

2.3 VECTOR
MULTIPLICATION
LEARNING COMPETENCIES
 Calculate the dot (scalar)product of two vectors.
 Calculate the cross (vector) product of two vectors.
 Determine the direction of a cross product using the right-hand grip rule.

𝜃
Figure 2.11
b

1. The usual way of multiplying scalars does not apply to vectors. There
are two kinds of vector multiplication..
2. First is the scalar product or dot product. For two vectors a and b, we
write the dot product as 𝑎 ∙ 𝑏, and read it as ′𝑎 ∙ 𝑏′ . The dot
product is given by 𝑎 ∙ 𝑏 = |𝑎||𝑏| cos 𝜃 = 𝑎 (𝑏 cos 𝜃) =
(𝑎 cos 𝜃)𝑏
Where 𝜃 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑡𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑤𝑜 𝑣𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟
𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑙𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑛𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑 (Figure 2.11)

3. The scalar product of two vectors obeys the following rules.

o Commutative rule: 𝒂 ∙ 𝒃 = 𝒃 ∙ 𝒂
o Distributive rule: 𝑎 ∙ (𝒃 + 𝒄) = 𝒂 ∙ 𝒃 + 𝒂 ∙ 𝒄
𝑚(𝑎 ∙ 𝒃) = 𝒎𝒂 ∙ 𝒃 = 𝒂 ∙ (𝒎𝒃) (𝒎 𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒂𝒓)

F= 2N F= 2N

𝜃=60˚ 𝜃=60˚
s= 4m s= 4m

Figure 2.12
4. An important application of a dot product is the work done by a
force F applied on an object when the displacement of the object is
s
𝑊𝑜𝑟𝑘 𝑑𝑜𝑛𝑒 = 𝐹 ∙ 𝑠
= 𝐹 (𝑠 cos 𝜃)
= 𝐹 (cos 𝜃)𝑠
= |𝐹 ||𝑠| cos 𝜃

|𝐹 | = 𝐹, |𝑠| = 𝑠

GENERAL PHYSICS 1 WEEK #2: SEPTEMBER 7-11, 2020

 For example, a force of 2 N directed 60° from the horizontal
pushes the object by 4 m along the horizontal (Figure 2.12).
Then 𝐹 = 2 𝑁, 𝑠 = 4 𝑚, 𝑞 = 60°, 𝑎𝑛𝑑
Work done by the force = 𝐹 ∙ 𝑠
= 𝐹𝑠 cos 𝜃
= (2)(4) cos 60°
=4𝐽

5. The unit vectors i, j and k in the cartesian coordinates are perpendicular

to each other.
Hence, 𝑖 ∙ 𝑗 = |𝑖 ||𝑗| cos 90° = 0 𝑗 ∙ 𝑘 = |𝑗||𝑘 | cos 90° = 0
𝑘 ∙ 𝑖 = |𝑘 ||𝑗| cos 90° = 0
𝑖 ∙ 𝑖 = |𝑖 ||𝑖 | cos 0° = 1 𝑗 ∙ 𝑗 = |𝑗||𝑗| cos 0° = 1,
𝑘 ∙ 𝑘 = |𝑘 ||𝑘 | cos 0° = 1
6. If two vectors are given in termsof unit vectors, say, 𝑎 =
(𝑥1 𝑖 + 𝑦1 𝑗 + 𝑧1𝑘 ) and 𝑏 = (𝑥2 𝑖 + 𝑦2 𝑗 +
𝑧2 𝑘 ), 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑏𝑦
𝑎 ∙ 𝑏 = 𝑥1 𝑥2 + 𝑦1 𝑦2 + 𝑧1 𝑧2

EXAMPLE 2.3

If 𝑎 = 6𝑖 + 8𝑗 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏 = 2𝑖 − 5𝑗, 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑑:

a. 𝑎 ∙ 𝑏
b. The angle between a and b when their tails are connected.

SOLUTION

a. Use the definition of the dot product in terms of components.

𝑎 ∙ 𝑏 = (6𝑖 + 8𝑗) ∙ (2𝑖 − 5𝑗)
= (6𝑖 ) ∙ (2𝑖 ) + (8𝑗) ∙ (−5𝑗)
= 12 − 40
= −28

𝑖 ∙ 𝑗 = 0, 𝑗 ∙ 𝑘 = 0, 𝑘 ∙ 𝑖 = 0

𝑖 ∙ 𝑖 = 01 𝑗 ∙ 𝑗 = 1

b. Use the other definition of the do product and solve for 𝜃

𝑎 ∙ 𝑏 = |𝑎||𝑏| cos 𝜃
𝑎∙𝑏 −28
𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = =
|𝑎||𝑏|
(√62 + 82 )(√22 + −52
𝜃 = 121.3°

GENERAL PHYSICS 1 WEEK #2: SEPTEMBER 7-11, 2020

 Figure 2.13
CROSS PRODUCT OF TWO VECTORS
1. For the second kind of product is the vector or Cross product. For two
vectors 𝑎 ∙ 𝑏, 𝑤𝑒 𝑤𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡 𝑎𝑠 𝑎 × 𝑏 and read
it as ‘a and b’. Unlkie the dot product, the cross product results to a
vector,The magnitudeof this vector is given by |𝑎 × 𝑏| =
|𝑎||𝑏| sin 𝜃
Where 𝜃 is the acute angle between the two vectors when
their tails are connected.
2. The vector 𝑎 × 𝑏points perpendicular to the plane where the vectors
and b lie (Figure 2.13). The specific direction is determined by the right-
hand grip rule: Swing your right hand from the direction of a to the
direction b. Your thumb points to the direction of 𝑎 × 𝑏.
3. An important application of the cross product is the torque 𝝉 on an
object. If a force F acts at a point on the object, a displacement 𝝉 from
the axis of rotation, then 𝝉 = 𝒓 × 𝑭

Figure 2.14
4. The cross product of vectors does not obey the commutative rule:
𝒂∙𝒃≠𝒃∙𝒂
In fact, 𝒂 ∙ 𝒃 = −(𝒃 ∙ 𝒂) but the cross product still obeys the
distributive rule and associative rule:
o Distributive rule:
𝒂 × (𝒃 + 𝒄) = (𝒂 × 𝒃) + (𝒂 × 𝒄)
o Associative rule:
𝒎(𝒂 × 𝒃) = 𝒎(𝒂) × 𝒃 = 𝒂 × (𝒎𝒃)𝒎 𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒂𝒓
5. The unit vectors i, j and k in Cartesian coordinates are perpendicular to each
other. Hence:
|𝒊 × 𝒊| = |𝒊||𝒊|𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝟎° = 𝟎, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒐 𝒊 × 𝒊 = 𝟎, 𝒋 × 𝒋 = 𝟎 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒌 × 𝒌 = 𝟎
ALSO:
|𝒊 × 𝒋| = |𝒊||𝒋|𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝟗𝟎° = 𝟏, |𝒋 × 𝒌| = |𝒋||𝒌|𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝟗𝟎° = 𝟏, |𝒌 × 𝒊|
= |𝒌||𝒊|𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝟗𝟎° = 𝟏

GENERAL PHYSICS 1 WEEK #2: SEPTEMBER 7-11, 2020

 The right-hand grip rule determines the direction of 𝑖 × 𝑗, 𝑗 × 𝑘, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑘 ×
𝑖. Figure 2.15 summarizes the results in a useful diagram.
6. If the vectors are in terms of unit vectors, say, 𝑎 = (𝑥1 𝑖 + 𝑦1 𝑗 +
𝑧1 𝑘 and = (𝑥2 𝑖 + 𝑦2 𝑗 + 𝑧2 𝑘 then the cross product is gven by
the matrix below.
𝑖 𝑗 𝑘
𝑎 × 𝑏 = 𝑥1 𝑦1 𝑧1
𝑥2 𝑦2 𝑧2

= (𝑦1 𝑧2 − 𝑦2 𝑧1 )i− (𝑥1 𝑧2 − 𝑥2 𝑧1 )𝒋 + (𝑥1 𝑦2 − 𝑥2 𝑦1 )𝒌

EXAMPLE 2.4

If 𝑎 = (2𝑖 + 6𝑗 − 5𝑘) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏 = (3𝑖 − 4𝑗 + 8𝑘), 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑑:

c. 𝑎 × 𝑏
SOLUTION

𝑖 𝑗 𝑘
𝑎×𝑏= 2 6 −5
3 −4 8
= [(6)(8) − (−4)(−5)]𝒊 − [(2)(8) − (3)(−5)𝒋 + [(2)(4) − (3)(6)]]𝒌

= 𝟐𝟖𝒊 − 𝟑𝟏𝒋 − 𝟐𝟔𝒌

EXERCISE NO. 2.3

1. Find the work done in each pair of force F and displacement : (15 pts)

(a) F=6 N (b) F=6 N

S=2.0 m S=5.0 m

F=6 N

120°
s=5.0 m
2. For each pair of vectors a and b, indicate if (i) 𝑎 × 𝑏 𝑎𝑛𝑑 (𝑖𝑖 )𝑏 ×
𝑎 points into the page or out of the page. (10 pts)
a. b.
b b

a
a
3. If 𝑎 = 2𝑖 + 4𝑗 − 𝑘 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏 = 3𝑖 − 2𝑗 + 4𝑘, 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑑 (𝑎)𝑎 ×
𝑏 , (𝑏)𝑏 × 𝑎. (5 points)

POINT: ____/ 30

GENERAL PHYSICS 1 WEEK #2: SEPTEMBER 7-11, 2020

 IMPORTANT CONCEPTS
 To add two vectors graphically, connect the head of one vectorto the tail of
the other vector then draw an arrow from the loose tail to the loose head.
 To convert vectors in component form to magnitude-angle form, and vice versa.
Make use of the Phytagorean theoren and SOHCAHTOA.
 The components of the sum of two vectors are equal to the sum of the
components of the individual vectors.
 To get the direction of 𝒂 × 𝒃, use the right-hand grip rule : Swing your right
handfrom the direction of a to the directionof b. Your thumbpoints to the
direction of 𝒂 × 𝒃

INSTRUCTION:

1. Submission. Upload the file in LMS. File should be named using this format:
(Last Name, First Name. Activity 2. Vectors) e.g. Dometita, Marynel. Activity
2. Vectors
2. Uploads are saved in our shared google drive “General Pysics 1”. Submission
date is open starting September 8 up until September 11, 2020.

References
Agapito, K. (2019). General Physics 1. Malaysia: Oxford Publishing.
General Physics 1. (2019). Samplaoc, Manila: Rex Bookstore Inc.

GENERAL PHYSICS 1 WEEK #2: SEPTEMBER 7-11, 2020

GENERAL PHYSICS 1 WEEK #2: SEPTEMBER 7-11, 2020