Paññãsastra International School Chapter 3 Vectors and Scalars

CHAPTER 3 VECTORS AND SCALARS

3-1: VECTORS AND SCALARS
▪ Scalar is the one which has both value and its unit, without direction.
Ex:

▪ Vector is the one which has the exact direction.

Ex:

▪ Vector quantity is the one which has both scalar and direction.
Ex:

Note:

Scalars Vectors P2
Distance Displacement Displacement vector s
Speed Velocity
Length of path = distance d
Time Acceleration
Mass Force P1
Energy Momentum
Figure 3-1

Prepared by RIEN RITHY, Physics lecturer Tel: 089 839 135/096 541 0052 Email: [email protected] Page | 46
Paññãsastra International School Chapter 3 Vectors and Scalars

3-2: VECTOR ADDITION

Suppose a body undergoes a displacement A, followed by a second displacement B (Figure 3-2). We call C the
vector sum, or resultant, of displacements A and B.
C=A+B
B
A B
B
C=A+B A C=A+B A C=A+B

(a) (b) (c)

Figure 3-2
EXAMPLE 3-1 Distance and displacement
A runner runs 4.0 km east, and then she runs 3.0 km north. (a) What distance does she run? (b) What is her
displacement (change in position) during the run?
SOLUTION 3-1

EXAMPLE 3-1 Distance and displacement

A driver drives 10.0 km west, and then she runs 30.0 km north. (a) What is the total distance? (b) What is the
displacement? (c) if the driving time is 25 mn, what is the average speed and average velocity?
SOLUTION 3-1

Prepared by RIEN RITHY, Physics lecturer Tel: 089 839 135/096 541 0052 Email: [email protected] Page | 47
Paññãsastra International School Chapter 3 Vectors and Scalars
EXAMPLE 3-1 Distance and displacement
A car was driving with constant velocity of 100 km/h in 2 mn due west, and then continuing with 0.5 m/s2 in 5
mn due north and stoped. (a) What is the total distance? (b) What is the displacement? (c) What is the average
speed and average velocity?
SOLUTION 3-1

3-3 MULTIPLYING A VECTOR BY A SCALAR

A vector V can be multiplied by a scalar k. We define their product so that kV has the same direction as V and
has magnitude kV.
F 2F −1.5F

Figure 3.3: Multiplying a vector by a scalar

3-3: COMPONENTS OF VECTORS
A = Ax + A y

A
Ay
y- component of A


x
x- component of A Ax

Figure 3-4
The magnitudes of the two component vectors are related to the Trigonometric Theorem
Ax
= cos   Ax = A cos 
A
Ay
= sin   Ay = A sin 
A
and
Ay
= tan   Ay = Ax tan 
Ax

Prepared by RIEN RITHY, Physics lecturer Tel: 089 839 135/096 541 0052 Email: [email protected] Page | 48
Paññãsastra International School Chapter 3 Vectors and Scalars

3.4 ADDING VECTORS USING COMPONENTS

We can describe a vector completely by giving either its magnitude and direction or its x- and y-
components. By applying the Pythagorean Theorem to the vector in Figure 3-4 we find that the magnitude
of the vector A is given by
A= Ax + Ay
2 2

The direction of vector A

 Ay 
tan  =  
 Ax 

 Ay 
hence  = arctan 


 Ax 
Figure 3-5 shows two vectors A and B and their vector sum R, along with the x- and y-components of the
three vectors. You can see from the diagram that the x-component Rx of the vector sum is simply the sum
(Ax + Bx) of the x-components of the vectors being added. The same is true for the y-components. In
symbols,

Rx = Ax + Bx
and
Ry = Ay + By
that is, we have the components of R.
y

By
R
Ry

A
Ay

x
Ax Bx
Rx

Figure 3-5

In general, let R be the vector sum of A, B, C, D, . . . Then the components of R are

Rx = Ax + Bx + Cx + Dx + . . .
and
Ry = Ay + By + Cy + Dy + . . .

EXAMPLE 3-2 Component method of adding vectors

Prepared by RIEN RITHY, Physics lecturer Tel: 089 839 135/096 541 0052 Email: [email protected] Page | 49
Paññãsastra International School Chapter 3 Vectors and Scalars
Find the resultant of the two vectors shown in Fig 3-6, both magnitude and direction. The units of the
vectors are (arbitrary).
5.0
36.9o
6.0
Figure 3-6
SOLUTION 3-2

EXAMPLE 3-3 Mail carrier’s displacement

A rural mail carrier leaves the post office and drives 22.0 km in a northerly direction. She then drives in a
direction 60.0° south of east for 47.0 km (Fig. 3–12). What is her displacement from the post office?
SOLUTION 3-3

Fig. 3-12

EXAMPLE 3-4 Three short trips

An airplane trip involves three legs, with two stopovers, as shown in Fig. 3–13. The first leg is due east for 620
km; the second leg is southeast (45°) for 440 km; and the third leg is at 53° south of west, for 550 km, as shown.
What is the plane’s total displacement?

Prepared by RIEN RITHY, Physics lecturer Tel: 089 839 135/096 541 0052 Email: [email protected] Page | 50
Paññãsastra International School Chapter 3 Vectors and Scalars
SOLUTION 3-4

Fig. 3.13

3.5: VECTOR SUBTRACTION

We take the very important example of a body moving in a circle with a constant speed v. Since the direction of
the velocity v is changing, there must also be a change in the velocity of v, even though the speed is constant.
The change v in v is given by
v = v2 − v1

where v2 represents the final velocity and v1 represents the initial velocity.

Figure 3-9(a) shows a particle moving with constant speed v in a circle, and we want to find the magnitude and
direction of the change v in the velocity. Fig.3-9(b) shows the vector diagram used to solve the vector equation
v = v2 – v1.
v1

v
v
O v2
− v1

v2
(a) (b)
Figure 3-7

Prepared by RIEN RITHY, Physics lecturer Tel: 089 839 135/096 541 0052 Email: [email protected] Page | 51
Paññãsastra International School Chapter 3 Vectors and Scalars
As we have the average acceleration a of the particle is defined by the equation a = v/t, that is,
 
v 2 − v1
a=
t
and we can see that the v vector is directed towards the centre of the circle and has magnitude 2v (Figure 3-
7), thus the acceleration of the particle is also directed towards the centre of the circle and is given by
 
v 2 − v1 2v
a= = .
t t

EXAMPLE 3-5 Car travelling in a circle with constant speed

A car is travelling with a constant speed of 20 m/s in a circle of radius 50 m. Calculate the average acceleration
of the car during the time it takes to complete a quarter-circle (90o).
SOLUTION

EXAMPLE 3-5 Heading upstream

A boat’s speed in still water is vBW = 1.85 m / s . If the boat is to travel north directly across a river whose
westward current has speed vws = 1.20 m / s , at what upstream angle must the boat head? (See Fig. 3–21.)
SOLUTION

Fig.3 − 21

Prepared by RIEN RITHY, Physics lecturer Tel: 089 839 135/096 541 0052 Email: [email protected] Page | 52
Paññãsastra International School Chapter 3 Vectors and Scalars

QUESTIONS
1. A book is moved once around the perimeter of a table of dimensions 1 m  2 m. If the book ends up at its
initial position, what is its displacement? What is the distance travelled?

2. If a vector B is added to a vector A, under what condition does the resultant vector have a magnitude equal to
A + B? Under what conditions is the resultant vector equal to zero?

3. The magnitudes of two vectors A and B are A = 5 units and B = 2 units. Find the largest and smallest values
possible for the resultant vector R = A + B.

4. A vector A lies in the x-y plane. For what orientations (positions) of A will both rectangular components be
negative? For what orientations will its components have opposite signs?

5. Which of the following are vectors and which are not: force, temperature, the volume of water in a can, the
ratings of a TV show, the height of a building, the velocity of a car, the age of the universe, the speed of a
car?

6. One car travels due east at 40 km/h, and a second car travels north at the same speed. Are their velocities
equal?

Prepared by RIEN RITHY, Physics lecturer Tel: 089 839 135/096 541 0052 Email: [email protected] Page | 53
Paññãsastra International School Chapter 3 Vectors and Scalars
7. Is the distance a bus travels to Sihanoukville equal to, greater than or less than its displacement?

8. Can the magnitude of a particle’s displacement be greater than the distance travelled?

9. During soccer practice, Beckham kicks a ball very high then runs forward and catches it. Which had the
greater displacement, Beckham or the soccer ball?

10. Two vectors have length V1 = 3.5 km and V2 = 4.0 km. What are their maximum and minimum vector
sums?

11. Can a particle with constant speed be accelerating? What if it has constant velocity?

Prepared by RIEN RITHY, Physics lecturer Tel: 089 839 135/096 541 0052 Email: [email protected] Page | 54
Paññãsastra International School Chapter 3 Vectors and Scalars

PROBLEMS
1. A car is driven 100 km west and then 20 km southwest. What is the displacement of the car from the point of
origin (magnitude and direction)? Draw a diagram.
[Answer: 115 km, 7.1o S of W West of South]

2. V is a vector 14.3 units in magnitude and points at an angle 34.8o above the negative x-axis. (a) Sketch this
vector. (b) Find Vx and Vy. (c) Use Vx and Vy to obtain (again) the magnitude and direction of V. [Answer: Note:
(b) Ax = 11.7, Ay = 8.16. Part (c) is a good way to check if you’ve resolved your vector correctly].

3. If Vx = 8.80 units and Vy = −6.40 units, determine the magnitude and direction of V.
[Answer: 10.9 at 36.0o below + x-axis]

Prepared by RIEN RITHY, Physics lecturer Tel: 089 839 135/096 541 0052 Email: [email protected] Page | 55
Paññãsastra International School Chapter 3 Vectors and Scalars
4. Fig. 3-10 below shows two vectors A and B, whose magnitudes are A = 6.3 units and B = 3.5 units.
Determine C if (a) C = A + B, (b) C = A – B, (c) C = B – A. Give magnitude and direction for each.
[Answer: (a) 2.8, + x; (b) 9.8, + x; (c) 9.8, − x]

A B
x

Figure 3-10

5. Vector V1 is 6 units long and points along the negative x-axis. Vector V2 is 4.5 units long and points 45o
above the positive x-axis. (a) What are the x- and y- components of each vector? (b) Determine the sum of the
two vectors (magnitude and angle). [Answer: (a) V1x = – 6.00 units, V1y = 0 unit, V1x = 3.18 units, V2y = 3.2units;
(b) 9.72 4.25 units at 19.1o 48.43o above the - x-axis].

Prepared by RIEN RITHY, Physics lecturer Tel: 089 839 135/096 541 0052 Email: [email protected] Page | 56
Paññãsastra International School Chapter 3 Vectors and Scalars
6. Three vectors are shown in the figure below. Their magnitudes are given in arbitrary units. Determine the
sum of the three vectors. Give the resultant in terms of (a) components, (b) magnitude and angle from the x-
axis. [Answer: (a) Rx = 24.1, Ry = 11.7; (b) 26.8 at 25.9o]

B (B = 27) A (A = 44.0)

60o 30o

C (C = 31.0)

Figure 3-11

Prepared by RIEN RITHY, Physics lecturer Tel: 089 839 135/096 541 0052 Email: [email protected] Page | 57
Paññãsastra International School Chapter 3 Vectors and Scalars
7. (a) Given the vectors A and B in the figure in Problem 6, determine C = B – A. (b) Determine C = A – B
without using your answer in (a). Then compare your results and see if they are opposite.
[Answer: (a) 53.6 at 1.39o above – x; 53.6 at 1.39o below + x]

8. The addition of vectors by the component method. Find the resultant of the following four vectors:

A = 100 θ1 = 30o
B = 200 θ2 = 60o
C = 75.0 θ3 = 140o
D = 150 θ4 = 250o

Prepared by RIEN RITHY, Physics lecturer Tel: 089 839 135/096 541 0052 Email: [email protected] Page | 58
Paññãsastra International School Chapter 3 Vectors and Scalars
9. Find the resultant of the following three vectors. The magnitudes of the vectors are a = 5.00 km, b = 10.0 km,
and c = 20.0 km. y

b
a

50 30
x' x

20

c
y'
Figure 3-12

10. Find the resultant of the following three forces. The magnitudes of the forces are F1 = 2.00 N, F2 = 8.00 N,
and F3 = 6.00 N. y

F1
40
x' x
20
50
F3

F2

y'
Figure 3-13

Prepared by RIEN RITHY, Physics lecturer Tel: 089 839 135/096 541 0052 Email: [email protected] Page | 59
Paññãsastra International School Chapter 3 Vectors and Scalars
11. There are 4 tigers, in figure 3-14, who compete for a musk deer. Find the resultant of the following three
forces. The magnitudes of the forces are F1 = 2.00 N, F2 = 8.00 N, F3 = 6.00 N and F4 = 12.0 N.
y

F4
F1
40
44
x' x
20
50
F3

F2

y'
Figure 3-14

12. A chimpanzee sitting against his favorite tree gets up and walks 51 m due east and 39 m due south to reach
a termite mound, where he eats lunch. (a) What is the shortest distance between the tree and the termite
mound? (b) What angle does the shortest distance make with respect to due east?

Prepared by RIEN RITHY, Physics lecturer Tel: 089 839 135/096 541 0052 Email: [email protected] Page | 60
Paññãsastra International School Chapter 3 Vectors and Scalars
13. A highway is to be built between two towns, one of which lies 35.0 km south and 72.0 km west of the
other. What is the shortest length of highway that can be built between the two towns, and at what angle
would this highway be directed with respect to due west?
14. A monkey is chained to a stake in the ground. The stake is 3.00 m from a vertical pole, and the chain is
3.40 m long. How high can the monkey climb up the pole?
15. The drawing shows a person looking at a building on top of which an antenna is mounted. The horizontal
distance between the person’s eyes and the building is 85.0 m. In part a the person is looking at the base of
the antenna, and his line of sight makes an angle of 35o with the horizontal. In part b the person is looking
at the top of the antenna, and his line of sight makes an angle of 38o with the horizontal. How tall is the
antenna?

Fig. 3.15

Prepared by RIEN RITHY, Physics lecturer Tel: 089 839 135/096 541 0052 Email: [email protected] Page | 61
Paññãsastra International School Chapter 3 Vectors and Scalars
16. The two hot-air balloons in the drawing are 48.2 and 61.0 m above the ground. A person in the left balloon
observes that the right balloon is 13.3o above the horizontal. What is the horizontal distance x between the
two balloons?

Fig.3.16

Vector Addition and Subtraction

17. Two ropes are attached to a heavy box to pull it along the floor. One rope applies a force of 475 newtons in
a direction due west; the other applies a force of 315 newtons in a direction due south. As we will see later
in the text, force is a vector quantity. (a) How much force should be applied by a single rope, and (b) in
what direction (relative to due west), if it is to accomplish the same effect as the two forces added together?

Prepared by RIEN RITHY, Physics lecturer Tel: 089 839 135/096 541 0052 Email: [email protected] Page | 62
Paññãsastra International School Chapter 3 Vectors and Scalars

18. Vector A has a magnitude of 63 units and points due west, while vector B has the same magnitude and
points due south. Find the magnitude and direction of (a) A + B and (b) A − B . Specify the directions
relative to due west.
19. Consider the following four force vectors:
F1 = 50.0 newtons, due east
F2 = 10.0 newtons, due east
F3 = 40.0 newtons, due west
F4 = 30.0 newtons, due west
Which two vectors add together to give a resultant with the smallest magnitude, and which two vectors add
to give a resultant with the largest magnitude? In each case specify the magnitude and direction of the
resultant.
20. A car is being pulled out of the mud by two forces that are applied by the two ropes shown in the drawing.
The dashed line in the drawing bisects the 30o angle. The magnitude of the force applied by each rope is
2900 newtons. Arrange the force vectors tail to head and use the graphical technique to answer the
following questions. (a) How much force would a single rope need to apply to accomplish the same effect
as the two forces added together? (b) How would the single rope be directed relative to the dashed line?

Fig.3.17

Prepared by RIEN RITHY, Physics lecturer Tel: 089 839 135/096 541 0052 Email: [email protected] Page | 63
Paññãsastra International School Chapter 3 Vectors and Scalars

21. Your friend has slipped and fallen. To help her up, you pull with a force F , as the drawing shows. The
vertical component of this force is 130 newtons, and the horizontal component is 150 newtons. Find (a) the
magnitude of F and (b) the angle  .

Fig. 3.18

22. The components of vector A are Ax and Ay (both positive), and the angle that it makes with respect to the
positive x axis is  . Find the angle  if the components of the displacement vector A are (a) Ax = 12 m
and Ay = 12 m , (b) Ax = 17 m and Ay = 12 m , and (c) Ax = 12 m and Ay = 17 m .

Prepared by RIEN RITHY, Physics lecturer Tel: 089 839 135/096 541 0052 Email: [email protected] Page | 64
Paññãsastra International School Chapter 3 Vectors and Scalars

23. A sailboat race course consists of four legs, defined by the displacement vectors A , B , C , and D , as the
drawing indicates. The magnitudes of the first three vectors are A = 3.20 km, B = 5.10 km, and C = 4.80
km. The finish line of the course coincides with the starting line. Using the data in the drawing, find the
distance of the fourth leg and the angle  .

Fig. 3.19

24. Multiple-Concept provides background pertinent to this problem. The magnitudes of the four displacement
vectors shown in the drawing are A = 16.0 m, B =11.0 m, C = 12.0 m, and D = 26.0 m. Determine the
magnitude and directional angle for the resultant that occurs when these vectors are added together.

Fig. 3.20

Prepared by RIEN RITHY, Physics lecturer Tel: 089 839 135/096 541 0052 Email: [email protected] Page | 65
Paññãsastra International School Chapter 3 Vectors and Scalars

25. Three forces are applied to an object, as indicated in the drawing. Force F1 has a magnitude of 21.0
newtons (21.0 N) and is directed 30.0° to the left of the +y axis. Force F2 has a magnitude of 15.0 N and
points along the +x axis. What must be the magnitude and direction (specified by the angle in the drawing)
of the third force F3 such that the vector sum of the three forces is 0 N?

Fig. 3.21

26. At a picnic, there is a contest in which hoses are used to shoot water at a beach ball from three directions.
As a result, three forces act on the ball, F1 , F2 , and F3 (see the drawing). The magnitudes of F1 and F2
are F1 = 50.0 newtons and F2 = 90.0 newtons. Using a scale drawing and the graphical technique,
determine (a) the magnitude of F3 and (b) the angle  such that the resultant force acting on the ball is
zero.

Fig. 3.22

Prepared by RIEN RITHY, Physics lecturer Tel: 089 839 135/096 541 0052 Email: [email protected] Page | 66
Paññãsastra International School Chapter 3 Vectors and Scalars

27. A person is standing at the edge of the water and looking out at the ocean (see the drawing). The height of
the person’s eyes above the water is and the radius of the earth is (a) How far is it to the horizon? In other
words, what is the distance d from the person’s eyes to the horizon? (Note: At the horizon the angle
between the line of sight and the radius of the earth is 90o.) (b) Express this distance in miles.

Fig. 3.23

Prepared by RIEN RITHY, Physics lecturer Tel: 089 839 135/096 541 0052 Email: [email protected] Page | 67