Lecture 1: Vectors

Part 1: Magnitude, Direction and Components

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the lecture, you should be able to:

• Differentiate between vector and scalar quantities,

• Calculate the components of a vector from its magnitude and direction
and vice versa, and
• Express a vector in component form or in bearing form.
Vector and Scalar Quantities
Scalar Quantities – quantities that are Vector Quantities – quantities that are
specified only by a single number specified by its magnitude and direction in
(magnitude) and its unit. space.

Examples: Examples:
Time Displacement
Distance Velocity
Speed Acceleration
Mass Force
Energy Momentum
Temperature Electric and Magnetic Fields
Pressure
Graphical Representation of a Vector
𝑦 • Notation: Letter with an arrowhead (e.g. 𝑨)

𝐴 𝑨 • Magnitude: indicated by the length of the

directed segment that represents the vector
• a positive scalar quantity,
Ԧ
• denoted by 𝐴 or |𝐴|.

𝜃
• Direction: indicated by an angle measured
𝑥 with respect to a reference axis.
Components of a Vector
𝑦
𝑨 𝒙-component of a vector:

𝐴𝑥 = 𝐴 cos 𝜃

𝐴𝑦 𝐴 𝒚-component of a vector:

𝐴𝑦 = 𝐴 sin 𝜃
𝜃
𝐴𝑥 𝑥 Note: The formulas above hold when
𝜃 is measured from the +𝑥-axis to
the vector itself.
Components of a Vector
Remarks:
• The component of a vector may be
(+) 𝑦 positive or negative depending on
which quadrant the vector lies.
II I
Quadrant x-component y-component
(+)
𝜃 I + +
𝑥 II − +
III − −
(−)
IV + −
III IV

(−)
Example 1: Eks-Way
(a) As shown in the Figure below, vector 𝑭 has a magnitude of 4.00 m and
is directed 𝜃 = 37.0° S of W. What are the x- and y-components of this
vector? (b) Suppose that you use the direction angle 𝜙 to get the
components of 𝑭, write down the formulas for the x- and y-components
in terms of 𝐹 and 𝜙 and calculate the components. Compare your results
with (a).

𝛼
Example 1: Eks-Way
Solution:
(a)

𝐹𝑥 = 𝐹 cos(180° + 37.0°)
𝐹𝑥 = 4.00 m cos 217.0°
𝐹𝑥 = −3.19454 … m
𝐹𝑥 = −3.19 m

𝛼
𝐹𝑦 = 𝐹 sin(180° + 37.0°)
𝐹𝑥 = 4.00 m sin 217.0°
𝐹𝑥 = −2.40726 … m
𝐹𝑦 = −2.41 m

Note: Make sure that your calculator is in DEGREE mode.

Example 1: Eks-Way
Solution:
(a) Alternative: Use the angle 𝛼.

𝐹𝑥 = −𝐹 cos 𝛼
𝐹𝑥 = − 4.00 m cos 37.0°
𝐹𝑥 = −3.19454 … m
𝐹𝑥 = −3.19 m

𝛼
𝐹𝑦 = −𝐹 sin 𝛼
𝐹𝑥 = 4.00 m sin 37.0°
𝐹𝑥 = −2.40726 … m 𝐹𝑥
𝐹𝑦 = −2.41 m 𝛼
𝐹𝑦
𝐹
Note: Make sure that your calculator is in DEGREE mode.
Example 1: Eks-Way
Solution:
(b) Use the angle 𝜙.

𝐹𝑥 = −𝐹 sin 𝜙
𝐹𝑥 = 4.00 m cos(90° − 37.0°)
𝐹𝑥 = −3.19454 … m
𝐹𝑥 = −3.19 m

𝛼
𝐹𝑦 = −𝐹 cos 𝜙
𝐹𝑥 = 4.00 m cos(90° − 37.0°)
𝐹𝑥 = −2.40726 … m
𝐹 𝜙
𝐹𝑦
𝐹𝑦 = −2.41 m
𝐹𝑥
Different form of formulas but same results as in (a).
Magnitude and Direction of a Vector
𝑦
𝑨 Magnitude:

𝐴= 𝐴2𝑥 + 𝐴2𝑦
𝐴𝑦 𝐴 Direction:

−1
𝐴𝑦
𝜃 𝜃 = tan
𝐴𝑥

𝐴𝑥 𝑥
CAUTION: The use of formula for 𝜃
may sometimes lead to an ambiguity.
The correct angle can be determined
based on the sign of components.
Bearing Form of a Vector Descriptions:
N • North of East (N of E)
• East of North (E of N)
𝑨 • North of West (N of W)
• West of North (W of N)
• South of West (S of W)
𝐴𝑦 𝐴 • West of South (W of S)
• East of South (E of S)
• South of East (S of E)
𝜃 A vector in bearing form is specified by its
W magnitude, direction angle and description of
𝐴𝑥 E reference of the angle.

For example, if 𝐴 = 10.0 N and 𝜃 = 30.0°,

S • 𝐴Ԧ = 10.0 N, 30.0° N of E, or
• 𝐴Ԧ = 10.0 N, 60.0° E of N
Example 2: Ang Bearing Mo Naman
Calculate the magnitude and direction angle of the following vector 𝑨 in
the figure below. Express 𝑨 in bearing form.
𝑦
𝐴𝑥 = 2.50 m
𝑥

𝐴𝑦 = −2.10 m

𝑨
Example 2: Ang Bearing Mo Naman
Solution:
• Magnitude:

𝐴= 𝐴2𝑥 + 𝐴2𝑦

𝐴= 2.50 m 2 + (−2.10 m)2

𝐴 = 3.26 m

• Direction:
𝐴𝑦 −2.10 m
𝜃= tan−1 = tan −1
𝐴𝑥 2.50 m
𝜃 = −40.0303° or 139.97°
Which is the correct angle?
Example 2: Ang Bearing Mo Naman
Solution:
• Tip: Check the signs of the components and identify
the right triangle containing 𝐴𝑥 , 𝐴𝑦 and 𝜃. 𝐴𝑥

Thus, the correct angle is 𝜃 = −40.0° −40.0°

𝐴𝑦
𝐴
In bearing form,

• 𝑨 = 3.26 m, −40.0° wrt + 𝑥-axis

• 𝑨 = 3.26 m, 40.0° S of E
• 𝑨 = 3.26 m, 50.0° E of S
Component Form of Vectors (2D)
𝑦
Unit vectors – vectors with unit magnitude
𝑨 and no unit. Its role is to describe direction.

In 2D rectangular coordinate system:

𝐴𝑦 • 𝒊Ƹ - unit vector along the x-axis.
• 𝒋Ƹ - unit vector along the y-axis.
𝒋Ƹ
Note: 𝒊Ƹ = 𝒋Ƹ = 1.
𝐴𝑥
A 2D vector (say 𝑨 in the figure) represented
𝒊Ƹ 𝑥
in component form is given by

𝑨 = 𝐴𝑥 𝒊Ƹ + 𝐴𝑦 𝒋Ƹ
Component Form of Vectors (3D)
𝑧
In 3D rectangular coordinate system:
• 𝒊Ƹ - unit vector along the x-axis.
𝑨
• 𝒋Ƹ - unit vector along the y-axis.
• 𝒌෡ - unit vector along the y-axis.
෡
𝒌
෡ = 1.
Note: 𝒊Ƹ = 𝒋Ƹ = |𝒌|
𝒋Ƹ
𝑦
A 3D vector (say 𝑨 in the figure) represented
𝒊Ƹ in component form is given by

𝑥 ෡
𝑨 = 𝐴𝑥 𝒊Ƹ + 𝐴𝑦 𝒋Ƹ + 𝐴𝑧 𝒌
Example 3: Pormang Komponent
Express the following vectors in component form.
(a) 𝑭 = 5.50 m, 53.1° N of W
(b) 𝑽 = 7.30 m, 25.0° W of S
𝑦

𝑭
53.1°
𝑥

𝑽
25.0°
Example 3: Pormang Komponent
Solution:
(a)
𝐹𝑥 = −𝐹 cos 53.1°
𝐹𝑥 = − 5.50 m cos 53.1° 𝑦
𝐹𝑥 = −3.3023 … m
𝐹𝑥 = −3.30 m 𝑨
53.1°
𝐹𝑦 = 𝐹 sin 53.1° 𝑥
𝐹𝑦 = 5.50 m sin 53.1°
𝐹𝑦 = 4.3983 … m
𝑽
25.0°
𝐹𝑦 = 4.40 m

𝑭 = −3.30 m 𝒊Ƹ + 4.40 m 𝒋Ƹ
Example 3: Pormang Komponent
Solution:
(b)
𝑉𝑥 = −𝑉 cos 65.0°
𝑉𝑥 = − 7.30 m cos 65.0° 𝑦
𝑉𝑥 = −3.0851 … m
𝑉𝑥 = −3.09 m 𝑨
53.1°
𝑉𝑦 = −𝑉 sin 65.0° 𝑥
𝑉𝑦 = − 7.30 m sin 65.0°
𝑉𝑦 = −6.6160 … m
𝑽
25.0°
𝑉𝑦 = −6.62 m

𝑽 = −3.09 m 𝒊Ƹ − 6.62 m 𝒋Ƹ
 Lecture 1: Vectors
Part 2: Vector Addition and Subtraction
Learning Outcomes

At the end of the lecture, you should be able to:

• Visualize vector addition and subtraction using graphical method;

• Add or subtract vectors using the component method;
Vector Addition: Graphical Method

𝑨 𝑩

𝑪 𝑫
Consider two parallel vectors 𝑨 and 𝑩, and anti-parallel vectors 𝑪 and 𝑫. What is the sum 𝑨 + 𝑩 and
𝑪 + 𝑫?
Vector Addition: Graphical Method
Graphical Method: Head-to-Tail Method

Step 1: Draw the first vector appearing in the sum.

Step 2: Draw the second vector such that its tail coincides with the head of the first vector.
Step 3: Draw a directed line segment from the tail of the first vector to the head of the second
vector. This segment represents the vector sum.

𝑨+𝑩 𝑪+𝑫 𝑫

𝑨 𝑩 𝑪
Vector Addition: Graphical Method

𝑩
𝑨

Consider two non-collinear vectors 𝑨 and 𝑩. What is the sum 𝑨 + 𝑩?

Vector Addition: Graphical Method
Graphical Method: Head-to-Tail Method

Step 1: Draw the first vector appearing in the sum.

Step 2: Draw the second vector such that its tail coincides with the head of the first vector.
Step 3: Draw a directed line segment from the tail of the first vector to the head of the second
vector. This segment represents the vector sum.

𝑨+𝑩 𝑩

𝑨
Vector Addition: Graphical Method
Head-to-Tail Method: Adding More Than Two Vectors

𝑨 𝑩 𝑪

𝑨+𝑩+𝑪 𝑪

𝑨
Vector Addition: Graphical Method
𝑦

𝑨
𝐴 𝑦 𝒋Ƹ 𝐴 𝑦 𝒋Ƹ 𝑨 = 𝐴𝑥 𝒊Ƹ + 𝐴𝑦 𝒋Ƹ

𝜃
𝐴𝑥 𝒊Ƹ 𝑥
Vector Addition: Component Method
Component Method of Vector Addition
Components of the resultant vector:

𝑅𝑥 = 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵𝑥

𝑅𝑦 = 𝐴𝑦 + 𝐵𝑦
𝐵𝑦
𝑩
𝑅𝑦 Component form of resultant vector:

𝐴𝑦
𝑹 = 𝑅𝑥 𝒊Ƹ + 𝑅𝑦 𝒋Ƹ
𝑨
𝐴𝑥 𝐵𝑥
𝑅𝑥
Vector Addition: Component Method
Component Method of Vector Addition

Components of the resultant vector:

𝑅𝑥 = 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵𝑥 + 𝐶𝑥

𝐶𝑦 𝑅𝑦 = 𝐴𝑦 + 𝐵𝑦 + 𝐶𝑦
𝑪
𝑅𝑦

𝐵𝑦 𝑩 Component form of resultant vector:

𝑨
𝐴𝑦 𝑹 = 𝑅𝑥 𝒊Ƹ + 𝑅𝑦 𝒋Ƹ
𝐴𝑥 𝐵𝑥 𝐶𝑥

𝑅𝑥
Vector Addition: Component Method
Generalization of Component Method of Vector Addition

Consider 𝑁 vectors 𝑨𝒊 with component forms given by

෡
𝑨1 = 𝐴1𝑥 𝒊Ƹ + 𝐴1𝑦 𝒋Ƹ + 𝐴1𝑧 𝒌
෡
𝑨2 = 𝐴2𝑥 𝒊Ƹ + 𝐴2𝑦 𝒋Ƹ + 𝐴2𝑧 𝒌

⋯
෡
𝑨𝑁 = 𝐴𝑁𝑥 𝒊Ƹ + 𝐴𝑁𝑦 𝒋Ƹ + 𝐴𝑁𝑧 𝒌

The resultant vector 𝑹 = 𝑨𝟏 + 𝑨𝟐 + 𝑨𝟑 + ⋯ + 𝑨𝑵 in component form is given by

෡
𝑹 = 𝐴1𝑥 + 𝐴2𝑥 + ⋯ + 𝐴𝑁𝑥 𝒊Ƹ + 𝐴1𝑦 + 𝐴2𝑦 + ⋯ + 𝐴𝑁𝑦 𝒋Ƹ + 𝐴1𝑧 + 𝐴2𝑧 + ⋯ + 𝐴𝑁𝑧 𝒌
Lecture 2B: Example 1
Consider the following three displacement vectors:
𝑫 = 20.0 cm , 37.0° N of W
𝑭 = 20.0 cm , 30.0° S of W
Obtain the resultant vector 𝑫 + 𝑭. Express the resultant vector in component form and
in bearing form.
Lecture 2B: Example 2
During the morning exercise, a man walks such that his journey is composed of four
straight-line displacements. The path that he takes in the entire journey is shown
below. What is the resultant displacement of the man as measured from the starting
point?
Key Point: Addition of several vectors
• The component method is applicable in
adding more than two vectors.
Lecture 2B: Example 2
Solution:
• Obtain the x- and y- components of each vector.

Vector x-component y-component

𝑨 𝐴𝑥 = (100. m) cos 0° 𝐴𝑦 = (100. m) sin 0°
𝑩 𝐵𝑥 = (300. m) cos 270° 𝐵𝑦 = (300. m) sin 270°
𝑪 𝐶𝑥 = (150. m) cos 210.0° 𝐶𝑦 = (150. m) sin 210.0°
𝑫 𝐷𝑥 = (200. m) cos 120.0° 𝐷𝑦 = (200. m) sin 120.0°
Lecture 2B: Example 2
Solution:
• Obtain the x- and y- components of each vector.

Vector x-component y-component

𝑨 𝐴𝑥 = 100 m 𝐴𝑦 = 0.00 m
𝑩 𝐵𝑥 = 0.00 m 𝐵𝑦 = −300 m
𝑪 𝐶𝑥 = −129.904 m 𝐶𝑦 = −75.00 m
𝑫 𝐷𝑥 = −100 m 𝐷𝑦 = 173.205 m

• Obtain the x- and y- components of the resultant displacement.

𝑹 𝑅𝑥 = −129. 904 m 𝑅𝑦 = −201. 795 m

Lecture 2B: Example 2
Solution:
• Resultant vector in component form:

𝑹
𝑹 = −(130. m 𝒊Ƹ + 202. m 𝒋)Ƹ

• Obtain the magnitude and direction of the resultant.

𝑅= −129. 904 m 2 + −201. 795 m 2

𝑅 = 240. m
𝑅𝑦 −201.795 [m]
𝜃𝑅 = arctan = arctan
𝑅𝑥 −129.904 [m]

𝜃𝑅 = 57.2° S of W or 𝜃𝑅 = 237° wrt to +x-axis

𝑹 = 240. m, 57.2° S of W
References
References:
• H. D. Young and R. D. Freedman. Sears and Zemansky’s University Physics
with Modern Physics Technology Update, 14th ed., 2016.
• R. Serway, J. Jewett, Physics for Scientists and Engineers 9th Edition