Previous Lecture

▪ Significant Figures: Final answers should be

expressed with number of significant
figures of the given
quantities.

▪ Scientific Notation:
▪ Conversion of Units: Know the connecting
conversion factors
▪ Dimension Analysis:
1. Neglect/remove constants.
2. Arrange equation according to the target variable.
3. Plug in the given units of other variables.

Lecture 02 - Vector Quantities 1

1
Review
1. In a foreign land, 1 boom = 10.95 meters and
1 tarat =0.53 seconds. What is the acceleration
20.0 m/s2 in units of boom/(tarat)2.

boom
ANSWER: 0.51
tarat 2

2. Determine the unit of the quantity C in the equation

1 𝐵
𝐴=
2 𝐶
where A is in [m/s] and B is in [m].

ANSWER:
[𝑠 2 ]
Lecture 02 - Vector Quantities 2

2
 PHYSICS 71 – ELEMENTARY PHYSICS I
CHAPTER 2 VECTOR QUANTITIES
LECTURE
Vector Quantities
02

University of the Philippines Diliman

College of Science
N a t i o n a l In s t i t u t e o f P h y s i c s

As I have mentioned in the previous lecture, there are different physical quantities
that describe the nature of physical phenomena. We define them by ascribing a
number that tells us how strong an interaction is, or how fast an object is moving.
There are other ways by which one can describe these phenomena.

However, in this lecture, we will categorize these quantities into general categories
according to how we define them. In brief, physical quantities could either have a
magnitude (how strong, how fast, how bright etc.), or a combination of magnitude
and direction (how fast is it going in this direction, how strong the pull that it feels
toward a general direction). These are either called a scalar or a vector quantity,
respectively.

3
 Objectives
At the end of this session, you should be able to:
□ Differentiate vector and scalar quantities.
□ Express a vector from magnitude-direction
form to component form and vice versa.
□ Perform addition of vectors.

Lecture 02 - Vector Quantities 4

4
 Scalar vs Vector
▪ A scalar is a quantity that is described by its
magnitude: a number and its corresponding
unit
EXAMPLE

mass = 5 kg
time = 60 s

Lecture 02 - Vector Quantities 5

Simply put, there are quantities that are described purely by a number (magnitude);
and some that are described with a number that is oriented to some direction. This is
particularly useful in describing motion since we may want to describe if we’re
moving to the left of to the right (in one dimension), or if we’re moving northeast (in
two dimensions).

The first classification is a scalar quantity. These are physical quantities that are purely
described by a number (with an appropriate unit). Examples are mass, time, altitude,
and temperature.

5
 Scalar vs Vector
▪ A vector is a quantity that has both magnitude
and direction

magnitude direction

Lecture 02 - Vector Quantities 6

A vector is a directed magnitude. For example, if you wish to tell someone that
something’s about to hit him, say a grocery pushcart, you will not tell him “45 m/s.”
Rather, you’d tell him that the cart is approaching him from his left at a rate of 45 m/s
(if you have an actual way to do this! *brings out speed gun* *points gun at the cart
instead of helping him get out of the cart’s way*)

You can see in the example above that vectors are normally represented as an arrow,
overlaid on a reference system like your directional compass (N E W S). Notice, that
these quantities are described using two quantities: its length (45 [m]), and its
direction (to the east, 26 deg north of east).

6
 Vector Notation
▪ Handwritten notation:

vԦ vറ
▪ Typeset:

𝑉 𝑽
Lecture 02 - Vector Quantities 7

Reading equations could be tricky. If you want to differentiate a scalar from vector,
you would need a special notation. Vectors are usually written with an arrow head at
the top of the letter. If you’re writing using a computer, it can either be represented
with the arrow notation, or a bold typeface. Please take note that these notations are
IMPORTANT. In writing equations, you can easily know that something wrong is going
on when you equate scalars and vectors, say

𝐹റ = 𝑀𝑎

In this expression, the left hand side of the equation is a vector, while the RHS is a
scalar. In its proper form, this equation should be written as,

𝐹റ = 𝑀𝑎റ

or alternatively,

F = Ma.

7
 Vector Representation
1. Bearing N

y
W E
2. Components
S

Bearing
▪ Magnitude
▪ Direction angle 45𝑜
x
Displacement vector

Lecture 02 - Vector Quantities 8

We can either write vectors in (1) bearing form, or (2) unit vector (component) form.
Let me discuss these before we look at them closely.

In navigation, one would normally encounter descriptions that use the NEWS
compass description. If an observer wish to say that an object is 10 meters ahead,
he’d declare that the object is located 10 meters due North. Keep in mind that this
description is unique to him alone. Whatever lies North of Observer 1, would be
different to an Observer 2 beside him. Hence, it is always important to identify a
reference in every vector description. Quantities described with the compass
directions are in their bearing form.

For the next representation, say you’re blind folded in a game where you must locate
an object by following their instructions. After a series of instructions of 5 lefts, 4
rights, and 2 ups, you are located 1 left step and 2 forward steps from your original
position. Describing your position using this method is the same as writing a vector
in component form. You are basically breaking down the direction into independent
reference directions (e.g., up, down, left, right), and the magnitude along those
directions in terms of unit steps. This will be discussed in later slides.

8
 Vector Magnitude
▪ Magnitude of vector 𝐴Ԧ

𝐴Ԧ 𝑜𝑟 𝐴

EXAMPLE
y N

W E
Given the following vectors:
S
𝑥2
Corresponding magnitudes
x
𝑥1
Lecture 02 - Vector Quantities 9

The magnitude of a vector can either be written inside a vertical bar notation or
simply in terms of the symbol without an arrow.

9
 Vector Addition

𝐶Ԧ = 𝐴Ԧ + 𝐵
▪ 𝐶Ԧ is the vector sum or resultant
▪ Graphical way: “tail-to-head method”

Lecture 02 - Vector Quantities 10

Often, when describing physical systems influenced by different sources, there would
be a need to add the effects; and, if we are dealing with interactions resulting to
directed quantities (like forces), we need to know how to add vectors. A common
method used in doing such an operation is the “tail-to-head” method.

The “tail-to-head” method is a graphical method used to add two vectors by placing
the “tail” or the end of one vector to the “head” or the tip of another. By connecting
the free ends of these vectors, we end up with a resultant vector as illustrated.

You can better understand this by returning back to our blindfold game. You can think
of two vectors as two sets of successive instructions. Say, you were asked to move
two units forward and one unit to your right, that can be thought of as vector 𝐴റ in the
figure above. If another friend tells you to move another step to your right, that
would be vector 𝐵 in the illustration. Your final position, with respect to your original
റ
position, is then described a position vector 𝐶.

10
 Negative of a Vector

▪ Negative of a vector is just a vector with the same

magnitude but opposite in direction
▪ This means we can perform vector subtraction.

Source: Young and Freedman, University Physics, 13th ed.

Lecture 02 - Vector Quantities 11

As in doing subtraction between two numbers, subtraction operations on vectors can

be thought of adding a negative vector to another. The negative of a vector 𝐴റ is just
another vector 𝐶റ that is directed opposite (or anti-parallel) to it.

11
 Vector Addition

𝐴Ԧ + 𝐵 = 𝐶Ԧ
is not the same as

𝐴+𝐵 =𝐶
▪ Treat vectors as quantities with a different arithmetic
from scalar quantities.

Lecture 02 - Vector Quantities 12

Remember that adding two vectors is different from adding two scalars. If two
vectors are in bearing form, you cannot simply add them by adding the magnitudes or
by simply adding their angular direction. This can be easily seen by performing a
graphical vector addition.

12
 Components of Vectors
▪ Unit vectors: vectors of magnitude 1
▪ 2D:

y 𝑖Ƹ
unit vector along the x-axis
𝑗Ƹ

𝑖Ƹ
x 𝑗Ƹ
unit vector along the y-axis

Lecture 02 - Vector Quantities 13

In the blindfold game, in order to lead you where you have to go, you are guided with
well-defined directions (up, down, left, and right). You cannot define what “up” is in
terms of “right” or “left.” On the other hand, “up” can be thought of as the opposite
of “down”. In the same way, “right” cannot be defined in terms of “up” and “down”;
but, it is the opposite of “left.”

This illustration can be used to build up the concept of a basis. A basis is roughly
defined as a set of basic instructions from which you can span a whole space. Say, you
have a point drawn on a flat paper surface. I can always define the position of that
point in the space that describes the paper surface in terms of the basis. In a 2D
Euclidean space (where distances are defined in terms what you knew from high
school as the “distance formula” 𝑥1 − 𝑥2 2 + 𝑦1 − 𝑦2 2 ), you can define a vector
by describing how much it is displaced along the 𝑥 and 𝑦 directions, in terms of a unit
vector. You can imagine the unit vector to be a step towards a certain basis direction.
Hence, if you wish to know how much you have travelled in a map, you’d express it in
terms of steps along the x- and y- direction.

መ in general is defined as the ratio between a vector 𝐴റ and its

A unit vector 𝐴,
magnitude 𝐴 = 𝐴റ ,

13
 𝐴റ
𝐴መ =
𝐴റ
where 𝐴റ = 𝐴റ𝑥 + 𝐴റ𝑦 = 𝐴𝑥 𝑖Ƹ + 𝐴𝑦 𝑗.Ƹ 𝑖Ƹ represents one step along the x-direction. 𝑗Ƹ
represents one step along the y-direction. 𝐴𝑥 tells you how many steps you’re taking
along the x-direction. 𝐴𝑦 tells you how many steps you’re taking along the y-
direction.

13
 Components of Vectors
▪ Unit vectors: vectors of magnitude 1
▪ 3D:

y
𝑖Ƹ
unit vector along the x-axis
𝑗Ƹ
x
𝑗Ƹ
𝑘෠ 𝑖Ƹ unit vector along the y-axis

z
𝑘෠
unit vector along the z-axis

Lecture 02 - Vector Quantities 14

In a 3D Euclidean space (where distances are defined in terms what you knew from
high school as the “distance formula” 𝑥1 − 𝑥2 2 + 𝑦1 − 𝑦2 2 + 𝑧1 − 𝑧2 2 ), you
can define a vector by describing how much it is displaced along the 𝑥 and 𝑦
directions, and into or out of the plane along the z-direction.

A unit vector 𝐴,መ in three dimensions, is defined as the ratio between a vector 𝐴റ and
its magnitude 𝐴 = 𝐴റ ,
𝐴റ
𝐴መ =
𝐴റ
෠ 𝑖Ƹ represents one step along the x-
where 𝐴റ = 𝐴റ𝑥 + 𝐴റ𝑦 + 𝐴റ𝑧 = 𝐴𝑥 𝑖Ƹ + 𝐴𝑦 𝑗Ƹ + 𝐴𝑧 𝑘.
direction. 𝑗Ƹ represents one step along the y-direction. 𝑘෠ represents one step along
the z-direction. 𝐴𝑥 tells you how many steps you’re taking along the x-direction. 𝐴𝑦
tells you how many steps you’re taking along the y-direction. 𝐴𝑧 tells you how many
steps you’re taking along the z-direction.

14
 Components of Vectors
▪ 2D: Project the vector to the x and y axes
y
𝐴Ԧ

𝐴𝑦
𝜃 𝐴𝑥
x
𝐴𝑥

𝐴𝑦

Lecture 02 - Vector Quantities 15

Obtaining the components of a 2D vector along the x- and y- axes is the same as
obtaining its “projection” along these directions. Your knowledge on trigonometry
will come in handy in this exercise. The reason why this works is the orthonormality
of the basis that we are using in the Cartesian plane.

By obtaining the projection of a vector 𝐴റ along 𝑖Ƹ and 𝑗Ƹ directions, we observe the

shadow of the vector if it were a pole, due to a flashlight shining on it. You can see
that when a flashlight is shining overhead, it bares the projection of the vector along
the x-direction. This length is what we call the x-component of the vector. When a
flashlight is shining from its side, it bares the projection of the vector along the y-
direction. This length is what we call the y-component of the vector.

Placing these projections in a right triangle then gives us a powerful tool using
trigonometric formulas.

Observe that in the definition of the trigonometric functions, sine, cosine and
tangent, 𝐴𝑥 defines the adjacent length to the opening angle 𝜃; while 𝐴𝑦 defines the
opposite length to the opening angle 𝜃. The length of the vector 𝐴റ then gives you the
hypotenuse length. We can then obtain expressions for the trigonometric functions:

15
 𝐴𝑦
sin 𝜃 = → 𝐴𝑦 = 𝐴റ sin 𝜃
𝐴റ
𝐴𝑥
cos 𝜃 = → 𝐴𝑥 = 𝐴റ cos 𝜃
𝐴റ
𝐴𝑦
= tan 𝜃
𝐴𝑥

Recall: SOH-CAH-TOA CHO-SHA-CAO

Lastly, remember that y-component is not necessarily obtained by employing the sine
function. These trigonometric functions depend on the placement of theta
(specifically at which axis it is adjacent to).

15
 Components of Vectors

Lecture 02 - Vector Quantities 16

We now have expressions for the components of a vector. The way we defined the
angle 𝜃 is from the x-axis, counter-clockwise. This is a right-handed definition of
𝜃.

𝐴𝑦
sin 𝜃 = → 𝐴𝑦 = 𝐴റ sin 𝜃
𝐴റ
𝐴𝑥
cos 𝜃 = → 𝐴𝑥 = 𝐴റ cos 𝜃
𝐴റ
𝐴𝑦
= tan 𝜃
𝐴𝑥

When your vector lies on the second quadrant of the Cartesian plane, that is when
𝜋
< 𝜃 < 𝜋,
2

sin 𝜃 > 0 , 𝐴𝑦 > 0

cos 𝜃 < 0, 𝐴𝑥 < 0

When your vector lies on the third quadrant of the Cartesian plane, that is when 𝜋 <
3𝜋
𝜃< 2,

16
 sin 𝜃 < 0 , 𝐴𝑦 < 0
cos 𝜃 < 0, 𝐴𝑥 < 0

When your vector lies on the fourth quadrant of the Cartesian plane, that is when
3𝜋
< 𝜃 < 2𝜋,
2

sin 𝜃 < 0 , 𝐴𝑦 < 0

cos 𝜃 > 0, 𝐴𝑥 > 0

You can observe this in the illustration above.

16
Components of Vectors
EXAMPLE

▪ The initial velocity of a human cannonball is

25 m/s directed 34.1o from the horizontal.
What are the x- and y-components of this velocity?

Definition (Velocity and Speed)

Velocity is the time rate of change of displacement of
an object. It is a vector. Speed is the magnitude of
velocity. It is a scalar.

Lecture 02 - Vector Quantities 17

17
Components of Vectors
EXAMPLE

The initial velocity of a human cannonball is

25 m/s directed 34.1o from the horizontal.
What are the x- and y-components of this velocity?

𝑣𝑥 = 𝑣 cos 𝜃
𝑣𝑥 = 25 m/s cos 34.1∘
𝒗𝒙 = 𝟐𝟏 𝐦/𝐬
𝑣𝑦 = 𝑣 sin 𝜃
𝑣𝑦 = 25 m/s sin 34.1∘
𝒗𝒚 = 𝟏𝟒 𝐦/𝐬

Lecture 02 - Vector Quantities 18

18
Components of Vectors
▪ Can we get the magnitude and angle from the
components? YES!
y
𝐴Ԧ
𝐴= 𝐴2𝑥 + 𝐴2𝑦

𝐴𝑦 𝑂𝑝𝑝 𝐴𝑦
𝜃 𝜃 = tan−1 = tan−1
𝐴𝑑𝑗 𝐴𝑥
x
𝐴𝑥

TRY THIS: The initial velocity of a human cannonball has x-

and y-components of 20.7 m/s and 14.0 m/s, respectively.
What is the speed of the object? At what angle from the
horizontal was the human cannonball launched?

Lecture 02 - Vector Quantities 19

19
Components of Vectors
SOLUTION

Lecture 02 - Vector Quantities 20

20
Vector Addition
In the previous example of
vector addition, the vectors
were perpendicular to each
other. What if the vectors
now have arbitrary
direction?

𝐴Ԧ + 𝐵 = 𝑅
1. Split each given vector into
two perpendicular
components.
2. Get the vector sum of each
component vector.
3. Get the vector sum of the
two perpendicular vectors.
Lecture 02 - Vector Quantities 21

21
 Vector Addition in Component Form
EXAMPLE

Given
𝑃 = 5.0 km, 45∘ N of E
𝑄 = 3.0 km, 30. ° N of W, and
𝑅 = 4.0 km, 60.∘ N of E.
Find 𝑃 + 𝑄 − 𝑅 in unit-vector form.
Use the component method.

ANSWER

𝑃 + 𝑄 − 𝑅 = −1.1𝑖Ƹ + 1.6𝑗Ƹ km
Lecture 02 - Vector Quantities 22

We must express the vector sum in unit-vector form. The most convenient way to
proceed is to write these vectors in unit-vector form (component method). Draw the
vectors on your notes to visualize the problem. The angles from the +x-axis for each
vector are, 𝜃𝑃 = 45∘, 𝜃𝑄 = 150∘, and 𝜃𝑅 = 60∘.

𝑃𝑥 = 5.0 𝑘𝑚 cos 𝜃𝑃 = 5.0 cos 45∘ 𝑘𝑚 ,

𝑃𝑦 = 5.0 𝑘𝑚 sin 𝜃𝑃 = 5.0 sin 45∘ 𝑘𝑚
𝑄𝑥 = 3.0 𝑘𝑚 cos 𝜃𝑄 = 3.0 cos 150∘ 𝑘𝑚 ,
𝑄𝑦 = 3.0 𝑘𝑚 sin 𝜃𝑄 = 3.0 sin 150∘ 𝑘𝑚
𝑅𝑥 = 4.0 𝑘𝑚 cos 𝜃𝑅 = 4.0 cos 60∘ 𝑘𝑚 ,
𝑅𝑦 = 4.0 𝑘𝑚 sin 𝜃𝑅 = 4.0 sin 60∘ 𝑘𝑚

Then, 𝑃 + 𝑄 − 𝑅 = 𝑃𝑥 + 𝑄𝑥 − 𝑅𝑥 𝑖Ƹ + 𝑃𝑦 + 𝑄𝑦 − 𝑅𝑦 𝑗.Ƹ Evaluate each component

using a calculator. Make sure that the setting is in DEGREES. You should come up with
the answer supplied on the slide.

22
Vector Addition in Component Form
▪ The direction of this vector can either
be expressed as,
N

y
W E
𝜃
S degress North of East

or

𝜃 𝜃 − 90
x degrees East of North

Lecture 02 - Vector Quantities 23

23
Vector Addition in Component Form
EXAMPLE

Given
𝑃 = 1𝑖Ƹ + 2𝑗Ƹ + 3𝑘෠
𝑄 = 1𝑖Ƹ − 2𝑗Ƹ + 3𝑘෠
𝑅 = 1𝑖Ƹ + 2𝑗Ƹ − 3𝑘෠
▪ Solve 2𝑃 + 𝑄 - 𝑅
SOLUTION
= 2(1𝑖෠ + 2𝑗෡ + 3𝑘෡ ) + 1𝑖෠ − 2𝑗෡ + 3𝑘෡ − 1𝑖෠ + 2𝑗෡ − 3𝑘෡
Add same components (𝑖෠ to 𝑖෠ , 𝑗෡ to 𝑗෡, 𝑘෡ to 𝑘෡ )
= (2+1- 1) 𝑖෠ +(4-2-2) 𝑗෡+(6+3+3) 𝑘෡
▪ ANSWER: 2𝑃 + 𝑄 - 𝑅 = 2𝑖෠ + 12𝑘෡

Lecture 02 - Vector Quantities 24

24
Vector Addition in Component Form
EXAMPLE

Given
𝑃 = 1𝑖Ƹ + 2𝑗Ƹ + 3𝑘෠
𝑄 = 1𝑖Ƹ − 2𝑗Ƹ + 3𝑘෠
𝑅 = 1𝑖Ƹ + 2𝑗Ƹ − 3𝑘෠
▪ Solve 𝑃 + 𝑄 + 𝑅
SOLUTION
𝑃 = 12 + 22 + 32 = 14
𝑄 = 12 + 22 + 32 = 14
𝑅 = 12 + 22 + 32 = 14
▪ ANSWER: 𝑃 + 𝑄 + 𝑅 = 3√14

Lecture 02 - Vector Quantities 25

25
Vector Addition
EXAMPLE

▪ A cross-country skier skis 1.00 km north and then

2.00 km east on a horizontal snowfield. How far and in
what direction is she from the starting point?

SOLUTION
▪ Draw the displacement vectors involved and use tail-
to-head method.

Lecture 02 - Vector Quantities 26

26
Vector Addition
SOLUTION

The two vectors and the resultant vector form a right

triangle. Use trigonometric identities to solve for the
magnitude and direction of the resultant vector.
Source: Young and Freedman, University Physics, 13th ed.

Lecture 02 - Vector Quantities 27

27
Vector Addition
▪ Solve for the magnitude

1.00 km 2 + 2.00 km 2 = 2.24 km

▪ Solve for the direction

2.00 km
tan 𝜙 =
1.00 km
𝜙 = 63.4∘

▪ We can then describe the direction as 63.4o

east of north.

Lecture 02 - Vector Quantities 28

28
Components of Vectors
▪ 3D: Project the vector to
the x, y and z axes
y
▪ Magnitude of a 3D vector:

𝐴= 𝐴2𝑥 + 𝐴2𝑦 + 𝐴2𝑧

3D
෡
𝑨3D = 𝐴𝑥 𝒊Ƹ + 𝐴𝑦 𝒋Ƹ + 𝐴𝑧 𝒌 𝐴𝑦

𝐴𝑧
𝐴𝑥
x
z

Lecture 02 - Vector Quantities 29

29
 QUIZ
1. Given 𝑃 = 32 𝑢, 90∘ N of E and 𝑅 = 12 𝑢, 45∘ N of E, find
𝑃 − 𝑅 in unit-vector form. Use the component
method.
2. Express 𝐶Ԧ = (−20.7 m/s)𝑖Ƹ + (14.0 m/s)𝑗Ƹ in magnitude-
angle form.

Lecture 02 - Vector Quantities 30

30
 SOLUTION
1. Given 𝑃 = 32 𝑢, 90∘ N of E and 𝑅 = 12 𝑢, 45∘ N of E, find
𝑃 − 𝑅 in unit-vector form. Use the component
method.
▪ Write each component:
𝑃𝑥 = 32𝑢 cos 90∘ = 0 𝑃𝑦 = 32𝑢 sin 90∘ = 32𝑢
𝑅𝑥 = 12𝑢 cos 45∘ = 6𝑢 2 𝑅𝑦 = 12𝑢 sin 45∘ = 6𝑢 2
▪ Determine resultant components
𝑃𝑥 − 𝑅𝑥 = −6𝑢 2
𝑃𝑦 − 𝑅𝑦 = 32𝑢 − 6𝑢 2 ≈ 23.5𝑢
▪ Write in component form
𝑃 − 𝑅 = −6𝑢 2 𝑖Ƹ + 23.5𝑢 𝑗Ƹ

Lecture 02 - Vector Quantities 31

31
 SOLUTION
2. Express 𝐶Ԧ = (−20.7 m/s)𝑖Ƹ + (14.0 m/s)𝑗Ƹ in magnitude-
angle form.
▪ Determine magnitude from components

𝐶 = 𝐶𝑥2 + 𝐶𝑦2 = −20.7 2 + 14.0 2 = 25.0 𝑚/𝑠

▪ Determine the angle

|𝐶𝑦 | 14.0
𝜃 = tan−1 = tan−1 = 34∘ 𝑁 𝑜𝑓 𝑊
|𝐶𝑥 | 20.7
▪ Note that 340 is the acute angle made by the vector
relative to the x-axis, but since 𝐶Ԧ is located in the 2nd
quadrant the direction angle is 34∘ 𝑁 𝑜𝑓 𝑊 or
180∘ − 34∘ = 146∘ relative to the positive x-axis

Lecture 02 - Vector Quantities 32

32
Credits/References
▪ University Physics 13th Ed, H. Young and R. Freedman
Pearson Education 2014
▪ PowerPoint Lectures for University Physics 13th Ed,
Wayne Anderson
Pearson Education 2012
▪ Physics 71 Lectures by J Vance, M Flores, A Lacaba, PJ
Blancas, G Pedemonte, DL Sombillo, K Agapito

▪ Annotations by: Mark Ivan Ugalino

▪ Edited by: Rene L. Principe Jr.

Lecture 02 - Vector Quantities 33

33