PMPH 120

SCALARS AND VECTORS

By: Dr. Edwin Nyirenda and Mr Keith Nsofwa

 Learning Objectives

 Objective 1 : Understand and differentiate between scalar and

vector quantities

 Objective 2: Learn to add and subtract coplanar vectors.

 Objective 3: Master representing a vector as two perpendicular

components.
 SCALARS AND VECTORS
 A Scalar quantity is quantity that is fully described by a magnitude alone (no direction). E.g number of
students in a class or the temperature in a class room

 A Vector quantity is a quantity that is described by both the magnitude and a direction. For example the
velocity or acceleration of a car.

Key differences between scalars and vectors

Vectors Scalars
 Has both magnitude and direction  Only has magnitude no direction
 Represented with arrows or written in bold  Represented with plain numbers or letters
letters  One dimensional
 One, two or three dimensional
 Examples of Scalar
Quantities
Temperature: Measured in • Mass: Measured in • Speed: Measured in meters per
degrees; no direction. kilograms; a measure of second; no directional
amount of matter. information.
 Examples of Vector Quantities

 Velocity: Speed with a direction. E.g., 50 km/h North.

 Force: Push or pull with a specific direction. E.g., 7 N east push and 10 N east push.

 Displacement: Distance from a point in a specific direction. E.g., 5 meters upwards.

 Properties of Scalar Quantities

By definition a scalar is fully described by its magnitude only:

 Magnitude Only: Scalars do not involve any direction.“

 Consistency: Scalar values are consistent regardless of the observer’s position or orientation.“

Example: Temperature remains the same whether measured from any direction.

 Visuals: Visual representation of scalars do not includes arrow or direction, such as a thermometer
showing temperature.
 Operations with Scalars
Addition and Subtraction: Simple numerical addition and subtraction. E.g., 10 kg + 5 kg = 15 kg.

Multiplication with Real Numbers: Scalars can be easily multiplied by real numbers. E.g., Speed
doubled: 30 km/h x 2 = 60 km/h.

Independent of Direction: Operations are independent of any direction considerations. E.g. in the
diagram below the total distance covered is : 2m + 1.5m + 2.5m = 6m

2m

1.5m

2.5m
 Relevance of Scalars in Physics

Energy: Measured in Joules, scalar quantity as it has only magnitude.

Power: Watts as a unit, does not depend on direction.

Pressure: Pascal as a unit, it is a force exerted per unit area without directional property.

Real-world Application: Calculating the total energy required for a machine, power consumption in a circuit.
 Measuring Scalar Quantities
Measurement Tools:
 Thermometers for temperature
 Balances for mass
 Speedometers for speed
 Watches for time
 Rulers, Vernier calipers, micrometer screw gauges, measuring tape and odometers for measuring length

Units of Measurement: International System of Units (SI) - meters, kilograms, seconds, etc.
 Slide 10: Quiz Slide
Title: "Quick Quiz on Scalars“

Quiz Questions:

"Is work a scalar or vector quantity? Why?“

"What happens when you multiply a scalar by a number?“

"Name two scalar quantities in physics and their units.“

Note: "Discuss with a partner before we review the answers."

 Vectors

 A vector is a physical quantity with both magnitude and direction. It is often

represented with an arrow that points in the direction of a quantity or arrow
over a letter, e.g., 𝑣 for velocity.

 Head: ending position

 Tail: Starting position
 Body(head to tail): magnitude
 Properties of Vector Quantities
 Magnitude and Direction: Vectors are
characterized by both magnitude and
direction. E.g., Velocity of 60 km/h
North.
 Graphical Representation: Vectors
are represented as arrows. The length
C
indicates magnitude, and the
arrowhead shows direction. Vector A
is 2 twice vector C in the opposite
direction
 Independent of Origin: A vector
A B
remains the same regardless of its
starting position. E.g. Vector B is
equal to C vector in the coordinate
system
 Types of Vectors

• Null Vectors (zero vector): zero vector is a vector when the magnitude of the
vector is zero and the starting point of the vector coincides with the ending point

• Unit Vectors: Vectors with a magnitude of 1, used to indicate direction.

• Position Vectors: Vectors representing the position of a point in space relative to

an origin.
 Vectors Arithmetic

 Vectors can be multiplied by scalars, added to other vectors, or

subtracted from other vectors.

 The vector sum of two or more vectors is called the resultant vector
or, for short, the resultant 𝑹.

 When two vectors are added, the sum is independent of the order of
the addition. This property, which can be seen from the geometric is
known as the commutative law of addition:
 Vectors Arithmetic continues

When three or more vectors are added, their sum is independent of

the way in which the individual vectors are grouped together. This
property is called the associative law of addition:
 Slide 15: Quiz Slide on Vectors
Title: "Vector Mastery Quiz“

Quiz Questions:

"What does the length of a vector represent?“

"How do you denote a unit vector along the x-axis?“

"Give an example of a scenario where vector addition is used."

Interactive Element: Option for students to choose answers or write short

responses.
 Vector Addition: Graphical Method

Triangle Law: To add two vectors, place them tail to head. The resultant vector
is drawn from the tail of the first vector to the head of the second.
Vector Addition: Graphical Method continues

Parallelogram Law: Place vectors tail to tail. Draw a parallelogram with the
vectors as adjacent sides. The diagonal from the common tail point represents
the resultant vector.
 Vector subtraction: Graphical method
 We can subtract vectors as well as add them. We know that a vector −𝐴 has the same magnitude as 𝐴 but in
opposite direction. We define the difference 𝐴 − 𝐵 of two vectors 𝐴 and 𝐵 to be the vector sum of 𝐴 and
−𝐵 : 𝐴 + 𝐵 = 𝐴 + (−𝐵 )

 To subtract a vector, add its opposite. Graphically, reverse the direction of the vector to be subtracted and
then add using the triangle law:
 Vector Subtraction and addition: analytical method

 Graphical method of adding/subtracting vectors is

helpful concept, but to obtain accurate results, we
must use trigonometry.
 Vector addition is describe completely by finding
the vector’s components, magnitude, and angle
(direction).
 Vector components of a vector 𝐴 can be presented
as:
( Ax, Ay) or Ax + Ay or Ai + Aj

 Where Ax and Ai are x-components while Ay and

Aj are y-components
 Vector components, magnitude and angles

 Vector components are projections of a

vector onto the 𝑥−𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠 and 𝑦−𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠
 The angle θ is measured from the + 𝑥-𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠.
 The components of a vector may be positive
or negative numbers

The magnitude of a vector 𝑅 can be found

by applying the Pythagorean theorem.
R R R 2
x
2
Y

Its vector direction, can be found from the Ry  RY 

tan   ,   tan  
1
definition of the tangent of an angle. Rx  Rx 
 Slide 20: Practice Problem Slide
Title: "Practice Problems: Vectors"
Problems:
1. Add vectors 𝐴 (3 units, East) and 𝐵 (4 units, North).

2. Subtract vector 𝐶 (2 units, South) from 𝐷 (5 units, East).

3. Resolve a force of 10 N at a 30° angle to the horizontal into its components.

4. A car travels 20.0 km due north and then 35.0 km in a direction 60.0° west of north.
Find the magnitude and direction of the car’s resultant displacement
 Slide 24: Practice Problem Slide
Title: "Vector Components Practice Problems"

Problems:
1. Find the components of a vector with a magnitude of 10 units at an angle of 45°.

2. A force vector of 20 N is acting at a 30° angle to the horizontal. Determine its

horizontal and vertical components.

3. A ball is thrown with an initial velocity of 25 m/s at an angle of 60°. Calculate its
initial horizontal and vertical velocity components.
 Advanced Components
Vector Components in 3D Space
 Introduction to 3D Vectors: "Vectors in three-dimensional space have three components, along the x, y, and z
axes.“

 Calculating 3D Components: "Use trigonometry and geometry for finding these components.“

 Applications: "Discuss applications in fields like aerospace, advanced physics, and 3D modeling.“

 Visuals: 3D diagrams showing vectors and their components in three-dimensional space.

 Recap of Scalars and Vectors

 Scalars: Quantities with only magnitude (e.g., temperature, mass).

 Vectors: Quantities with both magnitude and direction (e.g., velocity, force).
 Key Differences: Scalars are directionless, while vectors have a specified direction.
 Review and Questions
Open Discussion: Invite students to ask questions about any topic covered.

Key Takeaways: Highlight the most important concepts learned.

 Closing Slide

Next in the Syllabus: KINEMATICS - Equations of motion, Two-dimensional

motion under a constant force (projectile).