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1.2 Notes

The document explains the distinction between scalars and vectors in physics, emphasizing that scalars have magnitude only, while vectors have both magnitude and direction. It details how vectors can be represented graphically with arrows and discusses the addition of vectors, including the use of the parallelogram law to find resultant forces. Additionally, it covers the concept of vector components and how to calculate them using trigonometry.

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15 views6 pages

1.2 Notes

The document explains the distinction between scalars and vectors in physics, emphasizing that scalars have magnitude only, while vectors have both magnitude and direction. It details how vectors can be represented graphically with arrows and discusses the addition of vectors, including the use of the parallelogram law to find resultant forces. Additionally, it covers the concept of vector components and how to calculate them using trigonometry.

Uploaded by

jnrnormie
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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1.2 Scalars and vectors.

What is wrong with Gogo's reply?

 Grammas' reply is just a number, 4 can mean 4 days, 4metres, 4 0c, or


just a number.
 For a figure to qualify as a quantity it should have units, so that it is
measurable.
 In physics a figure with a unit, like 40 kg, is said to have magnitude
(measurable).
 Quantities that have magnitude (size) only are called scalarsthese
include, mass, time, temperature, volume and density
 Some quantities have magnitude and direction, these are called
vectors.
 Examples of vectors includedisplacement,velocity and acceleration.
 Some scalar quantities have a corresponding vector quantity. Other
scalar and vector quantities are independent. For example:

Scalar quantity Vector quantity

Distance (e.g. 45 m) Displacement (e.g. 45 m North)


Speed (e.g. 12m/s) Velocity (e.g. 12 m/s upwards)
Time (35 s) None
None Force (e.g. 40 N to the right)

1.2.1 Vectors and forces


 Vectors can be represented by arrows. This is to show the direction
and the magnitude of the vector quantity.

 The length of the arrow represents the magnitude, when drawn to


same scale.
 The direction of the arrow represents the direction of the vector.
 The tail of the vector is the origin, while the head is the terminal point.

If a 5 N vector is represented as such:


5N

Therefore 10 N should be double


10 N

 Since factors are directional, they can be added together.

1.2.1.1 Adding vectors acting in the same plane.

 The answer obtained or the outcome from adding two or more vectors
is known as the resultant vector.

[1.] Forces acting in the same direction and inand in the same plane.
1.[2.] Forces acting in opposite directions but in the same line.

Example 1.

Calculate the resultant force for the force diagrams below:

Parallelogram law.
 Two mean are pulling a block in different directions as shown in the Fig
below

Fig.1.2. 1: Forces applied on an object

 The resultant force can be resolved by using the parallelogram law.


 The forces can drawn as shown below

The parallelogram rule is a method used to find the resultant force (x


N), this is done by:
 Drawing the forces with the directions accurate and the length of
each arrow should be proportional to the magnitude.
 Draw in the two lines to complete the parallelogram.
 draw the diagonal bisecting the two forces and measure the
length
Components of a vector

 From a single vector, the reverse of the parallelogram can be used to


find two vectors that have the same effect.
 These two vectors are called components, and the single vector is
said to be resolved to its two components.

Calculating components.

 Components of a force to be calculated will be at right angle to each


other.

 Calculation of F1 and F2 can be done using trigonometry.


 To find F1 use the following triangle.

 To find F2 use the following triangle.


Example 2:Find the components of these forces.

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