Vectors
Vectors
going
• A scalar is a quantity described by just a number, usually with units. It can be positive,
negative, or zero.
• Examples:
– Distance
– Time
– Temperature
– Speed
Quantity Category
1. 5m
2. 30 m/sec, East
3. 5 miles, North
4. 20 degrees Celsius
5. 256 bytes
6. 4,000 Calories
Magnitude and Direction
Giving directions:
– How do I get to the Virginia
Beach Boardwalk from
Norfolk?
– Go 25 miles. (scalar, almost
useless).
– Go 25 miles East. (vector,
magnitude & direction)
Graphical Representation of Vectors
Vectors are represented by an arrow.
The length indicates its magnitude.
The direction the arrow point determines
its direction.
Vector r
Has a magnitude of 1.5 meters
A direction of = 250
E 25 N
Identical Vectors
A vector is defined by its magnitude and direction, it
doesn’t depend on its location.
Thus, are all identical vectors
Properties of Vectors
Two vectors are the same if their sizes and their
directions are the same, regardless of where they are.
y Which ones are the
same vectors?
D
F A=B=E=D
d1 = 40 m east d2 = 30 m east
d1 + d2 = 10 m east
v2 = 30 m north
R
link
1. The magnitude of the resultant vector will be greatest when
the original 2 vectors are positioned how? (00 between them)
2. The magnitude will be smallest when the original 2 vectors
are positioned how? (1800 between them)
How does changing the order change the resultant?
It doesn’t!
The order in which you add vectors doesn’t effect the resultant.
A + B + C + D + E=
C + B + A + D + E =
D + E + A + B + C
The resultant is the same regardless of the order.
link
adding 3 vectors
Example: A car travels
1. 20.0 km due north
2. 35.0 km in a direction N 60° W
3. Find the magnitude and direction of the car’s resultant
displacement graphically.
u+v=R
Vector Subtraction
Simply add its negative
For example, if D = A - B then use
link
Vector Multiplication
To multiply a vector by a scalar
Multiply the magnitude of the vector by the scalar (number).
Adding Vectors Mathematically (Right angles)
Use Pythagorean Theorem 2 2 2
Trig Function opp a b c
tan
adj
2 2 2 opp
A B R tan R B
adj
32 52 R 2 tan
5
4
R 34 tan 1 5
A
4
R 5.9 units 51.30
I walk 45 m west, then 25 m south.
What is my displacement?
A = 45 m west C2 = A2 + B2
C2 = (45 m)2 + (25 m)2
C C = 51.5 m
opposite B
B = 25 m south tan θ
adjacent A
C = 51 m W 29o S B 1 1 25
θ tan tan 29
A 45
Find the magnitude and direction of the resultant vector below
8N
r
cto
2 7
R 8 15
Ve
rce
15 N
Fo R 17 N
nt
lta
esu
=R
R
Y
tan = 15/8
= tan -1 (15/8) = 620
X