Chapter II

Differentiate scalar quantity from vector Quantity completely described by

quantity.
Define the components of a vector and
use them in calculations.
Solve vector related problems graphically
and analytically
magnitude only
Ex. distance, time, temperature
Quantity having both magnitude and
direction
Ex. displacement, velocity, acceleration

Vectors are quantities

In general Boldface Letter A
that are represented by
magnitude and Letter with arrow above A
direction.
Magnitude of a (graphical) Straight line with arrowhead
vector is a number
assigned to Vector VECTOR magnitude representation:
determine quantity
Magnitude When dealing with just the magnitude of a vector in print, an
Direction of a vector
italic letter will be used: A
is a number that
gives which way the
Direction
or A , A
vector will go
 There are 3 ways of writing vectors: write the magnitude and the angle it creates with
any axis
1. AXIAL NOTATIONS
2. NEWS NOTATION
3. UNIT VECTORS

N
y
1 unit, 45 1 unit, NE
write the magnitude and
the appropriate direction 1 unit, 180 1 unit, west
based on the NEWS x W E
configuration
1 unit, 330 1 unit, 60 E of S

S
rectangular coordinate geographic reference frame
system (Axial notation) (NEWS)

Equality of Two Vectors

Two vectors are equal if they have the same magnitude
A unit vector is a Unit vectors are
and the same direction
dimensionless vector usually written in
Movement of vectors in a diagram
with unit magnitude. the form
Any vector can be moved parallel to itself without being
affected
Negative Vectors
Two vectors are negative if they have the same magnitude
but are 180 apart (opposite directions)
Vector A = -B
Component in x axis Resultant Vector
x-axis unit vector The resultant vector is the sum of a given set of vectors
 We usually write vectors in terms of their magnitude and direction.
is the vector sum of two or
more vectors. It is the A = 5m, 60 N of E
result of adding two or But alternatively, we can write it in terms of their components.
more vectors together. If
displacement vectors A, B, A component is a part
and C are added together, It is useful to use
the result will be vector R. rectangular
components
These are the projections
Note: vector R ,in this case, was determined by
using an accurately drawn, scaled , vector addition of the vector along the x-
diagram and y-axes

Consider the vector on the right: y

The x-component of a vector is the
projection along the x-axis
Ax A cos Ay Given the vector
(Vector A) in the
The y-component of a vector is the
projection along the y-axis = 60 illustration:
x
Ay A sin Ax = Acos = Asinf
Ax Ay =Asin = Acosf
Then,
A Ax A y

The components can be positive or negative depending on

The previous equations are valid only if is
the quadrant where the vector is located.
measured with respect to the x-axis
The components can be positive or negative and will QUADRANT
have the same units as the original vector
The components are the legs of the right triangle I II III IV
whose hypotenuse is A
Ay
A A 2x A 2y and tan 1 X + - - +
Ax
May still have to find with respect to the positive x-axis
Y + + - -
 When adding vectors, their directions must Analytical
be taken into account

Units must be the same

Graphical

Experimental

A. Graphical Method
Parallelogram Method
(using ruler and a protractor, draw the vectors graphically)
1. Draw the two vectors.
1. Parallelogram Method 2. Construct a parallelogram.
most applicable for two vectors 3. Construct a line from the origin that will bisect the
2. Polygon Method parallelogram.
applicable for three or more vectors *The line here represents the resultant vector.

Note: Scaling is important

1. Draw the two vectors. Polygon Method

1. Draw the vectors (head-to-tail).
2. Connect the tail of the first
B R vector to the head of the last
3. Construct a line. vector.
The line that connect the tail of the
first vector to the head of last

f vector represents the resultant

vector.

A
2. Construct a parallelogram.
 2. Connect the tail of the first vector B
to the head of the last vector. D
R A C
C
B D
R
f A
B
A
R=A+B+C+D R=D+A+C+B
1. Draw the two vectors. (head-to-tail)

B. Analytical Method
(utilizes Mathematical concepts in analyzing vectors)
Choose a coordinate system and sketch the vectors
1. Law of Sine and Cosines Find the x- and y-components of all the vectors
Cosine Law: C2 = A2 + B2 2ABcos Add all the x-components
Sine Law: A = B = C This gives Rx:
sin sin sin
Rx v x
2. Component Method
Dividing the vector into its components and
dealing with it individually

Add all the y-components

simplifies the mathematics by
This gives Ry:
Ry v y
enabling us to add vectors in the
same directions
Use the Pythagorean Theorem to find the magnitude of
the Resultant: we avoid having to make careful
R R 2x R 2y scale drawings or using
Use the inverse tangent function to find the direction of
trigonometry for every
R: manipulation of vectors.
Ry
tan 1
Rx
1.Express the vectors in terms of their component.
2. Add the components along the x direction to form the x
component of the resultant vector
3. Similarly, add the y components to get the y component
of the resultant vector
4. Obtain the magnitude and direction of the resultant
vector by using the equations
If we have many vectors (A, B, C, D,...N), and we need to
find the resultant we just need to "SUM" all the x's and
all the y's separately, as illustrated
Rx = Ax + Bx + Cx +Dx +...+ Nx
Ry = Ay + By + Cy +Dy +...+ Ny

In the diagram, A has magnitude 12 units and B has

magnitude 8 units. The x component of A + B is about:
B
A= 3 units east
y 30
A
B= 4 units 30 N of W
60
A C= 2 units 70 W of S
B C 70

45
Get the vector sum:
x

A freshman student is lost in UPLB campus.

From the PhySci building, his first two
Add the following vectors: displacements are 1.0 km, 35 N of W and
500 m and 70 E of S, respectively. What is
his third displacement if he just returns
A = 2m, NE back to where he started?
B = 4m, 50 E of S
C = 1m, 250 N of W