VECTORS

VECTORS ARE QUANTITIES THAT HAVE

MAGNITUDE AND DIRECTION
 Vector vs. Scalar
• Scalar- Quantities that have magnitude
(size) only, like mass, time, distance,
energy, volume, and speed.

• Vector- Quantities that have both

magnitude and direction like
displacement, velocity, acceleration,
force, momentum, and fields.
2
 DRAWING A VECTOR?
A vector
has both
size and Tip
direction.
A vector is represented
on paper by an arrow
Tail drawn to scale and
pointing in the
direction of the action
3
 Magnitude of Vectors
• The best way to describe
the magnitude of a
vector is to measure the
length of the vector.
• The length of the vector
is proportional to the
magnitude of the
quantity it represents.
4
 Magnitude of Vectors
If vector A represents
A a displacement of three
miles to the north… B
Then vector B, which is
twice as long, would
represent a displacement
of six miles to the north!

5
 Equal Vectors
Equal vectors
have the same
length and
direction, and
must represent
the same
quantity (such
as force or
velocity).
6
 Inverse Vectors
Inverse
vectors A
have the
same
length, but
opposite -A
direction.
7
 VECTOR PROPERTIES
• Commutative Property: A+B = B+A
• Associative Property: (A+B)+C = A+(B+C)
• Zero Property: A+(-B) = 0, if and only if,
A is equal in magnitude to B and pointing in
the opposite direction.
• Subtraction: A - B = A + (-B)
• Multiplication: 3 x A = 3A
8
Vector angle ranges
N
NW quad NE quad
270o <  < 360o 0 <  < 90o
 
W E
 
SW quad SE quad
180o <  < 270o 90o <  < 180o
S 9
10
 ADDITION OF VECTORS
• 3 Methods
– Parallelogram Method- For a quick
assessment. Good for concurrent forces.
– Tip-to-Tail Method- Drawing vectors to
scale on paper to find an answer. Use of a
pencil, ruler and protractor needed. Good
for displacements.
– Mathematical Method- Determining an
answer using trigonometry. The vectors
need to be at right angles to one another.
11
 PARALLELOGRAM METHOD

• Arrange the vectors tail to tail in the correct

direction and draw to scale.
• Draw two identical vectors as the originals to
form a parallelogram.
• Draw in the diagonal of the parallelogram.
This is your answer called a resultant.
• Measure the resultant and find the angle.
12
 A

R
B B

THE PARALLELOGRAM
METHOD
13
Concurrent Forces

14
 The Resultant and the Equilibrant
The sum of two or more vectors is called
the resultant vector.
The resultant vector can replace the vectors
from which it is derived.
The resultant is completely canceled out by
adding it to its inverse, which is called
the equilibrant.

15
 TIP-TO-TAIL METHOD

• Arrange the scaled vectors from the tip of one

to the tail of the next.
• Draw the resultant from the tail of the first
vector to the tip of the last vector.
• Determine the magnitude of the resultant, and
find the angle from the base of the resultant.
Use a ruler and protractor.

16
 Displacements as Vectors

Direction

Magnitude 17
A Scale and Ruler

18
The Protractor
The obtuse
angle

The acute
angle

19
 C A: 12
B meters 20o
East of
A R North
B: 15
Find the meters East
Resultant C: 5 meters
Displacement 30o North of
West
TIP-TO-TAIL 20
 MATHEMATICAL METHOD
for vectors at right angles
• Sketch a diagram of the vectors.
• Use the pythagorean theorem to determine
the magnitude of the resultant.
• Use the sine, cosine, or tangent function to
determine the angle from the base of the
resultant.

21
 T.O.A.S.O.H.C.A.H.
TRIG REVIEW
SOHCAHTOA

R A B2 2
cos 
adj
Pythagorean hyp
Theorem
opp
sin  
hyp hyp
opp  opp
 tan  
adj adj
22
MATHEMATICAL
METHOD
A: 85 N,
West
B: 150 N, B R R
North B
Find the Resultant
A 23
 VECTOR COMPONENTS
• Every vector has 2 components.
• One component is horizontal, or
x-direction.
• One component is vertical, or y-direction.
• The 2 components are always  to each
other.
• Use trig functions to find them.
24
Y-Component
Any Old
Vector


X-Component

25
HORIZONTAL COMPONENT

Ax  Acos
VERTICAL COMPONENT

Ay  Asin 
26
 Inclined
Ff FN Planes

mgcos 
mg
mgsin

27
 IN SUMMARY
• Vectors have magnitude and direction
• 3 methods to add vectors
– Parallelogram
– Tip-to-Tail
– Mathematical
• Components are perpendicular vectors
to any old vector. 28