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Vectors

1. Vectors have both size and direction, while scalars only have size and no direction. Examples of vectors include displacement, velocity, and force. Examples of scalars include distance, speed, time, mass, and density. 2. To add vectors, you can draw them head-to-tail if they are along the same line or use Pythagorean's theorem if they are perpendicular. 3. In the example of a boat crossing a river, if the boat steers directly across rather than accounting for the river current, it will end up downstream of its intended destination.

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61 views9 pages

Vectors

1. Vectors have both size and direction, while scalars only have size and no direction. Examples of vectors include displacement, velocity, and force. Examples of scalars include distance, speed, time, mass, and density. 2. To add vectors, you can draw them head-to-tail if they are along the same line or use Pythagorean's theorem if they are perpendicular. 3. In the example of a boat crossing a river, if the boat steers directly across rather than accounting for the river current, it will end up downstream of its intended destination.

Uploaded by

Simon
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Vectors and Scalars

Vector quantities have a size, and a direction. Scalars


only have size (no direction)

Vectors Scalars
• Displacement • Distance
• Velocity • Speed
• Acceleration • Energy (work)
• Force • Time
• Momentum • Mass
• Pressure
• Density
Adding Vectors
• If the vectors are along the same line, it is easy :

20N 10N 30N

20m 10m 10m


Adding Vectors
• If the vectors are at 90° you can use Pythagorus :

N
30m 402 + 302 = 502

40m
50m 40m displacement north, added to 30m
displacement east, makes 50m displacement
(north-east).
Adding Vectors
• What is the
resultant force on
this box?
1502 + 2002 = 2502
150N

150N

200N
200N 250N
Boat Crossing a River
• The boatman
wants to cross
from A to B. He
Water velocity doesn’t know
5m/s
how to add
vectors, so he
Boat velocity steers straight
5m/s
at B. Where will
he end up?
Boat Crossing a River
• The boat will
reach the
opposite river
bank at point C!
5m/s
• Which way
should the
5m/s
boatman steer
his boat if he
wants to reach
point B?
An animated version….
Adding Velocities at 90°

The final velocity is lower


than you might expect,
because a lot of energy is lost
in the collision
Try These
1. An ISS student walks 100m north, then turns and
walks 100m east. Draw a diagram of this, then find the
size and direction of her total displacement.
2. A boat is steering south at 10m/s, but the sea current
is pushing it to the east at 2m/s. Draw a diagram, then
find the resultant velocity of the boat.
3. While skateboarding to school, you push yourself west
with a force of 200N, but a sudden gust of wind from
the side pushes you north with a force of 150N. What
is the resultant force on you? (draw a diagram first).

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