YEAR 9 PHYSICS 0625 Digitized Notes
TERM 3, WEEK 5
SCALARS AND VECTORS
Scalars
Scalars are quantities that have only a magnitude
For example, mass is a scalar since it is a quantity that has magnitude without a direction.
Distance is also a scalar since it only contains a magnitude, not a direction
Vectors
Vectors have both magnitude and direction.
Velocity, for instance, is a vector since itis described with both a magnitude and a direction
When describing the velocity of a car itis necessary to mention both its speed and the direction in which
itis travelling. For example, the velocity might be 60 km per hour (magnitude) due west(direction)
Distance is a value describing only how long an object is or how far itis between two points - this means
itis a scalar quantity
Displacement on the other hand also describes the direction in which the distance is measured - this
means itis a vector quantity. For example, a displacement might be 100 km north
Examples of Scalars & Vectors
Resultant Vectors
Vectors are represented by an arrow.
The arrow head indicates the direction of the vector.
The length of the arrow represents the magnitude.
The two force vectors acting on the object have both a direction and a magnitude.
Component vectors are sometimes drawn with a dotted line and a subscript indicating horizontal or
vertical.
For example, Fv is the vertical component of the force F.
Calculating Vectors Graphically
Vectors at right angles to one another can be combined into one resultant vector.
The resultant vector will have the same effect as the two original ones.
To calculate vectors graphically means carefully producing a scale drawing with all lengths and angles
correct.
This should be done using a sharp pencil, ruler and protractor.
Steps to carry out calculations with vectors on graphs
1. Choose a scale which fits the page. For example, use 1 cm = 10 m or1 cm = 1 N, so that the diagram is
around 10 cm high
2. Draw the vectors at right angles to one another.
3. Complete the rectangle
4. Draw the resultant vector diagonally from the origin
5. Carefully measure the length of the resultant vector
6. Use the scale factor to calculate the magnitude.
7.Use the protractor to measure the angle.
Combining Vectors by Calculation
In this method, a diagram is still essential but it does not need to be exactly to scale.
The diagram can take the form of a sketch, as long as the resultant, component and sides are clearly
labelled.
Use trigonometry to find the angle.
The mnemonic 'soh-cah-toa' is used to remember how to apply sines and cosines to resolve the sides of
a triangle.
Examples
1. A hiker walks a distance of 6 km due east and 10 km due north. Calculate the magnitude of their
displacement and its direction from the horizontal.2
2. Choosing an appropriate scale, draw a scale diagrams for the following pairs of forces acting on an
object:
a) 8N to the right, 6N up.
b) 12N down, 5N to the left.
c) 7N up, 24N right.
