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8 Vectors and Scalars

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24 views

8 Vectors and Scalars

Uploaded by

gc canis
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Chapter 8: Vectors and Scalars

Please remember to photocopy 4 pages onto one sheet by going A3→A4 and using back to back on the photocopier
A Scalar Quantity is one which has magnitude only. Examples: length, area, energy, time.

A Vector Quantity is one which has both magnitude and direction. Examples: displacement, acceleration, force.

Vectors can be represented on a diagram by an arrow, where the vector is in the same direction as the quantity it is
representing.
Composition (addition) of two perpendicular vectors
 When adding two vectors, they should be arranged tail-to-tail (the arrow represents the head) and the rectangle
should then be completed.
 The resultant is the line joining the two tails to the opposite corner.
 The direction is from the tails to the opposite corner.
 Mathematically, the length of the vector can be found by using Pythagoras’ Theorem.
 Mathematically, the angle can be found by using Tan  = Opp/Adj.

Experiment: To find the Resultant of Two Forces

Attach three Newton Balances to a knot in a piece of thread.


1. Adjust the size and direction of the three forces until the
knot in the thread remains at rest.
2. Read the forces and note the angles.
3. The resultant of any two of the forces can now be shown to be
equal to the magnitude and direction of the third force.

Resolving a vector into two perpendicular Components


You have just seen that two perpendicular vectors can be added together to form a resultant.
Well let’s say we started off with the resultant. Would we be able to get back the two original vectors?

First we need to remember that for a right-angled triangle:


Sin  = Opposite/Hypothenuse, therefore Opposite = Hypothenuse x Cos  {Opp = H Sin }
Cos  = Adjacent/Hypothenuse, therefore Adjacent = Hypothenuse x Cos  {Adj = H Cos }

Example
Consider a velocity vector representing a velocity of 50 ms-1, travelling at an angle of 600 to the
horizontal:
The Opposite is equal to H Sin , which in this case = 50 Cos 600 = 43 ms-1.
The Adjacent is equal to H Cos , which in this case = 50 Sin 600 = 25 ms-1.

Leaving Cert Physics Syllabus: Vectors and Scalars


Content Depth of Treatment Activities STS

Vectors and Scalars Distinction between Vector nature of physical


vector and scalar quantities: everyday
quantities. examples.

Composition of Find resultant using


perpendicular vectors. newton balances or
pulleys.

Resolution of co-planar Appropriate


vectors. calculations.
What do you get if you cross a mosquito with a rock climber?
You can't cross a vector with a scalar!

1
Boom Boom!

Exam questions
1. [2003]
Give the difference between vector quantities and scalar quantities and give one example of each.

2. [2006 OL]
Force is a vector quantity. Explain what this means.

3. [2003]
A cyclist travels from A to B along the arc of a circle of radius 25 m as shown.
(i) Calculate the distance travelled by the cyclist.
(ii) Calculate the displacement undergone by the cyclist.

4. [2004]
Two forces are applied to a body, as shown. What is the magnitude of the resultant force
acting on the body?

5. [2003]
Describe an experiment to find the resultant of two vectors.

Exam solutions
1. A vector has both magnitude and direction whereas a scalar has magnitude only.

2. A vector is a quantity which has magnitude and direction.

3.
(i) The distance is equivalent to one quarter of the circumference of a circle = 2πr/4 = 25π/2
= 12.5π = 39.3 m.
(ii) Using Pythagoras: x2 = 252 + 252  x = 35.3 m. Direction is NW

4. R2 = F12 + F22  R2 = 52 +122


R = 13 N
The marking scheme didn’t look for direction, but it should have, particularly since this is a vectors question and
force is a vector.  = tan-1 (5/12).

5.
 Attach three Newton Balances to a knot in a piece of thread.
 Adjust the size and direction of the three forces until the
knot in the thread remains at rest.
 Read the forces and note the angles.
 The resultant of any two of the forces can now be shown to be
equal to the magnitude and direction of the third force.

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