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General Physics 1
Module 4: Quarter 1 – Week 1
 Target

Physics is a science of measurement. It is pioneer science which explains

natural phenomena and help us understand the behavior of nature the way they do.
Physical quantities are measurable. These quantities are often described as scalar
and vector.

This Learning Material will explain and help you understand the difference
between scalar and vector quantities. It is also focus on how vector quantities are
added and combined by means of several methods.

After going through this Learning Material, you are expected to:

1. Differentiate vector and scalar quantities. (STEM_GP12EV-Ia-8)

2. Perform addition of vectors. (STEM_GP12EV-Ia-9)

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 Jumpstart

Activity 1: Analyze and Understand

Directions: Analyze the table below on the difference between scalar and vector
quantities. Look for a pattern in their differences.

Table 1
Scalar Quantity Vector Quantity
65 kg, which describes mass 72 N to the right, which describes a
force
300 seconds, which tells time 15 km/h north, which tells the
velocity
20 km, which shows distance 3 m/s2 along the x-axis, an
acceleration
37.50C, which gives the temperature 50 kg.m/s south, a measure of
momentum
Q1. In the table, what is missing in the first column?

Q2. What is do you think is the difference between scalar and vector quantities?

Scalar quantity is defined as physical quantity described by a magnitude only.

They can be described just by the numerical value and their corresponding units of
measure without specific direction.

Vector quantity on the other hand, is a physical quantity that is completely

described by both magnitude and direction.

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Activity 2: List Me Down!
Directions: Write down as many quantities as you can in the table below.

Table 2
Scalar Quantity Vector Quantity

Discover

Scalar quantity can be added just like an ordinary number. Five kilogram plus
two kilograms will give you seven kilograms. As simple as that, but not for vectors.

Vector quantities are important in the study of physics. If scalar quantities

follow ordinary rules, vector quantities do not. This is one important characteristics
of vectors.

An arrow is used to represent vector quantity. The length of the arrow represents
the magnitude of the vector. The tail indicates the point of origin or the starting point.
And the arrowhead shows where the vector is heaving or moving.

The figure below is the representation of a vector.

Length

Tail head

For simplicity in representing the vectors, they or drawn in the Cartesian

coordinate starting from the origin. The Cartesian coordinate is our reference frame, to
show the directions of the vector. We will also use the direction guide or direction rose.
Most of the times, the two reference frames are combined in a single case.

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 N y

-x x
W E

S -y
Direction guide Cartesian coordinate

In representing vectors, a ruler is use, to measure the magnitude and a protractor

to measure the angle. Scaling is an important factor to consider in representing vector,
to shorten the quantity to be drawn without changing its magnitude.

Example1. Draw the vector force of 120 N

Scale: 1 cm = 20 N
120 N = 6 cm

Example 2. A car accelerating at 2 m/s2 300 N of E

Scale: 1 cm = 1 m/s2
2 m/s2 = 2 cm

Example 3. Displacement of 1 500 km 400 W of S

Scale: 1 cm = 500 km
1 500 km = 3cm

d =

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VECTOR ADDITION

Addition of vectors follow rules of vector algebra different from the rules of
ordinary algebra. Two or more vectors can be add resulting to a single vector knownas
resultant. Resultant vector is the algebraic sum of two or more vectors.

Methods of Adding Vectors

Case 1. Vectors in the same direction are added to get the resultant following the
direction of the vectors.
Example 1. 10 km east and 10 km east
dR = 10 km + 10 km = 20 km east
10 km 10 km 20 km
+ =

Example 2. 10 km west and 10 km west

dR = 10 km west + 10 km west = 20 km west

10 km 10 km 20 km
+ =

Case 2. Vectors in the opposite direction are subtracted to get the resultant following
the direction of the bigger vector.

Example 1. 20 km east and 10 km west

dR = 20 km + (-10 km) = 10 km east
20 km 10 km 10 km
- =

Example 1. 20 km west and 10 km east

dR = (-20 km) + 10 km = 10 km west

20 km 10 km 10 km
- =

Case 3. Vectors acting at right angle with each other. Use Pythagorean theorem
c2 = a2 + b2 c=

Example 1. 30 km east and 40 km north

40 km

30 km
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 = 50 km
dR = (30 km)2 + (40
k )

GRAPHICAL METHOD

1. Parallelogram Method. Two vectors forming an angle between 0 degree and

180 degrees used this method. Once the given vectors are
properly scaled, the vectors are drawn in the Cartesian
coordinate.
Example: Determine the resultant of two forces:
F1 = 450 N 400 N of W F2 = 600 N 700 S of E

2. Polygon Method. This is also known as the “head-to-tail” method. This

method can be used to determine the resultant of two or more vectors. To do the
method, use the Cartesian coordinate.

First, convert the vectors into their appropriate scale. Then plot the first vector
starting from the origin. From the tip of the first vector, connect the tail of the second
vector, the third vector is connected to tail of the second vector, and so on, depending on
the number of vectors involved. After all the vectors are plotted, draw a line starting from
the origin to the tip of the last vector drawn, and put an arrowhead, touching the head of
the last vector. That vector is the resultant of all the vectors plotted in the Cartesian
coordinate.

Example: Given the following vectors, determine the resultant vector.

F1 = 100 N 300 N of W
F2 = 150 N 600 S of W Scale: 1cm = 50 N
F3 = 50 N 45 S of E
0

FR = ?

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 F1 = 100 N
600
300
F2 = 150 N
430

FR = 172 N The Resultant is,

450
F3 = 50 N
FR = 172 N 430 S of W

Explore

Activity 1: Parallelogram Shape

What you need:

Ruler, protractor, and pencil/pen

What to do: Determine and the resultant of two vectors using the parallelogram
method. Use the Cartesian coordinate below in drawing your vectors.

Given: d1 = 600 km 500 N of W d2= 450 km 150 S of E

Scale: 1m = 150 km

The Resultant is
dR =
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Activity 2: Polygon Shape

What you need:

Ruler, protractor, and pencil/pen

What to do: Determine and the resultant of the vectors using the polygon method.
Use the Cartesian coordinate below in drawing your vectors.

Given: F1 = 60 dyne west

F2 = 70 dyne 450 S of W
F3 = 60 dyne 750 S of E

The Resultant is,

FR =

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 Deepen

Activity 1: Let’s Go Hunting!

What you need:

Ruler, protractor, and pencil/pen

What to do:

1. Read the story

A long, long time ago in Bauang, La Union, there is a treasure buried by
the Japanese army headed by Yamashita during the World War II. Until
this day, the treasure remains unfold. Your grandfather gave you a
treasure map before he died. Today you are going to get the treasure.
2. Select 1 possible route for you to follow to reach the treasure site.
Possible route:
I. From the Starting Point to Grapes Capital, then to Guapple Station dopped
by the Bauang Casino, then to the Treasure Site.
II. From the Starting Point to Guapple Station, then to Bauang Casino, to
the Treasure Site.
III. From the Starting Point to Bauang Casino, went to the nearby mountain,
then to Bauang, Grotto, then to the Treasure Sit.

3. Determine your displacement for each line segment from the starting point to
the treasure site and determine your resultant displacement. Enter your
result in the table.
Table.
Length of Line Distance Covered Direction of Line
Line Segment
Segment (cm) (km) segment

Net displacement traveled for the whole trip:

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Treasure Map

Mountain
Range

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 Gauge

Part I.
Direction: To test your understanding of the distinction between scalar and vector,
consider the following quantities listed below. Categorize each quantity
as either a vector or a scalar. Write your answer in the blank.

Quantity Category (scalar or vector)

1. 120 miles
2. 500 N down
3. 8 km north
4. 1800C
5. 10 meters left
6. 6 800 calories
7. 1.01 x 105 Pascal
8. 250 m 150 N of W
9. 30 kg.m/s to the right
10. work

Part II.
Direction: Refer to the figure in answering numbers 1 to 5. Write your answer in
the blank.

2 m/s2 E

1. Describe vector A. A. 220N 200 N of E B. 220N 200 N of W

C. 220N 200 N D. 220N 200 S of W
2. Describe vector B. A. 5m/s 750 N of E B. 5m/s 750 S of E
C. 5m/s 750 W of S D. 5m/s 750 S of W
3. Describe vector C. A. 100 m 250 E of N B. 100 m 250 N of E
C. 100 m 250 NE D. 100 m 250 S of E
4. Describe vector D. A. 580km 480 N of E B. 580km 480 NE
C. 580km 480 E of S D. 580km 480 S of E
5. Describe vector E. A. 2m/s2 W B. 2m/s2 E
C. 2m/s N
2 D. 2m/s N2

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References
Printed Materials

Department of Education, Bureau of Learning Resources. General Physics I. Reader

(pp. 16-18). Pasig City, Philippines

Reyes, Christopher G. (2018). Work-Text in General Physics I for Senior High School.
GBT Great Books Trading

Department of Education, Secondary Education Development and Improvement

Project. Science and Technology. Physics Textbook.. Pasig City, Philippines

PASMEP Teacher Resource Material 12.2

Websites

2020 SlidePlayer.com.Inc. retrieved from http://slideplayer.com/slide/8030572

1996-2020. The Physics Classroom retrieved from

https://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/1DKin/Lesson-1/Scalars-and-
Vectors

2020, BYJU’s. from https://byjus.com/physics/Scalars-and-vector

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