Unit 1

UNIT 1 : VECTORS
CONTENTS
By the end of this lesson you should be able to understand:

Scalars and vectors
Vector representation
Types of vectors
Additions of vectors
Substructions of vectors
Resolutions of vectors
Scalars and Vectors
 Physical quantities can be classified into two categories.

Physical
quantities
Scalars Vectors
 They are those which require both
 They are those that can be
magnitude and direction for their
completely specified by a number
complete description.
together with an appropriate unit of
 A vector quantity has both
measurement.
 A scalar quantity has only magnitude magnitude and direction.
Ex: 5N E, 10km/hr North
Ex:2kg, 5m, 5hr
Vector representations
 vector quantities are represented either algebraically or geometrically
Geometrically
Algebraically  They are represented by an arrow.
 They are represented by a  The length of the arrow represents the
bold letter or with an arrow vector magnitude if it is drawn in scale.
over the letter.  The arrow head represents the vector
Ex: P or direction.
Example
 Draw the vector, 16 km East, to scale by indicating the scale that

you have used:
 Solution
First, let us decide upon a scale. Let 1 cm represent 4 km. So if 1
cm = 4 km, then 16 km = 4 cm and the direction is in the East.
Using this information, you can draw the vectors as arrows as
follows.
Types of vectors
1. Zero vector or Null vector: a vector with zero magnitude and no

direction.
2. Unit Vector: vector that has magnitude equal to one.
3. Equal vectors: vectors that have the same magnitude and same
direction.
4. Negative of a vector: a vector that have the same magnitude but
opposite direction with the given vector.
Vector addition
when two vectors are added, both their direction and their magnitude should be
considered.
The resultant of a number of vectors is the single vector whose effect is the
same as the individual vectors acting together.
If vectors A and B have a resultant R, this can be represented mathematically
as
Subtraction of Vectors
Vector subtraction is a straight forward extension of vector addition.

The subtraction of vector B from vector A is then simply defined to
be the addition of −B to A.
That is,
Graphical method of vector addition
Procedure for using graphical method of vector addition
 Decide on an appropriate scale. Record it on the diagram.
 Pick a starting point.
 Draw first vector with appropriate length and in the indicated
direction.
 Draw the second and remaining vectors with appropriate length
and direction.
 Draw the resultant based on the specific rule you are using.
 Measure the length of the resultant; use the scale to convert to
the magnitude of the resultant.
 Use a protractor to measure the vector’s direction
Example
 Given that and find the magnitude and direction of vector
Solution
 let 1N=1 points
 Each points represent 1N
 Then let start drawing
Triangle method of vector addition
 Triangle law of vector addition is used to find the sum of two vectors
when the first vector’s head is joined to the tail of the second vector.
 Then by joining the tail of the first vector to the head of the second
vector to form a triangle, and hence obtain the resultant sum vector.
Parallelogram method of vector addition
 The parallelogram law of vector addition is used to add two vectors
when the vectors that are to be added form the two adjacent sides of
a parallelogram by joining the tails of the two vectors.
 Then, the sum of the two vectors is given by the diagonal of the
parallelogram
Polygon method of vector addition
 This law is used for the addition of more than two vectors.
 According to this law, if you have a large number of vectors, place
the tail end of each successive vector at the head end of previous
one.
 The resultant of all vectors can be obtained by drawing a vector
from the tail end of first to the head end of the last vector
⃗
𝐴 ⃗
𝐵
⃗ ⃗
𝐶
𝑅
Example
1. Two vectors have magnitudes of 6 units and 3 units. What is the
magnitude of the resultant vector when the two vectors are
a) in the same direction,
b) in opposite direction and
c) perpendicular to each other?
Solution
1. You are given with two vectors of magnitudes 6 units and 3 units.
a. When the two vectors are in the same direction,
b. When the two vectors are in the opposite directions,
c. When the two vectors are perpendicular to each other,

=
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UNIT 1 : VECTORS

By the end of this lesson you should be able to understand:

 Physical quantities can be classified into two categories.

 Draw the vector, 16 km East, to scale by indicating the scale that

1. Zero vector or Null vector: a vector with zero magnitude and no

Vector subtraction is a straight forward extension of vector addition.

b. When the two vectors are in the opposite directions,

c. When the two vectors are perpendicular to each other,

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