Unit 1

Vector Quantities

Introduction
In science, particularly in physics, you try to make measurements as pre- Brainstorming
cise as possible. Several times in the history of science, precise mea- question:
surements have led to new discoveries or important developments. Any List some phys-
number or sets of numbers used for a quantitative description of a phys- ical quantities,
ical phenomenon is called a physical quantity. Physical quantities can and classify them

generally be divided in two groups: scalars and vectors. Scalars have only as scalars and

magnitudes while vectors have both magnitude and direction. The con- vectors.

cepts of vectors and scalars help us in understanding physics of different

natural phenomena. You will learn about this topics in this unit.

By the end of this unit, you should be able to:

• differentiate between scalar and vector quantities and give exam-
ples of each;

• demonstrate vectors representation graphically;

• add and subtract two vectors and resolve a vector into its compo-
nents.

1
2 Unit 1 Vector Quantities

1.1 Scalars and Vectors

Exercise 1.1 By the end of this section, you should be able to:
T What do you • define scalar and vector quantities;
think are the
• describe the difference between vector and scalar quantities;
differences be-
tween vectors and • list some scalar and vector quantities.
scalars?
As discussed in the introduction, you classify physical quantities in two
categories. In one case, you need only to state their magnitude with proper
Key con-
units and that gives their complete description. Take, for example, mass.
cepts:
If you say that the mass of a ball is 50 g, you do not have to add anything to
Scalars are quan- the description of mass. Similarly, the statement that the density of water
tities that has only
is 1000 kg /m 3 is a complete description of density. Such quantities are
magnitude while
called scalars. A scalar quantity has only magnitude; no direction. Time,
Vectors quantities
distance, speed, length, volume, temperature, energy and power are
that have both
other examples of scalar quantities.
direction and
magnitude.
On the other hand, there are quantities which require both magnitude and
direction for their complete description. A simple example is velocity. The
Exercise 1.2 statement that the velocity of a train is 100 km/h does not make much
List other exam- sense unless you also tell the direction in which the train is moving. Force
ples of vectors is another such quantity. You must specify not only the magnitude of the
other than those force but also the direction in which the force is applied. Such quantities
discussed in the are called vectors. A vector quantity has both magnitude and direction.
textbook. Displacement, acceleration, momentum, impulse, weight and electric
field strength are other examples of vector quantities.
1.3 Vector addition and subtraction 5

1.3 Vector addition and subtraction

By the end of this section, you should be able to: Exercise 1.4
• apply vector addition and subtraction techniques to solve real-life Is it possible to
problems; add two vectors
of equal magni-
• define the term resultant vector.
tudes to get zero?
Explain.
Different mathematical operations can be performed with vectors. You
need to understand the mathematical properties of vectors, like addition
and subtraction.

Addition of Vectors
When you add vectors, you need to add both a magnitude and a direction.
The resultant of a number of vectors is the single vector whose effect is
the same as the individual vectors acting together. In other words, the
individual vectors can be replaced by the resultant where the overall effect
is the same.

You should remember that only vectors of the same kind can be added.
For example, two forces or two velocities can be added. But a force and a
velocity cannot be added.

Key concepts:

Scalars and vectors can never be added.

For any two vectors to be added, they must be of the same nature.

If vectors A and B have a resultant R, this can be represented mathemati-

cally as,

R = A+B (1.1)

Let us consider a few special cases of addition of vectors.

• When the Two Vectors are Parallel (Same Direction)

6 Unit 1 Vector Quantities

If vectors A and B are parallel, then the magnitude of the resultant

vector is the sum of the magnitudes of the two vectors. Hence, the
magnitude of the resultant vector is

R = A+B (1.2)

Since the two vectors are in the same direction, the direction of the
resultant vector is in the direction of one of the two vectors.

• When the Two Vectors are acting in Opposite Direction

Figure 1.3 Resultant vector R of If vectors ⃗
A and B ⃗ are parallel, then the magnitude of the resul-
two vectors A and B when they ⃗ is the difference of the magnitudes of the two vectors.
tant vector R
are (a) same direction and (b)
opposite direction . Hence, the magnitude of the resultant vector is

R = A−B (1.3)

Since the two vectors are in opposite directions with one another,
the direction of the resultant vector is in the direction of the larger
vector.

• When the two vectors are perpendicular

If vectors ⃗ ⃗ are perpendicular to each other, then the magni-
A and B
tude of the resultant vector is obtained using the Pythagoras theorem.
Figure 1.4 Two perpendicular Hence, the magnitude of the resultant vector is
vectors A and B; and its resul-
tant vector R.
p
R= A2 + B 2 (1.4)

The direction of the resultant vector is obtained using the trigono-

metric equation:
B
µ ¶
−1
θ = t an (1.5)
A

For example, the 4 N and 2 N forces can be added or subtracted to get the
resultant force. That is, the net force is the result of adding up all the force
Figure 1.5 Addition and sub- vectors as shown in Figure 1.5.
traction of two force vectors.
1.3 Vector addition and subtraction 7

Note: The resultant of two vectors acting on the same point is maximum
when the vectors are acting in the same direction and minimum when
they operate in opposite directions.

Exercise 1.5
Key concepts:
If two vectors ⃗
A
TParallel vector: Two vectors ⃗ ⃗ are said to be parallel when
A and B and B⃗ are perpen-
they have same direction. dicular (an angle
TAnti-parallel vectors: Two vectors ⃗ ⃗ are said to be
A and B between them is
anti-parallel when they have opposite directions. 900 ), how you can
find the sum of
the two vectors?
Subtraction of Vectors
Vector subtraction is done in the same way as vector addition with one
small change. You add the first vector to the negative of the vector that
needs to be subtracted. As you discussed earlier, a negative vector has the
same magnitude as the original vector, but points in the opposite direction.
Subtracting vector B from vector A, which is written as, A - B, is actually
equal to A + (-B).

As it is indicated in Figure 1.6, draw vector -B from the tip of A and join the
tail of A with the tip of -B, then the resulting vector is the difference (A - B).

Example 1.1
Figure 1.6 Subtraction of vector
Two vectors have magnitudes of 6 units and 3 units. What is the magnitude B from vector A
of the resultant vector when the two vectors are in the same direction, in
opposite direction and perpendicular to each other.

Solution:

(a) When the two vectors are in the same direction, R = (6 + 3)units = 9
units.
8 Unit 1 Vector Quantities

(b) When the two vectors are in the opposite directions, R = (6 - 3)units =
3 units.

p
(c) When the two vectors are perpendicular to each other, R = A2 + B 2 =
p
62 + 32 = 6.7uni t s.

Exercise 1.6
If two vectors
Example 1.2
have equal mag-
nitude, what are Two vectors have a length of 4 km and 3 km. What are the maximum and

the maximum minimum magnitudes of their vector sum?

and minimum
Solution: If the two vectors are in the same direction, the magnitude of
magnitudes of
their sum will be a maximum and will be 7 km. If the two vectors are in
their sum?
opposite directions, the magnitude of their sum will be a minimum and
will be 1 km.

Section Summary
• Vector addition is a means of finding the resultant of a number
of vectors.

• Subtraction of a vector is addition of the negative of a vector.

1.4 Graphical method of vector addition 9

Review questions

1. What is meant by subtraction of vector?

2. What is meant by resultant vector?

3. Two vectors ⃗ ⃗ have the same magnitude of 5 units and

A and B
⃗ points to the north east and ⃗
they start from the origin: B A
⃗ . What
points to the south west exactly opposite to vector B
would be the magnitude of the resultant vector? Why?

4. If two vectors have equal magnitude, what are the maximum

and minimum magnitudes of their sum?

5. If three vectors have unequal magnitudes, can their sum be

zero? Explain.

1.4 Graphical method of vector addition

By the end of this section, you should be able to:
• describe the graphical method of vector addition;

• use the graphical method of vector addition to solve problems.

Using the graphical method of vector addition, vectors are drawn to scale
and the resultant is determined using a ruler and protractor. You next
discuss the primary graphical techniques: the triangle method, the paral-
lelogram method, and the polygon method.

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.
10 Unit 1 Vector Quantities

• 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.

Triangle method of vector addition

Triangle law of vector addition is used to find the sum of two vectors. This
law is used to add two vectors when the first vector’s head is joined to
the tail of the second vector and then 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. That’s why the triangle law of vector addition is also
called the head-to-tail method for the addition of vectors.

Thus, if two vectors acting simultaneously on a body are represented both

in magnitude and direction by two sides of a triangle taken in an order
then the resultant sum vector (both magnitude and direction) of these two
vectors is given by the third side of that triangle taken in the opposite order.
This is the statement for the triangle law of vector addition.

Consider two vectors ⃗ ⃗ shown in Figure 1.7 (a). To add these two
A and B
vectors using the triangle method, the head of vector ⃗
A should be joined
⃗ . Then, the resultant vector R
to the tail of vector B ⃗ has its tail at the tail of
Figure 1.7 The triangle rule for ⃗ ⃗ as shown in Figure 1.7 (b).
A and its head at the head of B
the addition of two vectors.

⃗=⃗
R ⃗
A +B (1.6)
1.4 Graphical method of vector addition 11

Activity 1.2

Consider adding two vectors ⃗ ⃗ graphically. The two vectors

A and B
are shown in Figure 1.8.

1. Select an appropriate scale. (Ex. 20 cm = 5 N)

2. Draw vector ⃗
A to scale and in the proper direction.
Figure 1.8 Two vectors ⃗ ⃗.
A and B
⃗ to the same scale with its tail at the tip of ⃗
3. Draw vector B A and
in the proper direction.

4. The resultant vector R ⃗=⃗ A+B ⃗ is the vector drawn from the
tail of vector ⃗ ⃗.
A to the tip of vector B

⃗ using the selected

5. Measure the length of the resultant vector B
scale and measure its direction with a protractor.

Parallelogram method of vector addition

The vector addition may also be understood by the law of parallelogram. Key concepts
The parallelogram law of vector addition is used to add two vectors when Graphically, vec-
the vectors that are to be added form the two adjacent sides of a parallel- tors can be added
ogram by joining the tails of the two vectors. Then, the sum of the two using the triangle,
vectors is given by the diagonal of the parallelogram. parallelogram and
polygon method
Thus, if two vectors are represented by the two adjacent sides (both in of vector addition.
magnitude and direction) of a parallelogram drawn from a point, then
their resultant sum vector is represented completely by the diagonal of the
Activity 1.3
parallelogram drawn from the same point. This is the statement for the
Repeat activity 1.2
parallelogram law of vector addition
using the parallel-
ogram method of
Suppose two vectors ⃗ ⃗ are at the arbitrary positions shown in Figure
A and B
vector addition.
1.9 (a). Translate either one of them in parallel to the beginning of the other
vector, so that after the translation, both vectors have their origins at the
12 Unit 1 Vector Quantities

same point. Now, at the end of vector ⃗ ⃗

A we draw a line parallel to vector B
⃗ we draw a line parallel to vector ⃗
and at the end of vector B A (the dashed
lines in Figure 1.9 (b)). In this way, we obtain a parallelogram. From
the origin of the two vectors, we draw a diagonal of the parallelogram as
⃗ of the two vectors
shown in (Figure 1.9 (b)).The diagonal is the resultant R
where

⃗=⃗
R ⃗
A +B (1.7)

Since vector addition is commutative,

⃗ ⃗=B
A +B ⃗+⃗
A (1.8)

Figure 1.9 The Parallelogram

Polygon method of Vector Addition
rule for the addition of two
vectors. If more than two vectors are to be added, place them all head to tail to
⃗ is a vector drawn from the tail of
form a polygon. The resultant vector R
the first vector to the head of the last vector.

Suppose we want to draw the resultant vector R⃗ of four vectors ⃗ ⃗, C

A, B ⃗,
⃗ shown in Figure 1.10 (a). We select any one of the vectors as the
and D
first vector and make a parallel translation of a second vector to a posi-
tion where the origin ("tail") of the second vector coincides with the end
("head") of the first vector. Then, we select a third vector and make a
parallel translation of the third vector to a position where the origin of
the third vector coincides with the end of the second vector. We repeat
this procedure until all the vectors are in a head-to-tail arrangement like
the one shown in (Figure 1.10 (b)). We draw the resultant vector R ⃗ by
connecting the origin ("tail") of the first vector with the end ("head") of the
last vector. The end of the resultant vector is at the end of the last vector.

Thus, the resultant vector R ⃗ is an arrow drawn from the tail of vector D
⃗ to
Figure 1.10 The polygon rule the head of vector B⃗ , i.e., R
⃗=D ⃗ +⃗A +C⃗+B ⃗ as shown in Figure 1.10 (b).
for the addition of vectors.
Because the addition of vectors is associative and commutative, we obtain
1.4 Graphical method of vector addition 13

the same resultant vector regardless of which vector we choose to be first,

second, third, or fourth in this construction.
Activity 1.4
Section Summary Use the polygon
method of vec-
• Two non-parallel vectors are added by graphical means using
tor addition to
the triangle method and the parallelogram methods. But for
find the resultant
more than two vectors, the polygon method is used.
vector R of the
three vectors:
Review questions
⃗
A = 25.0m, 49.00
1. Consider six vectors that are added tail-to-head, ending up north of east,
⃗ = 23.0m, 15.00
B
where they started from. What is the magnitude of R?
north of east and
2. A boat starts moving across a river at velocity v per- ⃗ = 32.0m, 68.00
C
pendicular to the river bank. The boat encoun- south of east.
ters a cross along the river of velocity u, as shown. Choose a reason-
able scale.

Which vector diagram shows the resultant velocity v of the

boat?

3. Vector C is 6 m in the x-direction. Vector D is 8 m in the y-

direction. Use the parallelogram method to work out C + D.
14 Unit 1 Vector Quantities

1.5 Vector resolution

Exercise 1.7 By the end of this section, you should be able to:
Explain why a vec- • resolve a vector into horizontal and vertical components;
tor cannot have
• find the resultant of two or more vectors using the component
a component
method.
greater than its
own magnitude. In the previous discussion of vector addition, you saw that a number of
vectors acting together can be combined to give a single vector (the re-
sultant). In much the same way, a single vector can be broken down into
a number of vectors when added give the original vector. These vectors
which sum to the original are called components of the original vector.
The process of breaking a vector into its components is called resolving
into components.

Suppose you have vector A as shown in Figure 1.11 and you need to find
its components along x (horizontal component) and y-axes (vertical com-
ponent). Let these components be called A x and A y respectively. Then,
vector A can be written as:

⃗ ⃗x + A⃗y
A=A (1.9)

Simple trigonometry shows that:

Figure 1.11 The horizontal (A x ) A x = Acosθ (1.10)

and vertical (A y ) components
ofvector A . and

Key points: A y = Asi nθ (1.11)

Ay where θ is the angle that A makes with the x - axis.

si nθ = A
Ax
cosθ = A
Ay
If the perpendicular components A x and A y of vector A are known, then
t anθ = A x
A can also be found analytically. Thus, the magnitude of vector A and its
direction in terms of its components are given by:
q
A= Ax 2 + A y 2 (1.12)
1.5 Vector resolution 15

and the direction can be obtained using the equation

Key concepts
Ay
µ ¶
θ = t an −1 (1.13) Vectors can be
Ax
resolved into com-
ponents along a
Example 1.3 specified set of
coordinates axes.
A motorist undergoes a displacement of 250 km in a direction 30o north of
east. Resolve this displacement into its components.

Solution: Draw a rough sketch of the original vector. You can use trigonom-
etry to calculate the magnitudes of the components (along north and along
east) of the original displacement:

S N = (250)(si n30o )
= 125 km
S E = (250)(cos30o )
= 216.5 km

Figure 1.12 Resolving of resul-

Example 1.4
tant displacement.
A boy walks 3 km due east and then 2 km due north. What is the magnitude
and direction of his displacement vector?

Solution: You first make an overhead view of the boy’s movement as

shown in Figure 1.13. The magnitude of the displacement S is given by the
Pythagorean theorem as follows:

S = [(3 km)2 + (2 km)2 ]1/2 = 3.61 km Figure 1.13 The magnitude and
direction of the boy’s motion.
The direction that this displacement vector makes relative to east is given
by:
16 Unit 1 Vector Quantities

2 km
t an(θ) =
3 km
= 0.666...

Thus, θ = t an −1 (0.666...)=33.69o
Thus, the boy’s displacement vector is 3.61 km with 56.31o east of north, or
33.69o north of east.

Exercise 1.8
a) Give an exam- Section summary
ple of a nonzero
• Any vector can be resolved into a horizontal and a vertical
vector that has
component.
a component of
zero. • The combined effect of the horizontal and vertical compo-
b) If two vectors
nents of the vector quantity is the same as the original vector.
are equal, what
can you say about
Review questions
their compo-
nents? 1. What is resolution of vector?

2. Draw simple vector diagrams and resolve them into their com-
ponents.

(a) 40 N at an angle of 30o from the horizontal.

(b) 10 m/s at an angle of 80o from the horizontal.

(c) 1900 km at an angle of 40o from the vertical.

3. A car travels 10 km due north and then 5 km due west. Find

graphically and analytically the magnitude and direction of
the car’s resultant displacement.

4. A girl walks 25.0o north of east for 3.10 km. How far would
she have to walk due north and due east to arrive at the same
location?