O-Level Physics
Scalar and vector quantities
❖ All physical quantities have a magnitude and a unit.
❖ Some of them may be described fully simply by stating
their magnitude. These are called scalar quantities.
❖ A scalar quantity is a quantity with magnitude only.
❖ An example is speed or distance.
❖ However, there are other quantities which are only fully
described by stating their direction as well as magnitude.
❖ These are called vector quantities.
❖ A vector quantity is a quantity with both magnitude and
direction.
❖ An example is displacement and velocity.
Figure 1: List of vector and scalar quantities
Quantity Scalar Vector
Distance Yes
Displacement Yes
Speed Yes
Velocity Yes
Acceleration Yes
Momentum Yes
Moment Yes
Energy/Work Yes
Power Yes
Force Yes
Weight Yes
Potential difference (voltage)/e.m.f. Yes
Temperature Yes
Vector representation
❖ A vector can be represented on a scale diagram using
an arrow.
❖ The length of the arrow represents the size/magnitude of
the vector while the arrow head shows the direction of
the vector.
❖ A scale indicates the unit length of the drawing that
translates to a particular vector size.
❖ This is highlighted on the next slide.
Figure 2: Vector representation on scale drawing
Addition of vectors
❖ Because they possess direction, vectors cannot be
added simply like ordinary numbers and scalars.
❖ There are rules to be followed when adding two or more
vectors.
❖ The result of adding two or more vectors together is
known as the resultant vector.
❖ The resultant vector is the single vector that has the
same effect as the two or more vectors acting
separately.
Addition of vectors that act in the same direction
❖ The resultant vector of two vectors is given by their
algebraic sum (this means add the vectors).
❖ The resultant vector will have the same direction as the
vectors being added.
❖ For instance, the resultant of a 20N and 30N force which both
act upwards is found as shown below:
Figure 3: Adding vectors that act in the same direction
❖ As can be seen, the resultant vector is 50N which is the sum
of 20N and 30N i.e. 50N = 20N + 30N.
❖ The resultant is directed upwards, as the were the vectors
being added.
Addition of vectors that act in opposite directions
❖ The resultant vector of two vectors acting in the opposite
directions is found by getting their difference (This means
subtracting the smaller vector from the larger one).
❖ The resultant vector will be in the same direction as the
direction of the larger vector of the two. This is highlighted
below:
Figure 4: Adding vectors that act in opposite directions
Adding vectors that act at an angle
❖ In cases where the two vectors are neither acting in the
same direction nor in opposite directions, then the two
vectors are acting at an angle.
❖ The resultant vector is found by means of a vector
triangle.
❖ The two vectors being added are drawn so that the tail of
one is connected to the head of the other (head to tail)
such that the two vectors form two sides of a triangle.
❖ Each one of the two vectors is represented in magnitude
and direction by a side of a triangle.
❖ When this is done correctly the two vectors being added
will both be positioned either clockwise or anticlockwise.
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Figure 6: Adding vectors that act at an angle by positioning
them head to tail using vector triangle.
They can be arranged as shown in (a) or as shown in (b)
(a) arranged anticlockwise (b) arranged clockwise
❖ An alternative to finding the resultant using a vector
diagram is to solve for the resultant using trigonometry.
❖ This can be done using Pythagoras theorem, tangent,
cosine, sine.
Figure 7: Pythagoras theorem and trig ratios for right
angled triangles
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b. By calculation
Before commencing the calculation, first draw a sketch of the vectors
involved such that they are joined head to tail. Also draw in the
resultant which will be the third side of the triangle. An accurate scale
drawing should not be attempted, only a sketch.
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*This is the end of the topic*
Thank you for your attention
