General Physics Vectors and Scalars

What’s the Difference? Speed : Velocity as Scalar : Vector Why is this true? The difference is again, Direction.

Scalar Quantities Any physical quantity that can be completely described by a magnitude with appropriate units. Examples?

Vector Quantities Any physical quantity that requires both a magnitude with appropriate units and a direction for a complete description. Examples?

Drawing Vectors The easiest way to begin understanding vectors is to draw them. A vector is represented as an arrow. The length represents the magnitude The head indicates direction

Adding Vectors Raiders of the Lost Ark Vectors can be added using the Head-To- Tail Method. Consider an ant walking across a piece of paper. The first walks from the bottom of the paper toward the top a distance of 50 cm. The ant then turns and walks to the right for a distance of 30 cm. The Resultant vector is form start to finish.

Other Methods There are other methods of adding vectors. They include: Parallelogram Method Mathematical Method We will discuss these later.

Vector Activity Practice adding vectors together using the head-to-tail method. You will need a ruler, protractor and colored pencils/markers. Complete the activity on the handout.