3.1 Introduction to Vectors

 Vectors indicate direction; scalars do not  Examples of scalars: time, speed, volume, temperature  Examples of vectors: displacement, velocity, and acceleration

 Vectors are represented by symbols  With bold letters or with an arrow above the symbol  With diagrams ▪ Arrows pointing in the direction the of vector and length related to magnitude.

 Vectors can be added graphically  Must be in same units  Adding gives a quantity called the resultant.  Steps for Adding Vectors Graphically: 1.Draw vectors to scale in the correct direction and place them head-to-tail 2.Then draw a straight line from tail of first vector to head of last. This is the resultant. 3.Measure the length of the resultant and use scale to estimate/convert this measurement to the actual magnitude. 4.Use a protractor to measure the angle between the first vector and the resultant.

 Vectors can be moved parallel to themselves in a diagram

 Vectors can be added in any order.

 To subtract a vector, add its opposite

 Multiplying or dividing vectors by scalars results in vectors