1. Scalars vs. Vectors

2. Scalar quantities have only a magnitude (amount)
Scalar quantities have only a magnitude (amount). Vector quantities have a magnitude and a direction. We represent them as arrows. Distance (d): the separation between two points. Is distance a scalar or a vector? _____________ Displacement (Δd): A measure of the change in position. Δd = final position – initial position. The sign of the value for indicates the direction. Is displacement a scalar or a vector? ______________

3. a) what is the distance of Car A from Car B
a) what is the distance of Car A from Car B? ___________ b) what is the distance of Car B from Car A? ___________ c) what is the position of Car A? ____________ of Car B? ____________ d) what is the displacement of Car A measured from Car B? ____________ e) what is the displacement of Car B measured from Car A? ____________

4. When adding vectors we use vector addition or the tip-to-tail method.
Ex: A student walks 5 m east and then 3 m west.
What is the distance (scalar) travelled?
What is the student’s displacement (vector)?
d = 5 m + 3 m = 8 m
Draw the vector arrows:
5 m east
2 m east
3 m west
Resultant or “net” vector
When adding vectors we use vector addition or the tip-to-tail method.

5. Ex: A polar bear meanders 275 m east and then turns around and ambles 425 m west.
What was the distance travelled by the bear?
b) What was the bear’s displacement?

6. Ex: A little girl takes her dog for a walk around a city block as shown.
What is the distance travelled?
What is her final displacement?
What was her displacement at B?
What was her displacement at C?
115 m
125 m
Start/
Finish A B C N

7. Ok this can get a little confusing…
Describe the following angles… 1 θ 2 θ 3 θ 4 5 6 θ θ θ

8. Add the following vectors and find their resultant magnitudes and directions.
15 m East and 25 m North
220 m North and 80 m West
2.2 m South and 1.8 m North
150 m East and 180 m South
45 m South and 30 m East and 15 m North
Remember to add tip-to-tail!
When adding vectors does it matter which one you add first?