GPS

• SP1. Students will analyze the relationships

between force, mass, gravity, and the motion of

objects.

– b. Compare and contrast scalar and vector quantities.

SCALARS AND VECTORS

• Scalars only have magnitude (ex. 50 m)

• Vectors have magnitude and direction (ex. 50

m, North)

• When you combine two or more vectors the

sum is called the resultant.

• For example in 1-D:

50 m North and 30 m South;

the resultant is 20 m North (+50 m + (-30 m))

VECTOR BASICS

Images:

http://www.physicsclassroom.com/Class/vec

tors/u3l1a.cfm

THE RESULTANT IN ONE

DIMENSION

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DIRECTION

Images:

http://www.physicsclassroom.com/Class/vectors/u

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THE RESULTANT IN TWO

DIMENSIONS (X AND Y)

http://www.physicsclassroom.com/Class/vect

ors/U3l1b.cfm

PROPERTIES OF VECTORS• Vectors can be moved parallel to themselves in

a diagram.

• Vectors can be added in any order. For

example, A + B is the same as B + A

• To subtract a vector, add its opposite. SIGNS

(DIRECTION) ARE VERY IMPORTANT!!!

• Multiplying or dividing vectors by scalars

results in vectors. For example: When you

divide displacement (x or y) by time (s) the

result is velocity (v).

http://www.physicsclassroom.com/mmedia/vectors/ao.cfm

RESULTANTS CAN BE DETERMINE

GRAPHICALLY OR

ALGEBRACIALLY

• When determining the resultant graphically you must be

careful of several factors.

• Your scale must be determined and measured

accurately with a ruler.

• Your angles (directions) must be done with a protractor.

• ALWAYS DRAW YOUR VECTORS FROM HEAD TO

TAIL!!!!!

• The resultant is always from the head of your last vector

to the tail of your first vector.

HEADTAIL HEAD

TAIL

DETERMINING SCALE

http://www.physicsclassroom.com/Class/vectors/u3l1a.cfm

GRAPHICALLY DETERMINING

A RESULTANThttp://www.physicsclassroom.com/Class/vectors/U3l1b.cfm

Name that Vector!

• http://www.physicsclassroom.com/Physics-

Interactives/Vectors-and-Projectiles/Name-

That-Vector/Name-That-Vector-Interactive

DETERMINING

RESULTANTS BY ALGEBRA

AND TRIGONOMETRY• You must use the Pythagorean theorem and

trigonometry to determine a resultant.

• WE ONLY USE DEGREES IN THIS CLASS!! NO

RADIANS!!!!

• You must know SOHCAHTOA!!

• You must be able to use your calculator correctly!

• The resultant is always from the head of your last vector

to the tail of your first vector.

• Direction is always from the tail of the first vector.

Physics, September 28

•Grab a whiteboard

•Vector PRACTICE!!

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REAL LIFE VECTORSh

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ANSWERS TO PRACTICE

• PRACTICE A:

11.18 km at 26.56 º W of N OR

11.18 km at 63.44º N of W

• PRACTICE B:

50 km at 53.13º S of W OR

50 km at 36.87º W of S

PROBLEMS 1 and 2• Which of the following quantities are scalars, and

which are vectors? (A) the acceleration of a

plane as it takes off (B) the number of passengers

on the plane (C) the duration of the flight (D) the

displacement of the flight (E) the amount of fuel

required for the flight?

• A roller coaster moves 85 m horizontally, then

travels 45 m at an angle of 30° above the

horizontal. What is its displacement from its

starting point?(graphical techniques)

ANSWERS

30°

RESULTANT

126 m at 10° above the horizontal 126 m at

10° above the horizontal

•(A) vector (B) scalar (C) scalar (D) vector

•(E) scalar

•TODAY: Turn in map

Worksheet (you have

until the end of class)

•Homework: Vector

worksheet, due

MONDAY

PROBLEMS 3 and 4• A novice pilot sets a plane’s controls, thinking the

plane will fly at 250 km/hr to the north. If the

wind blows at 75 km/hr toward the southeast,

what is the plane’s resultant velocity? Use

graphical techniques.

• While flying over the Grand Canyon, the pilot

slows the plane’s engines down to one-half the

velocity of the last problem. If the wind’s

velocity is still 75 km/h toward the southeast,

what will the plane’s new resultant velocity be?

ANSWERS

• 204 km/h at 75° north of east

• 89 km/h at 54° north of east

PROBLEM

• The water used in many fountains is

recycled. For instance, a single water

particle in a fountain travels through an

85 m system and then returns to the same

point. What is the displacement of a

water particle during one cycle?

ANSWER

• ZERO