Vectors physics lab

Scalar

Quantity that is fully described by a single number (w/units)

What are examples of scalar things?

• money

• temperature

• volume

• density

vectors

requires both a number (magnitude) and a direction to be completely sensible

a single number cannot describe a vector quantity

Examples of vectors

• position (10 mi NE of riverside)

• velocity (S 60mph)

• acceleration

What represents vectors?

arrows

points in both the direction and shows the length ( magnitude)

How could the vector A be written in terms of the two directions NE

(all of the following are vectors) A= A_x+ A_y

tells you that you can get to this position by first going 8 mi east (X-axis)

then go 6 mi north (y-axis)

this makes a right triangle and gives the length of the hypotenuse to 10mi

Pythagorean thm

h= sqrt(a²+b²)

and use trig to find certain sides SOHCAHTOA (tan for angle)

How is the angle measured?

from the counter clockwise position of the x-axis

what is not needed for vectors?

ONLY magnitude and direction is specificed for vectors, and starting position is not given, so the starting point is inconsequential

how do scalars add

algebraically

how do vectors add

Total displacement= T= A + B(vectors)

tip to tail then find the length

when are forces considered balanced

when their vectors add up to 0

during the lab how will we know the forces are equal to 0

when looking at the force table, the know balances at the center of the force table