Physics, Vector and scalar quantities

September 2024

All quantities are described by a….

Magnitude and unit

Vectors

Need to have their direction specified

Examples of vectors

Displacement, velocity, acceleration and force

Scalars

Do not have a direction

Examples of scalars

Distance, speed, mass, work and energy

Representing vectors

An arrowhead straight line is used

The arrow indicates the direction and the length of the line is proportional to the magnitude

If the forces are going to the same directions you…

Add them up

If the forces are going to different directions you…

Minus them

The original vectors are called…

Component vectors

The final overall vector is called…

The resultant vector

Resultant forces

A number of forces acting on a body may be replaced by a single force which has the same effect on the body as the original forces are acting together.