FIS00FP
Unit 2 – Vectors and their properties
WS Nigrini (2019)
, Introduction
In this learning unit we will focus on:
• distinguishing between vectors and scalars
• properties of vectors
• resolving vectors into components
• adding vectors algebraically
, Vectors vs. scalars
• Some physical quantities, such as time, energy or
temperature, can be adequately described by their
magnitudes (and appropriate units of measurement).
These quantities are known as scalars.
• Vectors, however, have both magnitude (size) and
direction. Examples of vector quantities include
force, momentum and displacement.
, Properties of vectors
Two vectors are said to be equal if they have the same
magnitude and direction:
y
𝐵 𝐴 = 𝐵 𝑖𝑓 𝐴 = 𝐵 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝜃𝐴 = 𝜃𝐵
𝐴 ( 𝐴 is the magnitude of vector 𝐴;
𝐵 the magnitude of vector 𝐵.)
𝜃𝐵
𝜃𝐴 x
Unit 2 – Vectors and their properties
WS Nigrini (2019)
, Introduction
In this learning unit we will focus on:
• distinguishing between vectors and scalars
• properties of vectors
• resolving vectors into components
• adding vectors algebraically
, Vectors vs. scalars
• Some physical quantities, such as time, energy or
temperature, can be adequately described by their
magnitudes (and appropriate units of measurement).
These quantities are known as scalars.
• Vectors, however, have both magnitude (size) and
direction. Examples of vector quantities include
force, momentum and displacement.
, Properties of vectors
Two vectors are said to be equal if they have the same
magnitude and direction:
y
𝐵 𝐴 = 𝐵 𝑖𝑓 𝐴 = 𝐵 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝜃𝐴 = 𝜃𝐵
𝐴 ( 𝐴 is the magnitude of vector 𝐴;
𝐵 the magnitude of vector 𝐵.)
𝜃𝐵
𝜃𝐴 x
