GRADE 11 - PHYSICAL SCIENCES : MECHANICS 2020

Vectors in One Dimension – Revision

Vector – physical quantity having magnitude and direction.

Scalar – physical quantity having magnitude only.

Examples:

Vector Scalar
Force Time
Energy
Weight Mass
Velocity Speed
Displacement Distance
Acceleration
Graphical Representation of a vector

 Vector is represented by an arrow

 The length of an arrow represents the size (magnitude) of the vector
 The arrow-head represents the direction of the vector.

Direction of a horizontal or vertical vector

A positive sign (+) or a negative sign (–) is used to indicate the direction of a vector
that are either horizontal or vertical. For each example you must select the sign.

Examples

a) right is + +5N

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b) left is – -3N

Three methods to describe the direction of a vector that is not horizontal or

vertical

On a graph

FA : 10 N at 30o above the positive x- axis (horizontal axis)

FB : 8 N at 12o left of the negative y- axis (vertical axis)
FC : 5 N at 65o above the negative x- axis (horizontal axis)
Bearing

 Only for vectors in the horizontal plane i.e parallel to the surface of
the Earth
 Use North as 0o and always measure clockwise

FA : 10 N on a bearing of 60o
FB : 8 N on a bearing of 192o
FC : 5 N on a bearing of 335o

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Compass (Cardinal points or directions)

FA : 10 N at 30o North of East

FB : 8 N at 12o West of South
FC : 5 N at 65o North of West

RESULTANT OF VECTORS

Define a resultant as the vector sum of two or more vectors, i.e. a single vector
having the same effect as two or more vectors together.

 Resultant vector is greatest when vectors are in the same directions

 Resultant vector is smallest when vectors are in the opposite directions

1. Two vectors acting in the same direction :( one dimension)

A girl walks 120m due East and then 230m in the same direction. What is her
resultant displacement?

By calculation:

Sign of direction: Take to East to be +

R = 120m + 230m = 350m East

By construction:

120 m East 230 m East

R = 350 m
East
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2. Two vectors acting in opposite direction (one dimension)

A boy walks 210m due East. He then turns and walk 60m due West. Determine his
resultant displacement.

By calculation: (taking East as positive)

R = 210m + (- 60m) = 150m East

210 m East

60 m West
R = 150 m
East
3. Multiple vectors acting in different directions (one dimension)

Determine the resultant(net) force when 8 N force acts to the right, a 10 N force
acts to the right, a 25 N force acts to the left and a 12 N force acts to the left

Let to the right be positive

𝐹𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝐹1 + 𝐹2 + 𝐹3 + 𝐹4

𝐹𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 8 + 10 + (−25) + (−12)

𝐹𝑛𝑒𝑡 = −19 𝑁

𝐹𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 19 𝑁 𝑙𝑒𝑓𝑡

Fnet = 19 N left
F1 = 8 N right F2 = 10 N right

F4 = 12 N left F3 = 25 N left

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Vectors in Two Dimension

Resultant of perpendicular vectors

 Perpendicular vectors are at right angles to each other.

 A horizontal force of 30 N and a vertical force of 40 N that act on an object
are an example of two forces that are perpendicular to each other.
Diagram

FV = 40 N

FH = 30 N

Adding co-linear vectors

 Vectors that act in one dimension are called co-linear vectors

 The net x-component (Rx ) is the sum of the vectors parallel with the x-
direction: 𝑅𝑥 = 𝑅𝑥1 + 𝑅𝑥2
 The net y-component (Ry) is the sum of the vectors perpendicular to the x-
direction: 𝑅𝑦 = 𝑅𝑦1 + 𝑅𝑦2
Worked Example
Two forces of 3N and 2N apply an upward force to an object. At the same time two
forces each of 2N act horizontally to the right. Find the resultant force acting on the
object.
Step 1: Draw a diagram and calculate the net vertical and net horizontal forces

𝑅𝑦 = 𝑅𝑦1 + 𝑅𝑦2 3N

𝑅𝑦 = 2 + 3
𝑅𝑦 = 5 𝑁 𝑢𝑝𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑𝑠 2N

2N 2N

𝑅𝑥 = 𝑅𝑥1 + 𝑅𝑥2
𝑅𝑥 = 2 + 2
𝑅𝑥 = 4 𝑁 𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡

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Step 2: Graphical representation of Rx and Ry

Ry = 5

Rx = 4 N
Step 3: To find resultant (R) of the above vectors, one can using tail-to-tail
drawing of vectors

Tail to tail method or Parallelogram:

Note: When vectors are drawn tail-to-tail, a parallelogram must be completed in

order to determine their resultant.

R = 6,9N
Ry= 5 N

Rx= 4 N

 Phythagoras theorem is used to calculate the magnitude of the resultant.

 Considering the vector diagram above we can use Pythagoras theorem as
follows:
𝑅 2 = 𝑅𝑥 2 + 𝑅𝑦 2
𝑅 2 = 42 + 52

𝑅 = √42 + 52
𝑅 = 6.40 𝑁

 Use trigonometry to find the direction of the resultant as follows:

Ry 5
tanθ = =
Rx 4

∴ 𝜃 = 51,34°

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Worked Example:

A force of F1 = 5N is applied to a block in a horizontal direction. A second force F2 =

4N is applied to the object at an angle of 30⁰ above the horizontal. Determine the
resultant of the two forces, by accurate scale drawing.

Step 1: Draw rough sketches of the vector diagrams:

Note: Forces are NOT perpendicular

Step 2: Choose the suitable

scale. e.g 1cm : 1N

Step 3: Draw the first vector (F1) on the horizontal, according to the scale.

Step 4: Draw the second scaled vector (F2) 30⁰ above the horizontal.

Step 5: Complete the parallelogram and draw the diagonal (which is the
resultant)

Step 6: Use the protractor to measure the angle between the horizontal and the
resultant.

Step 7: Apply scale and convert the measured length to the actual magnitude.

The resultant is 8,7N, 13,3⁰ above the horizontal.

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GRAPHICAL DETERMINATION OF THE RESULTANT VECTOR

Tail-to-head method is used to find the resultant of two or more consecutive vectors
(vectors that are successive)

Steps to be followed:

 Choose the suitable scale e.g. 10mm : 10N

 Accurately draw the first vector as an arrow according to chosen scale and in
the correct direction
 Draw the second vector by placing the tail of the second vector at the tip of the
first vector { tail – to – head method}
 Complete the diagram by drawing the resultant from the tail of the first vector
to the head of the last vector.
 Make sure that you measure the angles correctly with a protractor.
 Always add arrow heads to vectors to indicate the direction.
 Measure the length and direction of the resultant vector.
Use the scale to determine the real magnitude of the resultant.

Worked Example 1:

A ship leaves a harbour H and sails 6km north to port A. From here the ship
travels 12 km east to port B, before sailing 5,5 km at 450 south-west to port C.

Determine the ship’s restaurant displacement using the tail-to-head technique.

Rough sketch:

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Using a scale 1cm : 2km, the accurate drawing of vectors is:

Measure the angle between the North line and the resultant with a protractor to
find that the direction of the resultant displacement:

Resultant displacement of the ship is 9,2 km on a bearing of 72, 3⁰.

Example 2:

A man walks 40m East, then 30m North. Use a scale of 1 cm: 10 m and
answer the following questions:

1. What was the total distance he walked?

2. Determine by construction his resultant displacement?
3. Calculate determine the direction of the resultant.
4. Calculate the magnitude of resultant displacement
Solutions:

1. Rough sketch

Total distance = 40m + 30m

= 70m

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2. Scale: 1cm : 10m

The resultant is 50m, 37⁰ from the horizontal

3. Tan Ф= 30
40

Ф=36,87⁰

4. R2 = x2 + y2
= 402 + 302

= 2500

R = 50m

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THE TRIANGLE RULE FOR FORCES IN EQUILIBRIUM

Closed vector diagram

 When drawing force vectors at equilibrium, a closed quadrilateral such as

triangle (closed vector diagram) will be obtained. In that case, the resultant
is zero and all vectors are drawn from head-to-tail.
 The forces F1, F2and F3 act on the same object and keep it in equilibrium so
that the object does not move, or continues moving with the constant
velocity. (No change in motion occurs).
 These three forces can be shifted to form a close triangle, where the sides
of the triangle still represent the magnitude and direction of the forces.
The triangle rule for forces in equilibrium is as follows:
When three forces acting at the point are in equilibrium, they can be
represented in both magnitude and direction by the three sides of a triangle
taken in order.
 The triangle is formed because the three forces are in equilibrium.
F1+F2+F3=0
For example: when the forces F1, F2 and F3 are in equilibrium, they can be
represented by a closed triangle as:

or

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RESOLUTION OF A VECTOR INTO ITS PARALLEL AND PERPENDICULAR

COMPONENTS

 The process of breaking down the vector quantity into its components that
are at right angles to each other is known as resolving a vector into its
components.

Worked Example

A force of 400N acts at an angle 600 to the horizontal.

Horizontal component: Vertical component:

adjacent opposite
cos θ = sin θ =
hypotenuse hypotenuse

Rx R𝑦
cos 60o = sin 60𝑜 =
400 N 400 N

Rx = 400N ∙ cos60o Ry = 400N ∙ sin60o

Rx = 200N Ry = 346,41N

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Finding resultant of vectors acting at angles (using component method)

Step 1: Find horizontal and vertical components of each force.

Components of F1: Components of F2: Components of F3:

Horizontal (Fx) Horizontal (Fx) Horizontal (Fx)

(Fx) = F1sinФ (Fx) = F2sinФ (Fx) = F3 cosФ

= 100 sin40⁰ = 80 sin30⁰ = 90 cos20⁰

= 64,28N (right) = 40N (right) = 84,57N (left)

Vertical (Fy) Vertical (Fy) Vertical (Fy)

(Fy) = F1 cosФ (Fy) = F2 cosФ (Fy) = F3 sinФ

= 100 cos40⁰ = 80 cos30⁰ = 90 sin20⁰

= 76,60N (up) = 69,28N (down) = 30,78N (down)

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Step 2: Hence, the new situation is:

Step 3:
Thus, the sum of horizontal components = 64,28+40+ (-84,57)
= 19,71N to the right

And the sum of vertical components = 69,28+30,78+ (-76,20)

= 23,46N downwards
Step 4:

The resultant of the two vectors (at right angles to each other) is:

R2 = Rx2 + Ry2
= 19,712+23,862
= 30,64N
tan Ф = 23,86/19,71

Ф = 50,47⁰
Thus, the resultant of the three forces is 30,95N in a bearing of 50,47⁰ from the
horizontal.

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Exam questions
QUESTION 1: MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS

Four options are provided as possible answers to the following questions. Each
question has only ONE correct answer. Write only the letter (A–D) next to the
question number (1.1–1.10) in the ANSWER BOOK, for example 1.11 D.

1.1 Consider the following vector diagrams. Which ONE of these vector
diagrams represents a zero resultant?

A B

C D

(2)
1.2 If the resultant of two forces acting at a point is zero, the forces …

A are of equal magnitude and act perpendicular to each other.

B are of different magnitudes, but act in opposite directions.
C are of equal magnitude and act in the same direction.
D are of equal magnitude, but act in opposite directions. (2)

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1.3 Two forces of magnitudes 3 N and 4 N respectively act on a body. The

maximum magnitude of the resultant of these forces is …

A 12 N.
B 7 N.
C 5 N.
D 1 N. (2)

1.4 Three forces of magnitude 20 N each act on object P as shown below.

20 N

20 N
P

20 N

The resultant force on object P is …

A zero.
B 20 N to the left.
C 20 N upwards.
D 20 N downwards. (2)

1.5 Two forces of magnitudes 15 N and 20 N act at a point on an object. Which

one of the following magnitudes CANNOT be the resultant of these forces?

A. 35 N
B. 10 N
C. 4N
D. 18 N
(2)

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1.6 Three forces, each of magnitude 7 N, act on object P as shown.

7N

7N 7N

The resultant force on object P is …

A zero.
B 7 N to the left.
C 7 N upwards.
D 7 N downwards. (2)

1.7 Two forces of magnitude 50 N and 70 N respectively act on a body. The

maximum magnitude of the resultant force on the body is ...

A 20 N.
B 60 N.
C 120 N.
D 140 N. (2)

1.8 Two forces of magnitudes 8 N and 6 N are added to each other.

Which of the following values CANNOT be a resultant of these two
forces?

A 2N
B 3N
C 14 N
D 16 N (2)

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1.9 You can replace two forces, P and Q, with a single force of 7 N. If the
magnitude of force P is 3 N, which one of the following can be the
magnitude of force Q?

A 2N
B 3N
C 8N
D 13N (2)

1.10 Consider the following vector diagram:

The vector which represents the resultant of the other two, is …

A. AB.
B. AC.
C. CB.
D. BA.
(2)

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STRUCTURED QUESTION
QUESTION 1 (Grade11 KZN MARCH 2015)
The diagram below shows TWO forces P and Q of magnitude 250 N and 150 N
respectively acting at a point R.

1.1 Calculate the horizontal and vertical components of vector P. (4)

1.2 Calculate the vector sum of horizontal components of P and Q. (3)

1.3 The vector sum of the vertical components of these forces is 129,45 N.

Using the vector sums of the horizontal and vertical components of P and Q,

draw a labeled force vector diagram to show the resultant force acting on

the point R. (3)

1.4 Calculate the magnitude of the resultant of forces P and Q. (3)

1.5 Calculate the direction (measured clockwise from the positive Y axis) of the

resultant of vectors P and Q. (3)

1.6 If vector P was fixed but the direction of vector Q could be changed, for which

value of ϴ will the resultant force have a maximum value? (1)

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QUESTION 2 (FS CONTROL TEST TERM 1 – 2014)

Force vectors P and Q were drawn to scale on the Cartesian plane shown
below.

2.1. Define the term resultant of a vector. (2)

2.2. From the graph, without using a scale drawing, CALCULATE the (no units
are required):

2.2.1 Magnitude of the horizontal component of vector P (1)

2.2.2 Magnitude of the horizontal component of the resultant of vectors P

and Q (2)

2.2.3 Magnitude of the vertical component of the resultant of vector P and

Q (2)

2.2.4 Resultant of vectors P and Q. (6)

[13]

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QUESTION 3(Fs CONTROL TEST TERM 1 – 2015)

Three forces, F1, F2 and w, act on point O as shown in the diagram below.

F1
F2
80 N
58 N
60° O

w
3.1 Define the term resultant of forces. (2)

3.2 By means of an accurate scale drawing, determine the vertical component

of F1. Use a scale where 10 N is represented by 10 mm. (5)

3.3 The horizontal and vertical components of F2 are equal to 40 N and 42 N

respectively.

3.3.1 Prove with calculations that the horizontal components of the forces are in
equilibrium. (3)

3.3.2 Calculate the magnitude and direction of force w. (2)

[12]

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QUESTION 4

The diagram below shows a rope and pulley arrangement of a device being used to lift
an 800 N object. Assume that the ropes are light and inextensible and also that the pulley
is light and frictionless.

Deter mine the:

2.1 Magnitudes of the tensions T1 and T2 (7)

2.2 Magnitude and direction of the reaction force at pulley P (4)

QUESTION 5 (EC NOV 2016)

The diagram below shows a rope and pulley system of a device being used to lift a 122,5 kg
container upwards at a constant velocity. Assume that the ropes are light and inextensible
and the pulley is frictionless.

5.1 Calculate the weight of the container. (3)

5.2 The system is moving upwards at a constant velocity as indicated above.

5.2.1 Draw a vector diagram of all forces acting on the container and indicate
the angles represented in the diagram. (5)

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5.2.2 Determine the magnitudes of the forces T1 and T2. (7)

5.3 The system is moving upwards at a constant velocity.

5.3.1 What does the statement above tell us about forces acting on the
container? (2)

5.3.2 Which Newton’s law support your answer in QUESTION 5.3.1? (2)

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