ABSTRACT

By the end of this lesson, students will

have a thorough understanding of the
major differences between vector and
scalar quantities, solve mathematical
calculations involve vector quantities.

Mr. Exodus Domiva Trye

Scalar and Vector Quantity Tutor

SSS 1&2

Physics Lesson Note

Subject: Physics
 Class: SS1 & SS2

Duration: 10 AM – 11:50 AM

Topic: Physics

Tutor: Mr. Exodus Domiva Trye

Objectives:

By the end of this lesson, students should be able to:

1. Define Scalar and Vector

2. Explain The Differences Between Scalar and Vector Quantities
3. Solve Problems Under The addition and Subtraction Of Vector Quantities
4. Discuss and Solve Problems Under Scalar Products

Lesson Overview:
In our previous class, we talked about the properties of object that can be measured
know as physical quantity. This lesson will introduce students to understanding of
how and why these quantities are categorize under vectors and scalar quantities.
The lesson will also explore the different between vector and scalar quantities and
how to go about some mathematical calculation.

CONTENT:

(a) SCALAR AND VECTOR QUANTITIES

Scalar Quantities: These are quantities that are fully described by a magnitude (or numerical
value) alone. They do not have a direction. Examples include:
Mass: 5 kg
Temperature: 30°C
Time: 10 seconds
Speed: 60 km/h

Vector Quantities: These are quantities that are described by both a magnitude and a direction.
Examples include:
Displacement: 5 meters north
 Velocity: 60 km/h east
Force: 10 Newtons downward
Acceleration: 9.8 m/s² downward

b) DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SCALAR AND VECTOR QUANTITIES

Property Scalar Quantity Vector Quantity

Magnitude Yes Yes

No Yes
Direction

Representation Numerical value with Arrow notation or bold

units letters

Examples Mass, Temperature, Displacement, Velocity,

Time, Speed Force, Acceleration

c) ADDITION AND SUBTRACTION OF VECTOR QUANTITIES

Addition:
The sum of two or more vectors gives a single vector, which is called the resultant vector. Let us
consider two forces of magnitude P = 30N and Q = 40N, acting on a body O in any of the
following possible directions.
1. P and Q are parallel and act in the same direction, the resultant, R, Is the algebraic sum of the
two forces, i.e.
R = P + Q = 30 + 40
R = 70N along OX
2. P and Q are parallel and act in opposite directions, the resultant R Is found by subtraction, i.e.
R = Q – P = 40 – 30 since Q>P
R = 10N along OX (direction of bigger force) it is clear now that if the two forces are equal
and opposite, their resultant, R = 0
3. P and Q act at an angle, θ to each other.
Here, the parallelogram law of vectors or triangle law of vectors or scale drawing may be
used to obtain the magnitude and direction of the resultant.
 Note//: the trigonometric ratios, cosine rule, sine rule and Pythagoras theorem may also be
used in the calculation.

The parallelogram law of vectors addition stated that if two vectors are drawn from a point
as two adjacent sides of a parallelogram, the resultant is the diagonal of the parallelogram.

Note: the graphical method (scale drawing) can also be used to find the resultant. Scale
drawing gives only approximate values. By drawing the parallelogram to scale, the diagonal
can be obtained by direct measurement.

Triangle law of vectors addition states that going from A to B and then from B to C is the
same as going directly from A to C.
Vectors are added using the head-to-tail method or by breaking them into components. For
example, if vector A is 3 units east and vector B is 4 units north, the resultant vector R can be
found using the Pythagorean theorem:
2 2 2 2
R = {A + B } = {3 + 4 } = 5

Subtraction: Subtracting a vector is the same as adding its negative. For example, to subtract
vector B from vector A, you add the negative of B to A.

sin a sin b sin c

Sine rule: = =
A B C
2 2 2
Cosine rule: R = A + B - 2AB cas θ

Example 1. Two forces 3N and 4N act on a body. If the angle between the forces is 60°, calculate
the magnitude od the resultant force on the body. [Ans R = 6.08N]

Example 2. two forces F1 and F2 act on a particle. F1 has magnitude 5N and in direction 030°,
and F2 has magnitude 8N and in direction 090°. Find the magnitude and direction of their
resultant. [ ans. 11.36N; 67.6°]

Example 3. Two force of magnitudes 10N and 12N act on a particle. If the angle between them is
60°, find the magnitude and direction of their resultant. [ans. 19.08N; 33°]

Example 4. Find by drawing or calculation the resultant of two forces each 5.0N acting at a point
at an angle of 60° with each other. [ans. 8.66N]
Example 5. To a motorcyclist travelling due north at 50km/h the wind appears to come from
north-west at 60 km/h. what is the true velocity of the wind? [ans. 101.6m/s; 65.3°]
Example 6. A cyclist is travelling eastwards at a velocity of 40m/s and rain is falling vertically at
a speed of 10m/s. find the velocity of the rain relative to the cyclist. [ans. 41.2m/s; 256°]

Home exercise
1. two forces F1 and F2 act on a particle F1 has magnitude 6N and in direction 045°, and F2 has
magnitude 7N and in direction 154°, find the magnitude and direction of their resultant.

2. A Particle has two velocities 10m/s due east and 12 m/s in the direction N30°E. what is its
resultant velocity?
d) SCALAR PRODUCTS

Scalar Product (Dot Product): The scalar product of two vectors A and B is given by:
A*B = |A| |B| cosθ

where θ is the angle between the two vectors. The result is a scalar quantity. For example, the
work done by a force F moving an object through a displacement d is given by the dot
product of F and d

Source:
Textbook:
Aki ola series
Online
(1) Vector And Scalar Quantities - Definition and Examples - BYJU'S.
https://byjus.com/maths/what-are-vector-and-scalar-quantities/.
(2) Scalars and Vectors - The Physics Classroom.
https://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/1DKin/Lesson-1/Scalars-and-Vectors.
(3) Scalar and Vector - GeeksforGeeks. https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/scalars-and-vectors/.
 (4) Bing
Online recourses
https://youtu.be/iLB_4Wu2QOg?si=AWRph_gSnIxWdnQq
https://youtu.be/rTJ-hW2TVwE?si=bVL31NzCXpZWl6Bm
https://youtu.be/rcDXQ-5H8mk?si=_SPN6_0cuTPmw22X