6.1 vectors and scalars Flashcards
what is a vector
A vector is any physical quantity that has a direction as well as a magnitude
examples of vectors
displacement
velocity
acceleration
force
what is a scalar
A scalar is any physical quantity that isn’t directional
examples of scalars
distance
mass
density
volume
energy
what does the length of the arrow say about the vector
length represents the magnitude of the vector quantity
what does the direction of the arrow say about the vector
the direction the vector is in
what is displacement
distance in a given direction
when drawing displacement on a map what must the length of the arrow be in proportion with
least distance between the 2 points
what Is velocity
speed in a given direction
what does the arrow on a velocity map represent
length = speed
points in the direction of motion
what does an arrow represent for force and acceleration
arrow in direction it is acting
length is proportional to magnitiude of the quantity
how is the angle between the resultant force and F1 found
tan theta = F2/F1
what happens if 2 vectors are acting in the same direction
they are added together to get the overall resultant force
what happens if 2 vectors are acting in opposite directions
the overall resultant force is the difference between them
when resolving vectors what is the component along the parallel line
vector cos theta
