scalars, vectors, displacement, calculating Flashcards
Another word to describe magnitude
value
Define scalars and vectors
a scalar has only a magnitude (direction) whereas a vector has a magnitude (value) and direction
Give 5 examples of scalars
mass
length
distance
speed
power
energy
work
Give 5 examples of vectors
displacement
velocity
acceleration
force
weight
friction
momentum
Scalar or vector- distance
scalar
Scalar or vector- displacement
vector
Scalar or vector- force
vector
Scalar or vector- speed
scalar
Scalar or vector- acceleration
vector
Scalar or vector- time
scalar
Scalar or vector- mass
scalar
Scalar or vector- energy
scalar
Scalar or vector- velocity
vector
What is displacement
it is the shortest measure of distance represented by an arrow between two points. eg. start and finish
What is a perpendicular vector
two vectors that touch forming a 90 degree angle
How do you calculate a resultant vector?
you add the perpendicular vectors- you must find the magnitude and direction of the resultant vector.
How do you calculate the magnitude of a resultant vector?
you use pythagoras theorem. a^2 + b^2 = c^2
How do you calculate the direction of a resultant vector?
you use trigonometry. soh-cah-toa
True or false- just as it is possible to add two vectors to get a resultant vector, its also useful to break a “diagonal” vector into its perpendicular components. This makes it easier to describe the motion of an object, and to do any relevant calculation.
True
How to calculate components.
A “diagonal” vector can be separated into its perpendicular components given only its magnitude (value) and angle form on of the axes. To calculate these components, you must use trigonometry.
Formula for trigonometry
soh cah toa. remember hypotenuse, opposite adjacent.
Formula for pythagoras
a squared plus be squared equals c squared. remember hypotenuse, opposite adjacent.
