1.9 KiB
1.9 KiB
| title |
|---|
| Introduction to Vectors |
Introduction to Vectors.
A vector is a physical quantity that can be measured (has magnitude in units) and also operates in a particular direction, unlike a scalar which can only be measured. Examples of vectors include velocity, acceleration, force and momentum.
A vector can be represented by a line drawn, such that:
- the length of the line represents the magnitude of the vetor in a given unit;
- the direction of the line represents the direction in which the vector operates (or acts).
In the figure above, the displacement of A to B is written as AB (ā or a). point A is the origin or initial point and the point B is the head or terminal point. This displacement is equivalent to moving a distance x horizontally followed by y vertically.
The Modulus of a vector
The modulus of a vector is a positive scalar number that gives magnitude of the vector. It is written like this:
|AB| or |a| or simply AB or a.
Where;
|AB| = √(x2 + y2)