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Topic Notes · Easy summaries with diagrams
Chapter 2 — Chapter 2 — Kinematics
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📘Easy summary
A scalar is completely described by magnitude only (mass, distance, speed, time, temperature, energy). A vector needs magnitude and direction (displacement, velocity, acceleration, force, weight). A vector is represented graphically by a line drawn to scale with an arrow head showing direction, at the given angle with the x-axis. In print vectors are bold or have an arrow over them. Head-to-tail rule: redraw vectors so the head of one touches the tail of the next; the resultant runs from tail of first to head of last.
⭐Key points
- Choose a scale, e.g. 1 cm = 100 m s⁻¹.
- Angle measured anticlockwise from +x axis.
🔬Diagram
🌿Real-life example
400 m s⁻¹ at 60° with scale 1 cm = 100 m s⁻¹ → 4 cm line at 60°.
💡Exam tip
- Always state the scale in vector drawings.
✅Quick check
1. Vector quantity:
2. Resultant in head-to-tail joins:
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