Everything Science Grade 11

11.3 CHAPTER 11. VECTORS

11.3 Notation ESBDX

Vectors are different to scalars and therefore have their own notation.

Mathematical Representation ESBDY

There are many ways ofwriting the symbol for avector. Vectors are denoted by symbols with anarrow

pointing to the right above it. For example, �a, �v andF� represent the vectors acceleration, velocity and

force, meaning they have both a magnitude anda direction.

Sometimes just the magnitude of a vector is needed. In this case, the arrow is omitted. In other words,

F denotes the magnitudeof the vectorF�.|F�| is another way of representing the magnitude ofa vector.

Graphical Representation ESBDZ

Vectors are drawn as arrows. An arrow has both a magnitude (how long it is) and a direction(the

direction in which it points). The starting pointof a vector is known asthe tail and the end point is

known as the head.

� � �

�

Figure 11.1: Examples of vectors

magnitude

�

tail head

Figure 11.2: Parts of a vector

11.4 Directions ESBEA

There are many acceptable methods of writingvectors. As long as thevector has a magnitudeand

a direction, it is most likely acceptable. These different methods come from the different methods of