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Higher Physics: Mechanics and the properties of matter
Summary Notes
Vectors
Page 2
Equations of motion
Page 7
Newton’s Second Law, energy and Power
Page 14
Momentum and Impulse
Page 18
Density and pressure
Page 26
Gas Laws
Page 30
Vectors
A physical quantity is a measurable quantity. Physics is about the relationships between physical quantities.
There are two kinds of physical quantity. One consists of a number of units, the other consists of a number of units in a direction. They have to be recognised and treated differently. Scalar A scalar quantity is a physical quantity which is completely defined by its magnitude. Scalar quantities are combined using simple arithmetic.
Vector A vector quantity is a physical quantity which is completely defined by its magnitude and direction.
Vector quantities are added together in triangles.
N
SCALARS
distance
Distance / displacement
acceleration
energy
force
time
Vectors are represented in magnitude
(scaled) and direction by arrows.
velocity
mass
10 N
displacement
speed
5 km
VECTORS
momentum
distance : A distance is simply the length of a journey. displacement : displacement is the distance moved in a given direction.
Speed / velocity
speed : The speed of an object is the rate at which distance is increasing. velocity : velocity is the rate at which displacement is changing.
Velocity should always be quoted with a direction.
Average speed =
total distance covered time taken
Average velocity =
resultant displacement time taken
Higher Physics : Mechanics and the Properties of Matter
Page 1
Finding the Resultant vector.
The combined effect of a number of vectors can be found by adding the vectors together.
The result of the addition is the resultant vector.
The resultant vector is a single vector which represents the combined effect of a number of vectors and can be used to calculate
Summary Notes
Vectors
Page 2
Equations of motion
Page 7
Newton’s Second Law, energy and Power
Page 14
Momentum and Impulse
Page 18
Density and pressure
Page 26
Gas Laws
Page 30
Vectors
A physical quantity is a measurable quantity. Physics is about the relationships between physical quantities.
There are two kinds of physical quantity. One consists of a number of units, the other consists of a number of units in a direction. They have to be recognised and treated differently. Scalar A scalar quantity is a physical quantity which is completely defined by its magnitude. Scalar quantities are combined using simple arithmetic.
Vector A vector quantity is a physical quantity which is completely defined by its magnitude and direction.
Vector quantities are added together in triangles.
N
SCALARS
distance
Distance / displacement
acceleration
energy
force
time
Vectors are represented in magnitude
(scaled) and direction by arrows.
velocity
mass
10 N
displacement
speed
5 km
VECTORS
momentum
distance : A distance is simply the length of a journey. displacement : displacement is the distance moved in a given direction.
Speed / velocity
speed : The speed of an object is the rate at which distance is increasing. velocity : velocity is the rate at which displacement is changing.
Velocity should always be quoted with a direction.
Average speed =
total distance covered time taken
Average velocity =
resultant displacement time taken
Higher Physics : Mechanics and the Properties of Matter
Page 1
Finding the Resultant vector.
The combined effect of a number of vectors can be found by adding the vectors together.
The result of the addition is the resultant vector.
The resultant vector is a single vector which represents the combined effect of a number of vectors and can be used to calculate