Ch 2: AP Physics 1: Vectors
About This Chapter
AP Physics 1: Vectors - Chapter Summary and Learning Objectives
In order to gain a satisfactory understanding of physics, it's essential that you understand vectors. In this series of video lessons, a qualified instructor will walk you through the definitions of different kinds of vectors and how to describe them in terms of magnitude, direction and other qualities. You'll also learn how to perform calculations on those vectors, including scalar multiplication. In these lessons, you'll learn things like:
- The definition of a vector
- Geometric methods for for adding and subtracting vectors
- How to calculate characteristics of vectors
Video | Objective |
---|---|
What Is a Vector? - Definition & Types | Define and describe types of vectors. |
Vector Addition (Geometric Approach): Explanation & Examples | Describe vector addition and the geometric approach to adding vectors. |
Resultants of Vectors: Definition & Calculation | Analyze resultants, and explain how to calculate a resultant vector. |
Scalar Multiplication of Vectors: Definition & Calculations | Establish how to use scalar multiplication to make vector calculations. |
Vector Subtraction (Geometric): Formula & Examples | Describe the head-to-tail method of subtracting vectors geometrically. |
Standard Basis Vectors: Definition & Examples | Define standard basis vectors and how to find them. |
How to Do Vector Operations Using Components | Explain how to use components to perform vector operations. |
Vector Components: The Magnitude of a Vector | Go over the process for calculating the magnitude of a vector. |
Vector Components: The Direction of a Vector | Learn about the process for calculating the direction of a vector. |
Vector Resolution: Definition & Practice Problems | Explain the process for determining vector resolution by separating a vector into multiple smaller vectors. |

1. What Is a Vector? - Definition & Types
After watching this lesson, you will be able to explain what vectors are in physics, give some examples of vectors and have a basic idea of how they can be manipulated mathematically. A short quiz will follow.

2. Vector Addition (Geometric Approach): Explanation & Examples
After watching this video, you will be able to explain why we might need to add two vectors and, given magnitudes and directions, add two vectors using geometric methods. A short quiz will follow.

3. Resultants of Vectors: Definition & Calculation
After watching this video, you will be able to explain what a resultant of a vector is and use mathematics to calculate the resultant of two vectors. A short quiz will follow.

4. Scalar Multiplication of Vectors: Definition & Calculations
After watching this video, you will be able to explain what scalar multiplication is and complete basic calculations involving the scalar multiplication of vectors. A short quiz will follow.

5. Vector Subtraction (Geometric): Formula & Examples
After watching this lesson, you will be able to subtract vectors geometrically and give examples of how that process might be used in physics. A short quiz will follow.

6. Standard Basis Vectors: Definition & Examples
After watching this lesson, you will be able to explain what standard basis vectors (otherwise known as unit vectors) are and how they are useful. A short quiz will follow.

7. How to Do Vector Operations Using Components
After watching this lesson, you will understand how we analyze physics involving two-dimensional vectors and be able to split a vector at an angle into a vertical and horizontal component. A short quiz will follow.

8. Vector Components: The Magnitude of a Vector
After watching this lesson, you will be able to explain what the magnitude of a vector refers to, and how to calculate it when given the components of a vector. A short quiz will follow.

9. Vector Components: The Direction of a Vector
After watching this lesson, you will be able to explain what is meant by the direction of a vector and calculate the direction of a vector when given the x and y components. A short quiz will follow.

10. Vector Resolution: Definition & Practice Problems
After watching this lesson, you will be able to explain what vector resolution is and solve problems involving vector resolution. A short quiz will follow.
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Other Chapters
Other chapters within the AP Physics 1: Exam Prep course
- AP Physics 1: Systems
- AP Physics 1: Kinematics
- AP Physics 1: Graphing Kinematics
- AP Physics 1: Newton's First Law of Motion
- AP Physics 1: Newton's Second Law of Motion
- AP Physics 1: Newton's Third Law of Motion
- AP Physics 1: Work, Energy, & Power
- AP Physics 1: Linear Momentum
- AP Physics 1: Motion
- AP Physics 1: Oscillations
- AP Physics 1: Rotational Motion
- AP Physics 1: Electrical Forces and Fields
- AP Physics 1: Direct Current Circuits
- AP Physics 1: Mechanical Waves
- AP Physics 1 Flashcards