Chapter 5:

Vectors

Back to Vectors...
Vector quantity
has magnitude and direction.
is usually represented by an arrow.
Example: velocity, force, acceleration

Scalar quantity
has magnitude only.
Example: mass, volume, speed

Adding Vectors
Resultant vector
Is the sum of two or more vectors
For vectors in the same direction, add arithmetically.
For vectors in opposite directions, subtract arithmetically.

Adding Vectors
For two vectors that are not parallel with each other:
use the Parallelogram Method.
For two vectors at right angles to each other:
use Pythagorean Theorem: R2 = V2 + H2.
For two or more vectors:
use the Tip to Tail Method.

Adding Vectors
Resultant vector
Is the sum of two or more vectors
Parallelogram method: [for adding two vectors ONLY!]
One way to add vectors by drawing them on opposite sides of
each other, forming a parallelogram. The diagonal is the
resultant vector.

Adding Vectors
Resultant vector
Is the sum of two or more vectors

Pythagorean method use R2 = V2 + H2 to find the

resultant vector [hypotenuse].

Adding Vectors

Adding Vectors
Tip-to-Tail Method:

The resultant is drawn from

the tip of first vector to the tail
of the last one.

Used for adding two or more

vectors together.

When you have many

vectors, just keep repeating
the process until all are
included.

Finding Vector Components

Vector components
In a 2D system, vectors always have two components.
2 Parts: VERTICAL & HORIZONTAL
components of a vector are perpendicular to each other.
Resolution the process of finding vector components.

y
x

Finding Vector Components

Vector components
2 Parts: VERTICAL & HORIZONTAL

components of a vector are perpendicular to each other.

Resolution the process of finding vector components.

Finding Vector Components

Nellie Newton hangs from a
rope as shown.

Which side has the greater

tension?
There are three forces acting on
Nellie:
1) her weight,
2) a tension in the left rope,
3) and a tension in the right rope.

Finding Vector Components

Because of the different angles, different rope tensions will
occur in each side.
Nellie hangs in equilibrium, so her weight is supported by two
rope tensions, both resulting in a vectors that is equal and
opposite to her weight.
The parallelogram rule shows that the tension in the righthand rope is greater than the tension in the left-hand rope.