Bin Ham School for Basic and Secondary Education (252)

Grade-9A Physics Trimester-2

Chapter: 5 Displacement and Force in Two Dimensions
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Worksheet-3
Thinking Critically
Answer the following questions. Use complete sentences or show your calculations.

1. The graphical representation of vector A has its tail at the origin and its tip in the first quadrant.
Vector B has its tail at the origin and its tip in the third quadrant. The resultant R of these two
vectors is drawn so that its tail is also at the origin. What can you conclude about the location of
the tip of the resultant R?
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2. A 10-N force is directed along the positive x-axis. A 5-N force is acting in the same direction.
What does it mean to subtract the two vectors? Is the result the same whether you subtract
the larger vector from the smaller vector or the smaller vector from the larger vector?
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3. The following three forces act on a single small mass: 50.0 N 30° south of east, 100 N 45° south
of west, and 100 N 45° west of north. Using graphical methods, calculate the resultant and
equilibrant of these vectors.
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 Bin Ham School for Basic and Secondary Education (252)
Grade-9A Physics Trimester-2
Chapter: 5 Displacement and Force in Two Dimensions
KEY
Thinking Critically
1. Depending on the length and direction of the two vectors, the resultant could be in any quadrant.
More information is required before an answer can be determined.
2. Subtracting a vector means adding the negative of the vector. The negative of a vector has the
same length as the original vector but points in the opposite direction. The order of the
subtraction does matter since the vector with the largest magnitude will determine the
direction of the resultant.
3. Measured, Resultant  101 N, 14° south
of west
Equilibrant  101 N, 14° north of east