10/1/2012

What Is A Vector
Vector?? Examples of Vectors

Velocity
A Vector is a
Displacement
quantity
q y that has
MAGNITUDE (size) Acceleration

and DIRECTION Force

Vectors & Scalars Examples of SCALARS

Quantities that do not Distance

require direction are
Speed
p
ll d SCALARS.
called
Mass

Graphically Representing Adding Vectors Graphically

Vectors
We use ARROWS to graphically
represent vectors. An example Vector
ecto ‘A’
of this would be a motion
map. Velocity vectors are
drawn as arrows.
Vector ‘B’

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 10/1/2012

Adding Vectors Graphically Subtracting Vectors

To find A+B:  Subtracting is the same as
•Redraw vector A. adding the opposite.
•Redraw vector B, starting at the  In other words, A - B = A + (-
(-B)
TIP of A.
 A negative
ti vector
t has
h the
th same
•Then DRAW a vector from the
magnitude, but the opposite
START of A to the END of B.
direction.
•This is called a
resultant vector. A+B
B B -B
A

Subtracting Vectors Multiplying a Scalar & a Vector

To find A – B A To multiply a scalar and a vector,
or A+(
A+(--B) simply multiply the magnitude of
 Redraw vector A. the vector, and keep the same
 Draw vector -B, A-B
A B -B direction.
starting at the TIP A
of A.
 Then DRAW a vector 2A
from the START of A
to the END of -B. -2 A

Vector Components Vector Components

Components are the ‘parts’ that make To find ‘x’ and ‘y’ components of a
up a whole. It is often useful to vector, first DRAW A TRIANGLE,
break a vector into components. with legs of the triangle being
How much of a vector is horizontal? horizontal
h i l and
d vertical.
i l
…vertical?
This forms a
right triangle. Cy

Cx

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Finding Components Trig Functions

There are three ‘trig functions’ that will be
Let’s look at properties of right very useful to us here.
triangles. The longest side is called
the hypotenuse. The side next to the opp adj
angle θ is called the adjacent side.
side. sin   cos  
The side opposite the angle θ is hyp h
hyp
called the opposite side.
side.

Opp

Opp
opp
tan  
θ adj θ
Adj Adj

Vector Components Vector Components

Now, back to our vector. If we know
the magnitude of C, we can find the
Cx is adjacent to θ, so we
x and y components by using trig use cos θ to find it.
functions.
functions
Cos θ = Cx / C

Cy Cy
C * cos θ = Cx
θ θ
Cx Cx

Adding Vectors by Components

Vector Components The components are effectively one
one--dimensional, so
they can be added arithmetically.

Cy is opposite to θ, so we
use sin θ to find it.
Sin θ = Cy / C

Cy
C * sin θ = Cy
θ
Cx

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Unit Vectors Example

Unit vectors have Example 3-
3-3: Three short trips.
magnitude 1.
An airplane trip involves three
Using unit vectors, legs, with two stopovers. The
any vector first leg is due east for 620 km;
can be written in the second leg is southeast
(45°
(45 °) for 440 km; and the third
terms of its
leg is at 53
53°
° south of west, for
components: 550 km, as shown. What is the
plane’s total displacement?

Adding Vectors by Components

Example Adding vectors:

Example 3-
3-3: Three short trips. 1. Draw a diagram; add the vectors graphically.

An airplane trip involves three 2. Choose x and y axes.

legs, with two stopovers. The 3. Resolve each vector into x and y components.
first leg is due east for 620 km;
the second leg is southeast 4. Calculate each component using
g sines and
(45°
(45 °) for 440 km; and the third cosines.
leg is at 53
53°
° south of west, for 5. Add the components in each direction.
550 km, as shown. What is the
plane’s total displacement? 6. To find the length and direction of the vector, use:

and  opp 
V  Vx  V y
2 2
DR = 600 î – 750 ĵ   tan 1  
Now, convert that into R,θ
R,θ
 adj 

Vector Notation Example

 Component Form:  Suppose V = 50 m/s at 37°
37°.
– (x,y)
x,y)  Vx= 40 m/s, and Vy = 30 m/s.
m/s.
– î, ĵ  V could be written as:
 Polar
P l F
Form: (Magnitude,
(M it d A Angle)
l ) – V = (40, 30)
– (r,θ
(r,θ) – V = 40î + 30ĵ
– V = (50, 37°
37°)
Vy

37°
Vx