Name: John Kervee T.

Montecalvo Date: 02/25/2023

Year&Course: 1st Year BSCPE 1-A Schedule: MWF 7:30 to 8:30 AM
PHYSICS 121

Instruction: Write your answers in the given text box.

1. What are the methods in find the resultant of a vector?

The resultant of a vector is the vector sum of two or more individual vectors. There are a
few different methods for finding the resultant of a vector, including:

1. Graphical method: In this method, you draw a vector diagram to scale and
measure the length and direction of the resultant vector. You can use a ruler and
a protractor to make precise measurements.

2. Analytical method: In this method, you use vector algebra to find the
components of each vector and then add them up to find the components of the
resultant vector. You can use trigonometric functions to find the angle between
the resultant vector and the x-axis.

3. Polygon method: In this method, you arrange the vectors in a closed polygon
and find the resultant vector as the vector that closes the polygon. You can use
the law of cosines and law of sines to find the length and direction of the
resultant vector.

Each of these methods has its advantages and disadvantages, and the best method to
use will depend on the specific problem you are trying to solve.

2. Explain the ways on how to find the resultant of a vector for every
method.

Here are the detailed explanations of the three methods for finding the resultant of a
vector:

1. Graphical method:
 To find the resultant of a vector using the graphical method, you need to follow
these steps:
 Draw a vector diagram to scale, with each vector represented by an arrow.
 Place the tail of the first vector at the origin and draw the vector in the correct
direction and with the correct length.
 Place the tail of the second vector at the head of the first vector and draw the
second vector in the correct direction and with the correct length.
 Repeat this process for each additional vector you want to add to the sum.
 The resultant vector is the vector that connects the tail of the first vector to the
head of the last vector.
 Measure the length and direction of the resultant vector using a ruler and a
protractor.
2. Analytical method:
 To find the resultant of a vector using the analytical method, you need to follow
these steps:
 Write down the components of each vector in terms of their x and y components.
For example, a vector A with magnitude A and angle θ would have components
Ax = A cos(θ) and Ay = A sin(θ).
 Add up the x components of all the vectors to get the x component of the
resultant vector. Repeat for the y components to get the y component of the
resultant vector.
 Use the Pythagorean theorem to find the magnitude of the resultant vector: R =
sqrt(Rx^2 + Ry^2).
 Use trigonometry to find the angle between the resultant vector and the x-axis: θ
= arctan(Ry/Rx).
3. Polygon method:
 To find the resultant of a vector using the polygon method, you need to follow
these steps:
 Arrange the vectors in a closed polygon, with each vector represented by an
arrow pointing in the direction of the vector.
 Choose a starting point and draw a vector to the next point in the polygon. Label
this vector with its magnitude and direction.
 Repeat this process for each additional vector until you reach the final point in
the polygon.
 The final vector, drawn from the final point to the starting point, is the resultant
vector.
 Use the law of cosines to find the magnitude of the resultant vector: R = sqrt(A^2
+ B^2 - 2AB cos(θ)).
 Use the law of sines to find the angle between the resultant vector and the first
vector: θ = arcsin((A sin(α))/R), where α is the angle between the first vector and
the second vector, and A is the magnitude of the first vector
 3. Give at least 1 example problem with step-by-step solution for every
method.

Here are some examples of problems with step-by-step solutions for each of the three
methods:

Graphical method example problem:

Given two vectors A and B with magnitudes of 4 N and 6 N, and angles of 30 degrees
and 60 degrees with the x-axis, respectively, find the magnitude and direction of the
resultant vector.

Solution:

Draw the vectors to scale with the correct angles.

Place the tail of vector A at the origin and draw it in the correct direction and length.

Place the tail of vector B at the head of vector A and draw it in the correct direction and
length.

Draw the vector that connects the tail of vector A to the head of vector B. This is the
resultant vector.

Measure the length of the resultant vector using a ruler. It is approximately 7.8 N.

Measure the angle between the resultant vector and the x-axis using a protractor. It is
approximately 50 degrees.

Therefore, the magnitude of the resultant vector is 7.8 N and its direction is 50 degrees
from the x-axis.

Analytical method example problem:

Given two vectors A and B with magnitudes of 4 N and 6 N, and angles of 30 degrees
and 60 degrees with the x-axis, respectively, find the magnitude and direction of the
resultant vector.

Solution:
Write down the x and y components of vector A: Ax = 4 cos(30) = 3.46 N, Ay = 4 sin(30)
= 2 N.

Write down the x and y components of vector B: Bx = 6 cos(60) = 3 N, By = 6 sin(60) =

5.2 N.

Add up the x components of vectors A and B: Rx = Ax + Bx = 3.46 + 3 = 6.46 N.

Add up the y components of vectors A and B: Ry = Ay + By = 2 + 5.2 = 7.2 N.

Use the Pythagorean theorem to find the magnitude of the resultant vector: R =
sqrt(Rx^2 + Ry^2) = sqrt(6.46^2 + 7.2^2) = 9.3 N.

Use trigonometry to find the angle between the resultant vector and the x-axis: θ =
arctan(Ry/Rx) = arctan(7.2/6.46) = 50 degrees.

Therefore, the magnitude of the resultant vector is 9.3 N and its direction is 50 degrees
from the x-axis.

Polygon method example problem:

Given three vectors A, B, and C with magnitudes of 4 N, 6 N, and 3 N, and angles of 30

degrees, 120 degrees, and 270 degrees with the x-axis, respectively, find the magnitude
and direction of the resultant vector.

Solution:

Draw the vectors in a closed polygon, starting with vector A at the origin and connecting
the tail of each vector to the head of the previous vector.

Draw the final vector that connects the tail of vector C to the head of vector A. This is
the resultant vector.

Use the law of cosines to find the magnitude of the resultant vector: R = sqrt(A^2 + B^2
+ C^2 + 2AB cos(α) + 2AC cos(β) + 2BC cos(γ)), where