Section 1: Vectors

All vectors can be broken into x- and y-components.

K W L
What I Know What I Want to Find Out What I Learned
Essential Questions
• How are vectors added graphically?

• What are the components of a vector?

• How are vectors added algebraically?

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Vocabulary
Review New
• vector • components
• vector resolution

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Vectors in Two Dimensions
• You can add vectors by placing them tip-to-tail.
• When you move a vector, do not change its length or direction.
• The resultant of the vector is drawn from the tail of the first vector to
the tip of the second vector.

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Vectors in Two Dimensions
• If vectors A and B are perpendicular, use the Pythagorean theorem to find the
magnitude of the resultant vector.

Pythagorean Theorem R 2  A2  B 2

R
B

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Vectors in Two Dimensions
• If the angle between the vectors is not 90°,
you can use the law of sines or the law of
cosines.

R A B
Law of sines  
sin  sin a sin b

Law of cosines R 2  A2  B 2  2 AB cos 

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 Vectors in Two Dimensions KNOWN UNKNOWN
A = 20.0 N B = 7.0 N R=?
Use with Example Problem 1.
θ = 180.0° − 30.0° = 150.0° θR = ?

Problem
Find the magnitude of the sum of two forces,
one 20.0 N and the other 7.0 N, when the
angle between them is 30.0°.
Response
SKETCH AND ANALYZE THE PROBLEM
• Draw a vector diagram and add the vectors
graphically.
• List the knowns and unknowns.
Place vectors
Draw the resultant
initial
tipvectors.
tovector.
tail.
Click to continue.

7.0 N ?
30.0°

20.0 N θ = 150.0°

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Vectors in Two Dimensions KNOWN UNKNOWN
A = 20.0 N B = 7.0 N R=?
Use with Example Problem 1.
θ = 180.0° − 30.0° = 150.0° θR = ?

Problem SOLVE FOR THE UNKNOWN

Find the magnitude of the sum of two forces, • Use the law of cosines.
one 20.0 N and the other 7.0 N, when the R 2  A2  B 2  2 AB cos 
angle between them is 30.0°.
 20.0 N  7.0 N
2 2
Response
SKETCH AND ANALYZE THE PROBLEM  220.0 N7.0 Ncos 150.0
• Draw a vector diagram and add the vectors
 400 N2  49 N2  280 N2 0.866
graphically.
• List the knowns and unknowns. R  691.49 N2  26.3 N

EVALUATE THE ANSWER

• This answer is consistent with this
? problem’s vector diagram, which shows
that the resultant should indeed be slightly
7.0 N greater in magnitude than the 20.0-N
20.0 N θ = 150.0° force.

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Vector Components

Go to your ConnectED resources to play Animation: Component

Vectors.

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Vector Components
• A vector can be broken into its components, which are a vector
parallel to the x-axis and another parallel to the y-axis.
• The process of breaking a vector into its components is sometimes
called a vector resolution.

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Vector Components
• Complete the diagram using the
terms positive and negative.
• Click on a question mark to
reveal the answer. ? ?
? ?
? ?

? ?
? ?
? ?

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Algebraic Addition of Vectors
• Two or more vectors (A, B, C, etc.)
may be added by first resolving each
vector into its +y
x- and y-components.

Cy C

By B

Ay A

+x
Ax Bx Cx

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Algebraic Addition of Vectors
• Two or more vectors (A, B, C, etc.)
may be added by first resolving each
vector into its +y
x- and y-components.
• The x- and y-components are added to
form the x- and y-components of the Cy C
resultant:

R
Byy B
R x = A x + B x + Cx

Ay A
Ry = A y + By + C y
+x
Ax B
Rx Cx

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Algebraic Addition of Vectors
• Use the Pythagorean theorem to find the
magnitude of the resultant vector:
R2 = Rx2 + Ry2. +y

• Use trigonometry to find the angle of the

resultant vector: C
 Ry  R
1
  tan   B
 Rx  Ry

+x
Rx

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 +y
Algebraic Addition of Vectors (North)
B = 7.3 m
Use with Example Problem 2.
Problem
Add the following two vectors via the By
component method:
A is 4.0 m south B is 7.3 m northwest
Response θB = 135°
SKETCH AND ANALYZE THE PROBLEM Bx
• Establish a coordinate system. +x
• Draw a vector diagram. Include the knowns (East)
θA = 270°
and unknowns in your diagram.
• Sketch the x-components and y-components
A = 4.0 m
of A and B.
Ay

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 +y
Algebraic Addition of Vectors (North)
B = 7.3 m
Use with Example Problem 2.
Problem
Add the following two vectors via the By
component method:
A is 4.0 m south B is 7.3 m northwest
Response
SKETCH AND ANALYZE THE PROBLEM Bx
• Use your vector diagram as needed. +x
Rx = −5.16 m (East)
SOLVE FOR THE UNKNOWN
• Find the x-components of A and B and add them
to find the x-component of R. A = 4.0 m

Ax  4.0 mcos 270  0 Ay

 Bx  7.3 mcos 135  5.16 m
Rx  5.16 m
• Draw and label Rx on the vector diagram.
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 +y
Algebraic Addition of Vectors (North)
B = 7.3 m
Use with Example Problem 2.
Problem
Add the following two vectors via the By
component method:
A is 4.0 m south B is 7.3 m northwest Ry = 1.16 m

Response
SKETCH AND ANALYZE THE PROBLEM Bx
• Use your vector diagram as needed. +x
Rx = −5.16 m (East)
SOLVE FOR THE UNKNOWN
• Find the y-components of A and B and add them
to find the y-component of R. A = 4.0 m

Ay  4.0 msin 270  4.0 m Ay

 By  7.3 msin 135  5.16 m
Ry  1.16 m
• Draw and label Ry on the vector diagram.
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 +y
Algebraic Addition of Vectors (North)
B = 7.3 m
Use with Example Problem 2.
Problem
Add the following two vectors via the
component method:
A is 4.0 m south B is 7.3 m northwest
R = 5.3 m
Response
SKETCH AND ANALYZE THE PROBLEM θR = 167°
• Use your vector diagram as needed. +x
(East)
SOLVE FOR THE UNKNOWN
• R = 5.3 m at 13° north of west
EVALUATE THE ANSWER A = 4.0 m
• Check the answer graphically.

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Review
Essential Questions
• How are vectors added graphically?
• What are the components of a vector?
• How are vectors added algebraically?

Vocabulary
• components
• vector resolution

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