ME 221

Statics

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 Vectors; Vector Addition
• Define scalars and vectors
• Vector addition, scalar multiplication
• 2-D trigonometry
• Vector components
• Law of cosines
• Law of sines
• Problems

ME221 Lecture 2 2
 Scalars and Vectors
• Scalar is a quantity that is represented by a
single number
– examples: mass, temperature, angle
• Vectors have both magnitude and direction
– Examples: velocity, acceleration, force
– Acceleration due to gravity is down not up!

ME221 Lecture 2 3
 VECTORS

Line of Action

Magnitude
y
Vector
A or A

 Direction
x

ME221 Lecture 2 4
 Vectors
• Vectors are equal when they have the same
magnitude and direction
A B
=

• Vectors add by the parallelogram rule

B
A A
B C
+ =

ME221 Lecture 2 5
 More on Vectors
• Vectors are communative
A+B=B+A B
A
A
C
B
• Vectors are associative
(A + B) + C = A + (B + C)

ME221 Lecture 2 6
 Subtraction of Vectors
In order to subtract vectors, first we must understand that if we
multiply a vector by (-1) we get a vector equal in length but exactly
opposite in direction.

A
-A

Then we see that B - A = B + (-A) B

A
So if we have D = B - A
D
This looks like this:
-A

ME221 Lecture 2 7
 Adding More Than Two Vectors

B
A
A
A+B
C

B

D
C

D = A+B+C

ME221 Lecture 2 8
 Law of Cosines
This will be used often in balancing forces


      180 a  b  c  2bc cos 
2 2 2

b
a b  a  c  2ac cos 
2 2 2


c
 2 2 2
c  a  b  2ab cos 

ME221 Lecture 2 9
 Law of Sines
Again, used throughout this and other classes
Start with the same triangle:


b
a
a b c
   
c sin  sin  sin 

ME221 Lecture 2 10
 Example
Determine by trigonometry the
magnitude and direction of the
resultant of the two forces shown

Note: resultant of two

25o 45o 300 lb forces is the vectorial
200 lb sum of the two vectors

ME221 Lecture 2 11