Lesson 1

Vectors
 Focus Question

How can you add forces in two

dimensions?
 New Vocabulary

components
vector resolution
 Review Vocabulary

vector: a quantity, such as position, that has

both magnitude and direction.
 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.
 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 =A +B
2 2 2
 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.

Law of sines

Law of cosines
 Vectors in Two Dimensions KNOWN UNKNOWN
A = 20.0 N B = 7.0 N R=?
θ = 180.0° − 30.0° = 150.0° θR = ?
Use with Example Problem 1.
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. Place vectors tip to tail.
• List the knowns and unknowns. Click to continue.
Draw the initial vectors. Draw the resultant vector.
Click to continue. Click to continue.

7.0 N ?
30.0°

20.0 N θ = 150.0°
Vectors in Two Dimensions KNOWN UNKNOWN
A = 20.0 N B = 7.0 N R=?
θ = 180.0° − 30.0° = 150.0° θR = ?
Use with Example Problem 1.
Problem SOLVE FOR THE UNKNOWN
Find the magnitude of the sum of two • Use the law of cosines.
forces, one 20.0 N and the other 7.0 N, R 2  A2  B 2  2 AB cos 
when the 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
7.0 N slightly greater in magnitude than the
20.0 N θ = 150.0° 20.0-N force.
 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.
Vector Components
 Algebraic Addition of Vectors

• Two or more vectors (A, B, C, etc.) may be

added by first resolving each vector into its x-
and y-components.
 Algebraic Addition of Vectors

• The x- and y-components are added to form

the x- and y- components of the resultant:
R x = A x + B x + Cx
R y = A y + B y + Cy
 Algebraic Addition of Vectors

• Use the Pythagorean theorem to find the

magnitude of the resultant vector:
R2 = Rx2 + Ry2
 Algebraic Addition of Vectors

• Use trigonometry to find the angle of the

resultant vector:
 +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 of A and B. A = 4.0 m

Ay
 +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.
 +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.
 +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
• Use your vector diagram as needed. +x
(East)
SOLVE FOR THE UNKNOWN
• R = 5.3 m
EVALUATE THE ANSWER A = 4.0 m
• Check the answer graphically.
 Quiz

1. How can vectors be added?

A by placing them tip-to-tip

B by placing them tail-to-tail

C by placing them tip-to-tail CORRECT

D by rotating one so it is perpendicular to the

other
 Quiz

2. Can the Pythagorean theorem be

used to calculate the length of R?

A Yes, that method works

for any two vectors.
B Yes, because R is longer than A and B.

C No, because the angle between A and B is

not 90°. CORRECT

D No, because A and B are not the same length.

 Quiz

3. During which process can a vector be

broken into its x- and y-components?

A axis separation C vector resolution

CORRECT

B vector breakdown D vector addition

 Quiz

4. Which can be used to find the sum of two vectors when

the vectors are not perpendicular?

A Pythagorean theorem C law of cosines

B law of sines D either B or C

CORRECT
 Quiz

5. What is the magnitude of the resultant of two

perpendicular vectors with lengths 3 and 4?

A 5 CORRECT C 25

B 7 D 625