Download Vector Addition Notes

Vector Addition Notes
Vector Addition Notes
►A
scalar quantity is a number or
measurement which has only a magnitude
(size)—examples: Time, mass, volume
►A
vector quantity is a number or
measurement which has both a magnitude
(size) and a direction—examples: velocity,
force, accel.
Vectors
►A
vector is represented by an arrow
pointing in the direction of the
measurement with a length which
corresponds to the magnitude of the
measurement
Scalars vs. Vectors
► Scalars
are added using arithmetic addition.
Vectors are added using trigonometric
(vector) addition.
Vector Addition
► In
Vector Addition, vectors
should be drawn “tip to
tail”. The tail end of a
vector is drawn on the
arrow end of the previous
vector.
► Only two vectors can be
added at a time this way.
Vector Addition
► The
resultant (the answer you get from
adding the two vectors together) is the
vector which goes from the first tail to the
last tip.
► You can then use trigonometric laws and
definitions to find the magnitude and
direction of the resultant.
Vector Addition
►The
two vectors which
are added together are
called the component
vectors and the answer
is the resultant vector.
► The
Vector Addition
reverse process (taking one vector
and breaking it apart into two vectors
which would add together to give the first)
is called vector resolution
► To do this make a right triangle with the
initial vector as the hypotenuse.
Vector Subtraction
► Vector
Subtraction is identical to vector
addition, except that you add the negative
vector (which is the same magnitude, but
opposite direction)
Equilibrium
► Equilibrium
is a situation in which opposite
Force vectors cancel one another out and
there is no net force or acceleration
► An
“equilibrant” is a vector which causes
equilibrium, and is always equal and
opposite to the resultant vector
► Adding
vectors in your head instantly!
► Vector Addition Game