1. Chapter 3–2: Vector Operations
Physics
Coach Kelsoe
Pages 86–94

2. Objectives
Identify appropriate coordinate systems for solving problems with vectors.
Apply the Pythagorean theorem and tangent function to calculate the magnitude and direction of a resultant vector.
Resolve vectors into components using the sine and cosine functions.
Add vectors that are not perpendicular.

3. Coordinate Systems in 2-D
In Chapter 2 we discussed the motion of the gecko up the tree by a positive or negative sign. In Chapter 3 we’re going to describe this motion using an arrow pointing in a given direction.
The most versatile system for diagramming the motion of an object is using the x- and y-axes at the same time.
The addition of another axis not only helps describe motion in two dimensions but also simplifies analysis of motion in one dimension.

4. Coordinate Systems in 2-D
Two methods can be used to describe the motion of an object .
In the first approach, the coordinate system can be turned so that the object moves along the y-axis. The problem with this method is that the system must be turned again if the motion changes.
In the second approach, we keep our axes fixed so that the positive y-axis points north and the positive x-axis points east.

5. Coordinate Systems in Two Dimensions
One method for diagramming the motion of an object employs vectors and the use of the x- and y-axes.
Axes are often designated using fixed directions.
In the figure shown here, the positive y-axis points north and the positive x-axis points east.

6. Determining Resultant Magnitude and Direction
In the previous section, we learned how to find resultant vectors graphically. The problem with this method is that it is very time consuming and the accuracy depends on how well the diagram is drawn.
A more efficient way to find resultant vectors is to use the Pythagorean Theorem.
Imagine climbing a pyramid in Egypt. You know the height and width of the pyramid, but you want to know the distance covered in a climb from the bottom to the top.

7. Pyramid Physics
The magnitude of the vertical displacement is the height of the pyramid.
The magnitude of the horizontal displacement is the distance from one edge of the pyramid to the middle, or half the width.
These two vectors are perpendicular. Δy d Δx 7

8. Pythagorean Theorem
The Pythagorean theorem states that for any right triangle, the square of the hypotenuse equals the sum of the squares of the other two sides, or legs.
So in this illustration, we see that d2 = Δx2 + Δy2 Δy d Δx 8

9. Don’t Forget Direction!!!
Once you find the displacement, it is important to know the direction.
We can use the inverse tangent function to find the angle, which denotes the direction.
We can use sine or cosine functions, but our tangent values are given. Δy d θ Δx 9

10. Determining Resultant Magnitude and Direction
The Tangent Function
Use the tangent function to find the direction of the resultant vector.
For any right triangle, the tangent of an angle is defined as the ratio of the opposite and adjacent legs with respect to a specified acute angle of a right triangle.
Opposite leg
Tan θ =
Adjacent leg

11. Sample Problem Finding Resultant Magnitude and Direction
An archaeologist climbs the Great Pyramid in Giza, Egypt. The pyramid’s height is 136 m and its width is 2.30 x 102 m. What is the magnitude and the direction of the displacement of the archaeologist after she has climbed from the bottom of the pyramid to the top?

12. Sample Problem Define Given: Unknown: Diagram: Δy = 136 m
Δx = ½(width) = 115 m
Unknown:
d = ?
θ = ?
Diagram:
Choose the archaeologist’s starting position as the origin of the coordinate system, as shown above.

13. Sample Problem Plan d2 = Δx2 + Δy2 tan θ = d = √Δx2 + Δy2 θ = tan-1
Choose an equation or situation:
The Pythagorean theorem can be used to find the magnitude of the archaeologist’s displacement. The direction of the displacement can be found by using the inverse tangent function.
Rearrange the equations to isolate the unknowns: Δy
d2 = Δx2 + Δy2
tan θ = Δx Δy
d = √Δx2 + Δy2
θ = tan-1 Δx

14. Sample Problem Calculate Evaluate d = √Δx + Δy θ = tan-1
Because d is the hypotenuse, the archaeologist’s displacement should be less than the sum of the height and half of the width. The angle is expected to be more than 45° because the height is greater than half width. Δy
d = √Δx + Δy
θ = tan-1 Δx
136
d = √
θ = tan-1
115
d = 178 m
θ = 49.8°

15. Resolving Vectors
In the previous example, the horizontal and vertical parts that add up to give the actual displacement are called components.
The x component is parallel to the x-axis and the y component is parallel to the y-axis.
You can often describe an object’s motion more conveniently by breaking a single vector into two components, a process we call resolving the vector. 15

16. Resolving Vectors Into Components
Consider an airplane flying at 95 km/hr.
The hypotenuse (vplane) is the resultant vector that describes the airplane’s total velocity.
The adjacent leg represents the x component (vx), which describes the airplane’s horizontal speed.
The opposite leg represents the y component (vy), which describes the airplane’s vertical speed.

17. Resolving Vectors Into Components
The sine and cosine functions can be used to find the components of a vector.
The sine and cosine functions are defined in terms of the lengths of the sides of right triangles.
opposite
Sine of angle θ =
Cosine of angle θ =
hypotenuse
adjacent
hypotenuse

18. Adding Vectors That Are Not Perpendicular
Suppose that a plane travels first 5 km at an angle of 35°, then climbs at 10 for 22 km, as shown below. How can you find the total displacement?
Because the original displacement vectors do not form a right triangle, you can not directly apply the tangent function or the Pythagorean Theorem. d2 d1

19. Adding Vectors That Are Not Perpendicular
You can find the magnitude and the direction of the resultant by resolving each of the plane’s displacement vectors into its x and y components.
Then the components along each axis can be added together. d2
Δy2 d1
Δy1
Δx1
Δx2

20. Adding Non-Perpendicular Vectors
The goal of resolving vectors is to allow us to have components that are aligned along the x- and y-axis.
Once the components are set up on these axes, our math becomes simple– we add our x components together and y components together to find our new x and y components.
With our new-found x and y components, we can find our new resultant vector. 20

21. Sample Problem Adding vectors algebraically
A hiker walks 27.0 km from her base camp at 35° south of east. The next day, she walks 41.0 km in a direction of 65° north of east and discovers a forest ranger’s tower. Find the magnitude and direction of her resultant displacement.

22. Sample Problem Solution
Select a coordinate system, then sketch and label each vector.
Given
d1 = 27.0 km θ1 = -35°
d2 = 41.0 km θ2 = 65°
Tip: θ1 is negative because clockwise movement from the positive x-axis is negative.
Unknown
d = ? θ = ?

23. Sample Problem Solution
Find the x and y components of both vectors.
Separate your displacements.
For Day 1:
Δx1 = d1cos θ1 = (27.0 km)(cos -35°) = 22 km
Δy1 = d1sin θ1 = (27.0 km)(sin -35°) = -15 km
For Day 2:
Δx2 = d2cos θ2 = (41.0 km)(cos 65°) = 17 km
Δy2 = d2sin θ2 = (41.0 km)(sin 65°) = 37 km

24. Sample Problem Solution
Find the x and y components of the total displacement.
Δxtotal = Δx1+ Δx2 = 22 km + 17 km = 39 km
Δytotal = Δy1+ Δy2 = -15 km + 37 km = 22 km
Use the Pythagorean theorem to find the magnitude of the resultant vector.
d2 = (Δxtotal)2 + (Δytotal)2
d = √(39 km)2 + (22 km)2
d = 45 km

25. Sample Problem Solution
Use a suitable trigonometric function to find the angle.
Tan θ = opposite/adjacent
Tan θ = Δy/Δx = 22 km/39 km
Tan θ = 0.564
θ = 29° north of east

26. Vocabulary
Components of a vector

27. Important Formulas c2 = a2 + b2 sin θ = opposite/hypotenuse
cos θ = adjacent/hypotenuse
tan θ = opposite/adjacent