1. Vectors
An Introduction

2. There are two kinds of quantities…
Scalars are quantities that have magnitude only, such as
position
speed
time
mass
Vectors are quantities that have both magnitude and direction, such as
displacement
velocity
acceleration

3. R R R Notating vectors head tail This is how you notate a vector…
This is how you draw a vector…
R R R
head
tail

4. A  Direction of Vectors x
Vector direction is the direction of the arrow, given by an angle.
This vector has an angle that is between 0o and 90o. A  x

5.     Vector angle ranges x y Quadrant II 90o <  < 180o
Quadrant III
180o <  < 270o 
Quadrant IV
270o <  < 360o 

6. B   Direction of Vectors x What angle range would this vector have?
What would be the exact angle, and how would you determine it? 
Between 180o and 270o x 
or between
- 90o and -180o B

7. Magnitude of Vectors
The best way to determine the magnitude (or size) of a vector is to measure its length.
The length of the vector is proportional to the magnitude (or size) of the quantity it represents.

8. Sample Problem
If vector A represents a displacement of three miles to the north, then what does vector B represent? Vector C? B A C

9. Equal Vectors
Equal vectors have the same length and direction, and represent the same quantity (such as force or velocity).
Draw several equal vectors.

10. Inverse Vectors
Inverse vectors have the same length, but opposite direction.
Draw a set of inverse vectors. A -A

11. The Right Triangle
hypotenuse
opposite θ
adjacent

12. Pythagorean Theorem hypotenuse2 = opposite2 + adjacent2 c2 = a2 + b2 θ

13. Basic Trigonometry functions
sin θ = opposite/hypotenuse
cos θ = adjacent/hypotenuse
tan θ = opposite/adjacent
SOHCAHTOA
hypotenuse
opposite θ
adjacent

14. SOHCAHTOA Inverse functions θ θ = sin-1(opposite/hypotenuse)
θ = cos-1(adjacent/hypotenuse)
θ = tan-1(opposite/adjacent)
SOHCAHTOA
hypotenuse
opposite θ
adjacent

15. Sample problem
A surveyor stands on a riverbank directly across the river from a tree on the opposite bank. She then walks 100 m downstream, and determines that the angle from her new position to the tree on the opposite bank is 50o. How wide is the river, and how far is she from the tree in her new location?

16. Sample problem
You are standing at the very top of a tower and notice that in order to see a manhole cover on the ground 50 meters from the base of the tower, you must look down at an angle 75o below the horizontal. If you are 1.80 m tall, how high is the tower?

17. Vectors: x-component A  Ax
The x-component of a vector is the “shadow” it casts on the x-axis.
cos θ = adjacent ∕ hypotenuse
cos θ = Ax ∕ A
Ax = A cos  A  x Ax

18. Vectors: y-component
The y-component of a vector is the “shadow” it casts on the y-axis.
sin θ = opposite ∕ hypotenuse
sin θ = Ay ∕ A
Ay = A sin  y A Ay Ay  x

19. Vectors: angle
The angle a vector makes with the x-axis can be determined by the components.
It is calculated by the inverse tangent function
 = tan-1 (Ay/Ax) y Ry  x Rx

20. R Vectors: magnitude Ry Rx
The magnitude of a vector can be determined by the components.
It is calculated using the Pythagorean Theorem.
R2 = Rx2 + Ry2 y R Ry x Rx

21. Practice Problem
You are driving up a long inclined road. After 1.5 miles you notice that signs along the roadside indicate that your elevation has increased by 520 feet.
What is the angle of the road above the horizontal?

22. Practice Problem
You are driving up a long inclined road. After 1.5 miles you notice that signs along the roadside indicate that your elevation has increased by 520 feet.
How far do you have to drive to gain an additional 150 feet of elevation?

23. Practice Problem Find the x- and y-components of the following vectors
R = o

24. Practice Problem Find the x- and y-components of the following vectors
v = o

25. Practice Problem Find the x- and y-components of the following vectors
a = o

26. Graphical Addition of Vectors

27. Graphical Addition of Vectors
Add vectors A and B graphically by drawing them together in a head to tail arrangement.
Draw vector A first, and then draw vector B such that its tail is on the head of vector A.
Then draw the sum, or resultant vector, by drawing a vector from the tail of A to the head of B.
Measure the magnitude and direction of the resultant vector.

28. Practice Graphical AdditionB A B R
A + B = R
R is called the resultant vector!

29. The Resultant and the Equilibrant
The sum of two or more vectors is called the resultant vector.
The resultant vector can replace the vectors from which it is derived.
The resultant is completely canceled out by adding it to its inverse, which is called the equilibrant.

30. The Equilibrant Vector
A + B = R
The vector -R is called the equilibrant.
If you add R and -R you get a null (or zero) vector.

31. Graphical Subtraction of Vectors
Subtract vectors A and B graphically by adding vector A with the inverse of vector B (-B).
First draw vector A, then draw -B such that its tail is on the head of vector A.
The difference is the vector drawn from the tail of vector A to the head of -B.

32. Practice Graphical Subtraction
A - B = C

33. Practice Problem
Vector A points in the +x direction and has a magnitude of 75 m. Vector B has a magnitude of 30 m and has a direction of 30o relative to the x axis. Vector C has a magnitude of 50 m and points in a direction of -60o relative to the x axis.
Find A + B
Find A + B + C
Find A – B.

34. a)

35. b)

36. c)

37. Vector Addition Laboratory

38. Vector Addition Lab
Attach spring scales to force board such that they all have different readings.
Slip graph paper between scales and board and carefully trace your set up.
Record readings of all three spring scales.
Detach scales from board and remove graph paper.
On top of your tracing, draw a force diagram by constructing vectors proportional in length to the scale readings. Point the vectors in the direction of the forces they represent. Connect the tails of the vectors to each other in the center of the drawing.
On a separate sheet of graph paper, add the three vectors together graphically. Identify your resultant, if any.
Did you get a resultant? Did you expect one?
You must have a separate set of drawings for each member of your lab group, so work efficiently
In Class
Homework

39. Vector Addition by Component

40. Component Addition of Vectors
Resolve each vector into its x- and y-components.
Ax = Acos Ay = Asin
Bx = Bcos By = Bsin
Cx = Ccos Cy = Csin etc.
Add the x-components (Ax, Bx, etc.) together to get Rx and the y-components (Ay, By, etc.) to get Ry.

41. Component Addition of Vectors
Calculate the magnitude of the resultant with the Pythagorean Theorem (R = Rx2 + Ry2).
Determine the angle with the equation  = tan-1 Ry/Rx.

42. Practice Problem
In a daily prowl through the neighborhood, a cat makes a displacement of 120 m due north, followed by a displacement of 72 m due west. Find the magnitude and displacement required if the cat is to return home.

43. Practice Problem
If the cat in the previous problem takes 45 minutes to complete the first displacement and 17 minutes to complete the second displacement, what is the magnitude and direction of its average velocity during this 62-minute period of time?

44. Relative Motion

45. Relative Motion
Relative motion problems are difficult to do unless one applies vector addition concepts.
Define a vector for a swimmer’s velocity relative to the water, and another vector for the velocity of the water relative to the ground. Adding those two vectors will give you the velocity of the swimmer relative to the ground.

46. Relative Motion Vs Vw
Vt = Vs + Vw Vw

47. Relative Motion Vs
Vt = Vs + Vw Vw Vw

48. Relative Motion Vw Vs
Vt = Vs + Vw Vw

49. Practice Problem
You are paddling a canoe in a river that is flowing at 4.0 mph east. You are capable of paddling at 5.0 mph.
If you paddle east, what is your velocity relative to the shore?
If you paddle west, what is your velocity relative to the shore?
You want to paddle straight across the river, from the south to the north.At what angle to you aim your boat relative to the shore? Assume east is 0o.

50. Practice Problem
You are flying a plane with an airspeed of 400 mph. If you are flying in a region with a 80 mph west wind, what must your heading be to fly due north?