Student directions Vector Addition activity: Introduction to Vector math

phet.colorado.edu
Learning Goals: Students will be able to

 Explain vector representations in their own words

 Convert between the of angular form of vectors and the component form

 Add vectors

1. You take a walk in the park for 15 steps using a compass that points 25º North of East.

 How would you use the simulation to represent your path .

The simulation can be used to describe all the both scenarios this is because we are
driving and walking exactly in the same direction, and they have the same proportions
(magnitude). The only difference is how far you are traveling (due to the units).

The scale for scenario 1 in our case : 15 units = 15 steps

 Explain why the same representation works for illustrating this different scenario: You drive at
15 miles/hour using a compass that points 25º North of East.

I have given the explanation for both in the above

Write another scenario using different units that could also be represented the same.

Another scenario would be swimming 20m using a compass pointing 10º  North of

2. In the simulation, a vector is described by four measurements: R, Ө, Rx, and Ry. Put a vector in
the work area, and then investigate to make sense of what these four things represent. In your
investigation, use a wide variety of vector measurements and all three styles of Component
Displays. Then, describe in your own words what the measurements represent and what

“component” means.

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*Sin = opposite leg/ hypotenuse Cos = adjacent leg/ hypotenuse Tan = opposite leg/ adjacent leg
 Student directions Vector Addition activity: Introduction to Vector math

phet.colorado.edu

|R|= degree angle (30.5),

Ө = magnitude (31.6),

Rx = x-component (26),

Ry = y-component (16)

Components are quantities along the x-/ y-axis.

3. Suppose you are driving 14 miles/hour with a compass reading of 35°north of east.

 Represent the vector using the simulation. How fast is your car traveling in the north direction?
How fast in the east direction?

11/13/2020 Loeblein

*Sin = opposite leg/ hypotenuse Cos = adjacent leg/ hypotenuse Tan = opposite leg/ adjacent leg
 Student directions Vector Addition activity: Introduction to Vector math

phet.colorado.edu

The car is traveling 8mi/h north and 11mi/h east

 Figure out how the components could be calculated using geometry if you couldn’t use
the simulation.

Without the simulation, we would use Sin Ө, Cos Ө, and Tan Ө.

 Check your ideas by testing with other vectors and then write a plan for finding the
components of any vector.

To find the x-component,

we use Cos Ө = adjacent/hypotenuse,

which is Cos 35°= a/14

x = Cos 35°x 14 = 11
To find the y- component,

we use Sin Ө = opposite/hypotenuse,

which is Sin 35° = o/14

*Sin = opposite leg/ hypotenuse Cos = adjacent leg/ hypotenuse Tan = opposite leg/ adjacent leg
 Student directions Vector Addition activity: Introduction to Vector math

phet.colorado.edu

x = Sin 35°x 14 = 8

4. To get to the sandwich shop, you left home and drove 6 miles south and then 10 miles west.

 If a bird flew from your house to the sandwich shop in a straight line, how far do you think the
bird would fly? Use the simulation to check your reasoning.

We can use the Pythagorean Theorem to answer this question this is because we are
dealing with a right triangle so we can use the following formula:

a²+b²=c²   
   
6²+10²= 11miles

 What direction should it fly from your house to get to the shop?

The bird should fly 11 miles using a compass that points 12° South of west.

 Explain how you could use the simulation to answer these questions

By using the simulation, we are able to draw the exact direction the bird has to fly;
from the tail of one vector (moving along y-component) to the head of the other (at
x-component)
11/13/2020 Loeblein

*Sin = opposite leg/ hypotenuse Cos = adjacent leg/ hypotenuse Tan = opposite leg/ adjacent leg
 Student directions Vector Addition activity: Introduction to Vector math

phet.colorado.edu

 Explain how you could use geometry equations to answer these questions.

Using geometry it allows us to calculate accurate values as which direction the bird has to
fly at what angle and at what displacement.

5. Suppose you and a friend are test driving a new car. You drive out of the car dealership and go
10 miles east, and then 8 miles south. Then, your friend drives 8 miles west, and 6 miles north.

 If you had the dealer’s homing pigeon in the car, how far do you think it would have to fly to get
back to the dealership? Use the simulation to test ideas.

 The distance that the bird has to fly represents the sum of the 4 displacement vectors. Use the
simulation to test ideas you have about vector addition. After your tests, describe how you can
use the simulation to add vectors.

10²+8 ²=12miles

8²+6²=10miles

12-10= 2 miles

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*Sin = opposite leg/ hypotenuse Cos = adjacent leg/ hypotenuse Tan = opposite leg/ adjacent leg
 Student directions Vector Addition activity: Introduction to Vector math

phet.colorado.edu
6. A paper airplane is given a push so that it could fly 7m/s 35° North of East, but there is wind that
also pushes it 8 m/s 15° North of East.

 Use the simulation to solve the problem. How fast could it go and in what direction would it
travel?

 Think about your math tools and design a way to add vectors without the simulation.

11/13/2020 Loeblein

*Sin = opposite leg/ hypotenuse Cos = adjacent leg/ hypotenuse Tan = opposite leg/ adjacent leg
 Student directions Vector Addition activity: Introduction to Vector math

phet.colorado.edu

Without the simulation, we would first draw a straight line from the tail of the first vector
to the head of the second vector, and at the same time make a right triangle.

 Check your design by adding several vectors mathematically and then checking your
answers using the simulation.

The procedure is as follows

First of all, we must find out the y-components by using Sin Ө.

Then we find out the x-components by using Cos Ө.

After we get the numbers, we find out the hypotenuse of the right triangle (Pythagorean
Theorem), and finish off with either Sin, Cos, or Tan, to get the angle of the direction.

11/13/2020 Loeblein

*Sin = opposite leg/ hypotenuse Cos = adjacent leg/ hypotenuse Tan = opposite leg/ adjacent leg