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Cartesian Vector Notation

The document introduces Cartesian vector notation to express vectors and perform vector arithmetic, especially adding forces. It explains that vectors can be expressed as the sum of their components along the x and y axes. When adding multiple forces, the method is to (1) find the components of each force along the axes, (2) add the corresponding components algebraically, and (3) use the sums to determine the magnitude and direction of the resultant force vector. Key concepts discussed include resultants, quadrants, coplanar vectors, and vector components.

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sanele
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44 views

Cartesian Vector Notation

The document introduces Cartesian vector notation to express vectors and perform vector arithmetic, especially adding forces. It explains that vectors can be expressed as the sum of their components along the x and y axes. When adding multiple forces, the method is to (1) find the components of each force along the axes, (2) add the corresponding components algebraically, and (3) use the sums to determine the magnitude and direction of the resultant force vector. Key concepts discussed include resultants, quadrants, coplanar vectors, and vector components.

Uploaded by

sanele
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Cartesian vector notation - Outline

Learn to express vectors in Cartesian vector


form
Learn to use Cartesian vector form for vector
arithmetic. Will concentrate on adding forces.
Learn how to determine a vector’s magnitude
and direction from its Cartesian vector form.
Covers 2.4

Motivation
We now need to invent some notation to make
writing down the addition and resolution of
vectors easier.
We will use Cartesian vector notation
For 2D problems we will use 2D Cartesian
vector notation. (Cartesian vector notation is
especially useful in 3D)
When all the forces in a problem lie in a plane
we say they are coplanar
– The problem is effectively two dimensional
Notation
In the figure the vector F is resolved into
components along the x-axis and y-axis
We can write F = Fx + Fy .
We write the magnitudes of the components of F
as positive scalars, |Fx| and |Fy|.
Adding many forces
Method to add many forces:
1. Find components along specific axes
2. Add the components along each axis algebraically
3. Form the resultant
We use vector reduction to make vector
addition easy
– Do not have to use much trigonometry.
Later we will see that it makes things easier in 3
dimensions.
Adding many forces
When adding more than two forces it is easier
to
1. Find components along specific axes
2. Add the components along each axis algebraically
3. Form the resultant

The scalars FRx and FRy can be


positive or negative depending
on how the sum works out. This
tells us how the resultant points.

Adding many forces


3. Form the resultant:
– Use Pythagoras'
theorem to find the
magnitude.
– Use trigonometry to
find the direction

Just plugging this formula into your calculator can give the
wrong answer.

Make sure you know which quadrent θ is meant to be in


Keywords
Make sure that after this lecture you
understand the following words and concepts:
– Resultant
– Quadrant
– Coplanar
– Vector components
– Cartesian vector notation, Cartesian unit
vectors

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