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Vector Mission

The document provides instructions for using a map scale to measure distances and directions between points on a map in order to calculate the overall displacement to a treasure location. Key details include: - Measuring sections of the map to determine distances and directions in meters - Calculating individual displacements along x and y axes based on directions - Using the Pythagorean theorem to calculate the hypotenuse displacement from the horizontal and vertical legs - Determining the angle of the displacement using tangent inverse - Stating the overall displacement, angle, and direction to find the treasure - Calculating a 0.15% error between the measured and calculated displacements

Uploaded by

Sage Moore
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© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
268 views

Vector Mission

The document provides instructions for using a map scale to measure distances and directions between points on a map in order to calculate the overall displacement to a treasure location. Key details include: - Measuring sections of the map to determine distances and directions in meters - Calculating individual displacements along x and y axes based on directions - Using the Pythagorean theorem to calculate the hypotenuse displacement from the horizontal and vertical legs - Determining the angle of the displacement using tangent inverse - Stating the overall displacement, angle, and direction to find the treasure - Calculating a 0.15% error between the measured and calculated displacements

Uploaded by

Sage Moore
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Vector Mission Activity

PART 1
A treasure is hidden in the school. Here is the map to the treasure: (Double CLICK the image to move the rulers.)

Measure the sections of the map using a metric ruler and complete the data table below. Scale Factor: 1 cm = 100 m
(ex: if the vector is 12 cm long, that would be 1200m)
Section Measurement (cm) Meters (m) Direction
(use metric ruler) (convert using scale factor) (N,S,E,W)
Example 12 1200 West
1 6.6cm 660m North
2 5.4cm 540m East
3 7.2cm 720m South
4 3.0cm 300m West
5 8.4cm 840m North
6 10.1cm 1,010m East
7 4.3cm 430m South
Total 45.0cm 4500m
Distance No answer here
🙂)to get the displacement in centimeters. Use the scale
Measure directly from the starting point (★) to the ending point (
factor to convert to meters. Use a ruler and protractor.
Displacement Meters (m) Angle (in degrees) Direction
Measurement (use conversion) use protractor! (N of W)
(cm) (Ex: 34o)
13cm 1300m 16 degrees North of East

PART 2:
In the previous section, we determined the displacement using a scaled drawing.
It is possible to determine the displacement without having to create a drawing.

Convert the distances and directions from Part 1 into displacements by relating your
compass directions to the X and Y axes on a graph.
For example: 1200m east would become +1200m

Section Meters (m) Direction Displacement (m)


(use scale factor) (N, S, E, W) (with + or – sign)
Example 1200 East +1200m
1 660m North +660
2 540m East +540
3 720m South -720
4 300m West -300
5 840m North +840
6 1,010m East +1,010
7 430m South -430

To get the vertical leg of the triangle:


Add together the displacements in the North and South directions (remembering the positive and negative signs).
Express your answer in meters. Show your work for the vertical-Y leg below:
Vertical Leg = 660 - 720 + 840 - 430 = 350 meters.

To get the horizontal leg of the triangle:


Add together the displacements in the East and West directions (remembering the positive and negative signs). Express
your answer in meters. Show your work for the horizontal-X leg below:
Horizontal Leg = 540 - 300 + 1,010 = 1,250 meters.

Once you have both the horizontal and vertical legs, draw the triangle, beginning with the longer leg.
Use the Pythagorean Theorem c2 = a2 + b2 to solve for the hypotenuse—displacement. Express your answer in meters.
You will use your horizontal-X leg and vertical-Y leg R2 = x2 + y2 R is the resultant vector/displacement
Show your math to find resultant displacement here!
R2 = x2 + y2
R2 =1,2502+3502
R= 1, 685, 000 =1,298.08m

Now, we need to find the angle; θ = 𝑡𝑎𝑛


−1
( 𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒
𝑎𝑑𝑗𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 )=𝑡𝑎𝑛 ( ) (y is the vertical-Y leg and x is the horizontal-X leg)
−1 𝑦
𝑥
**MAKE SURE YOUR CALCULATOR IS IN DEGREE MODE!**

350
-1
θ=tan ( 1,250
)= 15.64 °

Last, write the entire solution out by filling in the blanks:


o
To find the treasure chest, walk 1,298.08 m, at an angle of 15.64 , North of East

(R=displacement hypotenuse ↑) (θ) (short leg (long leg


direction) direction)
Example: o
1300 m, at an angle of 48 , North of East
To find the treasure chest, walk

Finally, let’s determine how far our 2 displacement answers are from each other.
Use the displacement from Part 2 as your calculated displacement (found using pythagorean theorem) and the
displacement from Part 1 as your measured (measured with ruler) displacement in the percent error equation below: Make
sure you have converted both to meters!

CALCULATED = Pythagorean Theorem result MEASURED= Result found with Ruler


𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑−𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑑 |
% 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = || 𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 |𝑥100
Type your numbers into this equation to show your work:

1,298.08 - 1300m
% error = x100 = -0.148
1,298.08

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