Scribd
Upload
8 views

Key Concept 4 - Vectors

Uploaded by

hamdah.alkhemeiri
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as KEY, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
8 views

Key Concept 4 - Vectors

Uploaded by

hamdah.alkhemeiri
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as KEY, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 8

Mastery Programme

G09 Advanced Physics


Term 1
Key Concept 4: Vectors
Learning Outcomes
Key Concept 4: Vectors
Determine, by calculation or graphically, the resultant of two vectors at right angles,
limited to forces or velocities.
Forces as Vectors
Net Force
Vector diagrams include arrows in a particular
direction which represent the different forces on
an object.
The size of the arrow corresponds to the size of
the force
Net, or resultant, forces can be calculated by
adding or subtracting all of the forces acting on
the object
Forces working in opposite directions are
subtracted from each other
Forces working in the same direction
are added together
If the forces acting in opposite directions are equal
in size, then there will be no resultant force – the
forces are said to be balanced
Combining Vectors by
Calculation
In this method, a diagram is still essential, but it
does not need to be exactly to scale.
The diagram can take the form of a sketch, as long
as the resultant, component and sides are clearly
labelled

Use Pythagoras' Theorem to find the resultant


vector

Use trigonometry to find the angle


Calculating Vectors Graphically
(Parallelogram Method)
Vectors at right angles to one another can be combined
into one resultant vector.

The resultant vector will have the same effect as the


two original ones
To calculate vectors graphically means carefully
producing a scale drawing with all lengths and angles
correct
This should be done using a sharp pencil, ruler and
Example: Find the resultant of vectors a and
protractor
b below
Follow these steps to carry out calculations with
vectors on graphs

Choose a scale which fits the page


For example, use 1 cm = 10 m or 1 cm = 1 N, so that
the diagram is around 10 cm high
Draw the vectors at right angles to one another (tail to
tail)
Complete the resulting parallelogram. The resultant
vector is the diagonal of the parallelogram.
Draw the resultant vector diagonally from the origin
Carefully measure the length of the resultant vector
Use the scale factor to calculate the magnitude
Use the protractor to measure the angle
Calculating Vectors Graphically
(Triangle Method- Head to Tail)
For two given vectors, the resultant vector can be
calculated using a scale drawing.

Step 1: Choose a scale which fits the page


Step 2: For example, use 1 cm = 1 m or 1 cm
=1N
Step 3: Link the vectors head-to-tail if they
aren’t already Example: Find the resultant of vectors a and
Step 4: Draw the resultant vector by joining b below

the tail of the first vector to the head of the


second vector.
Step 5: Measure the length of the resultant
vector using a ruler.
Step 6: Measure the angle of the resultant
vector using a protractor
Step 7: The final answer is always converted
back to the units needed in the diagram.
Eg. For a scale of 1 cm = 2 km, a resultant
vector with a length of 5 cm measured on your
Step 1: Draw a vector diagram Step 2: Calculate the magnitude of the resultant vector using
Pythagoras’ theorem

Step 3: Calculate the direction of the resultant vector using


trigonometry

Step 4: State the final answer complete with direction


Resultant vector = 12 km 59° east and upwards from the horizontal

You might also like