Vectors
Vectors
Vector
1. Adding Vectors Geometrically
2. Components of Vectors
3. Unit Vectors
4. Adding Vectors by Components
5. Multiplying Vectors
Adding Vectors Graphically
r r r
s a b
General procedure for adding two vectors
graphically:
rar
• (1) On paper, sketch vector a to some
convenient scale and at the proper angle.
r
• (2) Sketch vector b to the same scale,
with its tail at the head of vector , again at
the proper angle.
r
• (3) The vector sum s is the vector that r
r
extends from the tail of a to the head of b
.
Examples
Two important properties of vector additions
r
Magnitude: a ax2 a y2
ay
Direction: tan 1
ax
Addition of Vectors by Means of
Components
r r r
C A B
θ
=
tan 1 (C y / C x )
Check Your Understanding
• Two vectors, A and B, have vector components that are
shown (to the same scale) in the first row of drawings.
Which vector R in the second row of drawings is the vector
sum of A and B?
Example 2 The Component Method of Vector Addition
(2) Magnitude is
c ab sin
Property of vector cross product
• The order of the vector multiplication is important.
If and ,
what is ?