Chapter 3

Kinematics in Two or Three

Dimensions; Vectors
 Homework
Tuesday:

Read Chapter 4

2014: Do P. 77 1,2,4,5,11,12,13,14

2013: Do p. 77 1, 2, 4, 5, 18

2012: Do p. 77 1, 2, 4, 5, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17

How do we calculate the
motion of this skier in two
dimensions?
How do we calculate the motion of this
skier in two dimensions?
How do we calculate the tension in these
ropes?
3-1 Vectors and Scalars

A vector has magnitude as

well as direction.
Some vector quantities:
displacement, velocity, force,
momentum
A scalar has only a magnitude.
Some scalar quantities: mass,
time, temperature
3-2 Addition of Vectors—Graphical Methods

For vectors in one

dimension, simple
addition and subtraction
are all that is needed.
You do need to be careful
about the signs, as the
figure indicates.
3-2 Addition of Vectors—Graphical Methods
If the motion is in two dimensions, the situation is
somewhat more complicated.
Here, the actual travel paths are at right angles to
one another; we can find the displacement by
using the Pythagorean Theorem.
3-2 Addition of Vectors—Graphical Methods
Adding the vectors in the opposite order gives the
same result:
3-2 Addition of Vectors—Graphical Methods
Even if the vectors are not at right
angles, they can be added graphically by
using the tail-to-tip method.
3-2 Addition of Vectors—Graphical Methods
The parallelogram method may also be used;
here again the vectors must be tail-to-tip.
 3-3 Subtraction of Vectors, and
Multiplication of a Vector by a Scalar

In order to subtract vectors, we

define the negative of a vector, which
has the same magnitude but points
in the opposite direction.

Then we add the negative vector.

 3-3 Subtraction of Vectors, and
Multiplication of a Vector by a Scalar

A vector V can be multiplied by a scalar

c; the result is a vector c V that has the
same direction but a magnitude cV. If c is
negative, the resultant vector points in
the opposite direction.
Adding & Subtracting Vectors
• Vectors can be added or subtracted from each
other graphically.
• Each vector is represented by an arrow with a
length that is proportional to the magnitude of
the vector.
• Each vector has a direction associated with it.
• When two or more vectors are added or
subtracted, the answer is called the resultant.
• A resultant that is equal in magnitude and
opposite in direction is also known as an
equilibrant.
Adding Vectors using the
Pythagorean Theorem
If the vectors occur such that they are perpendicular to
one another, the Pythagorean theorem may be used to
determine the resultant.

5m
3m
+ =
4m 3m 4m

A2 + B2 = C2
(4m)2 + (3m)2 = (5m)2
When adding vectors, place the tail of the second
vector at the tip of the first vector.
Adding & Subtracting Vectors
If the vectors occur in a single dimension, just add or
subtract them.

+ =
4m 7m 3m 7m

+
- =
4m 7m 3m 7m
• When adding vectors, place the tail of the second
vector at the tip of the first vector.
• When subtracting vectors, invert the second one
before placing its tail at the tip of the first vector.
Law of Cosines
If the angle between the two vectors is more or less
than 90º, then the Law of Cosines can be used to
determine the resultant vector.
 = 80º

7m
5m
+ =

7m 5m C
C2 = A2 + B2 – 2ABCos 
C2 = (7m)2 + (5m)2 – 2(7m)(5m)Cos 80º
C = 7.9 m
Example 1:
The vector shown to the right represents two
forces acting concurrently on an object at point P.
Which pair of vectors best represents the
resultant vector? P

P P
(a) (b)
P

P
(c) (d)
How to Solve:

P
1. Add vectors by placing them tip to tail.

or
P P
2. Draw the resultant.
This method is also known as
the Parallelogram Method.

P
How to Solve:

This method is also known as

the Parallelogram Method.

P
 3-4 Adding Vectors by Components

Any vector can be expressed as the sum

of two other vectors, which are called its
components. Usually the other vectors are
chosen so that they are perpendicular to
each other.
3-4 Adding Vectors by Components

Remember:
soh
cah
toa

If the components are

perpendicular, they can be
found using trigonometric
functions.
 3-4 Adding Vectors by Components

The components are effectively one-dimensional,

so they can be added arithmetically.
 3-4 Adding Vectors by Components

Adding vectors:
1. Draw a diagram; add the vectors graphically.
2. Choose x and y axes.
3. Resolve each vector into x and y components.
4. Calculate each component using sines and cosines.
5. Add the components in each direction.
6. To find the length and direction of the vector, use:

and .
 3-4 Adding Vectors by
Components

Example 3-2: Mail carrier’s

displacement.
A rural mail carrier leaves the
post office and drives 22.0 km
in a northerly direction. She
then drives in a direction 60.0°
south of east for 47.0 km. What
is her displacement from the
post office?
 3-4 Adding Vectors by
Components

Example 3-3: Three short trips.

An airplane trip involves three
legs, with two stopovers. The
first leg is due east for 620 km;
the second leg is southeast
(45°) for 440 km; and the third
leg is at 53° south of west, for
550 km, as shown. What is the
plane’s total displacement?
Vector vs. Scalar
770 m

270 m

670 m
868 m

dTotal = 1,710 m
d = 868 m The resultant will always
be less than or equal to the
scalar value.
 Homework

2014: Read and provide notes on 4.2

Do p. 78 27, 28, 29, 30, 31

2013: Do p. 78 21, 23, 27, 28, 29, 30

2012: Do p. 78 21, 23, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31

Example 2:
• A bus travels 23 km on a straight road that is 30°
North of East. What are the component vectors for
its displacement?
d = 23 km
y North dx = d cos 
dx = (23 km)(cos 30°)
dx = 19.9 km
dy = d sin 
d dy = (23 km)(sin 30°)
dy dy = 11.5 km

 = 30°
East
dx x
Algebraic Addition
• In the event that there is more than one vector, the
x-components can be added together, as can the y-
components to determine the resultant vector.
y
R

cy c R x = ax + bx + c x

b R y = ay + by + c y
by
a
ay R = Rx + Ry

ax bx cx x
Properties of Vectors
• A vector can be moved anywhere in a plane as long
as the magnitude and direction are not changed.
• Two vectors are equal if they have the same
magnitude and direction.
• Vectors are concurrent when they act on a point
simultaneously.
• A vector multiplied by a scalar will result in a vector
with the same direction.
F = ma
P
vector scalar vector
Properties of Vectors (cont.)

• Two or more vectors can be added together to form

a resultant. The resultant is a single vector that
replaces the other vectors.
• The maximum value for a resultant vector occurs
when the angle between them is 0°.
• The minimum value for a resultant vector occurs
when the angle between the two vectors is 180°.
• The equilibrant is a vector with the same
magnitude but opposite in direction to the resultant
vector.
Properties of Vectors (cont.)

+ =
4m 3m 7m
180°
+ =
4m 3m 1m
-R R
Key Ideas
• Vector: Magnitude and Direction
• Scalar: Magnitude only
• When drawing vectors:
– Scale them for magnitude.
– Maintain the proper direction.
• Vectors can be analyzed graphically or by
using coordinates.
Add the following by tip/tail,
parallelogram, and trig. Find the
resultant and the equilibrant:
• 1) Add the scaled vectors tip/tail
• 2) Draw the resultant vector
• 3) Add the vectors in the other order to
make a parallelogram.
• 4) Calculate the resultant using trig
• 5) Find the equilibrant
Add the following by tip/tail,
parallelogram, and trig. Find the
resultant and the equilibrant:
– Example 1:
• 10 m/sec at 0 degrees
• 5 m/sec at 180 degrees
– Example 2:
• 5 m/sec at 30 degrees
• 3 m/sec at 60 degrees
– Example 3:
• 4 m/sec at 45 degrees
• 4 m/sec at 135 degrees
Add the following by tip/tail,
parallelogram, and trig. Find the
resultant and the equilibrant:
– Example 4:
• 10 m/sec at 10 degrees
• 5 m/sec at 20 degrees
– Example 5:
• 5 m/sec at 40 degrees
• 3 m/sec at 220 degrees
– Example 6:
• 4 m/sec at 315 degrees
• 4 m/sec at 260 degrees
Draw these and find the
following by trig:
– Example 7:
• 5 m/sec at 270 degrees
• 10m/sec at 60 degrees
• 15m/sec at 120 degrees
• Then graph the resultant and equilibrant
– Example 8:
• 5 m/sec at 0 degrees
• 5 m/sec at 135 degrees
• 10 m/sec at 270 degrees
• Then graph the resultant and equilibrant
Draw these and find the
following by trig:
– Example 9:
• 5 m/sec at 40 degrees
• 10m/sec at 50 degrees
• 15m/sec at 60 degrees
• Then graph the resultant and equilibrant
– Example 10:
• 5 m/sec at 60 degrees
• 5 m/sec at 120 degrees
• 10 m/sec at 270 degrees
• Then graph the resultant and equilibrant
Now do the following on the
map:
– Start at RCK
• Go 5 cm North
• Go 10 cm at 10 degrees N of W
• Go 20 cm at -80 degrees
• Go 5 cm at 190 degrees
• Go 18.5cm at 50 degrees (N of E)
• Where are you?