Do Now

Kelly is standing 10 meters from a tree. The angle formed (elevation angle) looking up at the tree is 25 degrees. Kellys height from eyeballs to ground is 1.5 m. How tall is the tree?
25
1.5 m

10 m

Solutions
Check your solution tan 25 = x / 10 m x = 10 tan 25 x = 4.663 m tree height = 1.5 m + 4.663 m = 6.163 m

25 1.5 m 10 m

Physics
Vectors 1

Vectors
Any physical quantity that has both a size (magnitude) and direction is called a vector quantity. We can represent this quantity with a vector.
The length of the arrow gives the size of the vector. The direction of the arrow points in the direction of the vector.

Drawing and Measuring Vectors

Choose a scale Measure angle from horizontal going counterclockwise Measure length accurately to scale
5 cm, 135
5 cm

135

Balanced Vectors
Vectors that are balanced, like the tug-o-war, are said to be in equilibrium. If we add the signed forces, the sum is zero. +200 N + -200 N = 0
-200 N +200 N

Unbalanced Vectors
Vectors that are unbalanced leave us with a net or resultant vector. If we add the signed forces, the sum is not zero, but the net force. +150 N + -200 N = -50 N The sign tells us the direction!
-200 N +150 N

Caution!
You can only add vectors like this when they are collinear. (In a single line!) If the vectors are not, then we have to use trigonometry! We will discuss that next.

Add Collinear Vectors

Collinear Vectors add like signed numbers. Convert the direction angles to + and signs Add the signed numbers Apply the angle of the appropriate sign 200 m, 0 + 300 m, 180 = +200 m + -300 m = -100 m = = 100 m, 180

Do Now
Add these vectors 45 N, 0 + 25 N, 0 80 N, 0 + 20 N, 180 345 N, 90 + 205 N, 270 450 N, 270 + 215 N, 270 40 N, 0 + 50 N, 180

Solutions

Add these vectors 45 N, 0 + 25 N, 0= 70 N, 0 80 N, 0 + 20 N, 180=60 N, 0 345 N, 90 + 205 N, 270 = 140 N, 90 450 N, 270 + 215 N, 270 = 665 N, 270 40 N, 0 + 50 N, 180=10 N, 180

Adding vectors graphically

Vectors add head to tail This means you start each subsequent vector where the previous ended. Construct the first Vector. Construct the second vector, starting it at the arrow head of the first vector.

Construct the resultant

Adding Vectors Graphically

This works for non-colinear vectors! Construct the first Vector. Construct the second vector, starting it at the arrow head of the first vector. Repeat for any other vectors. Draw the resultant, from the start of the first vector to the end (arrowhead) of the last vector.

Physics at Work frames 264-267

Properties of Vectors
Vectors can be added in any order.

To subtract a vector, add its opposite.

Multiplying or dividing vectors by scalars results in vectors.

Resolving vectors into components

A vector is essentially the hypotenuse of a triangle. If we know the length and angle of the hypotenuse, we can calculate the length of the legs. The legs of the vector are known as components Horizontal leg is the x-component, Vertical leg is the y-component.

Resolving vectors
Solve sin A = y component hypotenuse y component = hypotenuse * sin A cos A = x component hypotenuse x component = hypotenuse * cos A

36 m 50

Solution
x component = 36 * cos 50 = 23.1 m y component = 36 * sin 50 = 27.6 m This works even if the angle is greater than 90 degrees! The negative sign tells you direction.

36 m 50

Objectives (TSWBAT)
Resolve vectors into component parts Add vectors at Right Angles
Use Analytic Method

Add vectors at non-right angles

Use Analytic Method

Resolving vectors into components

A vector is essentially the hypotenuse of a triangle. If we know the length and angle of the hypotenuse, we can calculate the length of the legs. The legs of the vector are known as components Horizontal leg is the x-component, Vertical leg is the y-component.

Resolving vectors
Solve sin A = y component hypotenuse y component = hypotenuse * sin A cos A = x component hypotenuse x component = hypotenuse * cos A

36 m 50

Solution
x component = 36 * cos 50 = 23.1 m y component = 36 * sin 50 = 27.6 m This works even if the angle is greater than 90 degrees! The negative sign tells you direction.
Physics at Work Frames 269-270

36 m 50

Adding Perpendicular Vectors

When vectors are perpendicular, they can be added by treating the vectors as legs of a right triangle. The magnitude of the vector can be found using the Pythagorean theorem. The angle can be found using the inverse tangent. =Tan-1(y / x) Examine the signs to be sure your result is in the correct quadrant!

Adding Vectors
+y

C B

-23
A

157

+x

A = 12 cm, 180 B = 5 cm, 90 C = ( 52 + (-122)) C = 13 cm tan q = B / A q = tan-1 ( 5 / -12 ) q = -23 (Note: 2nd
quadrant!)

C = 13 cm, 157

Adding vectors at non-right angles

Resolve vectors into components Add components (Addition of Colinear Vectors!) Add component sums (Addition of Vectors at Right Angles)
Use Pythagorean Theorem for magnitude Use tan-1(y/x) for angle

Check your signs to be sure you have the angle for the proper quadrant!

Adding Vectors
Resolve into components 4 m, 30 + 7 m, 80
x=A cos q A B C 4 cos 30 7 cos 80 Cx = 3.5 = 1.2 = 4.7 y=A sin q 4 sin 30 7 sin 80 Cy = 2 =6.9 =8.9

Then add the components

Add the component Vectors

Cx = 4.7 m, 0 Cy = 8.9 m, 90 C = (4.7 2 + 8.92) C = 10.06 m tan q = Cy / Cx q = tan-1 ( 8.9 / 4.7 ) q = 62.2 C = 10.06 m, 62.2

C Cy

Cx

Conclusion

This covers Chapter 3 Sections 1 & 2. Since vectors are a very visual concept, I strongly suggest accessing the visual concepts in the online version of your textbook.