and the rest of the method outlined above is identical to that for addition. (See
[link] .)
Analyzing vectors using perpendicular components is very useful in many areas of physics, because perpendicular quantities are often independent of one another. The next module,
Projectile Motion , is one of many in which using perpendicular components helps make the picture clear and simplifies the physics.
Phet explorations: vector addition
Learn how to add vectors. Drag vectors onto a graph, change their length and angle, and sum them together. The magnitude, angle, and components of each vector can be displayed in several formats.
Summary
The analytical method of vector addition and subtraction involves using the Pythagorean theorem and trigonometric identities to determine the magnitude and direction of a resultant vector.
The steps to add vectors
and
using the analytical method are as follows:
Step 1: Determine the coordinate system for the vectors. Then, determine the horizontal and vertical components of each vector using the equations
and
Step 2: Add the horizontal and vertical components of each vector to determine the components
and
of the resultant vector,
:
and
Step 3: Use the Pythagorean theorem to determine the magnitude,
, of the resultant vector
:
Step 4: Use a trigonometric identity to determine the direction,
, of
:
Conceptual questions
Suppose you add two vectors
and
. What relative direction between them produces the resultant with the greatest magnitude? What is the maximum magnitude? What relative direction between them produces the resultant with the smallest magnitude? What is the minimum magnitude?
Find the following for path C in
[link] : (a) the total distance traveled and (b) the magnitude and direction of the displacement from start to finish. In this part of the problem, explicitly show how you follow the steps of the analytical method of vector addition.
Find the following for path D in
[link] : (a) the total distance traveled and (b) the magnitude and direction of the displacement from start to finish. In this part of the problem, explicitly show how you follow the steps of the analytical method of vector addition.
Abiotic factors are non living components of ecosystem.These include physical and chemical elements like temperature,light,water,soil,air quality and oxygen etc