3.2 Vector addition and subtraction: graphical methods  (Page 5/16)

Summary

• The graphical method of adding vectors $\mathbf{A}$ and $\mathbf{B}$ involves drawing vectors on a graph and adding them using the head-to-tail method. The resultant vector $\mathbf{R}$ is defined such that $\mathbf{\text{A}}+\mathbf{\text{B}}=\mathbf{\text{R}}$ . The magnitude and direction of $\mathbf{R}$ are then determined with a ruler and protractor, respectively.
• The graphical method of subtracting vector $\mathbf{B}$ from $\mathbf{A}$ involves adding the opposite of vector $\mathbf{B}$ , which is defined as $-\mathbf{B}$ . In this case, $\text{A}–\mathbf{\text{B}}=\mathbf{\text{A}}+(\text{–B})=\text{R}$ . Then, the head-to-tail method of addition is followed in the usual way to obtain the resultant vector $\mathbf{R}$ .
• Addition of vectors is commutative    such that $\mathbf{\text{A}}+\mathbf{\text{B}}=\mathbf{\text{B}}+\mathbf{\text{A}}$ .
• The head-to-tail method    of adding vectors involves drawing the first vector on a graph and then placing the tail of each subsequent vector at the head of the previous vector. The resultant vector is then drawn from the tail of the first vector to the head of the final vector.
• If a vector $\mathbf{A}$ is multiplied by a scalar quantity $c$ , the magnitude of the product is given by $\text{cA}$ . If $c$ is positive, the direction of the product points in the same direction as $\mathbf{A}$ ; if $c$ is negative, the direction of the product points in the opposite direction as $\mathbf{A}$ .

Conceptual questions

Two campers in a national park hike from their cabin to the same spot on a lake, each taking a different path, as illustrated below. The total distance traveled along Path 1 is 7.5 km, and that along Path 2 is 8.2 km. What is the final displacement of each camper?

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If an airplane pilot is told to fly 123 km in a straight line to get from San Francisco to Sacramento, explain why he could end up anywhere on the circle shown in [link] . What other information would he need to get to Sacramento?

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