~+y rents 5.8 cm, 45° north of east 2.2 Vector Addition by Graphical Method ‘Scalar quantities can be added and subtracted like ordinary asian wided the scalars have the same units. For vectors, the sum depends ee direction of the vectors. The sum of two or more vectors is cpresented by a single vector called the resultant. This vector may be an using the graphical method also known as the head-to-tail method, and/or the component method. Graphical Method The magnitude and direction of the resultant vector can be found by employing the head-to-tail method. This method involves drawing vectors to scale. The directions are determined by using a protractor and the given » direction guide in figure 2-2. The following examples show how the graphical method is used in finding the resultant vector. Note that the direction guide on figure 2-2 and the Cartesian coordinate system were used. Study these examples to | understand how to use the graphical method in finding the resultant vector. ‘The Cartesian coordinate system Example 2.3. Carlito was observing an ant that crawled along a tabletop. With a piece of chalk, he followed its path. He determined the ant’s displacements by using a ruler and protractor, The displacements were as follows: 2 cm east; 3.5 cm, 32° north of east; and 2.3 cm, 22° west of north. Given: d, d, = 3.5 cm, 32° north of east d, =23 cm, 22° west of north =2cmeast Fin d, =resultant displacement vector Solution: vector diagram scale: 1. cm=1 cm 24 You and the Natural World—Physics DeSinai ___ Referring to example 2.3, you might ask, “Will the magnitude and Shain the resultant be affected by the change in the order of the frst or easements?” Whether the ant went 25 om, 32° north of east change the oy 22° west of north first, the resultant displacement will not affect the 1, 'e order in which the displacement vectors are taken does. not mn oxann estat, Would you ike to try? Change the order ofthe vectors ho ee 223: d, =3.5 cm, 32° north or east, d, = 2.3 cm, 22° west of "th, and d, = 2 cm east . Did you get the same value for d,? The steps in the graphical method may be summarized as follows: 1. First, choose an appropriate scale and coordinate system for the given vectors. 2. — Draw the first vector starting from the origin of the coordinate system. Then draw the second vector starting from the head of the first vector. Proceed to draw the remaining vectors starting from the head of the last vector drawn. All vectors must be connected head-to-tail, 3. Draw an arrow connecting the tail of the first to the head of the last arrow drawn. This arrow represents the resultant of the given vectors. The graphical method of finding the resultant of a given set of vectors depends on the accuracy of the instruments (protractor and ruler) used and the accuracy and precision with which the drawing is made. Hence, care must be exercised when using this method. 2.3 Vector Addition Using the Pythagorean Theorem The resultant of two vectors that form a right angle may be sii computed by applying the Pythagorean theorem. Figure 2-6. Vectors 4,, d,, and d, form a right tangle. Figure 2-6 shows that d,, is the hypotenuse of the right triangle, and d, and d, are the two legs. The angle @ , one of the complementary angles of the right angle, is the included angle. Example 2.4. A plane flying due north at 100 m/s is blown by a 50 m/s strong wind due east. What is the plane's resultant velocity? oo in Chapter 2 Vectors Gs I, Pe ee NY >,Gwen: v, = 100 m/s north v, = 50 m/s east Find: v, ‘Solution: a Graphical method . | Vector diagram (scale: 1 cm = 25 m/s) v, = 4.5m v, = 4.5 on |25ms Tom V, =112.5 m/s, 27° east of north The vector diagram shows that the vectors form a Tight triangle where v, =o, the hypotenuse; v,=a, one side of the triangle; v,=b, the other side of the triangle. b. Using the equation derived from the Pythagorean theorem, wit = (00m/s¥ + 60m/s¥ =111.80 m/s or 112 m/s To determine the direction of the resultant velocity, use the equation tang=“% _ 50 pis © 100 pS tana =0.5 @=arctan0.5 = 26.56" east of north 111.80 mis, 26.56° east of north =112 m/s,26.56° east of north When the airplane encountered the wind, it moved faster (from 100 m/s to 111.80 m/s) and was pushed a little towards the east direction (from north to 26.56° east of north). 26) You'and the Natural World—Physics cee& ———= t 2.4 Vector Addition by Component Method k A single vector may be broken down or resolved into two components. . f These components are called the x-component (or horizontal component) f and y-component (or vertical component) of the given vector. The | x-component is the projection of the vector on the x-axis and the t component is the projection on the y-axis. Examples 2.5 and 2.6 illustrate how the components of a given single vector are found. Example 2.5, Acar has traveled a distance of 8 km south from the garage. Find the components of the car's displacement. F Given: d = 8 km south | Find: d,, d, Solution: N Vector diagram (scale: 1 cm = 4 km) d, =0 because there is no movement in the east-west w E direction cm d, =—8 km because the south direction in the rectangular F coordinate system lies along the negative y axis or ‘ j, =8km south 8 : I Example 2.6. A force of 80 Nis applied by a janitor on the handle of a mop i held at 40° angle with the floor. What force is pushing the mop across | the floor? Given: | F=80N s yy 6=40° Find: force pushing the mop across the floor Solution: ,_O™s - Scale: 1 cm=20N F=60 M ( tom 20 N } =4cm + i | Chapter 2 Vectors tr oo» angle With tho flo Non Draw an arrow 4 om fong and al 40" a! or (along the x-axis), yponant voctors. Moasurg Detormine thelr MagNitudes nich of these COMPOnenis Resolve tho force F itto its 60! the lenath of F and & jy contimolers: in newtons Using the scale, Find oul pushes the Mop aciogs the tloor (X*8X!8)- The throo vactors drawn (Fi Fa and F:) 401m a igh | tangle. Fis the force that pushes the mop across the floor (,. sc”) axis). Its magnitudo is 61 N. The component mott ventana ah verge add vectors. In this tathod, We send yeoman ieee wulized. You just add these components respectively and Use the Pythagorean theorem having ¢ as magnitude of the resultant, @ as the Sum of 2-components, and b as tho sum of the }-components. Consid, the transition of equations below: Eqn Ca yp *(©4,)' 4+(24,)’ (for displacement vootors) Vea) (ea? Examine the following examples in order to understand how the component method is applied in solving vector problems. Try to Summarize the steps involved and compare these with the simple steps given at the end of this section. Example 2.7. Acat moves 3 m east and then turns 4 m west. What is its resultant displacement? - Given: d,=3m, east d, =4 m, west Find: d, Note: In finding the resultant vector using the component method, a scale is not needed in making the vector diagram. Solution: Finding the components of d, d,=+3m d,, =0 (because there is no southward or northward movement) 28) You and the Natural World—Physics \ - aFinding the components of 0, q,,=—-4m d,, =O (no southward of Northward movement) Vector diagrams Nuy vl | The table below shows the components of d, and d, and the sum © of the x- and y-components. Displacement x-component y-component qd, +3m 0 -4 0 d, m | x -im 0 In finding d,, use the equation NOY) 4, = \(E4,) + (E4,) =y(-t my + (0) Ed, =m . Yd, E (+x) Vector diagram using the sum of x- and y-components: Since od, =, then d, = 1m west. S(y) | Chapter2 Vectors { 29Example 2.8. An airplane travels 209 km ona straight course at an angle of 22.5° east of north. It then changes its course by moving 100 km north before reaching its destination. Determine the resultant displacement of the airplane. Given: , = 209 km, 225° east of north d, = 100 km north Find: a, Vector diagrams: N(+y) Solution: ’ Finding the component of d, 90° = 6 + 22.5° @=90°—22.5° =67.5° sin 67.5° = Opposite side hypotenuse d, 0.924 = —™ d, d,, = 209 km (0.924) = 193 km north and the Natural World—Physics ER39) adjace hypotenuse cos o.ss3= = d, d,, = 209 km (0.383) 80.0 km east Finding the exponents of d, d., =0 (the airplane has no eastward motion) d., = +100 km (because the north direction in the rectangular coordinate system lies along the +y-axis) Displacement x-component y-component I q, + 80.0 km +193 km q, 0 : +100 km x 80.0 km 293 km By the Pythagorean theorem, Ima uiea In = y(E9,) +(E4,) = \(80.0 km)" + (293 km)’ a = J6400 km? +85 849 km? = y92249 km* = 303.73 km = 304 km Vector diagram using the sum of the x- and y-components: 74,73°=74.7° 303.73 km, 74.73° north of east = 304 km, 74.7° north of east ( Chapter 2 Vectors | { 31