General Physics 1

Module 3: Quarter 1 – Week 1

 Target

Physical quantities are important considerations in measurement. Quantities

is either, scalar or vector. Adding vectors require thorough analysis and needs
mathematical skills using the basic concepts of Geometry and Trigonometry.
Addition or combination of two or more vectors is very complicated to some ordinary
people or students like you. However, this Learning Module will present the lesson
as simple as possible.
In the previous lesson, you were expose to some methods of adding and
determining the resultant of vectors, such as the Pythagorean Theorem, parallelogram
method and the Polygon method.
This Learning Module (LM) will focus on a more complex vectors using
analytical method, known as Component method and rewriting vectors in a
component form.
After going through this Learning Material, you are expected to:
1. rewrite and draw a vector in a component form. (STEM_GP12V-Ia10)
2. determine and describe vectors using the Component method.

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 Jumpstart

Right triangle is one basic concept that is use in dealing with Component method.
Trigonometric functions are required to solve unknown values in a right triangle. Here,
we will be using the three basic trigonometric functions, namely, sine, cosine, and
tangent functions.
A right triangle is a triangle in which one angle is a 90 0 angle called right angle.
The relation between the sides and angles of a right triangle is an important basis for
trigonometry. Below is a right triangle and its parts needed in our discussion.

B Where:
A,B,C are the angles, angle C is 900
The sum of A and B is 900
a a,b,c are the sides of the right triangle
side c is called hypotenuse, which is
longer than any of the two sides
C A
b

The right triangle is our main concern in dealing with the Component method.
The functions sin, cos, and tan are three functions we will be using as a pre-requisite
of the component method.
Using a scientific calculator, you can determine the value of an angle for a
particular function used. Say, sin 250, to find the value, simply press 25 and presssin
in your calculator. To do the reverse, i.e., getting the angle, just press the number,then
press inv/shift/2ndF, then press the function (sin-1, cos-1, tan-1)

Activity 1. Finding the numerical value of an angle.

Direction: Determine the value of the given angles of a certain function. Write your
answer in the blank. (Use scientific calculator in this activity)

1. cos 500 =
2. sin 200 =
3. tan 450 =
4. cos 900 =

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 5. sin 300 =

Activity 2. Finding the angle.

Direction: Determine the angle with their corresponding function of the

measurements. Write your answer in the blank.

1. 0.573577 sin-1 =
2. 5.671280 tan-1 =
3. 0.642788 cos-1 =
4. 0.707107 sin-1 =
5. 0.500000 cos-1 =

Discover

The definition and equations of the three basic trigonometric functions are
given below.
opposite side
sin θ =
B hypotenuse

cos θ = adjacent side

a hypotenuse

tan θ = opposite side

C A adjacent side
b

Relative to angle A, <A Relative to angle A, <A

a b
sin<A = sin<B =
c c
b a
cos<A = cos<B =
c c
a b
tan<A = tan<B =
b a

We can also apply Pythagorean theorem in finding the value of any sides given the
two sides. The equation is

c2 = a2 + b2 a2 = c2 - b2 b2 = c2 - a2

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 or

c=

The standard method of a vector addition is the standard way to add vectors.
When you break or resolve a vector into its parts, you will come up of its components
known as x and y in the Cartesian coordinate.
We use the Cartesian coordinate to rewrite or draw the components of the
vector. For example, the vector (8,4), the x – axis is the horizontal component, and 4
is the y – axis is the vertical component. Or you can rewrite as <8i 4j>
The most convenient way to rewrite or represent a vector is by drawing the
free body diagram using the Cartesian coordinate. For example, a displacement of
(a) 300 m 400 north of east. Using the Cartesian coordinate, break down its x and y
components, by simply drawing a line from the tip of the vector perpendicular to the
horizontal line. The vertical line is the y component, and the horizontal line is the x
component. d = 300 m dy
(a)
400 dx- horizontal component
Free-body diagram
dx dy - vertical component

(b) v = 75 km/h 500 N of W (c) A force of 800N 700 S of W

Fy

vx - horizontal component
vy - vertical component

Fx - horizontal component
Fy - vertical component

(d) a = 5 m/s2 250 S of E

ay

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 ax - horizontal component
ay - vertical component

Explore

The method of component reduces all vector addition to the addition of

perpendicular vectors using the Trigonometric functions. You can determine the value
of x and y components of each vector, following the equations below:

For component of vector d

x – component: dx = d cos θ
y – component: dx = d sin θ

Example: Given t h e f o l l o w i n g vectors, determine the value of their x and y

components.

d1 = 600 m 500 N of W d2 = 400 m 750 S of E

Solution:

d1x = d cos 500 d2x = d cos 750

= (600 m) (0.643) = (400 m) (0.259)

= 424.2 m = 103.6 m

d1y = d sin 500 d2y = d sin 75

0

= (600 m) (0.766) = (400 m) (0.966)

= 459.6 m = 386.4 m

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Activity 1. Finding the magnitude of the x and y components

Direction: First draw the vector diagram and resolve the components of each given
vectors. Then determine the values of the x and y components following
the rules explained above. Use a separate sheet of paper for your answer

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Problem 1. Calculate the x and y components of a 2 500 N force directed 300 N of E.

Problem 2. A boy walked 500 m 60 0 S of E from a tree to a river, then he changed his
direction and walked for another 100 m heading 25 0 S of W. Find the x
and y components of the displacement travelled by the boy.

Deepen

So far, you have learned how to breakdown vectors into their components and
how to determine the magnitude of their components using basic trigonometric
functions. Our next target is to determine the value and direction of the resultant of two
or more vectors.

Given the following data:

F1 = 25 N 500 S of W

F2 = 40 N 150 S of W

FR = ?

Step 1. Draw the vectors in the Cartesian coordinate, separately to avoid

confusion, and resolve their components.

F2y

F1y

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 Step 2. Determine the value of the x and y components of each vector.

Component of the 1st vector

F1x = F1 cos 500 F1y = F1 sin 500
= (25 N) (0.643) = (25 N) (0.766)
= -16.1 N = -38.3 N

Component of the 2nd vector

F2x = F2 cos 150 F2y = F2 sin 150

= (40 N) (0.966) = (25 N) (0.259)
= 38.6 N = 10.4 N

Step 3. Determine the summation or add up all components along the x-axis
and y-axis. (Algebraic sum)

ΣFx = F1x + F2x ΣFy = F1y + F2y

= (-16.1 N) + (38.6 N) = (-38.3 N) + (10.4 N)
= 22.5 N = -27.9 N

Step 4. Draw the computed sum of the x and y components in the Cartesian
coordinate, using the head-to-tail method. Then draw the resultant,
starting from the origin to the head of the vector along y-axis.

ΣFx = 22.5 N
θ

ΣFy = 27.9 N
FR

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 Step 5. Apply Pythagorean theorem to solve the magnitude of the resultant.

FR =

= 35.8 N

Step 6. Determine the direction angle of the resultant using tangent function.
(Refer to the diagram in step 4)

ΣFy
tan θ =
ΣFx

27.9 N
tan θ =
22.5 N

θ = 1.24 tan-1

θ = 51.10

So the resultant of the two vector is:

FR = 35.8 N 51.10 S of E

Now it’s your turn!

Direction: Determine the magnitude and direction of the resultant of the three
displacements: Use separate sheet of paper for your solution.

d1 = 150 m 400 N of W
d2 = 100 m 600 N of E

d3 = 175 m 300 S of E

dR = ?

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 Gauge

Direction: Direction. Select the BEST answer. Write the corresponding CAPITAL
LETTER of your choice in a one-fourth sheet of paper. Write E if you find no
correct answer.

1. Find the magnitude of the resultant displacement of a man who walks 30 m north,
and then turns around and walks 40 m west.
A. 70 m
B. 50 m
C. 25 m
D. 10 m

2. Determine the x and y components for a force of 100 N 450 NW

A. +70.7 N, +70.7 N
B. +70.7 N, -70.7 N
C. -70.7 N, +70.7 N
D. -70.7 N, -70.7 N

3. Graph the following displacements to determine the resultant displacement for a

jeep that travels 6 km south and 6 km west.
A. 8.5 km NE
B. 8.5 km SE
C. 8.5 km NW
D. 8.5 km SW

For numbers 4 to 15, refer to the problem below.

A car is driven 300 south of east for a distance of 20 km, then south for another
30 km, and then in a direction 450 south of west.

d1 = 20 km 300 S of E d2 = 30 km 450 S of W
4. Show the diagram of the first displacement of the car, d1
d1

d1

B C D
A

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5. Show the diagram of the second displacement of the car, d2
d2

d2
d2
A B C D

6. Calculate the value of the x-component of d1

A. 17.3 km
B. -17.3 km
C. 10 km
D. -10 km

7. Determine the value of the y-component of d1

A. 17.3 km
B. -17.3 km
C. 10 km
D. -10 km

8. Calculate the value of the x-component of d2

A. -21.2 km
B. 21.2 km
C. 10 km
D. -10 km

9. Determine the value of the y-component of d2

A. -21.2 km
B. 21.2 km
C. 10 km
D. -10 km

10. Compute the summation of x-component

A. 3.9 km
B. -3.9 km
C. 31.1 km
D. -31.1 km

11. Solve the summation of y-component

A. 3.9 km
B. -3.9 km
C. 31.1 km
D. -31.1 km

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 and
12. Show the vector diagram of the summation of x-components, Σdx
summation of y-components, Σdy

Σdy

A B C D

13. Using the Pythagorean theorem, calculate the resultant displacement of the two
displacements.
A. 35.24 km
B. -35.24 km
C. 31.34 km
D. -31.34 km

14. Determine the direction angle of the resultant displacement, dR using tangent
function.
A. 770
B. 800
C. 830
D. 860

15. Describe the complete resultant displacement of the car.

A. 35.24 km 770 S of E
B. -35.24 km 800 S of E
C. 31.34 km 830 S of W
D. -31.34 km 860 S of E

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References
Printed Materials

Department of Education, Bureau of Learning Resources. General Physics I. Reader

(pp. 16-18). Pasig City, Philippines

Reyes, Christopher G. (2018). Work-Text in General Physics I for Senior High School.
GBT Great Books Trading

Department of Education, Secondary Education Development and Improvement

Project. Science and Technology. Physics Textbook.. Pasig City, Philippines

PASMEP Teacher Resource Material 12.2

Websites

Wikipedia.Trigonometry from https://e.m.Wikipedia.org/wiki/Right-Triangle

Precalculus: Express a Vector in Component Form retrieved from

http://www.varsitytutors.com/precalculus-help/express-a-vector-in-
component-form

1996-2020. The Physics Classroom retrieved from

https://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/1DKin/Lesson-1/Scalars-and-
Vectors

2011Person Education from

.https://wps.prenhall.com/chet_ewen_applied_10/180/46085/11797925.cw/c
ontent/index.html

2020, BYJU’s. from https://byjus.com/physics/Scalars-and-vector

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