Knight Calc - Physics for Scientists and Engineers

Ch 03: Vectors and Coordinate Systems

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Knight Calc - Physics for Scientists and Engineers
Ch 03: Vectors and Coordinate Systems

CONCEPT: REVIEW OF VECTORS AND SCALARS

● Remember: When you take measurements, you always get the size (Magnitude, how much).
- Measurements with direction → [ Vectors | Scalars ]; without direction → [ Vectors | Scalars ]

Measurement Quantity Magnitude? Direction? Vector/Scalar

“It’s 60°F outside” Temperature [ Vector | Scalar ]
“I pushed with 100N north” Force [ Vector | Scalar ]
“I walked for 10 m” Distance [ Vector | Scalar ]
“I walked 10 m east” Displacement [ Vector | Scalar ]
“I drove at 80 mph” Speed [ Vector | Scalar ]
“I drove 80mph west” Velocity [ Vector | Scalar ]

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Knight Calc - Physics for Scientists and Engineers
Ch 03: Vectors and Coordinate Systems

CONCEPT: INTRO TO VECTOR MATH

● Adding/subtracting scalars is easy. But vectors have direction, so math with vectors is sometimes not as straightforward.
- Because vectors have direction, they’re drawn as ________________.

COMBINING COMBINING PARALLEL COMBINING PERPENDICULAR

SCALARS VECTORS VECTORS
“You combine a 3kg & 4kg box” “You walk 3m right, then 4m right” “You walk 3m right, then 4m up”

4 kg
3 kg

Total Mass: 3kg + 4kg = _______ Total Displacement: __________ Total Displacement: __________

● Simple Addition ● Add just like normal numbers ● Forms _____________.

- just TRIANGLE MATH

EXAMPLE: For each of the following situations, draw your displacement vectors and calculate the total displacement:
(a) You walk 10m to the right, and then 6m to the left (b) You walk 6m to the right, and then 8m down

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Knight Calc - Physics for Scientists and Engineers
Ch 03: Vectors and Coordinate Systems

PRACTICE: Two perpendicular forces act on a box, one pushing to the right and one pushing up. An instrument tells you
the magnitude of the total force is 13N. You measure the force pushing to the right is 12N. Calculate the force pushing up.

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Knight Calc - Physics for Scientists and Engineers
Ch 03: Vectors and Coordinate Systems

CONCEPT: ADDING VECTORS GRAPHICALLY

● Vectors are drawn as arrows and are added by ______________ the arrows (tip-to-tail).

ADDING PERPENDICULAR ADDING ANY

VECTORS VECTORS

⃗ +𝑩
𝑨 ⃗⃗ ⃗⃗ + 𝑨
𝑩 ⃗⃗

⃗𝑩
⃗
4m ⇔
3m ⃗
𝑨

Resultant Vector: Resultant Vector: Resultant Vector:

(Total Displacement) (Total Displacement) (Total Displacement)
____________ ____________ ____________

⃗ or 𝑹
● The RESULTANT vector (𝑪 ⃗⃗ ) is always the SHORTEST PATH from the start of the first vector → end of the last.

- Adding vectors does NOT depend on the order (commutative), so ⃗𝑨 + ⃗𝑩

⃗ = ⃗𝑩
⃗ + ⃗𝑨.

EXAMPLE: Find the magnitude of the Resultant Vector ⃗𝑪 = ⃗𝑨 + ⃗𝑩

⃗.
𝒚

⃗𝑨
⃗

⃗⃗
𝑩

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Knight Calc - Physics for Scientists and Engineers
Ch 03: Vectors and Coordinate Systems

PRACTICE: A delivery truck travels 8 miles in the +x-direction, 5 miles in the +y-direction, and 4 miles again in the
+x-direction. What is the magnitude (in miles) of its final displacement from the origin?

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Knight Calc - Physics for Scientists and Engineers
Ch 03: Vectors and Coordinate Systems

EXAMPLE: Find the magnitude of the Resultant Vector ⃗𝑫

⃗ = ⃗𝑨 + ⃗𝑩
⃗ + ⃗𝑪.
𝒚

⃗⃗
𝑩
⃗𝑨
⃗

−𝒙 𝒙
⃗
𝑪

−𝒚

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Knight Calc - Physics for Scientists and Engineers
Ch 03: Vectors and Coordinate Systems

CONCEPT: SUBTRACTING VECTORS GRAPHICALLY

● Subtracting vectors is exactly like adding vectors tip-to-tail, but one (or more) of the vectors gets _______________.

ADDING VECTORS SUBTRACTING VECTORS

⃗𝑨 − ⃗𝑩
⃗ ⃗𝑩
⃗ − ⃗𝑨
⃗ +𝑩
𝑨 ⃗⃗ ⃗⃗ + 𝑨
𝑩 ⃗
𝒚 𝒚

𝒚 𝒚
⃗
𝑨
⃗𝑩
⃗ ⇔ ⃗𝑩
⃗
𝒙 𝒙
⃗𝑨
⃗
𝒙 𝒙
Resultant → shortest path: Resultant → shortest path: Resultant → shortest path:
(Total Displacement) (Total Displacement) (Total Displacement)
_______________ _______________ _______________

● “Negative” vector: SAME magnitude, ____________ direction

● When adding, order [ DOES | DOES NOT ] matter ● When subtracting, order [ DOES | DOES NOT ] matter

⃗ =𝑨
EXAMPLE: Find the magnitude of the Resultant Vector 𝑪 ⃗ −𝑩
⃗⃗ .
𝒚

⃗𝑩
⃗
⃗𝑨

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Knight Calc - Physics for Scientists and Engineers
Ch 03: Vectors and Coordinate Systems

PRACTICE: Find the magnitude of the Resultant Vector ⃗𝑫

⃗ = ⃗𝑪 − ⃗𝑩
⃗ − ⃗𝑨.
𝒚

⃗
𝑪
⃗𝑩
⃗ ⃗𝑨
⃗

−𝒙 𝒙

−𝒚

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Knight Calc - Physics for Scientists and Engineers
Ch 03: Vectors and Coordinate Systems

CONCEPT: ADDING MULTIPLES OF VECTORS

● When you multiply a vector by a number (𝐴 → 2𝐴), the magnitude (length) changes but NOT the direction.

ADDING VECTORS ADDING MULTIPLES OF VECTORS

𝒚 ⃗ +𝑩
𝑨 ⃗⃗ 𝒚 ⃗ + 𝟎. 𝟓𝑩
𝟐𝑨 ⃗⃗

⃗𝑩
⃗

⃗𝑨
⃗
𝒙 𝒙

Resultant Vector → Shortest Path: Resultant Vector → Shortest Path:

(Total Displacement) (Total Displacement)
_______________ _______________

● Multiplying by > 1 [ increases | decreases ] magnitude/length

● Multiplying by < 1 [ increases | decreases ] magnitude/length

⃗ = 𝟑𝑨
EXAMPLE: Find the magnitude of the Resultant Vector 𝑪 ⃗ − 𝟐𝑩
⃗⃗ .
𝒚

⃗𝑨
⃗ ⃗𝑩
⃗

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Knight Calc - Physics for Scientists and Engineers
Ch 03: Vectors and Coordinate Systems

CONCEPT: VECTOR COMPOSITION AND DECOMPOSITION

● You’ll need to do vector math without using grids/ squares.
- Vectors have magnitude (length), direction (angle 𝜽𝒙 ), and components (legs).
𝒚 𝒚

𝒙 𝒙

VECTOR COMPOSITION VECTOR DECOMPOSITION

1D Components → 2D Vector (Magnitude & Direction) 2D Vector (Magnitude & Direction) → 1D Components

+𝒚 +𝒚

4
θx=53°
+𝒙 +𝒙
3
⃗⃗
● Components 𝑨𝒙 & 𝑨𝒚 combine → magnitude 𝑨 ⃗ →components 𝐴𝑥 & 𝐴𝑦 .
● Use SOH-CAH-TOA to decompose 𝑨
- Points in direction 𝜽𝒙 - Angle 𝜽𝒙 must be drawn to nearest ________

VECTOR COMPOSITION VECTOR DECOMPOSITION

𝑨 = √𝑨𝒙𝟐 + 𝑨𝒚𝟐 𝑨𝒙 = __________

𝑨𝒚 = __________
𝜽𝒙 = ____________

EXAMPLE: For each of the following, draw the vector and solve for the missing variable(s).
a) Ax = 8m, Ay = 6m, 𝑨 = ? θx = ? b) B = 13m, θx = 67.4°, Bx = ? By = ?

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Knight Calc - Physics for Scientists and Engineers
Ch 03: Vectors and Coordinate Systems

EXAMPLE: A vector A has y-component of 12 m makes an angle of 67.4° with the positive x-axis. (a) Find the magnitude of
A. (b) Find the x-component of the vector.
Vector Vector
Composition Decomposition
(Components→Vector) (Vector→Components)

𝑨 = √𝑨𝒙𝟐 + 𝑨𝒚𝟐 𝑨𝒙 = 𝑨 𝒄𝒐𝒔(𝜽𝑿 )

𝒚 𝑨 𝑨𝒚 = 𝑨 𝒔𝒊𝒏(𝜽𝑿 )
𝜽𝑿 = 𝐭𝐚𝐧−𝟏 ( )
𝑨𝒙

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Knight Calc - Physics for Scientists and Engineers
Ch 03: Vectors and Coordinate Systems

CONCEPT: VECTOR ADDITION BY COMPONENTS

● You’ll need to add vectors together and calculate the magnitude & direction of the resultant without counting squares.

EXAMPLE: You walk 5m at 53° above the +x-axis, then 8m at 30° above the +x-axis. Calculate the magnitude & direction
of your total displacement.

ADDING VECTORS GRAPHICALLY ADDING VECTORS BY COMPONENTS

(WITH SQUARES) (WITHOUT SQUARES)

+𝒚 +𝒚 VECTOR ADDITION
1) Draw & connect vectors tip-to-tail
2) Draw Resultant & components
3) Calculate ALL X&Y components
⃗𝑩
⃗ 4) Combine X & Y components
according to R equation
5) Calculate R and 𝜃𝑅
⃗⃗
𝑨
Vector Vector
+𝒙 +𝒙 Composition Decomposition
(Components→Vector) (Vector→Components)

𝑹 = √𝑹𝒙𝟐 + 𝑹𝒚𝟐 𝑨𝒙 = 𝑨 𝒄𝒐𝒔(𝜽𝑿 )

x y 𝑹 𝑨𝒚 = 𝑨 𝒔𝒊𝒏(𝜽𝑿 )
𝒚
𝜽𝑿 = 𝐭𝐚𝐧−𝟏 ( )
𝑹𝒙
⃗𝑨
⃗⃗
𝑩
⃗⃗ = ______
𝑹

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Knight Calc - Physics for Scientists and Engineers
Ch 03: Vectors and Coordinate Systems

EXAMPLE: Vector ⃗𝑨 ⃗ has a magnitude of 10m at a direction 40° above the +x-axis. ⃗𝑩
⃗ has magnitude 3 at a direction 20°
above the x-axis. Calculate the magnitude and direction of ⃗𝑹
⃗ = ⃗𝑨 − 𝟐𝑩
⃗⃗ .

𝒚 VECTOR ADDITION
1) Draw & connect vectors tip-to-tail
2) Draw Resultant & components
3) Calculate ALL X&Y components
4) Combine X & Y components
according to R equation
5) Calculate R and 𝜃𝑅

Vector Vector
𝒙 Composition Decomposition
(Components→Vector) (Vector→Components)

𝑹 = √𝑹𝒙𝟐 + 𝑹𝒚𝟐 𝑨𝒙 = 𝑨 𝒄𝒐𝒔(𝜽𝑿 )

𝒚 𝑹 𝑨𝒚 = 𝑨 𝒔𝒊𝒏(𝜽𝑿 )
𝜽𝑿 = 𝐭𝐚𝐧−𝟏 ( )
𝑹𝒙

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Knight Calc - Physics for Scientists and Engineers
Ch 03: Vectors and Coordinate Systems

+𝒚
CONCEPT: DOING MATH WITH VECTORS IN ANY QUADRANT (MORE TRIG) Quadrant 2 Quadrant 1

● You’ll need to do math with vectors in ALL Quadrants, not just Quadrant 1. ⃗⃗ =5
𝑩 ⃗ =5
𝑨
Signs of Magnitudes & Components of Vectors:
𝑩𝒚 = 3 𝑨𝒚 = 3
● Magnitudes → Always positive, but Components may be + or − 𝑩𝒙 = 4 𝑨𝒙 = 4
−𝒙 𝑫𝒙 = 3 +𝒙
- Positive Components = pointing [ UP | DOWN ] or [ RIGHT | LEFT ] 𝑪𝒙 = 3
- Negative Components = pointing [ UP | DOWN ] or [ RIGHT | LEFT ] 𝑪𝒚 = 4 𝑫𝒚 = 4

⃗𝑪=5 ⃗⃗ =5
𝑫
Quadrant 3 −𝒚 Quadrant 4

When given a Non-Reference Angle: ⃗𝑨 +𝒚

● Remember: We always use the Reference Angle 𝜽𝒙 to calculate components:
Ax = A cos(𝜽𝒙 ) Ay = A sin(𝜽𝒙 ) 10°

- All right angles add up to 90°, so we’ll use this simple equation to get 𝜽𝒙 :

−𝒙 +𝒙
________________

−𝒚

Calculating the Absolute Angle (Positive Angle from +x axis) from the Arctangent
⃗ =5 +𝒚
|𝐴𝑦 | 𝑨
● Taking arctan of components [𝜃𝑥 = tan−1 ( )] always gives reference angle 𝜽𝒙 .
|𝐴𝑥 |

- Remember to always plug in positive value of components! 𝑨𝒚 = +3

- To find the Absolute Angle, work your way back to +x-axis (0°)
−𝒙 +𝒙
𝑨𝒙 = −4

−𝒚
⃗⃗ :
EXAMPLE: Calculate a) the components and b) the absolute angle for the given vector 𝑨
+𝒚

−𝒙 +𝒙

22.6°

⃗𝑨
⃗ =13 −𝒚

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Knight Calc - Physics for Scientists and Engineers
Ch 03: Vectors and Coordinate Systems

PRACTICE: FINDING VECTOR COMPONENTS

Vector F is 65 m long, directed 30.5° below the positive x-axis. (a) Find the x-component, Fx. (b) Find the y-component, Fy.

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Knight Calc - Physics for Scientists and Engineers
Ch 03: Vectors and Coordinate Systems

PRACTICE: VECTOR COMPOSITION IN ALL QUADRANTS

The vector A represented is by the pair of components Ax = -77 cm , Ay = 36 cm. (a) Find the magnitude of vector A. (b)
Find the absolute angle of this vector.

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Knight Calc - Physics for Scientists and Engineers
Ch 03: Vectors and Coordinate Systems

CONCEPT: DESCRIBING DIRECTIONS VECTORS WITH WORDS (MORE TRIG)

● Many problems will use different words to describe the directions of vectors:

1) Counterclockwise angles are [ + / − ]; Clockwise angles are [ + / − ]

- However, reference angle 𝜽𝒙 for component equations is always a positive angle relative to nearest x-axis.

EXAMPLE: Draw each vector and calculate its components.

⃗𝑨
⃗ ⃗ = 5m @ +37° from -x axis ⃗⃗ = 5m 53° CW from +y axis
a) 𝑨 b) 𝑩

+𝒙

⃗⃗
𝑩

2) Angles North/South/West/East (e.g. 30° north of east): Draw arrow in 2nd direction, curve towards 1st

EXAMPLE: Draw each vector and calculate the x-component

⃗ = 6 @ 30° North of East

a) 𝑨 ⃗⃗ = 10 @ 53° West of South
b) 𝑩

𝑵 𝑵

𝑾 𝑬 𝑾 𝑬

𝑺 𝑺

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Knight Calc - Physics for Scientists and Engineers
Ch 03: Vectors and Coordinate Systems

PRACTICE: HELICOPTER TRIP

A small helicopter travels 225 m across a city in a direction 53.1° south of east. What are the components of the helicopter’s
trip?

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Knight Calc - Physics for Scientists and Engineers
Ch 03: Vectors and Coordinate Systems

CONCEPT: UNIT VECTORS

● Vectors are sometimes represented using a special notation called Unit Vectors.

Graphical Magnitude & Direction Unit Vector

𝒚 “5m @ 53°” +𝒚 “ 3𝒊̂ + 4𝒋̂”

𝒊̂ points in ____ direction.

𝒋̂ points in ____ direction.
෡ points in ____ direction.
𝒌
+𝒙
𝒙

+𝒛
● special kind of vector that __________ in a direction
- has magnitude/length ____.

● Unit vectors make vector addition very straightforward:

EXAMPLE: Vector ⃗𝑨
⃗ = 4𝑖̂ + 2𝑗̂ and ⃗𝑩
⃗ = −𝒊̂ + 𝟐𝒋̂. Draw the vectors and calculate ⃗𝑹
⃗ = ⃗𝑨 + ⃗𝑩
⃗ in unit vector form.
𝒚
Vector Addition w/ Unit Vectors

⃗⃗ = 𝐴𝑥 𝒊̂ + 𝐴𝑦 𝒋̂ = ______________
𝑨
⃗⃗ = 𝐵𝑥 𝒊̂ + 𝐵𝑦 𝒋̂ = ______________
𝑩

𝒙 ⃗⃗ + 𝑩
⃗⃗ = 𝑨 ⃗⃗ = ____________________
𝑹

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Knight Calc - Physics for Scientists and Engineers
Ch 03: Vectors and Coordinate Systems

PRACTICE: ⃗𝑨 ⃗ = (4.0 m)𝒊̂ + (3.0 m)𝒋̂ and ⃗𝑩

⃗ = (−13.0 m)𝒊̂ + (7.0 m)𝒋̂. You add them together to produce another vector ⃗𝑪.
(a) Express this new vector 𝑪⃗ in unit-vector notation. (b) What are the magnitude and direction of 𝑪⃗?

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Knight Calc - Physics for Scientists and Engineers
Ch 03: Vectors and Coordinate Systems

EXAMPLE: Consider the three displacement vectors ⃗𝑨

⃗ = (3 𝒊̂ − 3 𝒋̂) m, ⃗𝑩
⃗ = (𝒊̂̂ − 4 𝒋̂̂) m, and ⃗𝑪 = (−𝟐 𝒊̂ + 𝟓 𝒋̂) m.

(a) Find the magnitude and direction of D = A + B + C.

(b) Find the magnitude and direction of E = −A − B + C.

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