Adding Vectors by the

Component Method

Lecture III
Adding Vectors by the Component Method

 In previous topic, we added vectors

which were at right angles to one
another. What would happen if the
vectors were not at right angles?
 A crow (who apparently isn’t aware
that he should only fly in straight
lines) first flies 10 km at 60° N of E.
Then he flies 25 km at 10° N of E.
What is his total displacement?
Adding Vectors by the Component Method –
The Strategy

B = 25 km @ 10° N of E

10°

A = 10 km @ 60° N of E
60°
 Obviously the answer is not 35 km,
so what must be done?
Adding Vectors by the Component Method

B = 25 km @ 10° N of E

R = resultant

A = 10 km @ 60° N of E

 Obviously the answer is not 35 km,

so what must be done?
 Find the RESULTANT
Adding Vectors by the Component Method

 The vectors need to be added

vectorally.
 Both vectors need to be RESOLVED
into their components.
 The components are then added
together to find the resultant.
 A to be resolved into Ax and Ay.
 B to be resolved into Bx and By.
Adding Vectors by the Component Method –
Resolve each vector into components

B = 25 km @ 10° N of E

A = 10 km @ 60° N of E
Adding Vectors by the Component Method –
Resolve each vector into components

B = 25 km @ 10° N of E

By
Bx
Ay
A = 10 km @ 60° N of E

Ax
Adding Vectors by the Component Method

B = 25 km @ 10° N of E

By
Bx
Ay
A = 10 km @ 60° N of E

Ax
Ax = 10cos60° Ay = 10sin60°
Bx = 25cos10° By = 25sin10°
 Adding Vectors by the Component Method

Bx By

Ay

Ax
 The x-components and y-components can each be
considered legs of the resulting triangle.
 Adding Vectors by the Component Method

By

Ay
Bx
Ax
 The x-components and y-components can each be
considered legs of the resulting triangle.
Adding Vectors by the Component Method –
Construct the “resulting triangle” from components

By
Ry
R
Ay
Rx Bx
Ax
 Rx = Ax + Bx Ry = Ay + By
 Adding Vectors by the Component Method

Rx = 29.60
Ry = 13.00
By R = ??
Ry
R
Ay
Rx Bx
Ax
How do we find R?
YES!! Pythagorean Theorem: R2 = Rx2 + Ry2
Adding Vectors by the Component Method

By
Ry
R
Ay
Rx Bx
Ax
 R2 = RX2 + RY2
Adding Vectors by the Component Method
 Math – IN DEGREE MODE
 Ax = 10cos60° = 5.00 km
 Ay = 10sin60° = 8.66 km
 Bx = 25cos10° = 24.6 km
 By = 25sin10° = 4.34 km
 Rx = Ax + Bx = 29.6 km
 Ry = Ay + By = 13.00 km
 R = 32.33 km
Adding Vectors by the Component Method

 Another way to organize data

x-axis y-axis

A 10cos60° 10sin60°

B 25cos10° 25sin10°

R
Adding Vectors by the Component Method

 Another way to organize data

x-axis y-axis

A 5.00 8.66

B 24.62 4.34

R
Adding Vectors by the Component Method

 Another way to organize data

x-axis y-axis

A 5.00 8.66

B 24.62 4.34

R 29.62 13.00
Adding Vectors by the Component Method

Rx = 29.60
Ry = 13.00
By R = 32.33
Ry
R
Ay
Rx Bx
Ax
Is this it? 32.33 km?
Adding Vectors by the Component Method

Rx = 29.60
Ry = 13.00
By R = 32.33
Ry
R
Ay
Rx Bx
Ax
Is this it? No!! Now we have to find the
direction.
Adding Vectors by the Component Method

Rx = 29.60
Ry = 13.00
R = 32.33
Ry
R

θ Rx

tan θ = Ry/Rx
θ = tan-1(Ry/Rx)
Adding Vectors by the Component Method

Rx = 29.60
Ry = 13.00
R = 32.33
Ry
R

θ Rx

θ = 23.71° N of E
How do we know it is North of East?
 Adding Vectors by the Component Method
N (north)
A

W (west) 40° N of E
B E (east)
C

Which angle is 10° North of West? A, B or C?

Which angle is 10° West of North? A, B or C?
What is angle C?
S (South)
 Adding Vectors by the Component Method

B = 25 km @ 10° N of E

A = 10 km @ 60° N of E

 Final answer: 32.33 km @23.71° N of E

Adding Vectors by the Component Method

 Some helpful hints!

 Never use the original values after the
vector has been resolved.
 Assign negative values to S and W

components of vectors (assuming N and E

are positive)
 Always make sure you are in degree

mode.
Adding Vectors by the Component Method

 Some helpful hints!

 Always make sure you are in degree
mode.
 Make sure you draw your vectors in the

correct directions initially.

 To help, redraw a coordinate system at

the end of each vector.

 Be organized, stay organized, & finish the

entire problem.
Adding Vectors by the Component Method

 Other examples
A duck flies 10 m/s @ 30° S of W with a
wind blowing 5 m/s N. What is the
resulting velocity of the duck?
 Answer:
Adding Vectors by the Component Method

 Other examples
A duck flies 10 m/s @ 30° S of W with a
wind blowing 5 m/s N. What is the
resulting velocity of the duck?
 Answer:

B 0 x & +y

A -x & -y
 Adding Vectors by the Component Method

 Other examples
A duck flies 10 m/s @ 30° S of W with a wind
blowing 5 m/s N. R = ??
 Answer: B
A
x-axis y-axis

A -10cos30 -10sin30

B 0 +5

R
 Adding Vectors by the Component Method

 Other examples
A duck flies 10 m/s @ 30° S of W with a wind
blowing 5 m/s N. R = ??
 Answer: B
A
x-axis y-axis

A -8.66 -5

B 0 +5

R
 Adding Vectors by the Component Method

 Other examples
A duck flies 10 m/s @ 30° S of W with a wind
blowing 5 m/s N. R = ??
 Answer: B
A
x-axis y-axis

A -8.66 -5

B 0 +5

R -8.66 0
 Adding Vectors by the Component Method

 Other examples
A duck flies 10 m/s @ 30° S of W with a wind
blowing 5 m/s N.
 Answer:

R = -8.66 m/s or 8.66 m/s W

B
A

x-axis y-axis

R -8.66 0
Adding Vectors by the Component Method

 ANY and ALL vectors can (and will)

be analyzed this way.
 Displacements

 Velocities

 Accelerations

 Forces

 Momentum