Chapter 2A - Vectors

Vectors

Surveyors use accurate

measures of magnitudes and
directions to create scaled maps
of large regions.
 Distance: A Scalar
Quantity
Distance
Distance is
is the
the length
length of
of the
the actual
actual
path
path taken
taken byby an
an object.
object.

A scalar quantity:
s = 20 B
Contains magnitude
m
only and consists of
A
a number and a unit.
(20 m, 40 mi/h, 10
gal)
 DisplacementA Vector
Quantity
Displacement
Displacement is is the
the straight-line
straight-line
separation
separation of
of two
two points
points in
in aa
specified
specified direction.
direction.
A vector quantity:
D = 12 m, 20o B Contains magnitude
A AND direction, a
number, unit &
angle.
(12 m, 300; 8 km/h,
N)
 Distance and
Displacement
Displacement
Displacement is is the
the xx or
or yy
coordinate
coordinate of
of position.
position. Consider
Consider aa
car
car that
that travels
travels 44 m,
m, EE then
then 66 m,
m,
W.
W.
Net
D 4 m,E displacement:
D = 2 m, W
What is the
x = -2 x = +4 distance traveled?
6 10 m !!
m,W
 Identifying Direction
AA common
common wayway ofof identifying
identifying direction
direction
is
is by
by reference
reference to
to East,
East, North,
North, West,
West,
and
and South.
South. (Locate
(Locate points
points below.)
below.)

N Length = 40 m
40 m, 50o N of E
60o 50o
W E 40 m, 60o N of
60o
60o W
40 m, 60o W of
S
40 m, 60o S of E
S
 Identifying Direction
Write
Write the
the angles
angles shown
shown below
below by
by using
using
references
references to
to east,
east, south,
south, west,
west, north.
north.

N N
45o
W E
50o W E
S
S

50Click
50 00
Click S of
to
S of see the Answers
45
45 W
00
of..N
W of
to see the Answers N
EE.. ..
 Vectors and Polar
Coordinates
Polar
Polar coordinates R,)) are
coordinates ((R, are an
an
excellent
excellent way
way to
to express
express vectors.
vectors.
Consider
Consider the
the vector
vector 40
40 m, m, 50
500N
0
N of
of EE,,
for
for example.
example.
90o 90o
40 R
m
180o 50o 180o

0o 0o
270 270
o o

R is the magnitude and is the

direction.
 Vectors and Polar
Coordinates
Polar
Polar coordinates R,)) are
coordinates ((R, are given
given for
for
each
each of
of four
four possible
possible quadrants:
quadrants:

90o
(R,) = 40 m, 50o
120o
210o
60o 50o (R,) = 40 m,
180o 0o 120o
60o
60o (R,) = 40 m, 210o
3000

(R,) = 40 m,
270
o
300o
 Rectangular Coordinates
y Reference is made
(-2, +3) to x and y axes,
(+3, with + and -
+ +2) numbers to
+ indicate position in
x
- space.
Right, up = (+,
- +)
Left, down =
(-1, -3) (+4, -3)
(-,-)
 Trigonometry Review
Application of Trigonometry to
Vectors
Trigonometry y
sin yy =
= RR sin
sin
R
y R x
cos xx =
= RR cos
cos
R
y
x tan RR22 =
= xx22 +
+
x yy22
Example 1: Find the height of a
building if it casts a shadow 90 m
long and the indicated angle is 30o.
The height h is opposite 300
and the known adjacent side
is 90 m.
opp h
tan 30
0

h adj 90 m
30
0 h = (90 m) tan
90 30o
m hh =
= 57.7
57.7 m
m
Finding Components of
Vectors
A component is the effect of a vector
along other directions. The x and y
components of the vector (R, are
illustrated below.
x = R cos
R y = R sin
y

Finding components:
x
Polar to Rectangular
Conversions
 Example 2: A person walks 400 m
in a direction of 30o N of E. How
far is the displacement east and
how far north? N
N
R 400 m
y y=?

E
x E x=?

The x-component (E) is x = R cos

ADJ:
The y-component (N) is y = R sin
OPP:
Example 2 (Cont.): A 400-m walk
in a direction of 30o N of E. How
far is the displacement east and
how
N far north? Note: x is the side
400 m adjacent to angle
y=? 300

E ADJ = HYP x Cos
x=? 300
x = R cos

x = (400 m) cos The x-component
30o is: m
R = +346
x

= +346 m, E
 Example 2 (Cont.): A 400-m walk
in a direction of 30o N of E. How
far is the displacement east and
how
N far north? Note: y is the side
400 m opposite to angle
y=? 300

E OPP = HYP x Sin
x=? 300
y = R sin

y = (400 m) sin The y-component

30o is: m
R = +200
y

= + 200 m, N
Example 2 (Cont.): A 400-m walk
in a direction of 30o N of E. How
far is the displacement east and
how
N far north?
400 m The x- and y-
Ry = components
+200 m are each + in
E
Rx = the first
+346 quadrant
m
Solution: The person is displaced 346 m
east and 200 m north of the original
position.
Signs for Rectangular
Coordinates
90o
First
Quadrant:

R + R is positive
(+)
0o
+ 0o > < 90o
xx==+;
R cos
y=+

y = R sin
 Signs for Rectangular
Coordinates
90o
Second
Quadrant:
R
R is positive (+)
+
180 90o > < 180o
o

x=-; y=+
x = R cos

y = R sin
 Signs for Rectangular
Coordinates
Third
Quadrant:

R is positive
180 (+)
o
180o > <
- 270o
R x = R cos
=-
x y=-
y = R sin
270o
Signs for Rectangular
Coordinates
Fourth
Quadrant:
R is positive (+)

+ 360o 270o > < 360o

x=+ y=-
R x = R cos

y = R sin
270o
Resultant of Perpendicular
Vectors
Finding resultant of two perpendicular
vectors is like changing from rectangular to
polar coord.

R RR xx yy
22 22

y

yy
x tan
tan
xx
R is always positive; is from + x
axis
Example 3: A 30-lb southward
force and a 40-lb eastward force
act on a donkey at the same time.
What is the NET or resultant force
Draw a rough
on the donkey? Choose rough
sketch. scale:
Ex: 1 cm = 10 lb
Note:
Note: Force
Force has40 direction
has direction just
lb just like
like length
length
does. We can treat force vectors 40as
just lb
does. We can treat force vectors just as
we
we have
have length
length vectors
vectors toto find
find the
the
resultant
resultant force.
force. The
The procedure
procedure is
is the
the
4 cm = 40 lb
same!
same!
30 lb 3 cm = 30 lb
30
lb
 Finding Resultant: (Cont.)
Finding (R,) from given (x,y) = (+40,
-30)
40 lb Rx 40 lb

Ry

30 lb R 30 lb

R= x2 + y 2 R= (40)2 + (30)2 = 50
lb
-30
tan = = =
=
40 -36.9o 323.1
323.1 oo
 Four Quadrants: (Cont.)
30 lb
R R 30 lb
R = 50
Ry Ry
lb

Rx Rx 40 lb
40 lb
40 lb Rx Rx 40 lb

Ry Ry
R = 50
30 lb R R 30 lb
lb
= 36.9 ;
oo

= 36.9 ; = 36.9 ; 143.1 ; 216.9 ;;
= 36.9 ;
oo
143.1 ;
oo
216.9 oo

o
Unit vector notation (i,j,k)
y Consider 3D axes (x,
y, z)
j Define unit vectors, i, j,
i x k
k Examples of
z Use:
40 m, E = 40 i 40 m, W =
-40 i
30 m, N = 30 j 30 m, S = -30
j
20 m, out = 20 k 20 m, in =
 Example 4: A woman walks 30 m,
W; then 40 m, N. Write her
displacement in i,j notation and in
R, notation. In i,j notation, we
+40 m R have:
R = R xi + R y
j
Rx = - 30 Ry = + 40
-30 m m m
RR =
= -30
-30 ii +
+ 40
40
jj
Displacement
Displacement is is 30
30 mm west
west and
and 40
40
m
m north
north of
of the
the starting
starting position.
position.
Example 4 (Cont.): Next we find her
displacement in R, notation.
40
tan ; = 59.10
+40 R 30
m
= 1800
-30 59.10
m =
=
126.9
126.9oo

R (30) (40)
2 2
R
R== 50 50
m
m
(R,)
(R,) = (50 m, 126.9 ))
= (50 m, 126.9 oo
Example 6: Town A is 35 km south and
46 km west of Town B. Find length and
direction of highway between towns.
46 km
R = -46 i 35 j

R (46 km) 2 (35 km) 2 35 B
km
RR = R=?
= 57.8
57.8
km
km A
46 km
tan
35 km = 1800 +
52.70
=
= 52.7 S.
52.7 00
S. of
of W.
W. =
= 232.7
232.700
 Example 7. Find the components of the
240-N force exerted by the boy on the
girl if his arm makes an angle of 280
with the ground.
F = 240 N

Fy F
280
Fy
Fx

Fx = -|(240 N) cos 280| = -212 Or in i,j

N notation:
Fy = +|(240 N) sin 280| = +113 N F = -(212 N)i + (113
N)j
Example 8. Find the components of a
300-N force acting along the handle of a
lawn-mower. The angle with the ground
is 320.
F = 300 N
32o Fx
320
32o Fy Fy
F

Fx = -|(300 N) cos 320| = -254 Or in i,j

N notation:
Fy = -|(300 N) sin 320| = -159 F = -(254 N)i - (159
N N)j
 Component Method
1. Start at origin. Draw each vector to
scale with tip of 1st to tail of 2nd, tip
of 2nd to tail 3rd, and so on for others.

2. Draw resultant from origin to tip of last

vector, noting the quadrant of the
resultant.
3. Write each vector in i,j notation.

4. Add vectors algebraically to get

resultant in i,j notation. Then convert
to (R,).
Example 9. A boat moves 2.0 km east
then 4.0 km north, then 3.0 km west,
and finally 2.0 km south. Find resultant
displacement.
1. Start at origin. N
D 3 km, W
Draw each vector 2 km, C B
to scale with tip of S 4 km, N
1st to tail of 2nd,
E
tip of 2nd to tail A
3rd, and so on for 2 km,
others. E
2. Draw resultant from origin to tip of last
vector, noting the quadrant of the
resultant.
Note: The scale is approximate, but it is
still clear that the resultant is in the fourth
Example 9 (Cont.) Find resultant
displacement.
3. Write each N
vector in i,j D 3 km, W
2 km, C B
Anotation:
= +2 i S 4 km, N

B= +4j E
A
C = -3 i 2 km,
E
D= -2j 4. Add vectors A,B,C,D
algebraically to get
R -1 i + 2 resultant in i,j
= j
11 km,
km, west
west and
and 22 5.notation.
Convert to R,
km
km north
north ofof notation See next
origin
origin.. page.
Example 9 (Cont.) Find resultant
displacement.
Resultant Sum N
is: D 3 km, W
R = -1 i + 2 j 2 km, C B
S 4 km, N
Now, We Find R,
E
A
R (1) (2) 5
2 2
2 km,
E
R = 2.24
km
2 km R Ry= +2
tan
1 km km

= 63.40 N or Rx = -1 km
W
 Reminder of Significant Units:
N
For convenience, D 3 km
we follow the 2 km C B
4 km
practice of
assuming three E
A
(3) significant 2 km
figures for all data
in problems.
In the previous example, we assume
that the distances are 2.00 km, 4.00 km,
and 3.00 km.
Thus, the answer must be reported as:

RR =
= 2.24
2.24 km,
km, 63.4
63.400 N
N of
of
WW
 Significant Digits for
Angles
Since a tenth of a
R 30 lb
degree can often be
significant, Ry
sometimes a fourth
digit is needed. Rx 40 lb
Rule:
Rule: Write
Write angles
angles
to
to the
the nearest
nearest Rx 40 lb
tenth
tenth ofof aa degree.
degree.
See
See the
the two
two Ry
examples
examples below:
below:
R 30 lb
=
= 36.9
36.9oo;;
323.1
323.1oo
Example 10: Find R, for the three
vector displacements below:
A = 5 m, 00 C=
R 0.5 m
B = 2.1 m, B
200
200
C = 0.5 m,
A=5m B = 2.1
900
m
1. First draw vectors A, B, and C to
approximate scale and indicate angles.
(Rough drawing)
2. Draw resultant from origin to tip of last
vector; noting the quadrant of the
resultant. (R,)
3. Write each vector in i,j notation.
(Continued ...)
Example 10: Find R, for the three
vector displacements below: (A table
may help.)
For i,j C=
R 0.5 m
notation find B
x,y compo- 20 0

nents of each A=5m B = 2.1

vector A, B, m
C.Vector X-component Y-component
(i) (j)
A=5 00 +5m 0
m
20 +(2.1 m) cos +(2.1 m) sin
B=2.1 0
200 200
m
Example 10 (Cont.): Find i,j for three
vectors: A = 5 m,00; B = 2.1 m, 200; C = 0.5
m, 900.
X-component Y-component
(i) (j)
Ax = + 5.00 m Ay = 0
Bx = +1.97 m By = +0.718 m
Cx = 0 Cy = + 0.50 m

4. Add vectors A = 5.00 i + 0

to get j B = 1.97 i + 0.718
resultant R in jC = 0 i + 0.50
i,j notation. j
R 6.97 i + 1.22 j
=
 Example 10 (Cont.): Find i,j for three
vectors: A = 5 m,00; B = 2.1 m, 200; C = 0.5
m, 900.
R = 6.97 i + 1.22 j Diagram
for finding
5. Determine R, from
R,
x,y: R Ry
R (6.97 m) (1.22 m)
2 2
1.22
Rx= 6.97 m
RR =
= 7.08
7.08 m
m m

1.22 m
tan =
= 9.93
9.9300 N.
N. of
of E.
E.
6.97 m
Example 11: A bike travels 20 m, E then
40 m at 60o N of W, and finally 30 m at
210o. What is the resultant
displacement
C = 30 graphically?
Graphically, we
m B= use ruler and
30o
40 m protractor to draw
components, then
R measure the
60 Resultant R,

o
A = 20 m,
E
Let 1 cm = 10 RR =
= (32.6
(32.6 m,m,
m 143.0
143.0 )oo)
 Example 12. Find A + B + C for Vectors
Shown below.
B Cx
A = 5 m, 900 Cy
B = 12 m, 00 A
C
C = 20 m, -35 0
R

Ax = 0; Ay = +5 m
A= 0 i + 5.00 j
Bx = +12 m; By = B = 12 i + 0j
0 m) cos
C = (20 C = 16.4 i 11.5 j
x
350
Cy = -(20 m) sin R 28.4 i - 6.47 j
-350 =
Example 12 (Continued). Find A + B + C

B Rx = 28.4
m
A
C R
R Ry = -6.47
m

R (28.4 m) (6.47 m)
2 2
RR =
= 29.1
29.1 m
m
6.47 m
tan =
= 12.8
12.800 S.
S. of
of E.
E.
28.4 m
 Vector Difference
For vectors, signs are indicators of
direction. Thus, when a vector is
subtracted, the sign (direction) must
be changed before adding.
First Consider A + B Graphically:
R=A+B
B
R
B
A A
 Vector Difference
For vectors, signs are indicators of
direction. Thus, when a vector is
subtracted, the sign (direction) must
be changed before adding.
Now A B: First change sign
(direction) of B, then add the
B negative
-B vector. A
R -B
A A
 Addition and Subtraction
Subtraction results in a significant
difference both in the magnitude and
the direction of the resultant vector. |
(A B)| = |A| - |B|
Comparison of addition and
subtraction of B
R=A+B R = A - B
B
A
R
B R -B
A A
Example 13. Given A = 2.4 km, N
and B = 7.8 km, N: find A B and B
A.
A-B B-A
A
B; B - +A -A
A +B
-B
R R

A B (2.43 N 7.74 S) (7.74 N 2.43 S)

2.43 7.74
5.31 km, 5.31 km,
N N S N
 Summary for Vectors
A scalar quantity is completely
specified by its magnitude only. (40
m , 10 gal )
A vector quantity is completely
specified by its magnitude and
direction. (40 m, 300)
Components of R:
R
Ry
Rx = R cos
Ry = R sin Rx
 Summary Continued:
Finding the resultant of two
perpendicular vectors is like
converting from polar (R, ) to the
rectangular (Rx, Ry) coordinates.
Resultant of
Vectors: 2 R
R x y 2
Ry

y
tan Rx
x
Component Method for
Vectors
Start at origin and draw each vector
in succession forming a labeled
polygon.
Draw resultant from origin to tip of
last vector, noting the quadrant of
resultant.
Write each vector in i,j notation
(Rx,Ry).
Add vectors algebraically to get
 Vector Difference
For vectors, signs are indicators of
direction. Thus, when a vector is
subtracted, the sign (direction) must
be changed before adding.
Now A B: First change sign
(direction) of B, then add the
B negative
-B vector. A
R -B
A A