Velocity Vectors
Velocity = speed + direction
A VECTOR is used to represent
the SPEED &
DIRECTION of motion
Velocity Vectors
1. Are arrows
2. Show how fast, in which direction a
motion takes place
3. Length of arrow shows amount of
velocity (has a scale)
E.g. 1 cm could = 20 km/hr
Velocity Vectors
4.
Can be combined:
Vector 1 + vector 2 =
Resultant vector
2 types of vectors:
 Parallel vectors
 Non-parallel vectors
Velocity Vectors
Parallel vectors : add or subtract
-same direction: add
plane A @ 100 km/hr
+
= 120km/hr
wind @ 20 km/hr
Velocity Vectors
Parallel vectors
- not in the same direction: subtract
wind @ 20 km/hr
100km/hr-20km/hr=
80km/hr
plane A @ 100 km/hr
Velocity Vectors
Non-parallel vectors
e.g. plane flying in a crosswind ( scale is 1cm=20km/hr)
1. draw plane C @ 80 km/hr (4cm)
4cm
5cm
3. measure to get
resultant (5cm)
2. draw wind @ 60km/hr
(3cm)
3cm
Velocity Vectors
4. Calculate speed using scale
(5cm)(20km/hr) = 100 km/hr
(1cm)
Velocity Vectors
¿Could we use the Pythagorean
Theorem? Certainly!
c2
a2
b2
c2=a 2 +b 2