CP Physics Inquiry Activity – Vectors
In Physics, we use vectors as a way to symbolize a variety of concepts. Before beginning the inquiry activity,
we need to define several terms you will commonly see throughout the rest of this unit and the year. Using any
resource (including your text, physical text, internet, etc.), complete the following chart:
Term
Definition – In Words
Picture representing the
term – Draw or Copy
Explain how or why the
term is important
Scalar or Scalar Quantity
Vector or Vector Quantity
Vector Addition
Magnitude of a Vector
x- component
y-component
Tip to Tail Method of
Vector Addition
Mathematical Method of
Vector Addition
Resultant Vector
In the next activity, Vector Virtual Lab, you be using an online simulation to perform vector operations (math).
Follow the directions given and answer the questions. Use the simulation to finish up the extension questions.
When finished you should be able to answer the LEQs for this chapter:
1. How are vector and scalar quantities different and how do we represent them?
2. How do I combine vectors graphically?
3. How do I combine vectors mathematically?