Name ______________________
Physics A
Vector Addition Virtual Lab
Introduction:
You will use this applet to reinforce vector addition skills. This applet allows you to draw two
vectors and add them together using either the Head-to-Tail Method (“Triangle Law” button).
Once added, the applet provides you with the magnitude and direction of the resultant vector as
well as horizontal and vertical components of all vectors. You will practice your vector addition
and vector resolution skills by first calculating components and resultants. You will check your
work by using the applet.
Directions:
1. Go to: http://surendranath.tripod.com/Applets.html
2. Click on: Applet Menu
3. Go down to “Some Math”, Go over to “Vectors”, and click on “Vector Addition”
4. This page has useful information about how to manipulate the vectors you will be
drawing and adding together. I suggest skimming through it.
5. Click on the box at the BOTTOM of the page. Click again to launch the applet.
6. Be sure the "ADD" radio button is selected and do not select the "Reference" button
before using the applet program.
Perform Calculations
SHOW ALL WORK BELOW DATA TABLE OR ON ANOTHER SHEET OF PAPER
7. Look at the pair of vectors listed in the first data table.
8. Calculate / determine the x-component and y-component for each of the given vectors.
Use vector resolution techniques (Pythagorean theorem, trig identities, inverse trig
identities). Record values in the data table.
9. Calculate / determine the x-component and y-component of the resultant vector. (Hint:
Sketch the components of vectors A and B on a force diagram). Record values in the
data table.
10. Calculate / determine the magnitude and direction of the Resultant vector. Use vector
addition techniques. Record values in the data table.
Construct Vectors in Applet
11. Construct the first pair of vectors and ADD the two vectors using the Head-to-Tail
Method (“Triangle Law” button).
12. Record the magnitude and direction of the Resultant Vector (black colored vector) in the
appropriate spots in the data table.
13. Record the component values for the red, blue and resultant vectors in the last row of
each data table.
14. In the space below the data table, draw the vector addition diagram shown on the screen.
15. Repeat Steps 7 through 14 for the remaining pairs of vectors.
Vector
A (red)
Calculated
value
Applet /
Given value
B (blue)
Calculated
value
Applet /
Given value
Resultant (black)
Calculated
value
Applet /
Given value
Magnitude
--------------
12
--------------
6
Direction
--------------
0°
--------------
0°
x-component
Ax =
Ax =
Bx =
Bx =
Rx =
Rx =
y-component
Ay =
Ay =
By =
By =
Ry =
Ry =
Diagram Here:
Show Work Here (or on another sheet):
Vector
A (red)
Calculated
value
Applet /
Given value
B (blue)
Calculated
value
Applet /
Given value
Resultant (black)
Calculated
value
Applet /
Given value
Magnitude
--------------
12
--------------
20
Direction
--------------
0°
--------------
180°
x-component
Ax =
Ax =
Bx =
Bx =
Rx =
Rx =
y-component
Ay =
Ay =
By =
By =
Ry =
Ry =
Diagram Here:
Show Work Here (or on another sheet):
Vector
A (red)
Calculated
value
Applet /
Given value
B (blue)
Calculated
value
Applet /
Given value
Resultant (black)
Calculated
value
Applet /
Given value
Magnitude
--------------
10
--------------
13
Direction
--------------
90°
--------------
-90°
x-component
Ax =
Ax =
Bx =
Bx =
Rx =
Rx =
y-component
Ay =
Ay =
By =
By =
Ry =
Ry =
Diagram Here:
Show Work Here (or on another sheet):
Vector
A (red)
Calculated
value
Applet /
Given value
B (blue)
Calculated
value
Applet /
Given value
Resultant (black)
Calculated
value
Applet /
Given value
Magnitude
--------------
10
--------------
10
Direction
--------------
90°
--------------
0°
x-component
Ax =
Ax =
Bx =
Bx =
Rx =
Rx =
y-component
Ay =
Ay =
By =
By =
Ry =
Ry =
Diagram Here:
Show Work Here (or on another sheet):
Vector
A (red)
Calculated
value
Applet /
Given value
B (blue)
Calculated
value
Applet /
Given value
Resultant (black)
Calculated
value
Applet /
Given value
Magnitude
--------------
10
--------------
12
Direction
--------------
90°
--------------
180°
x-component
Ax =
Ax =
Bx =
Bx =
Rx =
Rx =
y-component
Ay =
Ay =
By =
By =
Ry =
Ry =
Diagram Here:
Show Work Here (or on another sheet):
Vector
A (red)
Calculated
value
Applet /
Given value
B (blue)
Calculated
value
Applet /
Given value
Resultant (black)
Calculated
value
Applet /
Given value
Magnitude
--------------
10
--------------
15
Direction
--------------
37°
--------------
0°
x-component
Ax =
Ax =
Bx =
Bx =
Rx =
Rx =
y-component
Ay =
Ay =
By =
By =
Ry =
Ry =
Diagram Here:
Show Work Here (or on another sheet):
Vector
A (red)
Calculated
value
Applet /
Given value
B (blue)
Calculated
value
Applet /
Given value
Resultant (black)
Calculated
value
Applet /
Given value
Magnitude
--------------
12
--------------
6
Direction
--------------
72°
--------------
155°
x-component
Ax =
Ax =
Bx =
Bx =
Rx =
Rx =
y-component
Ay =
Ay =
By =
By =
Ry =
Ry =
Diagram Here:
Show Work Here (or on another sheet):
Conclusion:
How does the sum of Ax + Bx compare to Rx in each table above?
How does the sum of Ay + By compare to Ry in each table above?
Using clear language and appropriate vocabulary, explain how to add vectors (what steps do you
need to perform) when the vectors being added are in:
a) opposite directions.
b) the same direction.
c) directions that aren’t exactly the same or opposite.
EXTENSION
Use the applet to add one of the pairs of vectors listed above using the Parallelogram Method.
You need to change “Triangle Law” to “Parallelogram Law”. Is there any significant change in
the results of the vector addition? What does this mean about these two methods of vector
addition?