Physics – Vectors, Power Point Notes
Scalar: _________________________________________________________________________
Examples: ______________________________________________________________________
Vector: _________________________________________________________________________
Examples: ________________________________________________________________________
Vectors are usually named with ____________________ with __________________above the letter.
They are represented graphically as __________________.
The length of the arrow corresponds to the __________________of the vector.
The __________________the arrow points is the vector __________________.
Examples: ________________________________________________________________________
Vector Addition
Vectors may be added __________________or __________________.
Triangle (Head-to-Tail) Method
1. Draw the first vector with the proper __________________and __________________.
2. Draw the second vector with the proper length and orientation originating from the
______________________________________________________.
3. The __________________vector is the vector originating at the __________________of the first
vector and terminating at the __________________of the second vector.
4. Measure the length and orientation __________________of the resultant.
Example: Find the resultant of A and B.
Draw diagram.
Parallelogram (Tail-to-Tail) Method
1. Draw both vectors with proper __________________and __________________from the
____________________________________.
2. Complete a __________________using the two vectors as two of the sides.
3. Draw the resultant vector as the __________________originating from the tails.
4. Measure the __________________and __________________of the resultant vector.
Draw diagram.
Resolving a Vector into Components
The horizontal, or __________________, of A is found by Ax = __________________.
The vertical, or __________________, of A is found by Ay = __________________.
By the Pythagorean Theorem __________________
Every vector can be resolved using these formulas, such that A is the __________________of A, and
θ is the __________________the vector makes with the x-axis.
Each component must have the proper “__________________” according to the
__________________the vector terminates in.
Analytical Method of Vector Addition
1. Find the x- and y-components of each vector.
Ax = A cos q =
Ay = A sin q =
Bx = B cos q =
By = B sin q =
Cx = C cos q =
Cy = C sin q =
Rx =
Ry =
Sum the x-components. This is the __________________of the __________________.
Sum the y-components. This is the __________________of the __________________.
Use the Pythagorean Theorem to find the magnitude of the __________________vector.
Rx2 + Ry2 = R2
Find the reference __________________by taking the inverse __________________of the
__________________of the __________________divided by __________________.
θ = __________________
Use the “__________________” of Rx and Ry to determine the __________________.
Draw quadrants.