Chapter 3B - Vectors

A PowerPoint Presentation by
Paul E. Tippens, Professor of Physics
Southern Polytechnic State University

2007

Vectors

Surveyors use accurate measures of

magnitudes and directions to create
scaled maps of large regions.

Objectives: After completing this

module, you should be able to:
Demonstrate that you meet mathematics
expectations:: unit analysis, algebra, scientific
expectations
notation, and rightright-triangle trigonometry.
Define and give examples of scalar and vector
quantities.
Determine the components of a given vector.
Find the resultant of two or more vectors.

Expectations
You must be able convert units of
measure for physical quantities.
Convert 40 m/s into kilometers per hour.
m
1 km
3600 s
40--- x ---------- x -------- = 144 km/h
s 1000 m
1h

Expectations (Continued):
College algebra and simple formula
manipulation are assumed.
Example:

v0 + v f
x=
2

v0 =

v f t 2x
t

Solve for vo

Expectations (Continued)
You must be able to work in scientific
notation.
Evaluate the following:
-11)(4 x 10-3)(2)
(6.67
x
10
Gmm
F = -------- = ------------3)2
2
(8.77
x
10
r

F = 6.94 x 10-9 N = 6.94 nN

Expectations (Continued)
You must be familiar with SI prefixes
The meter (m)

1 m = 1 x 100 m

1 Gm = 1 x 109 m

1 nm = 1 x 10-9 m

1 Mm = 1 x 106 m

1 m = 1 x 10-6 m

1 km = 1 x 103 m

1 mm = 1 x 10-3 m

Expectations (Continued)
You must have mastered rightright-triangle
trigonometry.

y
y = R sin
sin =
R
x
x = R cos
cos =
R
y 2
tan =
R = x2 + y 2
x

Mathematics Review
If you feel you need to
brush up on your
mathematics skills, try
the tutorial from Chap.
2 on Mathematics. Trig
is reviewed along with
vectors in this module.
Select Chap. 2 from the On-Line Learning
Center in TippensStudent Edition

Physics is the Science of

Measurement

Length

Weight

Time

We begin with the measurement of length:

its magnitude and its direction.

Distance: A Scalar Quantity

Distance is the length of the actual path
taken by an object.
A scalar quantity:
s = 20 m
A

Contains magnitude
only and consists of a
number and a unit.
(20 m, 40 mi/h, 10 gal)

Displacement
Displacement
A Vector Quantity
Displacement is the straightstraight-line
separation of two points in a specified
direction.
A vector quantity:
D = 12 m, 20o
A

Contains magnitude
AND direction, a
number, unit & angle.
(12 m, 300; 8 km/h, N)

Distance and Displacement

Displacement is the x or y coordinate of
position. Consider a car that travels 4
m, E then 6 m, W.
Net displacement:

4 m,E

x = -2

x = +4
6 m,W

D = 2 m, W
What is the distance
traveled?
10 m !!

Identifying Direction
A common way of identifying direction
is by reference to East, North, West,
and South. (Locate points below.)
Length = 40 m

40 m, 50o N of E
W

60o
60o

50o
60o

40 m, 60o N of W
40 m, 60o W of S

40 m, 60o S of E

Identifying Direction
Write the angles shown below by using
references to east, south, west, north.
N
W

45o

E
50o

E
S

0 S of
50
Click
to Esee the Answers
450 W.of
. .N

Vectors and Polar Coordinates

Polar coordinates (R,
(R,
) are an excellent
way to express vectors. Consider the
vector 40 m, 500 N of E,
E, for example.

90o
180o
270o

90o

40 m

180o

50o

0o

270o

0o

R is the magnitude and is the direction

direction..

Vectors and Polar Coordinates

Polar coordinates (R,
(R,
) are given for each
of four possible quadrants:
90o

(R,) = 40 m, 50o

120o
210o

180o

60o
60o

50o
60o

3000

270o

0o

(R,) = 40 m, 120o
(R,) = 40 m, 210o
(R,) = 40 m, 300o

Rectangular Coordinates
y
(-2, +3)
(+3, +2)

(-1, -3)

Reference is made to
x and y axes, with +
and - numbers to
indicate position in
space.

Right, up = (+,+)

Left, down = (-,-)

(+4, -3)

(x,y) = (?, ?)

Trigonometry Review
Application of Trigonometry to Vectors
Trigonometry

y
sin =
R
x
cos =
R
y
tan =
x

y = R sin
x = R cos
R2 = x2 + y2

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 =
=
adj 90 m
0

h
300

h = (90 m) tan 30o

90 m

h = 57.7 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

Finding components:
Polar to Rectangular Conversions

Example 2: A person walks 400 m in a

direction of 30o N of E.
E. How far is the
displacement east and how far north?
N

N
R

400 m

30

y=?

x=?

The x-component (E) is ADJ:

x = R cos

The y-component (N) is OPP:

y = R sin

Example 2 (Cont.): A 400

400--m walk in a
direction of 30o N of E.
E. How far is the
displacement east and how far north?
N

Note: x is the side

400 m

adjacent to angle 300

y=?

30

x=?

x = (400 m) cos 30o

= +346 m, E

ADJ = HYP x Cos 300

x = R cos
The xx-component is:

Rx = +346 m

Example 2 (Cont.): A 400

400--m walk in a
direction of 30o N of E.
E. How far is the
displacement east and how far north?
N

Note: y is the side

400 m

opposite to angle 300

y=?

30

x=?

y = (400 m) sin 30o

= + 200 m, N

OPP = HYP x Sin 300

y = R sin
The yy-component is:

Ry = +200 m

Example 2 (Cont.): A 400

400--m walk in a
direction of 30o N of E.
E. How far is the
displacement east and how far north?
N
400 m
30

Rx =

Ry =
+200 m
E

The xx- and yy-components are

each + in the
first quadrant

+346 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 is positive (+)
R

0o > < 90o

0o

x = +; y = +
x = R cos
y = R sin

Signs for Rectangular Coordinates

90o

Second Quadrant:
R is positive (+)

R
180o

90o > < 180o

x=-;

y=+

x = R cos
y = R sin

Signs for Rectangular Coordinates

Third Quadrant:
R is positive (+)

180o > < 270o

180o

x=-

y=-

x = R cos
y = R sin

270o

Signs for Rectangular Coordinates

Fourth Quadrant:
R is positive (+)

+ 360o
R
270o

270o > < 360o

x=+

y=-

x = R cos
y = R sin

Resultant of Perpendicular Vectors

Finding resultant of two perpendicular vectors is
like changing from rectangular to polar coord.
R

R= x +y

y
tan =
x

R is always positive; is from + x axis

Example 3: A 30
30--lb southward force
and a 40
40--lb eastward force act on a
donkey at the same time. What is the
NET or resultant force on the donkey?
Draw a rough sketch.

Choose rough scale:

Ex: 1 cm = 10 lb
Note: Force has40direction
just like length
lb
does. We can treat force vectors just as40
welb
have length vectors to find the resultant
force. The procedure is the same!
4 cm = 40 lb
30 lb
30 lb

3 cm = 30 lb

Finding Resultant: (Cont.)

Finding (R,
R,) from given (x,y) = (+40, -30)
40 lb

Rx

R=
tan =

Ry
R

30 lb
x2

-30
40

y2

R=

40 lb

30 lb

(40)2 + (30)2 = 50 lb

= -36.9o

= 323.1o

Four Quadrants: (Cont.)

30 lb

40 lb

Rx

40 lb Rx

Rx 40 lb

30 lb

Rx

40 lb

Ry

Ry

Ry

R = 50 lb

30 lb

R = 50 lb

Ry
R

30 lb

= 36.9o; = 36.9o; 143.1o; 216.9o; 323.1o

Unit vector notation (i,j,k

(i,j,k))
y
j
k
z

Consider 3D axes (x, y, z)

i

Define unit vectors, i, j, k

Examples of 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 = -20 k

Example 4: A woman walks 30 m, W;

W;
then 40 m, N.
N. Write her displacement
in i,j notation and in R,
R,
notation.
In i,j notation, we have:
+40 m

-30 m

R = Rxi + Ry j
Rx = - 30 m

Ry = + 40 m

R = -30 i + 40 j

Displacement is 30 m west and 40 m

north of the starting position.

Example 4 (Cont.): Next we find her

displacement in R,
R,
notation.
+40
m

+40
0
tan =
; = 59.1
30

= 1800 59.10

-30 m

= 126.9o
2

R = (30) + (40)

R = 50 m

(R,) = (50 m, 126.9o)

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

km

R=?

R = 57.8 km
A

46 km
tan =
35 km

= 1800 + 52.70

= 52.70 S. of W.

= 232.70

Example 7. Find the components of the 240240-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 N

Fy = +|(240 N) sin 280| = +113 N

Or in i,j notation:
F = -(212 N)i
N)i + (113 N)j
N)j

Example 8. Find the components of a 300

300--N
force acting along the handle of a lawnlawnmower. The angle with the ground is 320.
F = 300 N
32o
32o

Fx = -|(300 N) cos 320| = -254 N

Fy = -|(300 N) sin 320| = -159 N

Fx
Fy

320

Fy

Or in i,j notation:
F = -(254 N)i
N)i - (159 N)
N)jj

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,
(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.
Draw each vector to
scale with tip of 1st
to tail of 2nd, tip of
2nd to tail 3rd, and
so on for others.

D
2 km, S

N
3 km, W

4 km, N

A
2 km, 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 quadrant.

Example 9 (Cont.) Find resultant displacement.

3. Write each vector
in i,j notation:

A = +2 i

3 km, W

4 km, N

B=
+4j
C = -3 i
D=

D
2 km, S

-2j

A
2 km, E

R = -1 i + 2 j

4. Add vectors A,B,C,D

algebraically to get
resultant in i,j notation.

1 km, west and 2

km north of origin..

5. Convert to R,
R,
notation
See next page.

Example 9 (Cont.) Find resultant displacement.

Resultant Sum is:
R = -1 i + 2 j

D
2 km, S

N
3 km, W

4 km, N

Now, We Find R,
2

R = ( 1) + (2) = 5

A
2 km, E

R = 2.24 km

+2 km
tan =
1 km
= 63.40 N or W

Rx = -1 km

Ry= +2
km

Reminder of Significant Units:

For convenience, we
follow the practice of
assuming three (3)
significant figures for
all data in problems.

D
2 km

N
3 km

4 km

A
2 km

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:
R = 2.24 km, 63.40 N of W

Significant Digits for Angles

Since a tenth of a
degree can often be
significant, sometimes a
fourth digit is needed.

36.9o;

323.1o

Ry

Rule: Write angles to

the nearest tenth of a
degree. See the two
examples below:

30 lb

Rx

Rx

40 lb
40 lb

Ry
R

30 lb

Example 10: Find R,

R, for the three vector
displacements below:
A = 5 m, 00
B = 2.1 m, 200
C = 0.5 m, 900

C=
0.5 m

A=5m

200

B = 2.1 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,
(R,
)
3. Write each vector in i,j notation. (Continued ...)

Example 10: Find R,

R,
for the three vector
displacements below: (A table may help.)
For i,j notation
find x,y components of each
vector A, B, C.
Vector

A=5 m

00

R
B

A=5m

X-component (i
(i)
+5m

B=2.1m 200 +(2.1 m) cos 200

C=.5 m 900

C=
0.5 m

0
Rx = Ax+Bx+Cx

200

B = 2.1 m

Y-component ((jj)
0
+(2.1 m) sin 200
+ 0.5 m
Ry = Ay+By+Cy

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 (i
(i)

Y-component ((jj)

Ax = + 5.00 m

Ay = 0

Bx = +1.97 m

By = +0.718 m

Cx = 0

Cy = + 0.50 m

4. Add vectors to
get resultant R
in i,j notation.

A = 5.00 i +
0j
B = 1.97 i + 0.718 j
C=
0 i + 0.50 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
5. Determine R,
R, from x,y:

Diagram for
finding R,:
R,:
R

R = (6.97 m) + (1.22 m)

R = 7.08 m

1.22 m
tan =
6.97 m

Ry
1.22 m

Rx= 6.97 m

= 9.930 N. of E.

Example 11: A bike travels 20 m, E then 40 m

at 60o N of W,
W, and finally 30 m at 210o. What
is the resultant displacement graphically?
C = 30 m
B=
40 m

30o

Graphically, we use
ruler and protractor
to draw components,
then measure the
Resultant R,

60o
A = 20 m, E

Let 1 cm = 10 m

R = (32.6 m, 143.0o)

A Graphical Understanding of the Components

and of the Resultant is given below:
Cy

Note: Rx = Ax + Bx + Cx

By

30o

Ry = Ay + By + Cy

Ry

60o A

Rx
Cx

Ax
Bx

Example 11 (Cont.) Using the Component

Method to solve for the Resultant.
Cy B
y

Ry

Write each vector

in i,j notation.

30o

C
R

Rx
Cx

Bx

60

Ax = 20 m, Ay = 0
A

A = 20 i

Bx = -40 cos 60o = -20 m

By = 40 sin 60o = +34.6 m

B = -20 i + 34.6 j

Cx = -30 cos 30o = -26 m

Cy = -30 sin 60o = -15 m

C = -26 i - 15 j

Example 11 (Cont.) The Component Method

Cy B
y

Ry

+19.6

Add algebraically:
A = 20 i

30o

C
R

B = -20 i + 34.6 j

60

Rx

Cx

Bx

-26

C = -26 i - 15 j

R=

R = -26 i + 19.6 j
(-26)2 + (19.6)2 = 32.6 m

tan =

19.6
-26

= 143o

Example 11 (Cont.) Find the Resultant.

R = -26 i + 19.6 j

Cy B
y
30o
B

R
Ry

Rx
Cx

60

+19.6

A
Bx

-26

The Resultant Displacement of the bike is best

given by its polar coordinates R and .

R = 32.6 m; = 1430

Example 12. Find A + B + C for Vectors

Shown below.
B
Cx
A = 5 m, 900
350 C
y
A
B = 12 m, 00
C

0
C = 20 m, -35

Ax = 0; Ay = +5 m
Cx = (20 m) cos 350

A=
0 i + 5.00 j
B = 12 i +
0j
C = 16.4 i 11.5 j

Cy = -(20 m) sin -350

R = 28.4 i - 6.47 j

Bx = +12 m; By = 0

Example 12 (Continued). Find A + B + C

B

Rx = 28.4 m

350

Ry = -6.47 m

R = (28.4 m) + (6.47 m)

6.47 m
tan =
28.4 m

R = 29.1 m

= 12.80 S. of E.

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:
B

R=A+B

R
B
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 negative vector.
B
A
-B
R
A

-B

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
B

R=A+B

R
B
A

R = A - B
A
R

-B

Example 13. Given A = 2.4 km, N and

B = 7.8 km, N:
N: find A B and B A.
A B;
B-A

A-B
+A

-A
-B

R
A
B
2.43 N 7.74 N

B-A
+B
R

(2.43 N 7.74 S)

(7.74 N 2.43 S)

5.31 km, S

5.31 km, N

Summary for Vectors

A scalar quantity is completely specified
by its magnitude only. (40
(40 m,
m, 10 gal)
gal)

A vector quantity is completely specified by
its magnitude and direction. (40
(40 m, 300)
Components of R:

Rx = R cos

Ry = R sin

Rx

Ry

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= x +y

y
tan =
x

Rx

Ry

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 resultant
in i,j notation. Then convert to (R,).

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 negative vector.
B
A
-B
R
A

-B

Conclusion of Chapter 3B - Vectors