Lecture 1c/2a

Vectors

June 17, 2015

Vectors

Definition (Vector)
A quantity with magnitude and direction. (We call quantities without
direction a scalar quantity.)

If were talking about a physical quantity, then it should have a unit.

vector quantity A~ ; magnitude A
Graphical representation: arrow

Examples:
2 meters to the left
9.81 m/s2 downward
53 m/s, directed 30 north of east magnitude A
Source: Young and Freedman, University Physics, 13th ed.

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Addition of vectors

C~ = A
~ + B;
~ C~ is the vector sum or resultant

Remark (Vector addition)

~+B
A ~ = C~ does not imply A + B = C . Treat vectors as quantities with a
different arithmetic from scalar quantities.

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Addition of vectors

Source: Young and Freedman, University Physics, 13th ed.

tail-to-head method

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Negative of a vector

Negative of a vector is just a vector with the same magnitude but

opposite in direction
This means we can perform vector subtraction.

Source: Young and Freedman, University Physics, 13th ed.

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Components of vectors

components = projections

Source: http://www.phy.syr.edu/courses/demos/experiments/1c.html

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Components of vectors

Source: Young and Freedman, University Physics, 13th ed.

Using tail-to-head method, we can deduce that

~=A
A ~x + A
~y

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Unit Vectors

Source: Young and Freedman, University Physics, 13th ed.

~=A
So A ~x + A
~y can be written down as

~ = Ax + Ay
A

~
Ax and Ay are called the x- and y -components of A.
In three dimensions,
~ = Ax + Ay + Az k
A

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Activity!

Below are four vectors, in 3-D. Copy them somewhere.

1. (9 N) + (830 N) (9 N)k
2. (6 N) (5 N) (1300 N)k
3. (720 N) (32 N) + (2 N)k
4. (110 N) (200 N) (13 N)k

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Activity!

Just a heads-up: force in physics is a vector quantity, measured in

Newtons ( N). Below are the different kinds of punches of a boxer. Let the
+x-direction denote the forward direction of the boxer. Let the
+y-direction denote the upward direction. Let the +z-direction be to the
right of the boxer. Which of those vectors youve written best describes
the force of a punch from (a) an uppercut, (b) a right cross, and (c) a
right hook?

Source: http://daydaily.com/

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Components of vectors

Source: Young and Freedman, University Physics, 13th ed.

Ax = A cos

Ay = A sin

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Components of vectors

Remark (Components of vectors)

Components can be negative.

Source: Young and Freedman, University Physics, 13th ed.

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Components of vectors
Example
The initial velocity of a human cannonball is 25 m/s directed 34.1 from
the horizontal. What is the x-component of this velocity?

Solution:

vx = v cos
= (25 m/s) cos(34.1 )
= 21 m/s .

vy = v sin
= (25 m/s) sin(34.1 )
= 14 m/s .

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Components of vectors

Can we get the magnitude and angle from the components? Yes!
q
A = A2x + A2y

 
1 Ay
= tan
Ax

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Components of vectors
Solution:

q
v = vx2 + vy2
Example q
The initial velocity of a human = (20.7 m/s)2 + (14.0 m/s)2
cannonball has x- and
= 25.0 m/s .
y-components of 20.7 m/s and
14.0 m/s, respectively. What is
the speed of the object? At what
 
Ay
1
angle from the horizontal was the = tan
Ax
human cannonball launched?  
1 14.0 m/s
= tan
20.7 m/s
= 34.1 .

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Addition of vectors

Source: Young and Freedman, University Physics, 13th ed.

Rx = Ax + Bx
Ry = Ay + By
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Addition of vectors
Example
Given P~ = 32 u, 90 N of E and R
~ = 12 u, 45 N of E, find P
~ +R
~ in
unit-vector form.
Solution:
Px =(32 u) cos(90 ) = 0 u
Py =(32 u) sin(90 ) = 32 u
Rx =(12 u) cos(45 ) = 8.485... u
Ry =(12 u) sin(45 ) = 8.485... u

~ R
P ~ = (Px Rx ) + (Py Ry )
= (0 u + 8.485... u) + (32 u + 8.485... u)
= (9 u) + (40 u) .

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Quiz!

1. Given P~ = 32 u, 90 N of E and R~ = 12 u, 45 N of E, find P

~ R ~ in
unit-vector form. Use component method.
2. Express C~ = (20.7 m/s) + (14.0 m/s) in magnitude-angle form.

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Quiz!

1.

Px =(32 u) cos(90 ) = 0 u
Py =(32 u) sin(90 ) = 32 u
Rx =(12 u) cos(45 ) = 8.485... u
Ry =(12 u) sin(45 ) = 8.485... u

~ R
P ~ = (Px Rx ) + (Py Ry )
= (0 u 8.485... u) + (32 u 8.485... u)
= (9 u) + (20 u) .

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Quiz!
2.
q
C = Cx2 + Cy2
q
= (20.7 m/s)2 + (14.0 m/s)2
= 25.0 m/s .

 
1 Ay
= tan
Ax
 
1 14.0 m/s
= tan
20.7 m/s

= 34.1 .
But the vector points in quadrant II.
Use the other solution of the tan1 function.
= 180 34.1 = 146 .
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