Adding Vectors that

are not
perpendicular

Holt Physics
Chapter 3 Section 2 (continued)
Non-perpendicular vectors
■ Because vectors do not always form right
triangles, you cannot automatically apply the
Pythagorean theorem and tangent function to
the original vectors
Vector 2
Resultant
vector

No right
Vector 1
triangle!
Non-perpendicular vectors
■ This will require new “old” variables
For Displacement Vectors
Vector #1 Vector #2 Resultant
Δx1 Δx2 ΔxT
Δy1 Δy2 ΔyT
DR1 DR2 DRT
θ1 θ2 θR
 Non-perpendicular vectors
■ Step #1
You must resolve vector #1 into x & y components

Vector 1
DR1
Δy1
θ1

Δx1
 Non-perpendicular vectors
■ Step #2
You must resolve vector #2 into x & y components

DR2
Δy2 Vector 2

Δx2
θ2
Non-perpendicular vectors
■ Step #3
Add all X components to find ΔxT
Δx1 + Δx2 = ΔxT
Δx1

Δx2
ΔxT
Non-perpendicular vectors
■ Step #4
Add all Y components to find ΔyT

Δy1 + Δy2 = ΔyT

Δy2

ΔyT
Δy1
Non-perpendicular vectors
■ Step #5
Now you have total x & y components
Use Pythagorean theorem to find resultant

DRT2 = ΔxT2 + ΔyT2

DRT
ΔyT

θR ΔxT
Non-perpendicular vectors
■ Step #6
Use tangent to find the angle

- Same equations -
Tan θ R = ΔyT θR = Tan -1 (Δy T / Δx T)
ΔxT
Non-perpendicular vectors
You may wish to draw the x-total and y-total
vectors into the original drawing if it helps
you, or make a new triangle with just the
totals.
Vector 2
Resultant
vector
DRT
Vector 1
ΔyT
θR ΔxT
Non-perpendicular vectors
* If you have velocities instead of displacement:
Replace “Δ” and “D” with “V”

* If you have more than two vectors, the third

vector’s variables will be “Δx 3, ….”, and so on.