Chapter 3

Vectors and Two-Dimensional Motion

Chapter Outline
3.1 Vectors and Their Properties (p. 57)
KEY TERMS: resultant vector, triangle method of addition, commutative
law of addition
Example 3.1: Taking a Trip (p. 59)
3.2 Components of a Vector (p. 60)
Example 3.2: Help Is on the Way! (p. 61)
Adding Vectors Algebraically (p. 62)
Example 3.3: Take a Hike (p. 62)
3.3 Displacement, Velocity, and Acceleration in Two Dimensions (p. 63)
KEY TERMS: displacement, average velocity, instantaneous velocity,
average acceleration, instantaneous acceleration
3.4 Motion in Two Dimensions (p. 65)
KEY TERM: projectile motion
Example 3.4: Projectile Motion with Diagrams (p. 67)
PROBLEM-SOLVING STRATEGY: Projectile Motion (p. 68)
Example 3.5: Stranded Explorers (p. 68)
Example 3.6: The Long Jump (p. 69)
Example 3.7: The Range Equation (p. 70)
Example 3.8: That’s Quite an Arm (p. 71)
Two-Dimensional Constant Acceleration (p. 72)
Example 3.9: The Rocket (p. 72)
3.5 Relative Velocity (p. 73)
KEY TERMS: reference frame, stationary frame of reference, moving frame
of reference
PROBLEM-SOLVING STRATEGY: Relative Velocity (p. 74)
Example 3.10: Pitching Practice on the Train (p. 74)
Example 3.11: Crossing a River (p. 75)
Example 3.12: Bucking the Current (p. 76)

Chapter Objectives
In this chapter, students will manipulate multiple vector quantities to find resultants
geometrically and by using the component method. Students will also calculate the
displacement, velocity, and acceleration for objects experiencing two-dimensional
motion, particularly as a projectile. Lastly, students will identify frames of reference to
describe and calculate relative velocities.

3.1 Define vector and scalar quantities, citing examples. Construct a resultant vector
by applying the rules of vector addition, subtraction, and multiplication.
3.2 Find vector components using trigonometry. Determine a resultant algebraically
from the components of vectors.
3.3 Define displacement, velocity, and acceleration in two dimensions.

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Chapter 3 Vectors and Two-Dimensional Motion 9

3.4 Describe velocity components of an object undergoing projectile motion.

Recognize that horizontal and vertical motions are completely independent of
each other. Apply the kinematics equations for constant acceleration due to
gravity to analyze the motion of a projectile in two dimensions.
3.5 Define frames of reference. Apply the necessary rules to solve problems
involving relative velocities.

Lesson Plan for AP* Physics 1

AP* Physics 1 Curriculum Framework Components: Chapter 3

EK 2.A.1
EK 2.A.2
LO 3.A.1.1 [SPs 1.5, 2.1, and 2.2]
LO 3.A.1.2 [SP 4.2]
LO 3.A.1.3 [SP 5.1]

Suggested Time for AP Physics 1

16 traditional classes or 8 blocks. Be certain to point out Example 3.7 involving the range
equation, which is a time saver for those particular problems it solves and worthy of
students’ memorization. Invest time in graphical representations of two-dimensional
motion as well as having students perform experimental investigations.

Lesson Plan for AP* Physics 2

AP* Physics 2 Curriculum Framework Components: Chapter 3

EK 2.A.1
EK 2.A.2

Suggested Time for AP Physics 2

Less than 1 traditional class or ½ block. The Essential Knowledge components of the
Curriculum Framework above require students to understand characteristics of vectors
and scalars, which are introduced in chapter 2 and elaborated on in chapter 3. A brief
review of these ideas from this chapter may be useful in the second year course, but save
as much time as possible for future chapters.

Assessment
Quick Quizzes:
Quick Quiz 3.1 (p. 59)
Quick Quiz 3.2 (p. 61)
Quick Quiz 3.3 (p. 61)
Quick Quiz 3.4 (p. 65)
Quick Quiz 3.5 (p. 65)

*AP and Advanced Placement Program are registered trademarks of the College Entrance Examination
Board, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse, this product.

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10 Vectors and Two-Dimensional Motion Chapter 3

Quick Quiz 3.6 (p. 68)

Quick Quiz 3.7 (p. 68)

Quick Quiz answers: Text p. A.24–A.25 (answers with explanations, IM p. 51)

Warm-Up Exercises: Text pp. 78–79 (odd-numbered answers, Text p. A.25; answers with
explanations, IM pp. 51–53)

Conceptual Questions: Text pp. 79–80 (odd-numbered answers, Text p. A.25; even-
numbered answers, IM p. 53)

Problems: Text pp. 80–87 (odd-numbered answers, Text p. A.25; even-numbered answers,
IM pp. 54–55; solutions, IM pp. 55–86)

Test Bank: Chapter 3 available on the Instructor's Companion Website

Study Tips
Tip 3.1 Vector Addition vs. Scalar Addition
  
A + B = C is very different from A + B = C. The first is a vector sum, which must be
handled graphically or with components, whereas the second is a simple arithmetic sum
of numbers.

Tip 3.2 x- and y-components

Equation 3.2 for the x- and y-components of a vector associates cosine with the x-
component and sine with the y-component, as in Figure 3.8a. This association is due
solely to the fact that we chose to measure the angle θ with respect to the positive x-axis.
If the angle were measured with respect to the y-axis, as in Figure 3.8b, the components
would be given by Ax = A sin θ and Ay = A cos θ.

Tip 3.3 Inverse Tangents on Calculators: Right Half the Time

The inverse tangent function on calculators returns an angle between −90° and +90°. If
the vector lies in the second or third quadrant, the angle, as measured from the positive
x-axis, will be the angle returned by your calculator plus 180°.

Tip 3.4 Acceleration at the Highest Point

The acceleration in the y-direction is not zero at the top of a projectile’s trajectory. Only
the y-component of the velocity is zero there. If the acceleration were zero, too, the
projectile would never come down!

2015 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or part.