10

Advanced Physics
First Quarter
Week 4

LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET

 ADVANCED PHYSICS
Name of Learner: ____________________________________ Grade Level: _______________
Section: ____________________________________ Date: _______________

LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET

VECTOR ADDITION: GRAPHICAL METHOD
LEARNING COMPETENCIES

Upon finishing the activities in this Learning Activity Sheet, you should be able to achieve
the following Essential Learning Competencies:
1. Perform addition of vectors in the same directions and in the opposite directions
(AP10_Id-8), and
2. Find the vector sum/resultant graphically using Parallelogram Method (AP10_Id-9).

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Adding Vectors in One Dimension: Same or Opposite Directions

When adding two or more vectors of the same direction, simply get the algebraic sum
of their magnitudes and copy their direction. For example, what is the result if we are to add d1
and d2?

Vectors Magnitude Direction

d1 = 120 m, East 120 m East
d2 = 50 m, East 50 m East
dR = 170 m, East 170 m East

I f you are adding two oppositely directed vectors, the difference of their magnitude is
the magnitude of the resultant vector. The direction of the resultant vector is the same as the
direction of the vector with greater magnitude. For example, what is the result if we are to add
d1 and d2?

Vectors Magnitude Direction

d1 = 120 m, East 120 m East
d2 = 50 m, West 50 m West
dR = 70 m, West 70 m West

ACTIVITY # 1: Which is which?

Objective: Perform addition of vectors in the same directions and in the opposite directions
(AP10_Id-8).
Directions: Perform the indicated operation.
Given:

A = 75 m, North B = 25 m, North C = 85 m, South

1. A + B = _______________
2. A + C = _______________
3. C + B = _______________
4. B + C = _______________
5. B + A = _______________

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Parallelogram Method of Vector Addition

If v and w are vectors, we can find the sum of the two

vectors, v + w by constructing a parallelogram of which the
diagonal is the sum.

If v and w are vectors, we can find the difference of

the two vectors, v – w, using the fact that the negative of a
vector has the opposite direction of the original vector and
that adding the negative is equivalent to subtraction ( v – w =
v + ( - w )). We can use the same parallelogram method as
we do for adding vectors.

Let us use these steps and definitions to practice adding or

subtracting two vectors using the parallelogram method
with the following examples.

Step 1. If adding two vectors, v + w, draw the two

vectors so that they have the same initial point.

Step 2. Draw a parallelogram with the two

vectors as two adjacent sides. Now, we create a
parallelogram in which two vectors v and w are
adjacent sides of the parallelogram. To do this,
we draw lines parallel to v and w to create the
other sides of the parallelogram.
 Step 3. Draw a vector from the initial point of
the two vectors to the opposite vertex of the
parallelogram to create the diagonal of the
parallelogram. This vector sum of the two
vectors. The diagonal from the initial point of
the vectors to the opposite vertex of the
parallelogram is the resultant vector, so we
draw this diagonal to get our vector that is the
sum of vectors v and w.

Find the difference of vectors v and w shown on the

right.

Step 1. If subtracting two vectors, v – w, first switch the direction of

the second vector, w, to create – w. Then draw v and – w so that
they have the same initial point.

Step 2. Draw a parallelogram with the two vectors as two adjacent

sides.

Step 3. Draw a vector from the initial point of the two vectors to the
opposite vertex of the parallelogram to create the diagonal of the
parallelogram. This is the difference of the two vectors.

ACTIVITY # 2: Vector Addition

Objective: Determine the sum of two vectors using the parallelogram method
Directions: Use the parallelogram method to find the sum of the following vectors:
 A = 75 m, 30˚ Northeast B = 25 m, 10˚ Northwest C = 85 m, South

1. A + B = _______________
2. A + C = _______________
3. B + C =_______________

ACTIVITY # 2: Vector Subtraction

Objective: Determine the difference of two vectors using the parallelogram method
Directions: Use the parallelogram method to find the difference of the following vectors:

A = 75 m, 30˚ Northeast B = 25 m, 10˚ Northwest C = 85 m, South

1. A - B = _______________
2. A - C = _______________
3. B - C =_______________

Prepared by

PRINCE DONNIERICH C. BUGAOISAN, MT I

Doña Aurora National High School

ANSWER KEY 5. 100 m, North

4. 10 m, South
3. 65 m, South
2. 65 m, South
1. 100 m, North
ACTIVITY # 1