VECTOR WORD

PROBLEMS
Lesson 8-2
General Process
Example 1
30m/s

7 m/s

Forces: Add the Forces:

Running: <7, 0>
Frisbee: <30cos47, 30sin47> Resultant: <7+20.46, 0+21.94>

= <20.46, 21.94> = <27.46, 21.94>

Visually, what we just did…

running

Frisbee

Resultant

We are asked to find the magnitude…so now we just need to use the resultant’s components
r = <27.46, 21.94>

Now, we need to find the direction, (ahem, angle)…so again, we use the resultant’s components
Example 2

230N

300N

Forces: Add the Forces:

Twin: <-300, 0>
Resultant: <-300+-115, 0+199.186>
Robert: <230cos120, 230sin120>
= <-415, 199.186>
= <-115, 199.186>
Visually, what we just did…

twin
Robert

Resultant

We are asked to find the magnitude…so now we just need to use the resultant’s components
r = <-415, 199.186>

Now, we need to find the direction, (ahem, angle)…so again, we use the resultant’s components
Example 3
N

700 mph
W E

80 mph

S
Forces: Add the Forces:
Plane: <700, 0>
Resultant: <700+71.28, 0+36.32>
Wind: <80cos27, 80sin27>
= <771.28, 36.32>
= <71.28, 36.32>
Visually, what we just did…

Plane

Wind
Resultant

We are asked to find the speed (magnitude)…so now we just need to use the resultant’s components
r = <771.28, 36.32>

Now, we need to find the angle of the flight, so again, we use the resultant’s components
Example 4
N
580 mph 60 mph

W E

Forces: Add the Forces:

Plane: <-580cos62, 580sin62>
Resultant: <-580cos62 + 60cos45, 580sin62 +60sin45>
Wind: <60cos45, 60sin45>
= <-229.867, 554.536>
Visually:

Wind

Plane Resultant

Speed (magnitude): use the resultant’s components

r = <-229.867, 554.536>

Angle: use the resultant’s components

Remember, we’re bearing

north, so it’s 270 + 67.485
Things to Remember…