Chapter 3B - Vectors

A PowerPoint Presentation by
Paul E. Tippens, Professor of Physics
Southern Polytechnic State University

© 2007
 Vectors

Surveyors use accurate measures of

magnitudes and directions to create
scaled maps of large regions.
Objectives: After completing this
module, you should be able to:
• Demonstrate that you meet mathematics
expectations: unit analysis, algebra, scientific
notation, and right-triangle trigonometry.
• Define and give examples of scalar and vector
quantities.
• Determine the components of a given vector.
• Find the resultant of two or more vectors.
 Expectations
• You must be able convert units of
measure for physical quantities.

Convert 40 m/s into kilometers per hour.

m 1 km 3600 s
40--- x ---------- x -------- = 144 km/h
s 1000 m 1h
 Expectations (Continued):
• College algebra and simple formula
manipulation are assumed.
 v0  v f 
Example: x t Solve for vo
 2 

v f t  2x
v0 
t
 Expectations (Continued)
• You must be able to work in scientific
notation.

Evaluate the following:

Gmm’ (6.67 x 10-11)(4 x 10-3)(2)

F = -------- = ------------
r 2 (8.77 x 10 )
-3 2

F = 6.94 x 10-9 N = 6.94 nN

 Expectations (Continued)
• You must be familiar with SI prefixes

The meter (m) 1 m = 1 x 100 m

1 Gm = 1 x 109 m 1 nm = 1 x 10-9 m
1 Mm = 1 x 106 m 1 m = 1 x 10-6 m
1 km = 1 x 103 m 1 mm = 1 x 10-3 m
 Expectations (Continued)
• You must have mastered right-triangle
trigonometry.
y
sin   y = R sin 
R
y R
x
cos   x = R cos 
R

y 2
x tan   R = x2 + y2
x
 Mathematics Review
If you feel you need to
brush up on your
mathematics skills, try
the tutorial from Chap.
2 on Mathematics. Trig
is reviewed along with
vectors in this module.

Select Chap. 2 from the On-Line Learning

Center in Tippens—Student Edition
 Physics is the Science of
Measurement

Length Weight Time

We begin with the measurement of length:

its magnitude and its direction.
 Distance: A Scalar Quantity
 Distance is the length of the actual path
taken by an object.

A scalar quantity:
s = 20 m B
Contains magnitude
only and consists of a
A
number and a unit.
(20 m, 40 mi/h, 10 gal)
Displacement—A Vector Quantity
• Displacement is the straight-line
separation of two points in a specified
direction.

A vector quantity:
D = 12 m, 20o B
Contains magnitude
A AND direction, a
 number, unit & angle.
(12 m, 300; 8 km/h, N)
 Distance and Displacement
• Displacement is the x or y coordinate of
position. Consider a car that travels 4
m, E then 6 m, W.

Net displacement:
D 4 m,E D = 2 m, W
What is the distance
x = -2 x = +4 traveled?
6 m,W 10 m !!
 Identifying Direction
A common way of identifying direction
is by reference to East, North, West,
and South. (Locate points below.)

N Length = 40 m
40 m, 50o N of E
60o 50o
W E 40 m, 60o N of W
60o
60o
40 m, 60o W of S

40 m, 60o S of E
S
 Identifying Direction
Write the angles shown below by using
references to east, south, west, north.

N N
45 o
W E
50o W E
S
S

50
Click
0
S of
to Esee the Answers
450 W .of
. .N
Vectors and Polar Coordinates
Polar coordinates (R,) are an excellent
way to express vectors. Consider the
vector 40 m, 500 N of E, for example.

90o 90o
40 m R
180o 50o 180o 

0o 0o
270o 270o

R is the magnitude and is the direction.

Vectors and Polar Coordinates
Polar coordinates (R,) are given for each
of four possible quadrants:

90o
(R,) = 40 m, 50o
120o
210o
60 o
50 o (R,) = 40 m, 120o
180
o
0o
60o
60o (R,) = 40 m, 210o
3000

(R,) = 40 m, 300o
270o
 Rectangular Coordinates
y Reference is made to
(-2, +3) x and y axes, with +
(+3, +2) and - numbers to
+ indicate position in
+ space.
x
- Right, up = (+,+)
-
Left, down = (-,-)
(-1, -3) (+4, -3) (x,y) = (?, ?)
 Trigonometry Review
• Application of Trigonometry to Vectors

Trigonometry y
sin   y = R sin 
R
y R x
cos   x = R cos 
R
 y
x tan   R2 = x 2 + y 2
x
Example 1: Find the height of a building
if it casts a shadow 90 m long and the
indicated angle is 30o.
The height h is opposite 300 and
the known adjacent side is 90 m.

0 opp h
tan 30  
h adj 90 m
300
h = (90 m) tan 30o
90 m
h = 57.7 m
Finding Components of Vectors
A component is the effect of a vector along
other directions. The x and y components of
the vector (R, are illustrated below.

x = R cos 
R y = R sin 
y

Finding components:
x
Polar to Rectangular Conversions
 Example 2: A person walks 400 m in a
direction of 30o N of E. How far is the
displacement east and how far north?
N
N
R 400 m
y y=?
 
E
x E x=?

The x-component (E) is ADJ: x = R cos 

The y-component (N) is OPP: y = R sin 
Example 2 (Cont.): A 400-m walk in a
direction of 30o N of E. How far is the
displacement east and how far north?
N Note: x is the side
400 m adjacent to angle 300
y=?

E ADJ = HYP x Cos 300
x=?
x = R cos 

x = (400 m) cos 30o The x-component is:

= +346 m, E Rx = +346 m
 Example 2 (Cont.): A 400-m walk in a
direction of 30o N of E. How far is the
displacement east and how far north?
N Note: y is the side
400 m opposite to angle 300
y=?

E OPP = HYP x Sin 300
x=?
y = R sin 

y = (400 m) sin 30o The y-component is:

= + 200 m, N Ry = +200 m
Example 2 (Cont.): A 400-m walk in a
direction of 30o N of E. How far is the
displacement east and how far north?
N
400 m The x- and y-
Ry = components are
 +200 m each + in the
E
Rx = first quadrant
+346 m

Solution: The person is displaced 346 m east

and 200 m north of the original position.
Signs for Rectangular Coordinates
90o
First Quadrant:
R is positive (+)
R +
 0o > < 90o
0
o
+
x = +; y = +
x = R cos 
y = R sin 
Signs for Rectangular Coordinates
90o
Second Quadrant:
R is positive (+)
R
+  90o > < 180o
180o
x=-; y=+

x = R cos 
y = R sin 
Signs for Rectangular Coordinates
Third Quadrant:
R is positive (+)
 180o > < 270o
180o
x=- y=-
-
R x = R cos 
y = R sin 
270o
Signs for Rectangular Coordinates
Fourth Quadrant:
R is positive (+)
 270o > < 360o
+ 360o
x=+ y=-

R x = R cos 
y = R sin 
270 o
Resultant of Perpendicular Vectors
Finding resultant of two perpendicular vectors is
like changing from rectangular to polar coord.

2 2
R R x y
y

y
x tan  
x
R is always positive;  is from + x axis
Example 3: A 30-lb southward force
and a 40-lb eastward force act on a
donkey at the same time. What is the
NET or resultant force on the donkey?
Draw a rough sketch. Choose rough scale:
Ex: 1 cm = 10 lb
Note: Force has40direction
lb just like length
does. We can treat force vectors just as40 welb
have length vectors to find the resultant
force. The procedure is the same!
4 cm = 40 lb
30 lb 3 cm = 30 lb
30 lb
 Finding Resultant: (Cont.)
Finding (R,) from given (x,y) = (+40, -30)

40 lb  Rx 40 lb

Ry

30 lb R 30 lb

R= x2 + y2 R= (40)2 + (30)2 = 50 lb

-30
tan =  = -36.9o  = 323.1o
40
 Four Quadrants: (Cont.)
30 lb
R R 30 lb
 R = 50 lb
Ry   Ry

Rx Rx 40 lb
40 lb
40 lb Rx   Rx 40 lb
 
Ry Ry
R = 50 lb
30 lb R R 30 lb

 = 36.9o;  = 36.9o; 143.1o; 216.9o; 323.1o

 Unit vector notation (i,j,k)
y Consider 3D axes (x, y, z)
j Define unit vectors, i, j, k
i x
k Examples of Use:
z 40 m, E = 40 i 40 m, W = -40 i
30 m, N = 30 j 30 m, S = -30 j
20 m, out = 20 k 20 m, in = -20 k
 Example 4: A woman walks 30 m, W;
then 40 m, N. Write her displacement
in i,j notation and in R, notation.
In i,j notation, we have:
+40 m R R = Rxi + Ry j

 Rx = - 30 m Ry = + 40 m
-30 m
R = -30 i + 40 j

Displacement is 30 m west and 40 m

north of the starting position.
Example 4 (Cont.): Next we find her
displacement in R, notation.
40 0
tan   ;  = 59.1
+40 R 30
m
  = 1800 – 59.10
-30 m
 = 126.9o

2 2
R  (30)  (40) R = 50 m

(R,) = (50 m, 126.9o)

Example 6: Town A is 35 km south and 46 km
west of Town B. Find length and direction of
highway between towns.
46 km
R = -46 i – 35 j

R  (46 km) 2  (35 km) 2 35 B
km
R = 57.8 km R=?
A
46 km
tan  
35 km  = 1800 + 52.70

 = 52.70 S. of W.  = 232.70
 Example 7. Find the components of the 240-N
force exerted by the boy on the girl if his arm
makes an angle of 280 with the ground.

F = 240 N

Fy F
280
Fy
Fx

Fx = -|(240 N) cos 280| = -212 N Or in i,j notation:

Fy = +|(240 N) sin 280| = +113 N F = -(212 N)i + (113 N)j

Example 8. Find the components of a 300-N
force acting along the handle of a lawn-
mower. The angle with the ground is 320.

F = 300 N
32o Fx
320
32o Fy Fy
F

Fx = -|(300 N) cos 320| = -254 N Or in i,j notation:

Fy = -|(300 N) sin 320| = -159 N F = -(254 N)i - (159 N)j
 Component Method
1. Start at origin. Draw each vector to scale
with tip of 1st to tail of 2nd, tip of 2nd to
tail 3rd, and so on for others.

2. Draw resultant from origin to tip of last

vector, noting the quadrant of the resultant.

3. Write each vector in i,j notation.

4. Add vectors algebraically to get resultant in

i,j notation. Then convert to (R,).
Example 9. A boat moves 2.0 km east then
4.0 km north, then 3.0 km west, and finally
2.0 km south. Find resultant displacement.
1. Start at origin. N
D 3 km, W
Draw each vector to 2 km, S C B
scale with tip of 1st 4 km, N
to tail of 2nd, tip of
2nd to tail 3rd, and
E
A
so on for others. 2 km, E

2. Draw resultant from origin to tip of last

vector, noting the quadrant of the resultant.
Note: The scale is approximate, but it is still
clear that the resultant is in the fourth quadrant.
Example 9 (Cont.) Find resultant displacement.
3. Write each vector N
in i,j notation: D 3 km, W
2 km, S C B
A = +2 i 4 km, N
B= +4j E
A
C = -3 i 2 km, E
D= -2j 4. Add vectors A,B,C,D
algebraically to get
R = -1 i + 2 j resultant in i,j notation.
1 km, west and 2 5. Convert to R, notation
km north of origin. See next page.
Example 9 (Cont.) Find resultant displacement.
Resultant Sum is: N
D 3 km, W
R = -1 i + 2 j 2 km, S C B
4 km, N
Now, We Find R, 
E
2 2 A
R  (1)  (2)  5 2 km, E

R = 2.24 km
2 km R Ry= +2
tan  
1 km km

 = 63.40 N or W Rx = -1 km
 Reminder of Significant Units:
N
For convenience, we D 3 km
follow the practice of 2 km C B
4 km
assuming three (3)
significant figures for E
A
all data in problems. 2 km

In the previous example, we assume that the

distances are 2.00 km, 4.00 km, and 3.00 km.

Thus, the answer must be reported as:

R = 2.24 km, 63.40 N of W

 Significant Digits for Angles
Since a tenth of a
R 30 lb
degree can often be
significant, sometimes a  Ry
fourth digit is needed.
Rx 40 lb
Rule: Write angles to
the nearest tenth of a  Rx 40 lb
degree. See the two 
examples below: Ry
R 30 lb
 = 36.9 ; 323.1
o o
Example 10: Find R, for the three vector
displacements below:
A = 5 m, 00 C=
R 0.5 m
B = 2.1 m, 200 B
 200
C = 0.5 m, 900
A=5m B = 2.1 m

1. First draw vectors A, B, and C to approximate

scale and indicate angles. (Rough drawing)
2. Draw resultant from origin to tip of last vector;
noting the quadrant of the resultant. (R,)
3. Write each vector in i,j notation. (Continued ...)
Example 10: Find R, for the three vector
displacements below: (A table may help.)
For i,j notation C=
R 0.5 m
find x,y compo- B
nents of each  200

vector A, B, C. A=5m B = 2.1 m

Vector  X-component (i) Y-component (j)

A=5 m 00 +5m 0
B=2.1m 200 +(2.1 m) cos 200 +(2.1 m) sin 200
C=.5 m 900 0 + 0.5 m
Rx = Ax+Bx+Cx Ry = Ay+By+Cy
Example 10 (Cont.): Find i,j for three
vectors: A = 5 m,00; B = 2.1 m, 200; C = 0.5 m,
900.
X-component (i) Y-component (j)
Ax = + 5.00 m Ay = 0
Bx = +1.97 m By = +0.718 m
Cx = 0 Cy = + 0.50 m

4. Add vectors to A = 5.00 i + 0j

get resultant R B = 1.97 i + 0.718 j
in i,j notation. C= 0 i + 0.50 j

R = 6.97 i + 1.22 j
Example 10 (Cont.): Find i,j for three vectors:
A = 5 m,00; B = 2.1 m, 200; C = 0.5 m, 900.
R = 6.97 i + 1.22 j Diagram for
finding R,
5. Determine R, from x,y:
R Ry
2 2
R  (6.97 m)  (1.22 m)  1.22 m
Rx= 6.97 m
R = 7.08 m

1.22 m
tan    = 9.930 N. of E.
6.97 m
Example 11: A bike travels 20 m, E then 40 m
at 60o N of W, and finally 30 m at 210o. What
is the resultant displacement graphically?
C = 30 m Graphically, we use
B= ruler and protractor
30 o
40 m to draw components,
then measure the
R Resultant R,
 60o

A = 20 m, E

Let 1 cm = 10 m R = (32.6 m, 143.0o)

A Graphical Understanding of the Components
and of the Resultant is given below:

Note: Rx = Ax + Bx + Cx
Cy
By 30o 0
C B Ry = A y + B y + C y
R
Ry 
 60o A
Rx Ax
Cx Bx
Example 11 (Cont.) Using the Component
Method to solve for the Resultant.
Write each vector
Cy B in i,j notation.
y 30o
C B
Ax = 20 m, Ay = 0
R
Ry  60 A A = 20 i

Rx Ax Bx = -40 cos 60o = -20 m
Cx Bx By = 40 sin 60o = +34.6 m

B = -20 i + 34.6 j
Cx = -30 cos 30o = -26 m
Cy = -30 sin 60o = -15 m C = -26 i - 15 j
 Example 11 (Cont.) The Component Method
Add algebraically:
Cy B
y 30o A = 20 i
C B
R
B = -20 i + 34.6 j
Ry 
 60 A C = -26 i - 15 j
Rx Ax
R = -26 i + 19.6 j
Cx Bx

R= (-26)2 + (19.6)2 = 32.6 m

+19.6 R
19.6
 tan =  = 143o
-26 -26
Example 11 (Cont.) Find the Resultant.

Cy B R = -26 i + 19.6 j
y 30o
C B
R
Ry +19.6 R
  60 A

Rx Ax -26
Cx Bx

The Resultant Displacement of the bike is best

given by its polar coordinates R and .

R = 32.6 m;  = 1430
 Example 12. Find A + B + C for Vectors
Shown below.
B Cx
A = 5 m, 900  C
B = 12 m, 00 A y

 C
C = 20 m, -35 0
R

Ax = 0; Ay = +5 m
A= 0 i + 5.00 j
Bx = +12 m; By = 0 B = 12 i + 0j
Cx = (20 m) cos 350 C = 16.4 i – 11.5 j
Cy = -(20 m) sin -350 R = 28.4 i - 6.47 j
Example 12 (Continued). Find A + B + C

B Rx = 28.4 m
 
A
 C R
R Ry = -6.47 m

2 2
R  (28.4 m)  (6.47 m) R = 29.1 m
6.47 m
tan    = 12.80 S. of E.
28.4 m
 Vector Difference
For vectors, signs are indicators of direction.
Thus, when a vector is subtracted, the sign
(direction) must be changed before adding.

First Consider A + B Graphically:

R=A+B
B
R
B
A A
 Vector Difference
For vectors, signs are indicators of direction.
Thus, when a vector is subtracted, the sign
(direction) must be changed before adding.

Now A – B: First change sign (direction)

of B, then add the negative vector.
B -B A
R’ -B
A A
 Addition and Subtraction
Subtraction results in a significant difference
both in the magnitude and the direction of
the resultant vector. |(A – B)| = |A| - |B|

Comparison of addition and subtraction of B

R=A+B R’ = A - B
B
A
R
B R’ -B
A A
 Example 13. Given A = 2.4 km, N and
B = 7.8 km, N: find A – B and B – A.

A-B B-A
A – B;
B-A +A -A
+B
-B
R R

A B (2.43 N – 7.74 S) (7.74 N – 2.43 S)

2.43 N 7.74 N
5.31 km, S 5.31 km, N
 Summary for Vectors
 A scalar quantity is completely specified
by its magnitude only. (40 m, 10 gal)
 A vector quantity is completely specified by
its magnitude and direction. (40 m, 300)

Components of R:
R
Ry
Rx = R cos  
Ry = R sin  Rx
 Summary Continued:
 Finding the resultant of two perpendicular
vectors is like converting from polar (R, )
to the rectangular (Rx, Ry) coordinates.

Resultant of Vectors:
2 2 R
R x y Ry

y
tan   Rx
x
Component Method for Vectors

 Start at origin and draw each vector in

succession forming a labeled polygon.
 Draw resultant from origin to tip of last
vector, noting the quadrant of resultant.
 Write each vector in i,j notation (Rx,Ry).
 Add vectors algebraically to get resultant
in i,j notation. Then convert to (R
 Vector Difference
For vectors, signs are indicators of direction.
Thus, when a vector is subtracted, the sign
(direction) must be changed before adding.

Now A – B: First change sign (direction)

of B, then add the negative vector.
B -B A
R’ -B
A A
Conclusion of Chapter 3B - Vectors