Figure 10 Vector Addition Not in Same Line

VECTORS: RESULTANTS AND COMPONENTS

Vector Components

Classical Physics - Physics theories and other related topics
Page Navigation
33

5 inches × 1 mile inch 5 miles Vectors VECTORS: RESULTANTS AND COMPONENTS Rev. 0 Page 9 CP-02 Figure 10 Vector Addition Not in Same Line Consider next the addition of vector quantities which are not in a straight line. For example, consider the resultant displacement when a person travels four miles east and then three miles north. Again a scale drawing (Figure 10) is in order. Use a scale of 1 inch = 1 mile. When drawing a scale drawing, one draws a straight line from the origin C to the final position B to represent the net or resultant displacement. Drawing the straight line CB and measuring its length, one should obtain about 5 inches. Then, since the scale of the drawing is 1 inch = 1 mile, this is used as a conversion factor giving as the displacement. Using a protractor or trigonometry, the acute angle ACB can be determined to be about 37 .^o Thus, the resultant (or vector sum) of traveling 4 miles east plus 3 miles north is a displacement of 5 miles at 37 degrees north of east.

Privacy Statement
Press Release
Contact