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.
