High School Physics : Understanding Scalar and Vector Quantities

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for High School Physics

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Example Questions

Example Question #162 : Matrices And Vectors

What are the magnitude and angle, CCW from the x-axis, of ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When multiplying a vector by a constant (called scalar multiplication), we multiply each component by the constant.

 

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The magnitude of this new vector is found with these new components:

 

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To calculate the angle we must first find the inverse tangent of :

This is the principal arctan, but it is in the first quadrant while our vector is in the third. We to add the angle 180° to this value to arrive at our final answer.

Example Question #163 : Matrices And Vectors

Vector has a magnitude of 2.24 and is at an angle of 63.4° CCW from the x-axis. Vector has a magnitude of 3.16 at an angle of 342° CCW from the x-axis.

Find  by using the nose-to-tail graphical method.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

First, construct the two vectors using ruler and protractor:

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Place the tail of  at the nose of :

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Construct the resultant  from the tail of to the nose of :

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With our ruler and protractor, we find that is 4.12 at an angle of 14.0° CCW from the x-axis.

Example Question #171 : Matrices And Vectors

Find the magnitude and angle CCW from the x-axis of  using the nose-to-tail graphical method.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Construct and from their x- and y-components:

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Since we are subtracting, reverse the direction of :

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Form  by placing the tail of  at the nose of :

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Construct and measure the resultant, , from the tail of to the nose of  using a ruler and protractor:

Vq06_04

 

Example Question #172 : Matrices And Vectors

Express a vector with magnitude 2.24 directed 63.4° CCW from the x-axis in unit vector form.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The x-coordinate is the magnitude times the cosine of the angle, while the y-coordinate is the magnitude times the sine of the angle.

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The resultant vector is: .

Example Question #173 : Matrices And Vectors

Vector has a magnitude of 2.24 and is at an angle of 63.4° CCW from the x-axis. Vector has a magnitude of 3.61 and is at an angle of 124° CCW from the x-axis.

Find  by using the nose-to-tail graphical method.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

First, construct the two vectors using ruler and protractor:

Vq07_01

 is twice the length of , but in the same direction:

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Since we are subtracting, reverse the direction of :

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Form  by placing the tail of  at the nose of :

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Construct and measure the resultant  from the tail of to the nose of  with a ruler and protractor.

Vq07_05

 

Example Question #11 : Evaluate Geometric Vectors

Vector has a magnitude of 2.24 and is at an angle of 63.4° CCW from the x-axis. Vector has a magnitude of 3.16 at an anlge of 342° CCW from the x-axis.

Find  by using the parallelogram graphical method.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

First, construct the two vectors using ruler and protractor:

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Place the tails of both vectors at the same point:

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Construct a parallelogram:

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Construct and measure the resultant using ruler and protractor:

Vq08_04

 

Example Question #174 : Matrices And Vectors

Find  using the parallelogram graphical method.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Construct and from their x- and y-components:

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Since we are subtracting, reverse the direction of :

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Place the tails of and  at the same point:

Vq09_03

Construct a parallelogram:

Vq09_04

Construct and measure the resultant using a ruler and protractor.

Vq09_05

 

Example Question #175 : Matrices And Vectors

Vector has a magnitude of 3.61 and is at an angle of 124° CCW from the x-axis. Vector has a magnitude of 2.24 at an anlge of 63.4° CCW from the x-axis.

Find  using the parallelogram graphical method.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

First, construct the two vectors using ruler and protractor:

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 is twice the length of , but in the same direction:

Vq10_02

Since we are subtracting, reverse the direction of :

Vq10_03

Place the tails of  and  at the same point:

Vq10_04

Construct a parallelogram:

Vq10_05

Construct and measure the resultant using ruler and protractor:

Vq10_06

 

Example Question #176 : Matrices And Vectors

Find .

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Finding the resultant requires us to add like components:

Example Question #13 : Evaluate Geometric Vectors

Find .

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Finding the resultant requires us to add like components:

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