Vector Addition and Subtraction Questions

In summary, vector A has a magnitude of 7.90 units and makes an angle of 43.0° counter-clockwise from the positive x-axis, while vector B has a magnitude of 8.00 units and is directed along the negative x-axis. To find the vector sum of A and B, their x and y components are added together, resulting in a magnitude of ? units and a direction of ?° counterclockwise from the positive x-axis. To find the vector difference of A and B, the x and y components of B are made negative and then added to those of A, resulting in a magnitude of ? units and a direction of ?° counterclockwise from the positive x-axis. To calculate
  • #1
ymehuuh
19
0
Vector A has a magnitude of 7.90 units and makes an angle of 43.0° counter-clockwise from the positive x-axis. Vector B has a magnitude of 8.00 units and is directed along the negative x-axis.

(a) Find the vector sum vector A + vector B .
Magnitude of vector A + vector B = ? units
Direction of vector A + vector B : ?° counterclockwise from +x-axis

(b) Find the vector difference vector A - vector B .
Magnitude of vector A - vector B : ? units
Direction of vector A - vector B : ?° counterclockwise from +x-axis

My attempt:
Ok, so I find the x and y components of vector A and B which is...
Ax=7.9 cos 43 = 5.778
Ay=7.9 sin 43 = 5.388

Bx=-8
By= 0

Now...I'm not sure what to do next?
 
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  • #2
Welcome to PF.

Add the x,y components together to get the components of your result in part a).

Make Vector components of B negative and then add the components together as before for part b).

To figure magnitudes
|Vector|2 = = X-component2 + Y-component2

To figure angle Y-Component/X-component = tanθ
(Make a drawing to be sure you have the angle in the correct quadrant.)
 
  • #3
Got it. Awesome. Thanks.
 

Related to Vector Addition and Subtraction Questions

1. What is vector addition?

Vector addition is the process of combining two or more vectors to form a new vector. It involves adding the magnitudes and directions of the individual vectors to determine the resulting vector.

2. How do you add vectors?

To add vectors, you first need to make sure they are in the same coordinate system and align their tails. Then, you can add the x-components and y-components of the vectors separately using basic algebra. The resulting x-component and y-component will give you the magnitude and direction of the resulting vector.

3. How do you subtract vectors?

Subtracting vectors follows a similar process to adding them. You align the vectors and subtract the x-components and y-components separately. The resulting x-component and y-component will give you the magnitude and direction of the resulting vector.

4. What is the difference between vector addition and scalar addition?

Vector addition involves adding vectors with both magnitude and direction, while scalar addition only involves adding numbers without direction. Scalar addition results in a single value, while vector addition results in a new vector.

5. How do you represent vector addition graphically?

Vector addition can be represented graphically by using the head-to-tail method. This involves drawing the first vector with its tail at the origin and its head pointing in the desired direction. Then, the second vector is drawn starting from the head of the first vector. The resulting vector will have its tail at the origin and its head at the end of the second vector.

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