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Name: Section: Date:
Worksheet - Exp 2: Vector Addition Part 1
Objective: The objective of this lab is to add vectors using the graphical (head-to-tail) method and to verify the
results using the component method.
You will need both a ruler and proctrator to complete this worksheet. If you do not own one or both
of these items, you can google “printable ruler” and “printable protractor” and find something that
you can print and cut out, or there are apps available for both iphone and android which will serve
this purpose as well.
Procedure:
Part 1: Adding 2 Vectors With Easy Angles
1. Sara leaves her home and walks 2.5 km north, then 3. Add these vectors mathematically using the com-
5.0 km west. penent method and determine the resultant vector.
(You may need to use a separate piece of paper) (5
2. Draw these vectors to scale on the coordinate axis
points)
below and determine the resultant vector using the
tail-to-head graphical method. Determine and indi-
cate the standard position angles and draw both vec-
tors from the origin before adding. (5 points)
4. Compare the values you found for the magnitude and
direction of the resultant vector using the appropriate
equation. (5 points)
5. If she now wants to return home, what vector describes the shortest path she could take? (5 points)
Magnitude:
Direction:
6. After she walks along the vector you described in the previous step, what will her displacement be? How about
her path length? (5 points)
Displacement:
Path Length:
7
Part 2: Adding 2 Vectors With Less Convenient Angles
7. Dave leaves his home and walks 4.3 km at 40.0 de- 9. Add these vectors mathematically using the com-
grees north of east, then 2.7 km at 20 degress west of penent method and determine the resultant vector.
south. (You may need to use a separate piece of paper) (5
points)
8. Draw these vectors to scale on the coordinate axis
below and determine the resultant vector using the
tail-to-head graphical method. Determine and indi-
cate the standard position angles and draw both vec-
tors from the origin before adding. (5 points)
10. Compare the values you found for the magnitude and
direction of the resultant vector using the appropriate
equation. (5 points)
11. If he now wants to return home, what vector describes the shortest path he could take? (5 points)
Magnitude:
Direction:
12. After he walks along the vector you described in the previous step, what will his displacement be? How about
her path length? (5 points)
Displacement:
Path Length:
8
Part 3: Adding 3 Vectors
13. Jill leaves her home and walks 3.0 km at 45.0 degrees 15. Add these vectors mathematically using the com-
north of east, then 2.3 km at 20 degress north of west, penent method and determine the resultant vector.
then 1.7 km at 60 degrees south of west. (You may need to use a separate piece of paper) (5
points)
14. Draw these vectors to scale on the coordinate axis
below and determine the resultant vector using the
tail-to-head graphical method. Determine and indi-
cate the standard position angles and draw both vec-
tors from the origin before adding. (5 points)
16. Compare the values you found for the magnitude and
direction of the resultant vector using the appropriate
equation. (5 points)
17. If she now wants to return home, what vector describes the shortest path she could take? (5 points)
Magnitude:
Direction:
18. After she walks along the vector you described in the previous step, what will her displacement be? How about
her path length? (5 points)
Displacement:
Path Length:
9
Part 4: Comprehensive Questions
19. Show using the head-to-tail method that vector ad- 20. You are using the head-to-tail method for six vectors
� B
dition is commutative, that is, A+ � is equivalent to and you find that the head of the sixth vector ends
� A.
B+ � (5 points) up at the origin, which is also the location of the tail
of the first vector. What is the resultant vector equal
to? Include a sketch of any six vectors that fit this
description. (5 points)
�
R=
