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Vector addition
Sunil Kumar Singh
This work is produced by The Connexions Project and licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License
Abstract
Vector addition represents the net eect of the directional quantties.
operation, vector operation draws on graphical representation to incorporate directional aspect. Vector addition is, however, limited to vectors only. We can not add a vector (a directional quantity) to a scalar (a non-directional quantity). Further, vector addition is dealt in three conceptually equivalent ways : 1. graphical methods 2. analytical methods 3. algebraic methods In this module, we shall discuss rst two methods. Third algebraic method will be discussed in a separate module titled Components of a vector
1
The resulting vector after addition is termed as sum or resultant vector. The resultant vector corresponds to the resultant or net eect of a physical quantities having directional attributes. The eect of a force system on a body, for example, is determined by the resultant force acting on it. The idea of resultant force, in this case, reects that the resulting force (vector) has the same eect on the body as that of the forces (vectors), which are added.
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Resultant force
Figure 1
It is important to emphasize here that vector rule of addition (graphical or algebraic) do not distinguish between vector types (whether displacement or acceleration vector). addition is general for all vector types. It should be clearly understood that though rule of vector addition is general, which is applicable to all vector types in same manner, but vectors being added should be like vectors only. It is expected also. The requirement is similar to scalar algebra where 2 plus 3 is always 5, but we need to add similar quantity like 2 meters plus 3 meters is 5 meters. But, we can not add, for example, distance and temperature. This means that the rule of vector
AB and BC.
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Displacement
Figure 2
AC = AB + BC
(1)
The method used to determine the sum in this particular case (in which, the closing side of the triangle represents the sum of the vectors in both magnitude and direction) forms the basic consideration for various rules dedicated to implement vector addition.
Here, the term sequence means that the vectors are placed such that tail of a vector begins at the arrow head of the vector placed before it.
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Figure 3
The triangle law does not restrict where to start i.e. with which vector to start. Also, it does not put conditions with regard to any specic direction for the sequence of vectors, like clockwise or anti-clockwise, to be maintained. In gure (i), the law is applied starting with vector, ; whereas the law is applied starting with vector,
a, in gure (ii).
This is an important result as it conveys that vector addition is commutative in nature i.e. the process of vector addition is independent of the order of addition. This characteristic of vector addition is known as commutative property of vector addition and is expressed mathematically as :
a + b = b + a
(2)
If three vectors are represented by three sides of a triangle in sequence, then resultant vector is zero. In order to prove this, let us consider any two vectors in sequence like AB and BC as shown in the gure. According to triangle law of vector addition, the resultant vector is represented by the third closing side in the opposite direction. It means that :
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Three vectors
Figure 4:
AB + BC = AC
Adding vector
The right hand side of the equation is vector sum of two equal and opposite vectors, which evaluates to zero. Hence,
Three vectors
Figure 5:
AB + BC + CA = 0
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Note :
If the vectors represented by the sides of a triangle are force vectors, then resultant force is zero.
It means that three forces represented by the sides of a triangle in a sequence is a balanced force system.
If two vectors are represented by two adjacent sides of a parallelogram, then the diagonal of parallelogram through the common point represents the sum of the two vectors in both magnitude
Parallelogram law, as a matter of fact, is an alternate statement of triangle law of vector addition. A graphic representation of the parallelogram law and its interpretation in terms of the triangle is shown in the gure :
Parallelogram law
Figure 6
Converting parallelogram sketch to that of triangle law requires shifting vector, to position AC laterally as shown, while maintaining magnitude and direction.
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Figure 7
nth
sum of the vectors in both magnitude and direction. In the gure shown below, four vectors namely
Starting
with any vector, we add vectors in a manner that the subsequent vector begins at the arrow end of the preceding vector. The illustrations in gures i, iii and iv begin with vectors
a, d and c respectively.
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Polygon law
Figure 8
Matter of fact, polygon formation has great deal of exibility. It may appear that we should elect vectors in increasing or decreasing order of direction (i.e. the angle the vector makes with reference to the direction of the rst vector). But, this is not so. This point is demonstrated in gure (i) and (ii), in which the vectors
b and c have simply been exchanged in their positions in the sequence without aecting the end result.
It means that the order of grouping of vectors for addition has no consequence on the result. mathematically as :
This
characteristic of vector addition is known as associative property of vector addition and is expressed
(a + b) + c = a + (b + c)
(3)
1.3.1 Subtraction
Subtraction is considered an addition process with one modication that the second vector (to be subtracted) is rst reversed in direction and is then added to the rst vector. To illustrate the process, let us consider the problem of subtracting vector, vector, Symbolically,
b, from , a. Using graphical techniques, we rst reverse the direction of b, and obtain the sum applying triangle or parallelogram law.
a b = a + ( b)
(4)
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Subtraction
Figure 9
Similarly, we can implement subtraction using algebraic method by reversing sign of the vector being subtracted.
arrange the vectors in such a manner that two adjacent sides OA and AB of the triangle OAB, represent
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10
Analytical method
Figure 10
According to triangle law, the closing side OB represent sum of the vectors in both magnitude and direction.
OB = OA + AB = P + Q
In order to determine the magnitude, we drop a perpendicular BC on the extended line OC.
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11
Analytical method
Figure 11
In
In right
OCB,
we have :
OB =
OC2 + BC2
{ ( OA + AC )
+ BC2 }
OB = OB =
( P + Q cos )
+ Q sin 2
(5)
Let "" be the angle that line OA makes with OC, then
tan =
BC OC
Q sin P + Q cos
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12
The equations give the magnitude and direction of the sum of the vectors. The above equation reduces to a simpler form, when two vectors are perpendicular to each other. In that case, = 1; cos = cos90
= 90 ; sin = sin90
= 0 and,
OB = tan =
Q P
P 2 + Q2
(6)
These results for vectors at right angle are exactly same as determined, using Pythagoras theorem.
Example 1 Problem :
Three radial vectors OA, OB and OC act at the center of a circle of radius r as
Figure 12:
Three radial vectors OA, OB and OC act at the center of a circle of radius r.
Solution :
It is evident that vectors are equal in magnitude and is equal to the radius of the
R =
r2 + r2
2r
along the
The resultant of horizontal and vertical vectors is along the bisector of angle i.e. remaining third vector OB. Hence, magnitude of resultant of all three vectors is :
R = OB + R = r +
2r = ( 1 +
2) r
Example 2 Problem :
.
3a2 + b2
Solution :
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13
Angle
Figure 13:
R =
{ (a + b)
+ (a b)
+ 2 ( a + b ) ( a b ) cos }
3a2 + b2
{ (a + b)
+ (a b)
+ 2 ( a + b ) ( a b ) cos }
3a2 + b2
= { (a + b) cos =
+ (a b) =
+ 2 ( a + b ) ( a b ) cos } = cos60
( a2 b2 ) 2 ( a2 b2 )
1 2
= 60
|a + b| |a| + |b|
We know that vectors
a, b and their sum a+b is represented by three side of a triangle OAC. Further
we know that a side of triangle is always less than the sum of remaining two sides. It means that :
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14
Two vectors
Figure 14:
In that case, magnitude of their resultant will be "equal to" the sum of the magnitudes of individual vector. This magnitude represents the maximum or greatest magnitude of two vectors being combined.
OC = OA + OB |a + b| = |a| + |b|
Combining two results, we have :
|a + b| |a| + |b|
On the other hand, the magnitude of dierence of two vectors is either greater than or equal to dierence of the magnitudes of individual vectors. Symbolically, if
|a b| |a| |b|
We know that vectors
a, b
a-b
Further we know that a side of triangle is always less than the sum of remaining two sides. It means that sum of two sides is greater than the third side :
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15
Two vectors
Figure 15:
In that case, magnitude of their dierence will be equal to the dierence of the magnitudes of individual vector. This magnitude represents the minimum or least magnitude of two vectors being combined.
OE = OA AE |a b| = |a| |b|
Combining two results, we have :
|a b| |a| |b|
a sin
b sin
c sin
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16
Three vectors
Figure 16:
where
and
We know that if the resultant of three vectors is zero, then they are represented by three sides of a triangle in magnitude and direction.
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17
Three vectors
Figure 17:
Considering the magnitude of vectors and applying sine law of triangle, we have :
AB sinBCA AB sin ( )
= =
AB sin
BC sinCAB
CA sinABC CA sin ( )
BC sin ( ) BC sin
=
CA sin
It is important to note that the ratio involves exterior (outside) angles not the interior angles of the triangle. Also, the angle associated with the magnitude of a vector in the individual ratio is the included angle between the remaining vectors.
4 Exercises Exercise 1
resultant force.
(Solution on p. 18.)
Two forces of 10 N and 25 N are applied on a body. Find the magnitude of maximum and minimum
Exercise 2
Exercise 3
Under what condition does the magnitude of the resultant of two vectors of equal magnitude, is equal in magnitude to either of two equal vectors?
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18
R max = 10 + 25 = 35 N R min = 25 10 = 15 N
5 + 9 < 17
Clearly, three given forces can not be represented by three sides of a triangle. Thus, we conclude that the body is not in equilibrium.
Two vectors
Figure 18:
between them.
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