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Ch 01: Units, Physical Quantities & Vectors
Young & Freedman Calc - University Physics 15th Edition
Young & Freedman Calc15th EditionUniversity PhysicsISBN: 9780135159552Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksYoung & Freedman Calc 15th EditionCh 01: Units, Physical Quantities & VectorsProblem 28
Chapter 1, Problem 28

A postal employee drives a delivery truck over the route shown in Fig. E1.25. Use the method of components to determine the magnitude and direction of her resultant displacement. In a vector-addition diagram (roughly to scale), show that the resultant displacement found from your diagram is in qualitative agreement with the result you obtained by using the method of components.
Map showing delivery route with distances and angles for vector addition in physics.

Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the vectors involved in the problem. The postal employee's route consists of three segments: 2.6 km north, 4.0 km east, and 3.1 km at a 45-degree angle north of east.
Break down each vector into its components. For the first vector (2.6 km north), the components are: x-component = 0 km, y-component = 2.6 km. For the second vector (4.0 km east), the components are: x-component = 4.0 km, y-component = 0 km.
For the third vector (3.1 km at 45 degrees north of east), use trigonometry to find the components: x-component = 3.1 km * cos(45°), y-component = 3.1 km * sin(45°).
Add the components of all vectors to find the resultant vector. Sum the x-components: 0 km + 4.0 km + (3.1 km * cos(45°)). Sum the y-components: 2.6 km + 0 km + (3.1 km * sin(45°)).
Calculate the magnitude of the resultant displacement using the Pythagorean theorem: magnitude = sqrt((sum of x-components)^2 + (sum of y-components)^2). Determine the direction using the arctangent function: direction = arctan((sum of y-components) / (sum of x-components)).

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Vector Addition

Vector addition involves combining two or more vectors to determine a resultant vector. This process can be visualized graphically by placing the tail of one vector at the head of another, forming a triangle or polygon. The resultant vector is drawn from the tail of the first vector to the head of the last vector, representing the overall effect of the individual vectors.
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Components of a Vector

Vectors can be broken down into their components along the axes of a coordinate system, typically the x and y axes. This method simplifies calculations, as each component can be treated as a separate scalar quantity. The magnitude of the resultant vector can be found using the Pythagorean theorem, while the direction can be determined using trigonometric functions such as sine and cosine.
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Resultant Displacement

Resultant displacement is the overall change in position from the starting point to the endpoint, represented as a single vector. It accounts for both the distance traveled and the direction of travel. In this context, calculating the resultant displacement involves summing the individual displacements along the route and determining the final position relative to the starting point.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

Vector A has y-component Ay = +9.60 m. A makes an angle of 32.0° counterclockwise from the +y-axis. (a) What is the x-component of A? (b) What is the magnitude of A?

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Textbook Question

Compute the x- and y-components of the vectors A, B, C, and D in Fig. E1.24.

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Textbook Question

Let θ be the angle that the vector A makes with the +x-axis, measured counterclockwise from that axis. Find angle θ for a vector that has these components: Ax = 2.00m, Ay = −1.00 m

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Textbook Question

For the vectors A and B in Fig. E1.24 use the method of components to find the magnitude and direction of the vector difference B - A


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Textbook Question

For the vectors A and B in Fig. E1.24 use the method of components to find the magnitude and direction of the vector sum A + B


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Textbook Question

For the vectors A and B in Fig. E1.24 use the method of components to find the magnitude and direction of the vector difference A - B


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