Vectors Projectile Motion

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Two-dimensional Motion and Vectors I. Introduction to Vectors A. Scalars and Vectors 1. Magnitude and Direction a. In chapter 2 we discussed velocity. Velocity has both a magnitude and a direction. b. Magnitude: a measurement represented by a number (e.g. -12 meters/second) c. Direction: an indication of orientation. For velocities we use a positive number for right or up and a negative number for left or down. 2. Velocity is an example of a VECTOR. Vectors always have both a direction and a magnitude a. Vectors are differentiated from scalars in your book by using BOLD type. b. Vectors are also represented by arrows. The longer the arrow the more magnitude the vector has. 3. Speed is an example of a SCALAR. Scalars only have a magnitude. B. Properties of vectors 1. Vectors can be added graphically a. When adding vectors, you must make sure that they have the same units and describe similar quantities. b. The answer found by adding vectors together is called the resultant. c. Vectors can only be moved parallel to themselves. II. Vector Operations A. Coordinate Systems in Two Dimensions 1. We will always orient the coordinate plane so that the y-axis lies north and south, and the x-axis lies east-west. 2. For objects flying or falling through the air we orient the y-axis vertically (up and down) and the x-axis horizontally. B. Determining Resultant Magnitude and Direction 1. We can use right-triangle trigonometry to calculate both the magnitude and the direction of a resultant. 2. Pythagorean Theorem: a2 + b2 = c2 3. Tangent θ = opposite/adjacent C. Resolving Vectors Into Components 1. Vectors that are added together are called components 2. We can use the sine and cosine functions to calculate missing sides of a right triangle. 3. Sine θ = opposite/hypotenuse 4. Cosine θ = adjacent/hypotenuse Projectile Motion D. Two-dimensional

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