Resolving Vectors & Scale Drawings

• What is the purpose of using scale drawings in this context?

  To find the resultant force on an object
• What force does the man on the bike create?

  4 newtons northwards
• What force is acting on the cyclist from the breeze?

  3 newtons eastwards
• How is the cyclist represented on the grid?

  As an orange dot
• How long is the arrow representing the 4 newton force?

  4 centimeters upwards
• How long is the arrow representing the 3 newton force?

  3 centimeters to the right
• What does each centimeter represent in the scale drawing?

  One newton
• How do you find the resultant force using the scale diagram?

  Draw a line from start to end point
• What is the length of the resultant force in this case?

  5 centimeters
• How do you convert the length of the resultant force into newtons?

  Each centimeter equals one newton
• What is the resultant force calculated to be?

  5 newtons
• How do you find the direction of the resultant force?

  Measure the angle with a protractor
• What is the angle of the resultant force from north?

  37 degrees
• What does it mean if forces balance on an object?

  The object is at equilibrium
• How do you find the overall force when three forces act on a particle?

  Arrange the arrows tip to tail
• What does it indicate if the arrows join up perfectly?

  There is zero resultant force
• Does the order of arranging arrows matter when finding resultant force?

  No, as long as they are tip to tail
• What is the process of resolving vectors?

  Splitting a vector into components
• How do you represent a 50 newton force on a scale drawing?

  With a 5 centimeter line
• What scale is used to represent the 50 newton force?

  10 newtons per centimeter
• How do you resolve the 50 newton force into components?

  Draw horizontal and vertical lines
• What are the measurements of the resolved components?

  4 centimeters and 3 centimeters
• What are the converted values of the resolved components?

  40 newtons to the right and 30 newtons upwards
• What are the steps to find the resultant force using scale drawings?

  1. Draw vector arrows tip to tail
  2. Measure the resultant length
  3. Convert length to newtons
  4. Measure the angle for direction
• What are the steps to resolve a vector into components?

  1. Draw the vector at the given angle
  2. Draw horizontal and vertical lines
  3. Measure the lengths of the components
  4. Convert lengths to forces using scale