Resolving Vectors & Scale Drawings

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

  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 northward force?

  4 centimeters
• How long is the arrow representing the eastward force?

  3 centimeters
• 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 magnitude of the resultant force?

  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?

  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
• How do you resolve the 50 newton force into components?

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

  4 centimeters and 3 centimeters
• How do you convert the resolved components into newtons?

  Using the scale of 10 newtons per centimeter
• What are the resultant horizontal and vertical forces after resolving?

  40 newtons right and 30 newtons up
• What is the process of finding 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 components.
  4. Convert lengths to newtons using the scale.