A vector is a quantity that has magnitude and direction. Vectors like velocity or force, when added both magnitude and direction are important. A vector’s line is its magnitude and arrowhead tells its direction. When adding vectors, in the same plane, 3 methods are used; the parallelogram law, the triangle rule and trigonometric calculation.
Example 1: Explain the parallelogram of vector addition method.
When adding 2 vectors we follow these steps
1. Draw vector 1 in its direction.
2. Draw vector 2 from the tail of vector 1 in its direction
3. Using vector 1 and vector 2 as sides of the parallelogram, complete it.
4. Draw the diagonal of the parallelogram which will be the addition of vector 1 and vector 2. This diagonal will start from the tail of the 2 vectors.
Example 1: Explain the triangle of the vectors addition method.
When adding 2 vectors we follow these steps in triangle method;
1. Draw vector 1 in its direction.
2. Draw vector 2 from the nose of vector 1 in its direction
3. Using vector 1 and vector 2 as sides of the triangle and, complete it.
4. To add the 2 vectors, draw the 3rd side starting from the nose of the 2nd vector till the tail of the 1st vector.