Vector Addition and Subtraction: Graphical Methods

5.1

"The **head-to-tail method** is a **graphical** way to add vectors. The **tail** of the vector is the starting point of the vector, and the **head** (or tip) of a vector is the pointed end of the arrow." "Vector subtraction is done in the same way as vector addition with one small change. We add the first vector to the negative of the vector that needs to be subtracted. A negative vector has the same magnitude as the original vector, but points in the opposite direction." "Addition of vectors is independent of the order in which they are added; **A** + **B** = **B** + **A**."

"The head-to-tail method is a graphical way to add vectors. The tail of the vector is the starting point of the vector, and the head (or tip) of a vector is the pointed end of the arrow."
"Vector subtraction is done in the same way as vector addition with one small change. We add the first vector to the negative of the vector that needs to be subtracted. A negative vector has the same magnitude as the original vector, but points in the opposite direction."
"Addition of vectors is independent of the order in which they are added; A + B = B + A."

What you'll learn

Describe the graphical (head-to-tail) method of vector addition and subtraction
Use a ruler and protractor to add vectors to scale and measure the resultant's magnitude and direction
Find the negative of a vector and subtract vectors graphically
Apply the head-to-tail method to physics problems involving force and velocity
Use the Pythagorean theorem to find the magnitude of a resultant when the added vectors are perpendicular

Prerequisites

Relative Motion, Distance, and Displacement

Slides

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