Adding by components
You must first find the components before you can add
them!!!!!!!!!!!!!
All vectors can be broken down into a sum of two vectors,
the components.
These vectors are perpendicular to each other and lie along
the x and y axis.
When they are added together, they equal the original vector.
Two ways to find the components of a vector.
Mathematical method
Graphical Method
y­ axis
Graphical Method - first
x­axis
To add two vectors by components, 1. Add the x components of each vector together.
2. Add the y components of each vector together.
Mathematical Method:
Using the basis of components being perpendicular to
each other, when they are added they form a right
triangle.
Trig functions are then used to find the lengths of the
components.
B = C sin θ
C
B
A = C cos θ
B = A tan θ
A
Component Practice problems:
5 m @ 00
3m @ 450