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Vector Addition

Things to Try


Using either of the two interactive tools below, try to answer the following vector problems.
  1. Add some vector A laying along the x-axis to some vector B laying along the y-axis. What is the direction of the result?
  2. Add some vector A to some vector B pointing in the same direction. What is the result?
  3. Add some vector A to some vector B pointing in opposite directions. What is the result?
  4. Add some vector A to some vector B of your own choice. What is the result?


Vector Addition Demo #1
by Phillip Dukes, with thanks to Volker Augustin and Julio Gea-Banacloche.

Instructions


  1. You can draw two vectors on the work space by pressing a mouse button and moving the mouse pointer.
  2. Vector 1 is shown in blue.
  3. Vector 2 is shown in red.
  4. The vector sum will be computed after pressing Add.
  5. The result is shown in magenta.
  6. The vectors in cyan complete the parallelogram.
  7. Pressing Clear will delete the preceeding action.
  8. Pressing Clear All will clear the work area.
  9. To exit press Quit.



Vector Addition Demo #2
by Fu-Kwun Hwang

Instructions


  1. You can draw two vectors on the work space by moving the mouse pointer and left-clicking the mouse.
  2. Vector 1 is shown in blue.
  3. Vector 2 is shown in yellow-green.
  4. The vector sum will be computed after drawing the second vector.
  5. The result is shown in red.
  6. Checking the info box will provide graphical information.
  7. Pressing the Reset button will clear the work area.
  8. To exit press Close demonstration.