Adding three vectors, why is this not right?

  • Thread starter Thread starter rickbusiness
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Vectors
AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the addition of three vectors A, B, and C, with specific magnitudes and angles provided. The calculations for the x and y components of each vector are detailed, leading to a resultant vector R with a magnitude of approximately 22.6 and an angle of 68.9 degrees. A key point of confusion arises from the interpretation of vector C's direction, with a suggestion that it may be oriented differently than initially assumed. Ultimately, it is clarified that the problem requires finding A - B + C instead of A + B + C, which resolves the discrepancies in the calculations. This highlights the importance of carefully reading vector addition problems to ensure accurate results.
rickbusiness
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
http://postimage.org/image/gcb728073/

A=47.2 at 54.3deg above the x axis, B= 23.5 at 34.4 above the -x axis, C=30.5 along the -y axis.

A+B+C=(Ax+Bx+Cx)+(Ay+By+Cy) = R


R=√(Rx2+Ry2) = 22.63

θ=tan-1Ry/Rx = 68.9deg


I just thought of the possibility that c may be at 90 deg instead of 270. As in pointing upwards along the neg y axis. Is there something i missed?

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
What values and signs are you getting for the x and y components of the three vectors? C points down with a magnitude of 30.5.
 
Ax=Acosθ=47.2cos(54.3) = 27.5

Ay=Asinθ=47.2sin(54.3) = 38.3

Bx=Bcosθ=23.5cos(180-34.4) = -19.4

By=Bsinθ=23.5sin(180-34.4)= 13.3

Cx=Ccosθ=30.5cos(270)=0

Cy=Csinθ=30.5sin(270)=-30.5

Rx= 27.5-19.4+0=8.1
Ry=38.3+13.3-30.5=21.1R=√(8.12)+(21.12)=22.6

θ=tan-1(21.1/8.1)=68.9deg

Ive tried rounding to different numbers of decimal places and not rounding till the end but I still had no success and I don't know why.
 
rickbusiness said:
Ax=Acosθ=47.2cos(54.3) = 27.5

Ay=Asinθ=47.2sin(54.3) = 38.3

Bx=Bcosθ=23.5cos(180-34.4) = -19.4

By=Bsinθ=23.5sin(180-34.4)= 13.3

Cx=Ccosθ=30.5cos(270)=0

Cy=Csinθ=30.5sin(270)=-30.5

Rx= 27.5-19.4+0=8.1
Ry=38.3+13.3-30.5=21.1


R=√(8.12)+(21.12)=22.6

θ=tan-1(21.1/8.1)=68.9deg

Ive tried rounding to different numbers of decimal places and not rounding till the end but I still had no success and I don't know why.

The problem doesn't say to find A+B+C. It says to find A-B+C.
 
hahaha thanks!
 
TL;DR Summary: I came across this question from a Sri Lankan A-level textbook. Question - An ice cube with a length of 10 cm is immersed in water at 0 °C. An observer observes the ice cube from the water, and it seems to be 7.75 cm long. If the refractive index of water is 4/3, find the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. I could not understand how the apparent height of the ice cube in the water depends on the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. Does anyone have an...
Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'
Starting with the mass considerations #m(t)# is mass of water #M_{c}# mass of container and #M(t)# mass of total system $$M(t) = M_{C} + m(t)$$ $$\Rightarrow \frac{dM(t)}{dt} = \frac{dm(t)}{dt}$$ $$P_i = Mv + u \, dm$$ $$P_f = (M + dm)(v + dv)$$ $$\Delta P = M \, dv + (v - u) \, dm$$ $$F = \frac{dP}{dt} = M \frac{dv}{dt} + (v - u) \frac{dm}{dt}$$ $$F = u \frac{dm}{dt} = \rho A u^2$$ from conservation of momentum , the cannon recoils with the same force which it applies. $$\quad \frac{dm}{dt}...
Back
Top