Vector Addition: Components with Given Directions and Magnitudes

  • Thread starter Thread starter aatari
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Vectors
AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around verifying the solution for the vector addition of two components, a and b, with given magnitudes and directions. The first participant expresses confidence in their solution but receives feedback indicating a different magnitude result. Emphasis is placed on maintaining consistency in significant figures throughout calculations. Another participant notes that the original problem statement may have influenced the significant figures used. The conversation highlights the importance of precision in vector calculations.
aatari
Messages
73
Reaction score
3

Homework Statement


Hi, can you guys please see if my solution is correct. Any feedback would be awesome.

Using components determine the sum of a + b if a = 3 m [N 30° W] and b = 2 m [N 10° E].

Homework Equations


N/A

The Attempt at a Solution


Capture.PNG
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Looks good!
 
  • Like
Likes aatari
I agree that it looks good, but I got a slightly different answer than you for the magnitude (not the 3.00 that you got). Try again, and be consistent with the number of significant figures you carry along. I like to do it with the same numbers carried along in my calculator for the full calculation, instead of writing them down and then using the rounded-off numbers that I've written down for the next part of the calculation... :smile:
 
  • Like
Likes aatari
berkeman said:
(not the 3.00 that you got)
Rounded to 2 sig figs, I get the answer posted by aatari. :wink:
 
True, and I guess in fairness the problem statement only had 1 significant figure for the magnitudes in the problem statement (at least if the OP copied the problem exactly)... :smile:
 

Thread 'Errors and significant figures'

I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
View full post »
Thread 'Calculation of Tensile Forces in Piston-Type Water-Lifting Devices at Elevated Locations'

Thread 'Calculation of Tensile Forces in Piston-Type Water-Lifting Devices at Elevated Locations'

Figure 1 Overall Structure Diagram Figure 2: Top view of the piston when it is cylindrical A circular opening is created at a height of 5 meters above the water surface. Inside this opening is a sleeve-type piston with a cross-sectional area of 1 square meter. The piston is pulled to the right at a constant speed. The pulling force is（Figure 2）： F = ρshg = 1000 × 1 × 5 × 10 = 50,000 N. Figure 3: Modifying the structure to incorporate a fixed internal piston When I modify the piston...
View full post »
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
View full post »

Similar threads

Vector problem, magnitude of the force
Replies
30
Views
2K
Calculate electric force using Coulomb's law (vector components are the struggle)
Replies
3
Views
1K
Finding x and y components of a magnitude
Replies
1
Views
2K
Finding z component of a unit vector
Replies
2
Views
3K
Adding Vectors: Understanding Direction and Length
Replies
5
Views
2K
How to Calculate the Bird's Net Displacement Using Vector Addition?
Replies
3
Views
1K
Vector Subtract Given Magnitude
Replies
6
Views
2K
Calculating Moment: Addition of Torque Components
Replies
3
Views
1K
Calculating Vector Components with given Magnitude and Direction
Replies
11
Views
2K
Location of charged particle given magnitude of position
Replies
10
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top