Vector Motion Questions: Collinearity & Perpendicularity Explained with Examples

[Vroc]

Homework Statement

Which of the following vectors are collinear with S30W?
a N60W
b S30E
c W30N
d E30S
e N30E

Which of these vectors are perpendicular to E20S?
aN20E
W20S
W70S
N20W
E70N


How do you know if they're collinear and how do you know if their perpendicular? also, What are the answers to the above questions so that I can verify that I chose the right answer.

 

[SHISHKABOB]

do you know what collinear and perpendicular mean?

 

[Vroc]

i have an idea of it but I don't get these. mind answering them? itll give me a better understanding.

 

[SHISHKABOB]

I can't just answer them for you, that's against the rules.

Collinear means that they're on the same line, and so there is 180 degrees between them. Perpendicular means that there's 90 degrees between them.

So what I would do for these problems is draw each one of these vectors starting from the same origin. Then look at the difference between each vector's angle and the angle of the vector in the question; it should tell you if they are collinear or perpendicular.

 

[Vroc]

If i answer it, can you verify if it's correct or not.
For 1, I'm pretty sure It's E, N30E because the line of that one is connected to S30W.

For #2, I think the answer is D (N20W) because it looks opposite.

 

[SHISHKABOB]

if you measure the angle between the two vectors then it will tell you precisely whether it is collinear or perpendicular or otherwise