Chapter 2: vectors

Question 1

What is a vector?

Answer 1

A vector has both a magnitude (amount) and direction (where it’s going).

Question 2

Where does i point?

Answer 2

In the x direction.

Question 3

What does j point?

Answer 3

In the y direction.

Question 4

Where does k point?

Answer 4

In the z direction.

Question 5

What does i, j notation look like?

Answer 5

(magnitude) i + (magnitude) j

Question 6

How do you convert i, j notation to magnitude and direction?

Answer 6

Make a right triangle using the i and j components. The hypotenuse in the magnitude (use Pythagorean’s Theorem) and the angle gives you the direction.

Question 7

How do you convert from magnitude and direction to i, j notation?

Answer 7

Find the x (i) and y (j) components of a right triangle where the magnitude is the hypotenuse and the direction is the angle.

Question 8

How do you find the magnitude of a vector?

Answer 8

If the vector is in i, j notation, use Pythagorean’s Theorem to find the hypotenuse of a triangle formed by the i and j components. If the vector is in magnitude and direction format, remove the direction (that includes a negative sign if it has one).

Question 9

What are some examples of vectors quantities in this class?

Answer 9

Displacement, velocity, acceleration, forces

Question 10

What are some examples of scalar quantities in this class?

Answer 10

Time, temperature, distance, speed