Vector Math Simulation Page
(there are 3 simulations on this page)
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Vector Addition Simulation
(c) Andrew Duffy, Boston University, Dept. of Physics
The simulation below will help you visualize the head-to-tail graphical method of vector addition. The two vectors to be added are shown as red and blue arrows, while the resultant vector is shown in magenta. The components each vector are also shown as faded horizontal and vertical arrow of the corresponding color.
(c) Andrew Duffy, Boston
University, Dept. of Physics
Suggested
Exercises and Observations:
1) Use the top slider beneath the graph to maximize the length of vector 1 (the dark red arrow) and rotate it to an angle of +45 degrees using the third slider.
2) Use the second slider beneath the graph to maximize the length of vector 2 (the dark blue arrow) and rotate it to an angle of -45 degrees (same as +315 degrees) using the fourth slider.
3) Notice that the (head-to-tail) vector addition of these two vectors gives a resultant vector (the dark magenta arrow) that points straight to the right.
4) Explore the addition of other vector pairs using the sliders to adjust their lengths and angles.
1) Use the top slider beneath the graph to maximize the length of vector 1 (the dark red arrow) and rotate it to an angle of +45 degrees using the third slider.
- The vertical and horizontal components of vector 1 are shown as faded red arrows.
2) Use the second slider beneath the graph to maximize the length of vector 2 (the dark blue arrow) and rotate it to an angle of -45 degrees (same as +315 degrees) using the fourth slider.
- The vertical and horizontal components of vector 2 are shown as faded blue arrows.
3) Notice that the (head-to-tail) vector addition of these two vectors gives a resultant vector (the dark magenta arrow) that points straight to the right.
- The vertical and horizontal components of vector 2 are shown as faded magenta arrows.
- The vertical components of vectors 1 and 2 cancel out.
4) Explore the addition of other vector pairs using the sliders to adjust their lengths and angles.
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Vector Subtraction Simulation
(c) Tom Walsh, oPhysics
The simulation below allows you to play with both vector addition and vector subtraction. Recall that subtraction is just addition with a negative sign on the second quantity. A negative sign in front of a vector flips it over by 180 degrees. Here the two vectos to be added are shown in orange and blue, while the resultant vector is shown in black.
(c) Tom Walsh, oPhysics
Suggested
Exercises and Observations:
1) [Coming soon]
1) [Coming soon]
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Vector Components Simulation
(c) Tom Walsh, oPhysics
The simulation will help you visualize and quantify the horizontal and vertical components of any arbitrary vector. Here, the vector to be analyzed is shown in black, while the x-component of the vector is shown in blue and the y-component of the vector is shown in orange.
(c) Tom Walsh, oPhysics
Suggested
Exercises and Observations:
1) [Coming soon]
1) [Coming soon]
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External
Links to Original & Similar Simulations
(warning : these links will take you outside the UCSD webpage)
(warning : these links will take you outside the UCSD webpage)
- Vector Addition by Andrew
Duffy
- Vector Addition and Subtraction by Tom Walsh
- Vector Components by Tom Walsh
- Alternative : Vector Addition (grab and move) by Tom Wash
- Alternative : Vector Addition
(grab and move) @ PhysicsClassroom
last updated : 08/22/18