Physics - Vectors

Front

What is a vector?

Back

A vector is a quantity that has both magnitude and direction.

Front

How do you combine vectors that are at right angles to each other?

Back

Use the Pythagorean Theorem to find the resultant vector.

Front

What is the formula for the y-component of a vector F at an angle θ?

Back

F_y = F * sin(θ) for the vertical component.

Front

What is the formula for the x-component of a vector F at an angle θ?

Back

F_x = F * cos(θ) for the horizontal component.

Front

What is the direction of a vector in the Cartesian plane?

Back

The direction is given by the angle it makes with the positive x-axis.

Front

How do you find the angle of a vector using its components?

Back

Use the tangent function: θ = tan⁻¹(F_y / F_x).

Front

What is the magnitude of a vector?

Back

The magnitude is the length of the vector, calculated using the Pythagorean theorem for its components.

Front

What does it mean for vectors to be collinear?

Back

Collinear vectors lie along the same line, meaning they have the same or opposite direction.

Front

What is the difference between scalar and vector quantities?

Back

Scalars have only magnitude (e.g., mass, temperature), while vectors have both magnitude and direction (e.g., velocity, force).

Front

What is the resultant vector?

Back

The resultant vector is the vector sum of two or more vectors.