Vector Displacement Online Physics Tutors Tutorpace

Vector Displacement Online Physics Tutors Tutorpace A vector is a physical quantity which has both magnitude and direction. Magnitude of a physical quantity is simply the measure or the number calculated for the quantity. Direction of a vector implies the direction of the resultant vector, usually taken from the initial starting point to the final point. Displacement is one such example of a vector quantity since it has both magnitude and direction. We can find the resultant displacement vector by joining the starting point to its ending point. Example 1: Lucy walked 7m towards east and then walked 10m towards west. Determine Lucys resulting displacement? Given: Displacement of Lucy in east (or right) direction = 7m Displacement of Lucy in west (or left) direction) = 10m Let right direction be represented as +7m and left direction be represented as -10m. Hence, resulting displacement = 7m 10m = -3m This implies that the resulting displacement of Lucy is 3m towards west! Example 2: Brian travelled 20m up north and then travelled 15m down south. Determine Brians resulting displacement? Given: Displacement of Brian in north (or upward) direction = 20m Displacement of Brian in south (or downward) direction = 15m Let upward direction be represented as +20m and downward direction be represented as -15m. Hence, resulting displacement = 20m 15m = 5m This implies that the resulting displacement of Brian is 5m up north!