It is useful to be able to convert between the different forms of vectors, so that we can make use of the form that is most appropriate for a given situation. For example, the vector in Figure 4.18(a) represents the displacement of London from Milton Keynes, and direction and angle are the most intuitive description for this vector. London is approximately 65 km south-east of Milton Keynes. Similarly, the vector in Figure 4.18(b) represents the motion of an aircraft, and for describing the ground speed of the aircraft, a description of the vector in terms of horizontal and vertical components is required.
In both situations it is useful to be able to convert between vector forms. For example, it may be necessary to describe how far east London is from Milton Keynes, and how far south. To describe the direction in which the aircraft is flying, it is useful to use the resultant velocity.
The mathematics that allows us to convert between different forms of vectors is very similar to the mathematics we explored in Chapter 3, regarding different coordinates systems, and this is because there is a strong analogy between vectors and points.
We have already identified how to calculate the magnitude of the component vectors of a vector. For example, the vector in Figure 4.19 has magnitude
and direction
, and its components are defined as
and
.
Putting these into component form we have the following result.
If the vector makes an angle
with the positive
-axis, then
Find the component forms of the following vectors. Give your answers to two decimal places.
Vector with magnitude 78 and direction given by an angle of 216° with the positive
-axis.
vector with magnitude 4.4 and direction given by an angle of
radians with the positive
-axis.
Going the other way, to find the magnitude and direction of a vector from its component form, the reasoning is the same as that used in Chapter 3, where we explored how to convert between Cartesian and polar coordinates. For example, the vector illustrated in Figure 4.20 has horizontal component of magnitude
and vertical component of magnitude
, and in component form is given by
. To calculate the magnitude of
, we can use Pythagoras’ theorem, and to calculate the angle
, we can use the inverse tangent function.
If the vector has the component form
, then its magnitude is given by
and its direction is given by the angle measured anticlockwise from the positive
-axis, where
Remember, when using the inverse tan function, care must be taken to ensure that the answer given by a calculator is correct. As discussed in Chapter 2, drawing a diagram is the best way to check.
Find the magnitude to two decimal places and direction to one decimal place of the following vectors.
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