Everything Science Grade 11

CHAPTER 11. VECTORS 11.5

Method: Drawing Vectors

1. Decide upon a scaleand write it down.


2. Determine the lengthof the arrow representing the vector, by using the scale.


3. Draw the vector as an arrow. Make sure thatyou fill in the arrow head.


4. Fill in the magnitudeof the vector.

Example 1: Drawing vectors

QUESTION

Represent the followingvector quantities:

1. 6 m·s−^1 north


2. 16 m east

SOLUTION

Step 1 : Decide upon a scale and write it down.

1. 1 cm = 2 m·s−^1


2. 1 cm = 4 m

Step 2 : Determine the length of the arrow at the specific scale.

1. If 1 cm = 2 m·s−^1 , then 6 m·s−^1 = 3 cm


2. If 1 cm = 4 m, then16 m = 4 cm

Step 3 : Draw the vectors as arrows.

1. Scale used: 1 cm =2 m·s−^1
   Direction = North

6 m·s−^1

2. Scale used: 1 cm =4 m
   Direction = East
   16 m

Exercise 11 - 2

Draw each of the following vectors to scale. Indicate the scale that you have used: