Skip to Content Go to sign in Skip to Primary Navigation Skip to Secondary Navigation Skip to Page Navigation Skip to Header Navigation Skip to Footer Navigation Read more about accessability options and our navigation

Physics Classroom is making strides to make our site accessible to everyone. Our site contains 6 navigation areas. The Primary, Secondary, and Page Level navigations have a screen reader version of their nav structure that allows using the left and right keys to navigate sibling navigation items, and up or down keys to navigate parent or child navigation items. The others can be navigated using tabs. The Primary Navigation handles the first 2 levels of site pages. The Secondary (which is not always available) handles the 3rd and 4th level of structure. The Page level navigation allows you to navigate the current page's headings quickly. The Header Navigation contains the Light/Dark Mode toggle, Search, Notifications and account login. The Breadcrumb Navigation contains the breadcrumb of the current page. If the current page has a breadcrumb, you can get to it by skipping to the content and tabbing in reverse (shift plus tab). The Footer Navigation contains links such as Privacy, Contact, about and terms. Some resources contain an Audio Player that can be activated by holding down the T key for 3 seconds, and then using K to pause and resume. While not every area of Physics Classroom is usable purely from keyboard and screen reader, we are committed to continue work on making this possible. If you have questions or need additional help, please use this link to contact us.

Return to screen reader navigation
Home Concept Builders Vectors and Projectiles Component Addition Directions

Component Addition - Directions

The Component Addition Concept Builder is quite simple to use. You will be presented with a diagram of several letter-labeled vectors on a background grid and a vector addition equation. A scale is also provided that equates the length of the side of a square on the grid to a distance in kilometers (km). Your goal is to determine the magnitude and direction of the resultant or sum of the given vectors. Depending on the difficulty level, you will have to add two, three, or four vectors to add.

To facilitate this, a table is provided for the recording of the x- and y-components of the vectors given in the equation. Use the diagram and the scale to determine these components. There is also a row for recording the sum of these components - also knowns as the components of the resultant. Once you have filled in the table, you can tap on the Check Table button. The values that you have recorded in the table will be evaluated and feedback will be given. If any cells are inaccurate or incomplete, then they will be marked by red dots. The red dots will appear to the right or to the left of the table columns next to any incorrect or incomplete answer. You will have opportunities to make corrections.

Once all the table values are correct, you will have to identify the approximate direction of the resultant by tapping on one of eight diagrams. Decide which quadrant the resultant points (e.g., into the southwest or third quadrant) and whether the x- or the y-component is greater. Tap on the diagram consistent with this decision; use the Check Diagram button to check the accuracy of your choice. You will be notified of the accuracy of your choice and given ample opportunities to get it correct.

The last part of the problem involves determining the magnitude and direction of the resultant. This involves the use of the Pythagorean theorem and a tirgonometric function. You wll have to report the direction as a counter-clockwise angle of rotation from due East. Once you have filled in the two fields, tap on the Check Answers button. Feedback will be immediate and specific. You will be able to correct your answers if wrong.

Concept Builder Teacher Notes