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Physics Tutorial 2.2 - Addition and Subtraction of Vectors

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There are 5 lessons in this physics tutorial covering Addition and Subtraction of Vectors. The tutorial starts with an introduction to Addition and Subtraction of Vectors and is then followed with a list of the separate lessons, the tutorial is designed to be read in order but you can skip to a specific lesson or return to recover a specific physics lesson as required to build your physics knowledge of Addition and Subtraction of Vectors. you can access all the lessons from this tutorial below.

In addition to the tutorial for Addition and Subtraction of Vectors on this page, you can also access the following Vectors and Scalars learning resources for Addition and Subtraction of Vectors

In this Physics tutorial, you will learn:

  • The meaning of equal, opposite and different vectors
  • How to add and subtract two or more vectors in a straight line
  • The two rules of vectors addition when they are not in a straight line
  • To express the difference of vectors as the sum with the inverse
  • To add or subtract vectors using coordinates

Introduction

In the previous Physics Tutorial we discussed "Vectors and Scalars" in Physics, we covered the properties of a vector such as its module, components, direction (determined by the angle to the horizontal direction) and the respective trigonometric functions stemming from it. Also, we discussed about the different approaches of Maths and Physics when dealing with vectors.

However, the discussion was concentrated only about a single vector quantity. But what happens when two or more vector quantities act together in the same object or system? For example, if two or more people pull the same object, if two or more displacements are combined together etc. You will know the answer after reading this tutorial.

Please select a specific "Addition and Subtraction of Vectors" lesson from the table below, review the video tutorial, print the revision notes or use the practice question to improve your knowledge of this physics topic.

Vectors and Scalars Learning Material
Tutorial IDPhysics Tutorial TitleTutorialVideo
Tutorial
Revision
Notes
Revision
Questions
2.2Addition and Subtraction of Vectors
Lesson IDPhysics Lesson TitleLessonVideo
Lesson
2.2.1Equal, Opposite and Different vectors
2.2.2Addition and subtraction of vectors in a straight line. The meaning of resultant vector
2.2.3The Triangle (tip-to-tail) Rule
2.2.4The Parallelogram (tail-to-tail) Rule
2.2.5Addition and subtraction of vectors in coordinates

We hope you found this tutorial useful, if you did. Please take the time to rate this tutorial and/or share on your favourite social network. In our next tutorial, we explore Multiplication of a Vector by a Scalar.

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Vectors and Scalars Calculators

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