Physics: Two-Dimensional Motion and Vectors

Objectives

• Students will measure and describe one- and two-dimensional position, displacement, speed, velocity, and acceleration over time.
• Students will graphically calculate the resultant of two or more vectors.
• Students will use the Pythagorean theorem and the tangent function to calculate the resultant of two or more vectors.

Vocabulary

• scalar
• vector
• x- and y-components of a vector
• magnitude of a vector

About the Lesson

This lesson visually shows how a vector can be expressed as two component vectors, and an animated demonstration of the addition of two perpendicular vectors.
As a result, students will:

• Investigate two-dimensional vectors.
• Explore the resultant vectors produced when two perpendicular vectors are added.
• Use these relationships to solve problems involving the motion of a boat crossing a river.