<h2>Drawing Vectors</h2>
<p>In order to draw a vector accurately we must represent its magnitude properly and include a reference direction in the diagram. A scale allows us to translate the length of the arrow into the vector's magnitude. For instance if one chooses a scale of $\text{1}$ $\text{cm}$ = $\text{2}$ $\text{N}$ ($\text{1}$ $\text{cm}$ represents $\text{2}$ $\text{N}$), a force of $\text{20}$ $\text{N}$ towards the East would be represented as an arrow $\text{10}$ $\text{cm}$ long pointing towards the right. The points of a compass are often used to show direction or alternatively an arrow pointing in the reference direction.</p>
<p><img alt="d822bcf5685d4792695293a5534c37ab.png" src="https://data.ulearngo.com/assets/afff3d13-847c-435c-9432-5a2eb20f5eb9"/></p>
<h3><strong>Method: Drawing Vectors</strong></h3>
<ol>
<li>
<p>Decide upon a scale and write it down.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Decide on a reference direction</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Determine the length of the arrow representing the vector, by using the scale.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Draw the vector as an arrow. Make sure that you fill in the arrow head.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Fill in the magnitude of the vector.</p>
</li>
</ol>
<div class="ns-school-emp">
<h3>Example 1</h3>
<div class="ns-school-defn">
<h4>Question</h4>
<div>
<p>Draw the following vector quantity: $\vec{v} = \text{6}\text{ m·s$^{-1}$}$ North</p>
</div>
<div>
<h4>Step 1: Decide on a scale and write it down.</h4>
<p>$\text{1}$ $\text{ cm}$ = $\text{2}$ $\text{m·s$^{-1}$}$</p>
</div>
<div>
<h4>Step 2: Decide on a reference direction</h4>
<img alt="d36a8b7028381e67f45f62539e91b613.png" src="https://data.ulearngo.com/assets/f3bcdaf4-1533-4f47-9500-95acda0653dc"/></div>
<div>
<h4>Step 3: Determine the length of the arrow at the specific scale.</h4>
<p>If $\text{1}$ $\text{cm}$ = $\text{2}$ $\text{m·s$^{-1}$}$, then $\text{6}$ $\text{m·s$^{-1}$}$ = $\text{3}$ $\text{cm}$</p>
</div>
<div>
<h4>Step 4: Draw the vector as an arrow.</h4>
<p>Scale used: $\text{1}$ $\text{cm}$ = $\text{2}$ $\text{m·s$^{-1}$}$</p>
<img alt="8de51f8849b054eaeb2292bb7e5f1a31.png" src="https://data.ulearngo.com/assets/307fa133-bbc9-4ea8-871a-130324c4f1d9"/></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="ns-school-emp">
<h3>Example 2</h3>
<div class="ns-school-defn">
<h4>Question</h4>
<div>
<p>Draw the following vector quantity: $\vec{s} = \text{16}\text{ m}$ east</p>
</div>
<div>
<h4>Step 1: Decide on a scale and write it down.</h4>
<p>$\text{1}$ $\text{cm}$ = $\text{4}$ $\text{m}$</p>
</div>
<div>
<h4>Step 2: Decide on a reference direction</h4>
<img alt="d36a8b7028381e67f45f62539e91b613.png" src="https://data.ulearngo.com/assets/c44abe53-4825-4c5b-9673-6347f5e822c9"/></div>
<div>
<h4>Step 3: Determine the length of the arrow at the specific scale.</h4>
<p>If $\text{1}$ $\text{cm}$ = $\text{4}$ $\text{m}$, then $\text{16}$ $\text{m}$ = $\text{4}$ $\text{cm}$</p>
</div>
<div>
<h4>Step 4: Draw the vector as an arrow</h4>
<p>Scale used: $\text{1}$ $\text{cm}$ = $\text{4}$ $\text{m}$</p>
<p>Direction = East</p>
<img alt="052f1da002675105035efe2037b75506.png" src="https://data.ulearngo.com/assets/61d77d01-9c6c-4107-95c7-5c69dc741e8f"/></div>
</div>
</div>

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Drawing Vectors

Physics is a science discipline concerned with the nature and properties of matter and energy. Physics topics include mechanics, heat, light and radiation, sound, electricity, magnetism, the structure of atoms, and so on.

Physics

Discover the principles and operations of scalars and vectors such as graphical and algebraic techniques of vector addition, finding magnitude with Pythagoras theorem, and resultant force on a submarine.


Drawing Vectors

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