Component Addition Concept Builder

Component Addition is a Concept Builder that challenges learners to apply vector principles and mathematics in order to determine the magnitude and direction of the resultant of the sum of two to four vectors. There are nine different situations and three different levels of difficulty. In each situation, the learner is presented with a diagram of several vectors on top of a background grid and a vector equation. Learners must use the grid and a scale factor to determine the magnitude and direction of the components of the added vectors. They then use the components to determine the sum of the horizontal components and of the vertical components. The component sum is then used to identify the relative direction of the resultant. Trigonometric functions and the Pythagorean theorem are then used to determine the magnitude and direction of the resultant.
 

Launch Concept Builder

Users are encouraged to open the Concept Builder and begin. There is no need for an activity sheet for this Concept Builder. However, the nine different groups of questions can be printed. View Questions (Teachers Only).

Learners and Instructors may also be interested in viewing the accompanying Notes page. Technical information, teaching suggestions, and related resources that complement this Concept Builder are provided on the Notes page. View Notes.