Proposed Lesson Note for Week 6
Subject: Further mathematics
Topic: Vectors in Two Dimensions
Class: SS1
Term: 3rd Term
Week: 6
Lesson Objectives
By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
State and explain the Triangle Law of vector addition.
State and explain the Parallelogram Law of vector addition.
Resolve a vector into its horizontal and vertical components.
Define and calculate the scalar (dot) product of vectors.
Identify and explain properties of vectors.
Lesson Content
Triangle Law of Vector Addition
The Triangle Law states: If two vectors are represented in magnitude and direction by two
sides of a triangle taken in order, then the third side of the triangle taken in the opposite
order represents the resultant vector.
To apply: Place the tail of the second vector at the head of the first. The resultant vector is
from the tail of the first to the head of the second.
Formula (when angle θ between vectors is known):
R = √(A² + B² + 2ABcosθ)
Parallelogram Law of Vector Addition
The Parallelogram Law states: If two vectors are represented in magnitude and direction by
the two adjacent sides of a parallelogram from a point, then their resultant is given by the
diagonal of the parallelogram from that point.
Formula: R = √(A² + B² + 2ABcosθ)
Resolution of Vectors
Resolution is the process of breaking a single vector into two perpendicular components,
usually along horizontal (x) and vertical (y) axes.
If a vector A makes an angle θ with the horizontal, then:
Horizontal component (Ax) = A cos θ
Vertical component (Ay) = A sin θ
Scalar (Dot) Product of Vectors
The dot product of two vectors A and B is a scalar given by:
A · B = |A||B| cos θ
Where θ is the angle between the two vectors.
If A = (x₁, y₁) and B = (x₂, y₂), then:
A · B = x₁x₂ + y₁y₂
Properties of Vectors
Vectors have both magnitude and direction.
Vectors can be added using geometric methods (triangle/parallelogram).
Vectors can be multiplied by scalars to change their magnitude.
The dot product of two vectors is a scalar.
Vectors obey commutative and associative laws for addition.
Summary
Triangle Law and Parallelogram Law are used to find the resultant of two vectors.
Vectors can be resolved into perpendicular components.
The scalar product of two vectors gives a scalar quantity.
Vectors follow specific rules and properties in their operations.
Assignment
1. Explain the Triangle Law of vector addition with a diagram.
2. Resolve a vector of 10 N inclined at 30° to the horizontal into its components.
3. Given vectors A = (2, 3) and B = (4, -1), find their dot product.
4. List and explain three properties of vectors.