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Vector Operations>Addition and Subtraction of Vectors

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Topics

  • Statement
  • Vector Addition: Parallel Vectors
  • Vector Subtraction: Anti-Parallel Vectors
  • Real-Life Applications
Maharashtra State Board: Class 11

Statement

"The addition or subtraction of two or more vectors of the same type, i.e., describing the same physical quantity, gives rise to a single vector, such that the effect of this single vector is the same as the net effect of the vectors which have been added or subtracted. It is important to understand that only vectors of the same type (describing the same physical quantity) can be added or subtracted."

Maharashtra State Board: Class 11

Vector Addition: Parallel Vectors

If individual vectors are parallel (i.e., in the same direction), the magnitude of their resultant is the sum of individual magnitudes, and the direction of the resultant is the same as that of the individual vectors.

|\[\overrightarrow {AC}\]| = |\[\overrightarrow {AB}\]| + |\[\overrightarrow {BC}\]|

Resultant of parallel displacements.

Maharashtra State Board: Class 11

Vector Subtraction: Anti-Parallel Vectors

If the individual vectors are anti-parallel (i.e., in the opposite direction), the magnitude of their resultant is the difference of the individual magnitudes, and the direction is that of the larger vector.

|\[\overrightarrow {AC}\]| = |\[\overrightarrow {AB}\]| - |\[\overrightarrow {BC}\]|

Resultant of anti-parallel forces.

Maharashtra State Board: Class 11

Real-Life Applications

Parallel Vectors:

  • Swimmers diving deeper into water (displacement vectors combining downward)
  • Multiple engines pushing an aircraft forward
  • Combined electric fields from the same direction of sources

Anti-Parallel Vectors:

  • A person walking on a moving escalator (forward walk vs. escalator speed)
  • A boat moving upstream against the current
  • Opposing magnetic field cancellation

Test Yourself

Video Tutorials

We have provided more than 1 series of video tutorials for some topics to help you get a better understanding of the topic.

Series 1


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Series 3


Shaalaa.com | Triangle Law of Addition Examples

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Triangle Law of Addition Examples [00:34:27]
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