Vector physics studies forces that change the direction and speed of a moving body. Vectors are represented by arrows of variable length and direction on a Cartesian plane. Vector analysis predicts the impact of natural forces on matter in motion. Simple vector physics problems can be solved by constructing a parallelogram. More complex problems can be solved using algebraic or trigonometric equations. Vector analysis was first used to describe the relationship between radiated electric and magnetic forces by James Maxwell Clerk in the 19th century.
A vector is a visual representation of a physical quantity that has both magnitude and direction. Vector physics is the study of the various forces that act to change the direction and speed of a moving body. The mathematical tools of vector analysis provide a useful means of observing the interaction of natural forces in the physical universe and predicting the impact these forces will have on matter in motion.
Vectors are symbolized by arrows of variable length. The relative length of each arrow represents its magnitude, which can be speed or any other force it can measure. Each arrow has a certain direction, which is indicated on a Cartesian plane using the geographic axes of North, South, East and West. The tail of each vector starts from the Cartesian coordinates of (0,0) and the position of the head or arrow denotes its respective direction.
Vector analysis tools provide a means of predicting the resulting changes in both the magnitude and direction of a body impacted by external forces. For example, a northbound aircraft at a speed of 100 mph (160.93 km/h) will eventually experience a change in both speed and direction if it encounters a 25 mph (40.23 km/h) westerly wind. The resulting direction and velocity of the plane can be calculated using vectors drawn to scale.
Vector analysis and resolution are commonly plotted on an XY-axis graph so that each vector can easily be given a direction and given an appropriate magnitude. Vector analysis is conducted to determine the resultant or net effect on a body from one or more forces acting to change its motion and direction. Vector physics problem solving can be calculated using various methods.
Simple vector physics problems can be solved by constructing a parallelogram from each of two distinct line segments drawn on a Cartesian plane. Similar dashed lines replicated from each of the separate vectors are added, and a line is drawn at the opposite end of the constructed parallelogram. The line drawn symbolizes the resulting direction and size of the body upon which other forces acted to change its direction and speed.
Vector physics deals with the relationship between forces acting on each other, whether large bodies in motion or particles interacting with each other at the subatomic level. Solving more complex vector problems can be solved using algebraic or trigonometric mathematical equations that calculate the addition or product of various vectors. One of the earliest applications of vector analysis was its use to accurately describe the relationship between radiated electric and magnetic forces, a central component of the theory of electromagnetism, first discovered by Scottish physicist James Maxwell Clerk in the 19th century .
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