## Topics

Measurement of length and time

## Description

A vector is a quantity that has both magnitude and direction. Displacement, velocity, acceleration, and force are the vector quantities. in simpler examples, vectors were simply directed up, down, left or right. In situations in which vectors are directed at angles to the customary x(horizontal)-y(vertical) coordinate axes, a useful mathematical trick will be employed to transform the vector into two parts with each part being directed along the coordinate axes. For example, a vector that is directed northwest can be thought of as having two parts - a northward part and a westward part. A vector that is directed upward and rightward can be thought of as having two parts - an upward part and a rightward part.

## Calculate the components of the vector A

1. click reset to generate a new random vector A of length |A| at an angle of theta to the positive x axis.
2. use the formula Ax = |A|cos(theta) to find the x direction component Ax.
3. use the formula Ay = |A|sin(theta) to find the y direction component Ay.
4. click reset to random generate a new vector A.
5. test yourself whether you have enough practice calculating Ax and Ay.

## Other interesting fun activities

1. this model can be used to calculate any length |A| by keying in the values such as |A| =500 and theta = 63 degrees. Select the checkboxes Ax and Ay to see the new answers.
2. when Ax is selected, the PLAY button animates the effects of changing Ax alone.
3. when Ay is selected, the PLAY button animates the effects of changing Ay alone.
4. explore your own vector(s) here to test your understanding.
5. leave me a Google+ comment/question/requests etc here http://weelookang.blogspot.sg/2014/10/components-vector-model.html

## Sample Learning Goals

(e) state what is meant by scalar and vector (how to resolve) quantities and give common examples of each
(f) calculate vector by means of components

## Version:

1. http://weelookang.blogspot.sg/2014/10/components-vector-model.html