Vectors - Parallelogram Law of Addition

Description:

Draw the vectors in pictorial form.

Two Vector Form

Place the vectors such that their tails coincide.

Tails Coincide

Complete a parallelogram by drawing lines parallel to each of the vectors.

Drawing Lines

The diagonal passing through the point of contact of the tails is the resultant vector.

Diagonal Passing

Here, S→ is the final resultant obtained from the parallelogram law of addition.

S Vector Resultant

Draw all the vectors in pictorial form. (Three considered here).

Three Vector

Choose any two of them and add them according to the parallelogram law. (a→ and b→ chosen here)

Choose Two Vector

Now add the resultant of the sum to the next vector (third vector in this case).

Resultant Sum

The resultant obtained at the end, the F→, is the vector sum of the three vectors considered.

Resultant End

In case of more than three vectors, Point 2 and Point 3 could be repeated till the final resultant is obtained.

Note

1. Triangle Law and Parallelogram Law yield the same resultant.

2. Each method is suited for different situations, more of which you will learn in future chapters.

3. But, at any time, both are equally valid methods to find the sum of two vectors.

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