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This applet should be useful in picking up vector addition
and subtraction. You draw two vectors of your choice, choose
the operation (Add or Subtract) and arrange the two vectors
in a certain manner by dragging them. Drawing is done by
pressing the mouse button at some point and dragging and
releasing it at another point. If you watch the display you
would see it updating giving the details of the vector that
you are drawing. Once you have two vectors on the drawing
space any one of them can be moved. Press the mouse button
with cursor positioned on the dot at the midpoint of the
vector and drag it. This will help you to reposition the
vector parallel to itself.
The checkbox named reference causes reference lines and
the angle made by the vector with x- axis to be displayed.
The vectors can be modified after drawing the two of them
by using the cursor keys on the keyboard. Using the cursor
keys with control key pressed will amplify the effect. The vector with a colored square
at the mid point is the selected vector for modification. By pressing on the dot at the midpoint of
the other vector the selection can be changed.
After the parallelogram or the triangle is formed you can
drag the group of vectors. For this press and drag at any point other than the
midpoints of the vectors. You can also double click to shift the location of the
group of vectors.
Now for the manipulation:
To add, the vectors have to be arranged in order, that is
with tail of one touching the tip of another. The sum vector
is drawn by the applet if the you arrange the vectors so.
To subtract the vectors have to be arranged in improper
order, that is, tips or tails of the two vectors should be
made to touch. Again the applet draws the difference vector
when the vectors are properly arranged.
Let me explain the subtraction part a bit. When you have A and B in
improper order the vector joining the free ends is A - B orB - A depending on the direction. This
vector is A - B, if it is in order with B and B - A, if it is in order with A. In the applet the vector A - B is
being drawn. So this would be in order with B.
So draw away merrily and get a feel for the addition and
subtraction of vectors.
Remember
To add - the vectors should be in order (tail of one
touching the tip of another) and
To subtract - the vectors should be in improper order (
tails of the two vectors or tips of the two vectors should be
touching each other)
Surendranath Reddy. B.
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