Vectors

Folio Task

The New You

Name: Ashley Platt

Learning Studies Teacher: Penny
MAT Teacher: Jo

Ashley Platt

THE NEW YOU!

PART 1: INTRODUCTION OF VECTORS

Vectors are commonly used to model forces such as wind, gravity and seas currents and are
measured in both magnitude and direction. Length indicates the magnitude of the vector, and is
measured in newtons. Together with magnitude, direction helps to describe and model the
properties of a vector.
Calculating the magnitude of a vector is essential for problems where vectors collide. As the
magnitude of a vector is the distance between its initial and final point, when the coordinates of
these points are given, the distance formula can be used. Within the task this is not the case,
instead trigonometric ratios as well as the sine and cosine
rules are applied to find the magnitude of a vector.
A resultant vector is formed as a result of the addition of
two or more vectors; as seen in figure 1 three vectors, in
red, are equal to the resultant vector, in green.
When vectors are separated at right angles to each other
they can be referred to as vector components. For example
a vector directed northwest can be said to have a
northward and westward component. The components of
a vector can be used to find the magnitude or length of a
vector using the formula

R=

where R is equal to the

vector and x and y are its components. Therefore, given

figure 2...

In turn the
length of the vector and
the angle made between the vector and its horizontal
component can be used to find the length of either
components. This is
completed using the sine
and
cosine trigonometric
functions.

Ashley Platt

A scalar is a quantity that is described only by magnitude; for example if a car travels at a speed
of 100km/h then its path can be described using a scalar. On the other hand if it travels at
100km/h north then it would be described using a vector, as vectors have both magnitude and
direction. Vectors can be multiplied by scalars, influencing its magnitude but not direction. If the
scalar multiple is 2 then the vector magnitude will be doubled (see image 3). A negative scalar
multiple will cause the magnitude of the vector to be reversed, continuing backwards from its
original direction (see image 4).

PART 2: FORCE ON THE ELBOW JOINT

Using vectors the forces on a human arm, when holding a
weight, can be modelled. When applying these weights three
forces are also applied to the lower arm; the force due to the
weight of the load, the force due to the muscle and the force
on the elbow joint (see figure 5).
Three trials were performed using different load weights
within the set up in seen in figure 1. Table 1 indicates the 3
weights and their angle at the pivot of the arm
angle at the muscle connection
L1=0.035
Trial

()

()

L2=0.1725

Weight (kg)

of pivot

()

of

muscle
connection ()

0.0483

25

47

0.0187

18

34

0.0097

15

33

and the

Ashley Platt
The force of the load is the force due to gravity, which has
magnitude. This can be calculated using the
formula

the weight and

F=ma

, where

is the mass of

to gravity (9.8m/s-1).

is the acceleration due

The forces of each load weight can be visualised as vectors which can assist in the comparison
of the forces (see figure 6). A prediction was made that as the weight of the load decreased, and
therefore the force, the smaller the force vector. This is because heavier weights have a larger
gravitational pull creating a longer vector.

Trial 1
As previously calculated the force of the weight in trial 1 is 0.473N. This can
be applied to the formula

cos=

Fp
, as F and F create a right
p
w
Fw

angled triangle (see figure 7), to find the force of the vector perpendicular to
the force of the weight. This
formula can
then be rearranged to find
.It can also

Fp

be said that the force of the

a component of the force of the

perpendicular is
weight.

Ashley Platt
In a static model the forces must be equal otherwise there would be movement within the
model; this is because the
forces are counteracting each
other. Therefore it can be said

Using the cosine trigonometric ratio, as

angled triangle (see
and the angle at the
used to calculate

that

Fp

and

Fa

L1 F a=(L1+L2 )F P

create a right

figure 8), the applied force

muscle connection can be
the force of the muscle.

The same calculations can then be applied to the data for trials 2 and 3.
Trial 2

Trial 3

Ashley Platt
As the force of each of the weights is known it can be used in
conjunction with the force of the muscle and the angle (see figure
9) to find the force of the pivot. Angle is found by subtracting the
angle of pivot () from the angle of the muscle connection.These
known values can be substituted into the cosine rule and
rearranged to find the force of the elbow joint (

Using the force of the pivot,

found using the sine rule.

Trial 2

F pivot

).

angle

(see figure 5) can be

Ashley Platt

Trial 3

As mentioned in part 1, in a static model there is no

movement, therefore if any force is applied this must
then be counteracted. This can be shown as an
equation where

Fm +F wF pivot =0

. This equation

may not always, as indicated by these results, equal

zero. This may be due to errors in rounding as well as
errors in the calculation of each force.

Ashley Platt

PART 3: THE NEW YOU

Adjustments can be made to the model arm used in
the previous two parts; this could be to the load
weights or lengths of any part. To reduce the load on
the pivot of the arm, besides reducing the weight, the
length of the muscle can be increased so that it is
attached further down the arm, in this case exactly
half way (see figure 10). This creates new lengths
that can be substituted into the formulas previously
used to indicate the force on each part of the arm.

L1=0.10375
L2=0.10375
As the load weight on the arm has not changed the
force of
the weight (
)

Fw

and the

force of the perpendicular (

Fp

) will remain the same.

Due to the change in lengths calculations for the applied force, the force of the muscle and the
force of the pivot will change; influencing the force applied overall.

In real life this attachment, an artificial external

ligament, could help people with injuries to their elbow joint or arm. If a
cast would not be beneficial to the patient or may interfere with other medical care and/or
procedures, this external ligament could be attached to reduce the amount force on the injury.
This is proven when a comparison is made between the force of the pivot when the muscle
attachment is 0.035 metres from the joint and 0.10375 metres. The force on the pivot during trial
2 with the original setup was 1.065N, the force within the modified set up was 0.249N indicating
a significant decrease in load force. Practical application of this modification could be hindered
due to the attachment getting in the way of many day to day activities; hence making it more
suitable for hospital care and initial stabilization of the arm.

Ashley Platt

CONCLUSION/ REFLECTION
This folio task has allowed me to not only understand vectors but also their application in the
real world. Parts 1 and 2 provided me with the ability to further my understanding and
application of trigonometry to vectors before culminating my knowledge in part 3 with my own
design. I feel confident that I take the knowledge I have gained through this task and apply it to
other situations involving vectors and trigonometry.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Component Addition 2016, The Physics Classroom, accessed 13 June 2016,
<http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/vectors/Lesson-1/Component-Addition>
Magnitude and Direction 2016, Hot Maths, accessed 13 June 2016,
<http://hotmath.com/hotmath_help/topics/magnitude-and-direction-of-vectors.html>.
Vector Addition 2016, PhET, accessed 13 June 2016, <https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/vectoraddition>.
Scalars and Vectors 2016, The Physics Classroom, accessed 13 June 2016,
<http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/1DKin/Lesson-1/Scalars-and-Vectors>.

Great effort. You have a solid understanding of the basics of vectors and Part 2 shows that you can use them
in context. A couple of your conclusions are incorrect as indicated in the comments but generally well done.