Vectors and Projectiles

The Understanding Vectors and Their Direction Video Tutorial discusses what a vector is and how to represent them in diagrams and how to identify their direction. Emphasis is given to the counter-clockwise from east convention that is commonly used by physics and engineering types. Numerous examples, illustrations, and animations help to make the learning stick.

The Representing Vectors with Scaled Diagrams Video Tutorial discusses the method of drawing a vector to scale with the indicated magnitude and direction. It also demonstrates how to determine the magnitude and direction of a vector in a scaled vector diagram.

The Vector Addition: Head-to-Tail Method Video Tutorial explains the principles that underly the addition of vector using a head-to-tail approach. Numerous examples and animations are provided to give deep meaning to the concept of head-to-tail addition.

The Graphical Method of Vector Addition Video Tutorial explains and demonstrates the method of adding two or more vectors using a scaled vector diagrams. The video includes a step-by-step procedure, two examples, and a discussion of the various pitfalls one might experience when adding vectors using the graphical method.

The Adding Right Angle Vectors Video Tutorial explains how to use the Pythagorean theorem and trigonometric functions to determine the result of adding two or more right angle vectors. The video moves systematically from the addition of just two vectors to the addition of several vectors.

The Vector Components Video Tutorial discusses the concept of a vector component, explaining both its physical and its mathematical meaning. Numerous illustrations and some animations demonstrate the meaning of a component of a vector.

The Vector Resolution Video Tutorial describes the process of determine the components of a vector if given its magnitude and direction. Both the graphical (parallelogram) method and the trigonometric method of determining the components of a vector are demonstrated through several demonstrations and examples.

The Component Addition of Vectors Video Tutorial discusses the rationale and the method of adding non-perpendicular vectors. The use of the head-to-tail addition method, the Pythagorean theorem, and trigonometric functions is demonstrated through several examples.

The Relative Velocity and River Boat Problems Video Tutorial discusses the concept of relative velocity. The concept is applied to explain the analysis of the motion of planes moving amidst winds and the motion of boats heading up, down, and across a river in the presence of a current.

The Projectile Motion Characteristics Video Tutorial explains the nature of a projectile and describes the manner in which it moves. Numerous examples, illustrations, animations, and demonstrations assist in the explanations.

The Velocity Components of a Projectile Video Tutorial explains how the vertical and horizontal velocity components change (and doesn't change) over the course of a projectile's trajectory. Numerous examples, vector diagrams, velocity-time tables, and animations assist in the explanations.

The x- and y-Displacement of a Projectile Video Tutorial explains what is meant by the horizontal and vertical displacement of a projectile and how to calculate the values of the horizontal and vertical displacement. Formulas are presented and explained and their use is demonstrated. Numerous examples and graphics make this video a worthwhile watch for those who wish to comprehend projectile motion.

The Mathematics of Projectiles Video Tutorial discusses the mathematics of projectile motion. The transforming of the four kinetic equations into horizontal and vertical projectile equations is discussed. And the manner in which the equations can be used to calculate time, displacement, and final velocity is explained.

The Horizontally-Launched Projectile Problems Video Tutorial shows how to analyze a physics problem involving a projectile launched horizontally from an elevated position. After discussing the concepts and formulas, there examples are done. Each example includes a different unknown variable - horizontal displacement (\(d_x\)), vertical displacement (\(d_y\)), and original horizontal velocity (\(v_{\text{ox}}\)).

The Angle-Launched Projectile Problems Video Tutorial shows how to analyze a physics problem involving a projectile launched at an angle to the horizontal and rising to its highest point before falling back to its original height. After discussing the concepts and formulas, an example is done. The example involves the calculation of the time in the air, the horizontal displacement, and the height at the peak.