Vector

Vectors

Vectors are quantities with both magnitude and direction. They are represented through arrows with a set length and direction. They may not be altered in any way.

Some examples of vector quantities are: velocity, displacement, force, momentum, acceleration, and others. Note that all these quantities will have a direction as well as a magnitude.

The resultant may be found as the length between the two vectors when lined up tip to tail, or the combined length of the vectors. It looks like this. Notice that the direction is in between the two original directions.

Once you find the resultant, you are able to find the equilibrant. The equilibrant is the a vector quantity equal in magnitude but opposite in direction of the resultant. To find the equilibrant you must line up the vectors tip to tail and change the direction of one of the vectors because you are subtracting the vectors. (Also known as making one of the negative in value, which changes the direction.) Then draw an imaginary line from the starting point of one to the end point of the other. Since it is opposite in direction of the resultant, it is seen as a negative quantity because it is in opposite direction of positive. The equilibrant brings the system to equilibrium by making the net magnitude zero. This is done by adding the resultant and the equilibrant together.