Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 1.5
Addition of
vectors
F
1
and
F
2
, which
gives the resultant
R
by the
method of polygon
F
1
F
1
F
2
R
F
2
Fig. 1.6
Addition of
vectors
F
1
,
F
2
,
F
3
, and
F
4
which gives the resultant
R
by the method of polygon. It
is worthwhile to note that
the magnitude of the
resultant in this case is
smaller than that of Fig.
1.5
F
1
F
3
F
2
F
4
F
1
F
2
R
F
4
F
3
The magnitude of the sum vector can be obtained graphically, considering the scale
adopted. This method can be applied to add any number of vectors by simply
continuing this procedure; that is, the origin of the next vector should coincide with
the head of the previous vector (see Fig.
1.6
).
1.5.2 Rule of Parallelogram
Initially, both vectors are transported, maintaining their magnitude and direction,
with their origins at the same point. Then, from the head of each vector, parallel
lines to other vectors are drawn to form a parallelogram. The sum vector will be the
arrow with the origin coinciding with the origin of vectors and the head, where the
parallel lines cross, as illustrated in Fig.
1.7
.
1.5.3 Method of Components
In this case, the vectors are represented in a system of rectangular coordinates and
described as a sum of components (projections) in the
x
and
y
directions. The
