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Ch 01: Units, Physical Quantities & Vectors
Chapter 1, Problem 1

For the vectors A and B in Fig. E1.24 use the method of components to find the magnitude and direction of (c) the vector difference A - B Vector diagram showing vectors D, C, and angles for adding vectors by components.
Vector diagram E1.24 with vectors A, B, C, D, and angles for vector addition.

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Step 1: Break down vectors A and B into their x and y components. For vector A (8.00 m, 0 degrees), the components are: A_x = 8.00 m * cos(0) and A_y = 8.00 m * sin(0). For vector B (15.0 m, 30 degrees), the components are: B_x = 15.0 m * cos(30) and B_y = 15.0 m * sin(30).
Step 2: Calculate the x and y components of vector A. Since A is along the x-axis, A_x = 8.00 m and A_y = 0 m.
Step 3: Calculate the x and y components of vector B. Using trigonometric functions, B_x = 15.0 m * cos(30) and B_y = 15.0 m * sin(30).
Step 4: Find the components of the vector difference A - B. Subtract the x and y components of B from the x and y components of A: (A - B)_x = A_x - B_x and (A - B)_y = A_y - B_y.
Step 5: Determine the magnitude and direction of the vector difference A - B. The magnitude is given by |A - B| = sqrt((A - B)_x^2 + (A - B)_y^2) and the direction is given by θ = arctan((A - B)_y / (A - B)_x).

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