The 2D Vector Calculator is an online physics calculator provided in support of our Physics Tutorial on Vectors and Scalars. On this page you will find an online Vector Calculator, instructions on how to calculate vectors and how to use the vector calculator, links to additional vector calculators and supporting information. This Vector Calculator includes an example image to illustrate the inputs, precise results and detailed, step-by-step calculations of vectors so that you can gain a clear understanding of manual vector calculations and check your own vector calculations for accuracy when studying Vectors in Physics.
2D Vector Calculator Calculations and Results Magnitude of Force Calculation |AB⃗| = √AB2x + AB2y |AB⃗| = √2 +2 |AB⃗| = √ + |AB⃗| = √ |AB⃗| = |
cos θ Calculation cos θ = Adjacent side/Hypotenuse = ABx/|AB⃗| cos θ = / cos θ = |
sin θ Calculation sin θ = Opposite side/Hypotenuse = ABy/|AB⃗| sin θ = / sin θ = |
cot θ Calculation cot θ = Adjacent side/Opposite side = ABx/ABy cot θ = / cot θ = |
tan θ Calculation tan θ = Opposite side/Adjacent side = ABy/ABx tan θ = / tan θ = |
Units of Measurement used within the Physics Vector Calculator
Vectors Measurements and UnitsMeasurement | Units |
---|
Force, F | Newton, N |
Displacement, Δr | Metre, m |
Velocity, v | Metre per second, m/s |
Acceleration, a | Metre per square second, m/s2 |
Electric field. E | Volt per metre, V/m |
Magnetic induction, B | Tesla, T |
Linear momentum, p | Kilogram metre per second, kg ∙ m/s |
tip! It is good to know that all physical quantities are either scalars or vectors. A vector quantity in Physics is considered as known if three clues are provided:
- Magnitude
- Direction
- Unit
- Application point
If one of the above elements is missing, the info about the vector quantity in question is incomplete.
Usually, a vector forms an angle Θ to the horizontal direction.
For an easier understanding, a vector quantity A⃗ can be projected on the main axes.
The equations used for the vector projections (components) are:
Ax = |A⃗| × cos Θ
Ay = |A⃗| × sin Θ
|A⃗| = √A2x + A2y
cot Θ = Ax/Ay
cot Θ = Ay/Ax
In Physics, the vector A⃗ may represent many quantities. Some of them include:
Force F, Displacement Δr, Velocity v, Acceleration, a, Electric field E, Magnetic induction B, Linear momentum p and many others but only these are included in the calculator.
How the Vector Calculator works?
When you choose one of the above quantities (generally denoted by A⃗ but the actual symbol fits the specific quantity chosen), you can insert the magnitude and the angle Θ to the horizontal direction. Then the calculator gives the values of vector components Ax and Ay.
On the other hand, if you insert the components Ax and Ay, the calculator provides the following values:
- The vector magnitude
- The angle Θ between the vector and the horizontal direction
- The cosine of the angle formed by the vector and the horizontal direction
- The sine of the angle formed by the vector and the horizontal direction
- The cotangent of the angle formed by the vector and the horizontal direction
- The tangent of the angle formed by the vector and the horizontal direction
Therefore, it is a very useful tool to be used in the 2-D analysis of the most important physical vector quantities included in General Physics.
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