Physics and Vector Addition Vocabulary

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering basic measurement accuracy, error types, and various methods and properties of vector addition.

Accuracy

It is the closeness of a measured value to the true or accepted value of the quantity being measured.

Random Error

This type of experimental error arises from unpredictable fluctuations in measuring instruments, environmental conditions, or the observer, causing measurements to scatter around the true value.

Scalar Quantity

A quantity that is completely described by its magnitude alone and does not require a specified direction.

Parallelogram Law (Method)

A graphical method of adding two vectors by placing them as adjacent sides of a parallelogram and drawing the diagonal from the common tail to determine the resultant.

Component Method

A mathematical method of vector addition in which each vector is resolved into its horizontal and vertical components before determining the resultant vector.

Free Vector

A vector quantity that possesses both magnitude and direction but can be moved parallel to itself anywhere in space without changing its physical meaning.

Commutative Property

This property of vector addition states that changing the order of the vectors being added does not affect the resultant vector.

Cross Product Vector

It is the vector obtained from the vector cross product and is always perpendicular to the plane formed by the two original vectors.

Triangle Law (Method)

A graphical method of vector addition commonly used when only two vectors are added by placing the tail of the second vector at the head of the first vector.

Collinear Vectors

These are vectors that have the same direction or exactly opposite directions because they lie along the same straight line, although their magnitudes may differ.