Vector = 4.0 m points eastward and vector = 3.0 m points westward. The resultant vector + is given by
A) 7.0 m east.
B) 7.0 m west.
C) 1.0 m east.
D) 1.0 m west.
E) 3.5 m west.

Question

Vector  = 4.0 m points eastward and vector  = 3.0 m points westward. The resultant vector  +  is given by
A) 7.0 m east. 
B) 7.0 m west. 
C) 1.0 m east. 
D) 1.0 m west. 
E) 3.5 m west.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The resultant vector is found by adding the two given vectors: 
11ea6ebb_72c9_82e1_9d78_fda7fe415da9_TB6213_11 + 11ea6ebb_72c9_a9f2_9d78_610fcc828009_TB6213_11

Since the first vector is pointing east and the second vector is pointing west, they act in opposite directions. Thus, we subtract the magnitudes of the two vectors to get the magnitude of the resultant vector:

Magnitude of resultant vector = 4.0 m - 3.0 m = 1.0 m

Since the vector pointing east has a larger magnitude than the vector pointing west, the resultant vector still points in the eastward direction. Therefore, the answer is choice C) 1.0 m east.