Two students attempt to add the same pair of vectors of equal magnitude that are…
PHYSICS · Subjective · A Level · Physics · Mechanics and materials · Mechanics and materials
Problem
Two students attempt to add the same pair of vectors of equal magnitude that are inclined at 30∘ to each other. Student A places the vectors head-to-tail, while Student B places them tail-to-tail and completes a parallelogram. Both measure the length of the resultant on their sketches. Explain why, in ideal geometry, the magnitudes obtained should be identical, and mention one practical reason why the measured values may differ slightly.