Physical quantities ( History and theory of Vectors)

Introduction

Welcome to this Webquest on vectors.

Vectors are an interesting subject and a part of everyday life. If you learn your vectors well you will start finding them in all sorts of situations.

Watch this video below to know more about today's WebQuest 

https://youtu.be/hzhlOEjOrR8

 

Task

You will do this project individually. Your goal is to research vectors on the internet.

Try to find where they come from?

Who invented vectors?

Look for pictures that are good representations of vectors.

What kind of notation is used with vectors, and are there different ways of using vectors?

You will eventually put all this information together on a poster that you will present to the class.

 

Physics for Kids: Basic Vector Math

Process

Essentially you are going to research vectors and make a poster board showing what you have discovered. The following categories must be present; history, theory, pictures, and representation of graphically and algebraically adding vectors. You will be in charge of getting the material for all of these categories and putting it on the board. You will make sure that everything goes together well and will lead in presenting the project to the class.

 

History:

Write one or two paragraphs describing the history of vectors. Include names of people that were influential in the development of modern vectors. What are vectors used for and why are they so important?

Theory:

Vectors have many vocabulary words associated with them and symbols used. Tell us what vectors are.

Pictures:

These are pictures of anything that you can find on the internet that shows examples of vectors in real life. Since vectors are an abstract concept you will have to find pictures that could be represented using vectors.

 

Examples of Vector addition:

Give a specific example of adding two or more vectors. Add them both graphically and algebraically. Make sure to provide some sort of drawing or picture with the graphical option

 

WEB RESOURCES

1. 

https://youtu.be/MWrOozSSdW8

 

2. 

https://youtu.be/_AaOFCl2ihc

 

3.  

https://youtu.be/EwSHKuSxX_8

 

4. https://sites.math.washington.edu/~morrow/335_18/Crowe-HistoryOfVectorAnalysis.pdf

5. https://hsm.stackexchange.com/questions/8488/when-were-vectors-invented

Evaluation

This is how you will be graded:

EVALUATION
 

BEGINNING

1-4

DEVELOPING

4-6

QUALIFIED

6-8

OUTSTANDING

8-10

SCORE

*/ 10 x 5

HISTORY No history Some attempt at the historical context, but the information is still inaccurate Covers the basic history of vectors with few errors Covers the history in-depth with very few or no errors  
THEORY No theory Some attempt but inaccurate Covers the subject with few errors A thorough in-depth explanation that is clear and free from errors  

VECTOR ADDITION

Nothing done Something but is incomplete or has numerous errors Everything is present but some errors Everything is present and clearly presented to the reader can easily understand  
NEATNESS

disorganized and clashing colors and pattern

Somewhat organized with some clashing colors Organized and easy to read Very organized and the colors and patterns are pleasing and refreshing  
PRESENTATION No attempt made A presentation is made The presentation is easy enough for most of the class to understand Well made presentation, spoken clearly so the class can hear  

 

Conclusion

Vectors can be a difficult concept for many people. It is important to make a solid connection between real life and how vectors are used in school. Make sure that you understand that vectors can solve some problems that cannot be solved in another way.

Try answering the following questions.

 

1. A person pushes against the wall with a force of 100 N. 

Is the force a vector or scaler, explain your answer.

 

2.

Credits

The images were taken from google images:

https://www.ducksters.com/science/physics/vector_math.php

Some information was extracted from the 'Vodacom e-school app'

Teacher Page

If you have any queries you can contact me here: 219035687@mycput.ac.za / 084 921 7907