Question

What does resultant vector mean ?

Answer 1

Hint:Here, you are asked to find out what is a resultant vector. In order to answer this question, what you need to do is look for the definition of a vector, understand what a vector is and then look for the properties of a vector or properties of vectors when operated together.

Complete answer:
So, first let us look for what a vector is. A vector is a quantity which has a magnitude and a direction. By magnitude what is meant is that the magnitude of the vector gives you the length of the vector. A vector is denoted by a line which has tail and head. Tail is one end with nothing and the head is the other end which has an arrow on it. By direction what is meant is that where the vector points, as in which direction. Force is a vector quantity as it has both magnitude as well as direction.

But, what if you have two forces acting on a single point, what would be the effective force that a particle will experience if kept at that point. The net effective or resultant force is calculated by the method of resultant vector. The resultant vector is the vector which is obtained by adding two or more vectors by obeying the rules of vector addition. If we have two vectors as ${R_1}$ and ${R_2}$, then the resultant vector is given as $R = {R_1} + {R_2}$.This is not only applicable for forces, but is applicable to every vector. For example, if you want to reach a point, you can use as many vectors you want to reach that point by applying the method of vector addition and getting the resultant vector.

So, a resultant vector is a vector which is obtained by adding two or more vectors together.

Note:We have discussed in detail about vectors and the property of vectors which is the vector addition, so keep this in mind. Also, remember that the resultant vector is always the sum of vectors. Keep in mind that the vector is a quantity which has its own magnitude and direction, this is the basic definition of a vector.