Chapter 2, Problem 17A

According to the parallelogram rule for two vectors, what does the diagonal of a constructed parallelogram represent?

To determine

The quantity represented by the diagonal of a constructed parallelogram.

Answer to Problem 17A

The resultant of the addition of the considered two vectors.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

The vectors have both the magnitude and the direction. Hence, they can’t be added by simple algebraic formula and one needs to consider the direction of the vectors also.

One way of adding two vectors is by using the parallelogram rule of vector addition. In this, the two vectors to be added are arranged as two adjacent sides of the parallelogram and then the diagonal of the parallelogram provides the resultant of the considered vectors addition.

Conclusion:

Hence, the diagonal of the constructed parallelogram denotes the resultant of the addition of the vectors.