➕ Vector Addition

Vector Addition Simulator: Drag Vectors, See the Resultant

This vector addition simulator lets you grab the head of each vector and drag it around a grid while the resultant redraws in real time. Add vectors tip-to-tail — slide B so its tail meets A's head and the resultant runs from start to finish — or switch to the parallelogram view for the same diagonal. A live table lists each vector's components, magnitude, and direction alongside the resultant, and shows the scalar sum |A|+|B| and the angle between them, making the triangle inequality concrete: the resultant is shorter than the plain sum unless the vectors point the same way, equal to √(Ax²+Ay²) style Pythagoras at a right angle, and a difference when they oppose. Toggle the component breakdown to see Rx = Ax+Bx and Ry = Ay+By, and predict whether the resultant beats the scalar sum.

What you can do in this simulation

• Drag the heads of vectors A and B on a grid and watch the resultant R redraw instantly
• Switch between tip-to-tail and parallelogram construction of the sum
• A live table shows components, magnitude, and angle for A, B, and R, plus the scalar sum and angle between
• Toggle component lines to see Rx = Ax + Bx and Ry = Ay + By
• Presets for perpendicular (Pythagoras), same-direction (|R| = |A|+|B|), and opposing vectors; predict vs the scalar sum

Concepts covered

vector addition · resultant vector · tip to tail · parallelogram method · vector components · triangle inequality · magnitude and direction

Related simulations

• Relative Velocity Simulator: River Crossing & Boat Drift
• Vector Addition Simulator: Parallelogram Rule
• Acoustics & Sound Waves — Interactive Simulator
• Angular Momentum Simulator: The Spinning Skater Effect
• Black Hole Simulator — Gravity & Spacetime
• Brachistochrone Curve Simulator - Fastest Ramp

Browse all Physics simulations →

Free to use in your browser — no signup required. Found a bug or have an idea to make it better? Tell us.