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MMathematicsPhysicsS2 to S6Vectors and 3D

Drone lab: vectors in three dimensions

Drones in Rwanda deliver blood to health centres across the hills. Plan a flight using vectors in three dimensions.

▶ Start the lab🧠 Questions📄 My report
🚁|AB| = √(x² + y² + z²)vectors and 3D geometry
LevelS2 to S6 (and A Level)
TimeAbout 35 min
You useVectors, dot product
PriceFree: no account

🎯 Aim

To use vectors in three dimensions to describe and calculate a drone’s path.

You will learn to

  • Find position and displacement vectors.
  • Calculate magnitudes in 3D.
  • Use the scalar product to find angles.
  • Write the vector equation of a line.

🧭 What to do

  1. Set the coordinates of A and B.
  2. Read the vectors OA and AB and their lengths.
  3. Read the angle AOB.
  4. Change the speed and read the flight time.
  5. Answer the questions with the class data.
  6. Write your conclusion and download your lab report.

🔬 Lab bench

📋 The data

Coordinates of the delivery points.

🧠 Investigate: answer from the data

Type your answer and tap Check. Use 💡 Hint first; open the method only when you are stuck.

📄 My lab report

Your report collects the aim, your data table, the graphs, your answers and your conclusion. It is made on your phone or computer: nothing is sent to anyone.

Check your conclusion

A displacement AB = OB − OA. Its length is √(x² + y² + z²). The scalar product OA · OB = |OA||OB| cos θ gives the angle between two directions, and a zero scalar product means perpendicular. Points on the line AB are r = OA + t AB.

➕ Get more from this experiment

📝 Free

Print the worksheet (button above), download the data, and save your report. Teachers can project this page in class.

📦 Premium Lab Pack

1 000 RWF

  • Worksheet: 3D vectors in the classroom (corners of the room)
  • Vectors and 3D geometry problems
  • Teacher guide and answer key
  • Exam-style questions with marking scheme
See the pack

👩‍🏫 For teachers

Use it as a practical when apparatus is missing, as homework, or as a project. Free lesson plans help you plan, teach and assess.

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