Review:

Vector
27 August 2012
 Scalars vs. Vectors
Direction

Magnitude
S

s
Geometric Vector Addition
 Geometric Vector Subtraction

Note: We can add and subtract vectors using the

method of components. For many applications this is a
more convenient method
 C

A B
 Unit Vectors
vector with magnitude = 1, points in a particular direction
The unit vectors along the x, y, and z axes
are labeled i , j, and k, respectively.

a axi a y j
axi and a y j are the vector components of vector a
 Adding and
y Subtracting Vectors

r
b by Components

a two vectors a axi a y j and b bxi by j
x the vector sum r rxi ry j
O
rx ax bx and ry a y by
y
d
b two vectors a axi a y j and b bxi by j
the vector difference d a b d xi d y j
a
x d x ax bx and d y a y by
O
The Scalar Product of two Vectors
a b =ab cos the "dot" product.
The vector components:
a b =axbx a y by az bz
The Vector Product of two Vectors
c a b
The magnitude of c is given by the equation:
c ab sin the "cross" product
The direction of c is given by the right hand rule
a a x i a y j az k , b b x i by j bz k , c c x i c y j cz k
The vector components of vector c are given by
i j k
a b ax ay az
bx by bz
cx a y bz az by , c y az bx axbz , c z ax by a y bx
Note: The order of the two vectors in the cross product is important

b a a b