ECE a211

ELECTROMAGNETICS
VECTOR DEFINITION

BY ENGR. JTM
 OBJECTIVES
At the end of the topic……
❑Define scalar and vector quantities.
❑Represent a vector quantity graphically.
❑Apply the definitions of a vector.
 SCALAR
• A scalar is a quantity which is completely
characterised by its magnitude alone.
• Scalars are just numbers.
• Lowercase (usually Greek) letters, e.g.α, β, γ are
commonly used to represent scalars.

Example
• Length • Area • Volume • Any number
• Mass • Time • Temperature
 VECTOR
• A vector is a quantity which is completely characterised by
two things: its magnitude (or size) and its direction.

Example

• The velocity of a car heading North at 60km/h

• A force exerted on an object.
• The magnetic field of the earth at a given place.
• The simplest example of a vector is a directed line segment (or
arrow). If P and Q are two points, then the directed line
segment from P to Q is the straight line which begins at P and
ends at Q. This vector is denoted by −→ PQ, and we say “the
vector PQ”.
• In navigation, direction is given by a compass bearing, e.g. NE,
N45◦E, N45◦ and 045◦ all refer to a bearing of 45◦ from north
taken in a clockwise direction.
• In mathematics or engineering, direction is typically
measured from a selected axis with angles taken in an
anticlockwise direction.
• All vectors can be represented by arrows or directed line
segments.
Example
This vector diagram shows two forces acting on an
object.
(Scale: 1cm = 10 Newtons)
Definition 1: equal vectors
Two vectors are called equal if they have the same length and
direction.
EXAMPLE:
Example
Each of the vectors below represents the velocity v of
the wind moving across a field. The wind has the same
strength and direction everywhere on the field.
Definition 2: negative of a vector

• The negative of a vector a is a vector with the same

length but the opposite direction.
• It is denoted by −a.
Definition 3 : scalar multiplication
If λ is a scalar and the vectors are related by a = λb then

• if λ > 0, a is a vector in the same direction as b with

magnitude λ times the magnitude of b;

• if λ < 0, a is a vector in the opposite direction to b with

magnitude | λ | times the magnitude of b.
SCALAR MULTIPLICATION
Definition 4: Parallel Vectors

• The vectors a and b in are said to be parallel or

antiparallel( non- parallel) according as λ > 0 or λ < 0
respectively. (Note that we do not insert any
multiplication symbol between λ and b since the
common symbols · and × are reserved for special
uses
Definition 5: Modulus
Definition 6: Zero Vector

The zero or null vector has zero modulus; it is written as

0 or often just as 0 when there is no ambiguity whether
it is a vector or not.
 Sample problem 1
Represent graphically:
a. A force of 10 lb in a direction 30 degrees north of east
b. A force of 15 lb in a direction 30 degrees east of north

Solution:
 Sample problem 2
After taking off, one plane flew East at 300 km/h and another
flew 45◦ at 400 km/h. Sketch these vectors using the scale 1cm =
100 km/h.
Solution:

Note: The figure is not scaled

 Sample Problem 3
An automobile travels 3 miles due north then 5
miles due northeast. Represent these
displacements graphically and determine the
resultant displacement graphically and
analytically
SOLUTION
SOLUTION (CONT)
VECTOR OQ

61.5 °
SOLUTION (CONT)