Calculus and Vectors – How to get an A+

7.7 Applications of the Dot and Cross Product

A Work Ex 1. A box is pulled a horizontal distance of 100m by a force

r
The work W done by a constant force F acting of 500 N applied at an angle of 30° to the horizontal line.
r Calculate the amount of work done.
on an object during a displacement d is given by:
r r
W = F ⋅ d = F d cos α

W = F d cos α = (500 N )(100m) cos 30° = 25000 3 J ≅ 43.3kJ

where
r r
α = ∠( F , d )
r r
[ F ]SI = N ( Newton) [d ] SI = m (meter )
[W ] SI = J ( Joule)

Ex 2. An object with a weight of 50 N is moved, in b) from B to C

r
vertical plane, along to the path ABCA as F = (0,−50) N
presented in the next figure where AB = 6m and r
AC = 3m . d = BC = (−6,3)m
r r
W = F ⋅ d = (0)(−6) + (−50)(3) = −150 J

c) from C to A
r
F = (0,−50) N
r
d = CA = (0,−3)m
r r
Find the work done by the force of gravity: W = F ⋅ d = (0)(0) + (−50)(−3) = 150 J

a) from A to B d) along to the path ABCA

r r
F = (0,−50) N F = (0,−50) N
r r r
d = AB = (6,0)m d = AA = 0
r r r r r r
W = F ⋅ d = (0)(6) + (−50)(0) = 0 J W = F ⋅ d = F ⋅ 0 = 0J
B Torque Ex 3. A wrench 30cm long is used to loose a bolt by applying
The torque (rotational or turning effect) about the a force of 20 N (see the figure below). Find the magnitude of
r
point A , created by a force F acting on an object the torque.
located at the point B is given by:
r r r r
τ = AB × F = r × F
r
|| τ ||= r F sin α

r = AB = 30cm = 0.3m
F = 20 N
where: r
r r α = ∠( F , AB) = 180° − 30° = 150°
α = ∠( F , r ) r
r || τ ||= r F sin α = (0.3)(20) sin 150° = 3 Nm
r = AB (meter ) r
r ∴ || τ ||= 3 Nm
[ F ]SI = N ( Newtom)
r
[τ ] SI = Nm
7.7 Applications of the Dot and Cross Product
©2010 Iulia & Teodoru Gugoiu - Page 1 of 2
 Calculus and Vectors – How to get an A+

C Parallelogram Area Ex 4. Find the area of the parallelogram defined by the

r
The area of a parallelogram defined by the vectors vectors ar = (1,−1,0) and b = (0,1,2) .
r r
a and b is determined by the formula:
r r r r r r r r r
A =|| a × b ||=|| a || || b || sin α i j k i j
r r r r r r r
α = ∠(a , b ) a×b =1 −1 0 1 − 1 = i (−2 − 0) + j (0 − 2) + k (1 − 0)
0 1 2 0 1
= (−2,−2,1)
r r
A =|| a × b ||= (−2) 2 + (−2) 2 + 12 = 9 = 3
∴A=3

D Triangle Area Ex 5. Find the area of the triangle ∆ABC where A(0,1,2) ,
r
The area of a triangle defined by the vectors a B(−1,0,2) , and C (1,−2,0) .
r
and b is given by: AB = (−1,0,2) − (0,1,2) = (−1,−1,0)
1 r r 1 r r
A = || a × b ||= || a || || b || sin α AC = (1,−2,0) − (0,1,2) = (1,−3,−2)
2 2 r r r r r
r r i j k i j
α = ∠(a , b ) r r r
AB × AC = − 1 − 1 0 − 1 − 1 = i (2 − 0) + j (0 − 2) + k (3 + 1)
1 −3 −2 1 −3
= (2,−2,4)
1 r r 1 2 1
A = || a × b ||= 2 + (−2) 2 + 4 2 = 24 = 6
2 2 2

E Parallelepiped Volume Ex 6. Find the volume of the parallelepiped defined by the

r r r
The volume of a parallelepiped defined by the vectors a = (0,1,−3) , b = (1,2,3) and c = (−1,0,1) .
r r r r r r r r
vectors a , b , and c is given by:
r r r r r r r r r i j k i j
V =| c ⋅ (a × b ) |=| a ⋅ (b × c ) |=| b ⋅ (c × a ) | r r r r r
b ×c =1 2 3 1 2 = i (2 − 0) + j (−3 − 1) + k (0 + 2)
−1 0 1 −1 0
= (2,−4,2)
r r r
a ⋅ (b × c ) = (0)(2) + (1)(−4) + (−3)(2) = −10
r r r
V =| a ⋅ (b × c ) |=| −10 |= 10

r
Ex 7. Find an unit vector perpendicular to both a = (0,1,1) and
Proof: r
b = (1,1,0) .
r r
r a×b
The vector u = r r is an unit vector, perpendicular to both
|| a × b ||
r r
a and b .
r r r r r
i j k i j
r r r r r
a × b = 0 1 1 0 1 = i (0 − 1) + j (1 − 0) + k (0 − 1)
1 1 0 1 1
r r r r r = (−1,1,−1)
V = Abase × h =|| a × b || | SProj (c onto a × b ) |
r r
r r r r a ×b (−1,1,−1) ⎛ − 1 1 − 1 ⎞
r r c ⋅ (a × b ) r r r ∴u = r r = = ⎜⎜ , , ⎟⎟
=|| a × b || r r =| c ⋅ (a × b ) | || a × b || 3 ⎝ 3 3 3⎠
|| a × b ||

Reading: Nelson Textbook, Pages 409-414

Homework: Nelson Textbook: Page 414 #3, 5a, 8, 10
7.7 Applications of the Dot and Cross Product
©2010 Iulia & Teodoru Gugoiu - Page 2 of 2