Lecture Outline

 Unit vectors and position vectors

 Use position vectors to obtain forces acting

along a line
 Unit vectors in 3D

 Unit vectors are vectors with a magnitude of 1.

 Just like in two dimensions we can make a unit
vector from any vector by dividing it by its
magnitude.
 Example

 Find a unit vector point in the same direction as

Now

So

1. A) B) 1
C) D)
E)
 Example

 Find a unit vector point in the same direction as

Now

So
 Example

 Find a unit vector point in the same direction as

Now

So
 Coordinates in 3D

 We can specify the

position of a point in
3D by their distance
from the 3 axes –
these are the x, y, z
coordinates.
 Eg.
 A (4m,2m,-6m)
 B (0m,2m,0m)
 C (6m,-1m,4m) We use right-handed axes.
 Position Vectors

 Tell us the location of points

 Can be used to specify the direction of forces
 Calculate moments of forces
 Later
 Position vectors – Head to tail
 A position vector locates one point relative to another.
We often use the letter, r to indicate position vectors
 For example rP below extends from the origin, O, to the
point P (x,y,z)
 Position vectors – tail to tail
 A position vector locates one point relative to another.
We often use the letter, r to indicate position vectors
 For example rP below extends from the origin, O, to the
point P (x,y,z)
Example
Example
 Position vectors

 More generally we would like to write down a position

vector between to arbitrary points – say A and B. We
use subscripts to differentiate different position
vectors.
Position vectors
Position vectors
 Example 2.12

An elastic band stretches from

point A to point B. Find its length
and a unit vector which points
from A to B.
 Example 2.12

An elastic band stretches from

point A to point B. Find its length
and a unit vector which points
from A to B.

A is at (?,?,?)
B is at (?,?,?)

B at
2. A) (2 m, 3 m, -2 m)
B) (2 m, 2 m, 3 m)
C) (2 m,-2 m, 3 m)
D) (-2 m , 3 m, 2 m)
E) (-2 m, 2 m,3 m)
 Example 2.12

An elastic band stretches from

point A to point B. Find its length
and a unit vector which points
from A to B.

A is at (1m,0m,-3m)
B is at (-2m,2m,3m)

3. A) (3i + 2j + 6k) m B) (-3i + 2j + 6k) m

C) (3i - 2j - 6k) m D) (-3i + 2j - 6k) m
E) (-1i + 2j + 0k) m
 Example 2.12

An elastic band stretches from

point A to point B. Find its length
and a unit vector which points
from A to B.

A is at (1m,0m,-3m)
B is at (-2m,2m,3m)
 Force along a line

Often in 3D problems a
force point along a line of
action which passes through
two points.

The figure to the left is an

example of such a situation.

Both F and rAB point along

the same unit vector uAB.

Now uAB = rAB /|rAB |

and F = |F|uAB
so:
 Force along a line

Often in 3D problems a
force point along a line of
action which passes through
two points.

The figure to the left is an

example of such a situation.

Both F and rAB point along

the same unit vector uAB.

Now uAB = rAB /|rAB |

and F = |F|uAB
so:
 Example 2.13
 The person shown below pulls a cord with a force of 350N.
Represent this force as a Cartesian vector.

A (?,?,?)
B (?,?,?)

7.5m

2.0m

1.5m

3.0m
 Example 2.13
 The person shown below pulls a cord with a force of 350N.
Represent this force as a Cartesian vector.

A (0.0,0.0,7.5m)
B (3.0m,-2.0m,1.5m)

7.5m

2.0m

1.5m

3.0m
 Example 2.13
 The person shown below pulls a cord with a force of 350N.
Represent this force as a Cartesian vector.

A (0.0,0.0,7.5m)
B (3.0m,-2.0m,1.5m)

7.5m

2.0m

1.5m

3.0m
 Example 2.13
 The person shown below pulls a cord with a force of 350N.
Represent this force as a Cartesian vector.

A (0.0,0.0,7.5m)
B (3.0m,-2.0m,1.5m)

7.5m

2.0m

1.5m

3.0m
 Example 2.13
 The person shown below pulls a cord with a force of 350N.
Represent this force as a Cartesian vector.

4 A)
7.5m
B)
C) 2.0m

1.5m
D)
3.0m
E) 350 N
 Example 2.13
 The person shown below pulls a cord with a force of 350N.
Represent this force as a Cartesian vector.

7.5m

2.0m

1.5m

3.0m
 Example 2.13
 The person shown below pulls a cord with a force of 350N.
Represent this force as a Cartesian vector.

7.5m

2.0m

1.5m

3.0m
 Example 2.15
Find the total force exerted by the cables
 Example 2.15

 Find the magnitude of

the total force acting on
the hook at A .

Find the coordinates of

A,B, and C.
 Example 2.15

 Find the magnitude of

the total force acting on (0,0,4m)
the hook at A .

Find the coordinates of

A,B, and C.

(4m,0m,0m)

(4m,2m,0m)
 Example 2.15

 Find the magnitude of

the total force acting on (0,0,4m)
the hook at A .

 Find FAB

(4m,0m,0m)

(4m,2m,0m)
 Example 2.15

 Find the magnitude of

the total force acting on (0,0,4m)
the hook at A .

First find FAB

Now find FAC

(4m,0m,0m)

(4m,2m,0m)
 Example 2.15

 Find the magnitude of

the total force acting on
the hook at A .

First find FAB and FAC.

Then add them to find
the resultant FR:

FAB + FAC. = ?
 Keywords

 Make sure that after this lecture you

understand the following words and concepts:
 3D unit vector
 3D position vector
 Force along a line