Physics For Engineers IM2

Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY

Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.2: Physics 1-2S-2020-2021
College of Engineering
Bambang Campus
DEGREE Bachelor of Science in COURSE NO. Physics 1

PROGRAM Mechanical Engineering
SPECIALIZATION Mechanical COURSE Physics for Engineers
TITLE
YEAR LEVEL 1st Year TIME FRAME 6 WK NO. 1-2 IM 2
hrs/week NO.
I. UNIT TITLE/CHAPTER TITLE: Vectors
II. LESSON TITLE:

2.1 Scalars and vectors
2.2 Coordinate Systems and Composition of Vectors
2.3 Algebra of Vectors
2.4 Products of Vectors
III. LESSON OVERVIEW:

This lesson is all about vectors. In introductory physics, vectors are Euclidean quantities that have
geometric representations as arrows in one dimension (in a line), in two dimensions (in a plane), or in
three dimensions (in space). They can be added, subtracted, or multiplied. In this chapter, we explore
elements of vector algebra for applications in mechanics and in electricity and magnetism. Vector
operations also have numerous generalizations in other branches of physics.
Vectors are essential to physics and engineering. Many fundamental physical quantities are
vectors, including displacement, velocity, force, and electric and magnetic vector fields. Scalar products
of vectors define other fundamental scalar physical quantities, such as energy. Vector products of vectors
define still other fundamental vector physical quantities, such as torque and angular momentum. In other
words, vectors are a component part of physics in much the same way as sentences are a component
part of literature.
IV. DESIRED LEARNING OUTCOMES:

At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:
1. Describe the difference between vector and scalar quantities.
2. Identify the magnitude and direction of a vector.
3. Explain the effect of multiplying a vector quantity by a scalar.
4. Describe vectors in two and three dimensions in terms of their components, using unit vectors along
the axes.
5. Distinguish between the vector components of a vector and the scalar components of a vector.
6. Determine the scalar product of two vectors.
7. Determine the vector product of two vectors.
V. LESSON CONTENT:
2.1 SCALARS AND VECTORS

Scalar Quantities
Scalar is a physical quantity that is completely described by its magnitude; examples of scalars
are volume, density, speed, energy, mass, and time.
Scalars are described by real numbers that are usually but not necessarily positive. The work
done on a particle by a force, for example, is a negative number when the particle moves in a direction
opposite to that in which the force acts. Scalars can be manipulated by the ordinary laws of algebra.
Vector Quantities
NVSU-FR-ICD-05-00 (092220) In accordance with Section 185, Fair Use of a Copyrighted Work of Republic Act 8293, the copyrighted
works included in this material may be reproduced for educational purposes only and not for commercial distribution.
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Physical quantities specified completely by giving a number of units (magnitude) and a direction
are called vector quantities. Examples of vector quantities include displacement, velocity, position, force,
and torque. In the language of mathematics, physical vector quantities are represented by mathematical
objects called vectors. We can add or subtract two vectors, and we can multiply a vector by a scalar or
by another vector, but we cannot divide by a vector. The operation of division by a vector is not defined.
To distinguish between a vector and a scalar quantity, we adopt the common convention that a
letter in bold type denotes a vector, and a letter for scalar. For example, a distance of 2.0 km, which is a
scalar quantity, is denoted by 𝑑 = 2.0 km, whereas a displacement of 2.0 km in some direction, which is
a vector quantity, is denoted by 𝒅.
magnitude
tail head
ሬሬሬሬሬሬሬሬሬሬሬሬሬሬሬሬሬሬԦ
direction
To understand more about vectors and how they combine, we start with the simplest vector quantity,
displacement. Displacement is a change in the position of an object. Displacement is a vector quantity
because we must state not only how far the object moves but also in what direction. Walking 3 km north
from your front door doesn’t get you to the same place as walking 3 km southeast; these two
displacements have the same magnitude but different directions.
2.1A Representing Vectors

Vector quantities are often represented by scaled vector diagrams. Vector diagrams depict a
vector by use of an arrow drawn to scale in a specific direction. Vector diagrams were introduced and
used in earlier units to depict the forces acting upon an object. Such diagrams are commonly called as
free-body diagrams. An example of a scaled vector diagram is shown in the diagram at the right. The
vector diagram depicts a displacement vector. Observe that there are several characteristics of this
diagram that make it an appropriately drawn vector diagram.
• a scale is clearly listed
• a vector arrow (with arrowhead) is drawn in a specified direction. The vector arrow has a head
and a tail.
• the magnitude and direction of the vector is clearly labeled. In this case, the diagram shows the
magnitude is 20 m and the direction is 30 degrees West of North.
SCALE: 1 cm = 4m
20 m
30°
2.1B Conventions for Describing Directions of Vectors

Vectors can be directed due East, due West, due South, and due North. But some vectors are
directed northeast (at a 45-degree angle); and some vectors are even directed northeast, yet more north
than east. Thus, there is a clear need for some form of a convention for identifying the direction of a
vector that is not due East, due West, due South, or due North. There are a variety of conventions for
describing the direction of any vector. The two conventions that will be discussed and used in this unit
are described below:
1. The direction of a vector is often expressed as an angle of rotation of the vector about its "tail" from
east, west, north, or south. For example, a vector can be said to have a direction of 40 degrees North
of West (meaning a vector pointing West has been rotated 40 degrees towards the northerly direction)
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of 65 degrees East of South (meaning a vector pointing South has been rotated 65 degrees towards
the easterly direction).
2. The direction of a vector is often expressed as a counterclockwise angle of rotation of the vector
about its "tail" from due East. Using this convention, a vector with a direction of 30 degrees is a vector
that has been rotated 30 degrees in a counterclockwise direction relative to due east. A vector with a
direction of 160 degrees is a vector that has been rotated 160 degrees in a counterclockwise direction
relative to due east. A vector with a direction of 270 degrees is a vector that has been rotated 270
degrees in a counterclockwise direction relative to due east. This is one of the most common
conventions for the direction of a vector and will be utilized throughout this unit.
40° counter-clockwise rotation rom east 240° counter-clockwise rotation rom east
Observe in the first example that the vector is said to have a direction of 40 degrees. You can
think of this direction as follows: suppose a vector pointing East had its tail pinned down and then the
vector was rotated an angle of 40 degrees in the counterclockwise direction. Observe in the second
example that the vector is said to have a direction of 240 degrees. This means that the tail of the vector
was pinned down and the vector was rotated an angle of 240 degrees in the counterclockwise direction
beginning from due east. A rotation of 240 degrees is equivalent to rotating the vector through two
quadrants (180 degrees) and then an additional 60 degrees into the third quadrant.
Observe in the first example that the vector is said to have a direction of 40 degrees. You can think of
this direction as follows: suppose a vector pointing East had its tail pinned down and then the vector was
rotated an angle of 40 degrees in the counterclockwise direction. Observe in the second example that
the vector is said to have a direction of 240 degrees. This means that the tail of the vector was pinned
down and the vector was rotated an angle of 240 degrees in the counterclockwise direction beginning
from due east. A rotation of 240 degrees is equivalent to rotating the vector through two quadrants (180
degrees) and then an additional 60 degrees into the third quadrant.
2.1C Representing the Magnitude of a Vector

The magnitude of a vector in a scaled vector diagram is depicted by the length of the arrow. The
arrow is drawn a precise length in accordance with a chosen scale. For example, the diagram at the right
shows a vector with a magnitude of 20 miles. Since the scale used for constructing the diagram is 1 cm
= 5 miles, the vector arrow is drawn with a length of 4 cm. That is, 4 cm x (5 miles/1 cm) = 20 miles.
Using the same scale (1 cm = 5 miles), a displacement vector that is 15 miles will be represented
by a vector arrow that is 3 cm in length. Similarly, a 25-mile displacement vector is represented by a 5-
cm long vector arrow. And finally, an 18-mile displacement vector is represented by a 3.6-cm long arrow
SCALE: 1 cm = 5 miles
A = 20 mi
60
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2.2 COORDINATE SYSTEMS AND COMPONENTS OF A VECTOR
2.2A Vectors in Cartesian Coordinates

Vectors are usually described in terms of their components in a coordinate system. Even in
everyday life we naturally invoke the concept of orthogonal projections in a rectangular coordinate
system. For example, if you ask someone for directions to a particular location, you will more likely be
told to go 40 km east and 30 km north than 50 km in the direction 37° north of east.
In a rectangular (Cartesian) xy-coordinate system in a plane, a point in a plane is described by a
pair of coordinates (x, y). In a similar fashion, a vector 𝐴 in a plane is described by a pair of its vector
coordinates. The x-coordinate of vector 𝐴 is called its x-component and the y-coordinate of vector 𝐴 is
called its y-component. The vector x-component is a vector denoted by 𝐴𝑥 . The vector y-component is a
vector denoted by 𝐴𝑦 . In the Cartesian system, the x and y vector components of a vector are the
orthogonal projections of this vector onto the x– and y-axes, respectively. In this way, following the
parallelogram rule for vector addition, each vector on a Cartesian plane can be expressed as the vector
sum of its vector components:
𝑨 = 𝑨𝒙 + 𝑨𝒚 .
If we know the magnitude 𝐴 of the vector 𝑨 and its direction, given by θ, we can calculate the
components. From the definition of the trigonometric functions,
𝐴𝑥 𝐴𝑦
= cos 𝜃 and = sin 𝜃
𝐴 𝐴 A
𝐴𝑦
𝐴𝑥 = A cos 𝜃 and 𝐴𝑦 = 𝐴 sin 𝜃
θ
𝐴𝑥
We can use either the magnitude and direction or the 𝑥- and 𝑦- components of a vector or a quantity to
describe it completely. Or if we are given the components, we can find the magnitude and direction.
Applying the Pythagorean theorem and the definition of the tangent of an angle,
𝐴𝑦 𝐴𝑦
𝐴 = √𝐴2𝑥 + 𝐴2𝑦 tan 𝜃 = and 𝜃 = arctan .
𝐴𝑥 𝐴𝑥
Example:
The pilot of a private plane flies 20.0 km in a direction 60° north of east, then 30.0 km straight east, then
10.0 km straight north. How far and in what direction is the plane from the starting point?
R
A (20m) C (10m)
B (30m)
60°
x
Distance Angle 𝑥-component 𝑦-component
𝐴 = 20.0 km 60° (20 km)(cos 60°) = 10.0 km (20 km)(sin 60°) = 17.3 km
𝐵 = 30.0 km 0° 30 km 0
𝐶 = 10.0 km 90° 0 10.0 km
𝑅𝑥 = 40 km 𝑅𝑦 = 27.3 km
𝑅 = √(40 km)2 + (27.3 km)2 = 48.4 km

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27.3 𝑘𝑚
𝜃 = 𝑎𝑟𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛 = 34.3°
40.0 𝑘𝑚
2.2B Unit Vectors

A unit vector is a vector having a magnitude of unity, with no units. Its only purpose is to describe
a direction in space. Unit vectors provide a convenient notation in many expressions involving
components of vectors.
In any 𝑥𝑦-coordinate system we can define a unit vector 𝒊 that points in the direction of the positive
𝑥-axis, and a unit vector 𝒋 in the direction of the positive 𝑦-axis. Then we can express the relationships
between component vectors and components,
𝑨𝒙 = 𝐴𝑥 𝒊, 𝑨𝒚 = 𝐴𝑦 𝒋, 𝑨 = 𝐴 𝑥 𝒊 + 𝐴𝑦 𝒋
When two vectors 𝑨 and 𝑩 are represented in terms of their components, we can express the vector sum
using unit vectors,
𝑨 = 𝐴𝑥 𝒊 + 𝐴𝑦 𝒋, 𝑩 = 𝐵𝑥 𝒊 + 𝐵𝑦 𝒋,
𝑪 = 𝑨+𝑩
= (𝐴𝑥 𝒊 + 𝐴𝑦 𝒋) + (𝐵𝑥 𝒊 + 𝐵𝑦 𝒋)
= (𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵𝑥 )𝒊 + (𝐴𝑦 + 𝐵𝑦 )𝒋
= 𝐶𝑥 𝒊 + 𝐶𝑦 𝒋.
If the vectors do not lie in the 𝑥𝑦- plane, then a third component is needed. We introduce a third
unit vector 𝒌 in the 𝑧-axis direction.
𝑨 = 𝐴𝑥 𝒊 + 𝐴𝑦 𝒋 + 𝐴𝑧 𝒌, 𝑩 = 𝐵𝑥 𝒊 + 𝐵𝑦 𝒋 + 𝐵𝑧 𝒌,
𝑪 = (𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵𝑥 )𝒊 + (𝐴𝑦 + 𝐵𝑦 )𝒋 + (𝐴𝑧 + 𝐵𝑧 )𝒌
= 𝐶𝑥 𝒊 + 𝐶𝑦 𝒋 + 𝐶𝑧 𝒌.
2.3 ALGEBRA OF VECTORS
2.3A Addition of Parallel Vectors

Two vectors can be added together to determine the result (or resultant). Vectors can be added
together to find out the resultant of both vectors (A + B = R). Both the directions and the magnitudes are
combined when adding vectors. Here are some simple examples adding vectors that are in same
direction or 180 degrees of the same direction (negative).
3 7 10
+ = 4 4
10 -3 7 3 + =
+ =
2.3B Addition of Non-Parallel Vectors
2.3B1 Commutative Law

The commutative law, which states the order of addition doesn't matter:
𝑨+𝑩=𝑩+𝑨
This law is also called the parallelogram law, as illustrated in the below image. Two of the edges of the
parallelogram define 𝑨 + 𝑩, and the other pair of edges define 𝑩 + 𝑨. But, both sums are equal to the
same diagonal of the parallelogram.
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A
B
A+B=B+A
B
A
2.3B2 Associative Law

The associative law, which states that the sum of three vectors does not depend on which pair
of vectors is added first:
(𝑨 + 𝑩) + 𝑪 = 𝑨 + (𝑩 + 𝑪)
2.3B3 Head to Tail Method

In this method we put the tail of the additional vector at the end of the head of the previous vector.
The resultant vector is the vector drawn from the tail of the first vector to the head of the last vector.
The head-to-tail method involves drawing a vector to scale on a sheet of paper beginning at a
designated starting position. Where the head of this first vector ends, the tail of the second vector begins
(thus, head-to-tail method). The process is repeated for all vectors that are being added. Once all the
vectors have been added head-to-tail, the resultant is then drawn from the tail of the first vector to the
head of the last vector; i.e., from start to finish. Once the resultant is drawn, its length can be measured
and converted to real units using the given scale. The direction of the resultant can be determined by
using a protractor and measuring its counterclockwise angle of rotation from due East.
A step-by-step method for applying the head-to-tail method to determine the sum of two or more
vectors is given below.
1. Choose a scale and indicate it on a sheet of paper. The best choice of scale is one that will result in
a diagram that is as large as possible, yet fits on the sheet of paper.
2. Pick a starting location and draw the first vector to scale in the indicated direction. Label the magnitude
and direction of the scale on the diagram (e.g., SCALE: 1 cm = 20 m).
3. Starting from where the head of the first vector ends, draw the second vector to scale in the indicated
direction. Label the magnitude and direction of this vector on the diagram.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for all vectors that are to be added
5. Draw the resultant from the tail of the first vector to the head of the last vector. Label this vector as
Resultant or simply R.
6. Using a ruler, measure the length of the resultant and determine its magnitude by converting to real
units using the scale (4.4 cm x 20 m/1 cm = 88 m).
7. Measure the direction of the resultant using the counterclockwise convention.
Example 1:
Find the resultant of the vectors: 20m, 45°; 25m, 300°; 15m, 210°.
SCALE: 1 cm = 5 m
300°
210°
20 m
25 m 15 m
+ +
45°
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Solution:
(a) Graphical Method
The head-to-tail method is employed as described above and the resultant is determined (drawn in red).
Its magnitude and direction are labeled on the diagram.
300°
20 m
25 m
45°
40°
210°
Resultant
27 m
15 m
Interestingly enough, the order in which three vectors are added has no effect upon either the
magnitude or the direction of the resultant. The resultant will still have the same magnitude and direction.
For example, consider the addition of the same three vectors in a different order.
(b) Analytical Method
Distance Angle 𝑥-component 𝑦-component
𝐴 = 20.0 m 45° (20 m)(cos 45°) = 14.1 m (20 m)(sin 45°) = 14.14 m
𝐵 = 30.0 m 300° (30 m)( cos 300°) = 15 m (30 m)(sin 300°) = −25.98 m
𝐶 = 10.0 m 210° (10.0 m)(cos 210°) = −8.7 m (10.0 m)(sin 210°) = −5 m
𝑅𝑥 = 20.4 m 𝑅𝑦 = −16.9 m
𝑅 = √(20.4 m)2 + (−16.9 m)2 = 26.5 m
−16.9 𝑚
𝜃 = arctan = −39.6°
20.4 𝑚
Example 2:
Same as Example 1 but reversing the order of the vectors: 15m, 210°; 25m, 300°; 20m, 45°.
SCALE: 1 cm = 5m
300°
210°
20 m
15 m 25 m
+ +
45°
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Solution:
The head-to-tail method is employed as described above and the resultant is determined (drawn in red).
Its magnitude and direction are labeled on the diagram.
210°
15 m 40°
300° Resultant
27 m
25 m
20 m
45°
2.3C Subtraction of Vectors

Before we define subtraction, we define the vector −A, which is the opposite of A. The vector
−A is the vector with the same magnitude as A but that is pointed in the opposite direction.
A -A
We define subtraction as addition with the opposite of a vector:
𝑩 − 𝑨 = 𝑩 + (−𝑨)
2.4 PRODUCTS OF VECTORS
2.4A Scalar Product
B
θ
A
𝑨 · 𝑩 = 𝐴𝐵 cos 𝜃 = |𝑨||𝑩| cos 𝜃

The scalar product of two vectors yields a result that is a scalar quantity. The scalar product is
also called the dot product, and it may be a positive or negative. When θ is between 0° and 90°, the
scalar product is positive; when θ is between 90° and 180°, it is negative; and when θ = 90°, 𝑨 · 𝑩 = 0.
The scalar product of two perpendicular is always zero.
The scalar product obeys the commutative law of multiplication; the order of the two vectors does
not matter.
If we know the components of 𝑨 and 𝑩, we can calculate their scalar product.
𝑨 · 𝑩 = (𝐴𝑥 𝒊 + 𝐴𝑦 𝒋 + 𝐴𝑧 𝒌) · (𝐵𝑥 𝒊 + 𝐵𝑦 𝒋 + 𝐵𝑧 𝒌)
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= 𝐴𝑥 𝒊 · 𝐵𝑥 𝒊 + 𝐴𝑥 𝒊 · 𝐵𝑦 𝒋 + 𝐴𝑥 𝒊 · 𝐵𝑧 𝒌 + 𝐴𝑦 𝒋 · 𝐵𝑥 𝒊 + 𝐴𝑦 𝒋 · 𝐵𝑦 𝒋 + 𝐴𝑦 𝒋 · 𝐵𝑧 𝒌 + 𝐴𝑧 𝒌 · 𝐵𝑥 𝒊
+ 𝐴𝑧 𝒌 · 𝐵𝑦𝒋 + 𝐴𝑧 𝒌 · 𝐵𝑧 𝒌.
Each of these terms contains the scalar product of two vectors that are either parallel or perpendicular.
For example, in 𝐴𝑥 𝒊 · 𝐵𝑥 𝒊, the two are parallel, the angle between them is zero, its cosine is unity, and the
scalar product is simply the product 𝐴𝑥 𝐵𝑥 of the magnitudes. But in 𝐴𝑥 𝒊 · 𝐵𝑦 𝒋, the two vectors are
perpendicular and the scalar product is zero. Thus, six of the nine terms are zero, and the three that
survive give simply
𝑨 · 𝑩 = 𝐴𝑥 𝐵𝑥 + 𝐴𝑦 𝐵𝑦 + 𝐴𝑧 𝐵𝑧
Example:
Find the angle between the vectors
𝑨 = 2𝒊 + 3𝒋 + 4𝒌, 𝑩 = 𝒊 − 2𝒋 + 3𝒌.
Solution:
𝐴𝑥 = 2 𝐵𝑥 = 1
𝐴𝑦 = 3 𝐵𝑦 = −2
𝐴𝑧 = 4 𝐵𝑧 = 3
𝑨 · 𝑩 = 𝐴𝐵 cos 𝜃 = 𝐴𝑥 𝐵𝑥 + 𝐴𝑦 𝐵𝑦 + 𝐴𝑧 𝐵𝑧
𝐴𝑥 𝐵𝑥 + 𝐴𝑦 𝐵𝑦 + 𝐴𝑧 𝐵𝑧
cos 𝜃 =
𝐴𝐵
𝐴𝑥 𝐵𝑥 + 𝐴𝑦 𝐵𝑦 + 𝐴𝑧 𝐵𝑧 = (2)(1) + (3)(−2) + (4)(3) = 8

𝐴 = √𝐴2𝑥 + 𝐴2𝑦 + 𝐴2𝑧 = √22 + 32 + 42 = √29
𝐵 = √𝐵𝑥2 + 𝐵𝑦2 + 𝐵𝑧2 = √12 + (−2)2 + 32 = √14

8
cos 𝜃 = = 0.397
√29√14
𝜃 = 66.6°
2.4B Vector Product

The vector product of two vectors 𝑨 and 𝑩 is denoted by 𝑨 × 𝑩. To define the vector product (also
called cross product) we draw 𝑨 and 𝑩 from a common point. The two vectors then lie in a plane. We
define the vector product as a vector quantity with a direction perpendicular to this plane (perpendicular
to both 𝑨 and 𝑩) and a magnitude given by 𝐴𝐵 sin 𝜃. That is, if 𝑪 = 𝑨 × 𝑩, then
𝐶 = 𝐴𝐵 sin 𝜃
We measure the angle 𝜃 from 𝑨 towards 𝑩 and take it always to be between 0 and 90°. Thus 𝐶 is always
positive, as a vector magnitude must be.
We determine the direction of the vector product 𝑨 × 𝑩 by rotating 𝑩 into 𝑨. This yields a result
opposite to that for 𝑨 × 𝑩. The vector product is not commutative.
𝑨 × 𝑩 = −𝑩 × 𝑨.
If we know the components of 𝑨 and 𝑩, we can calculate the components of the vector product,
𝑨 × 𝑩 = (𝐴𝑥 𝒊 + 𝐴𝑦 𝒋 + 𝐴𝑧 𝒌) × (𝐵𝑥 𝒊 + 𝐵𝑦 𝒋 + 𝐵𝑧 𝒌)
= 𝐴𝑥 𝒊 × 𝐵𝑥 𝒊 + 𝐴𝑥 𝒊 × 𝐵𝑦 𝒋 + 𝐴𝑥 𝒊 × 𝐵𝑧 𝒌 + 𝐴𝑦 𝒋 × 𝐵𝑥 𝒊 + 𝐴𝑦 𝒋 × 𝐵𝑦 𝒋 + 𝐴𝑦 𝒋 × 𝐵𝑦 𝒌
+𝐴𝑧 𝒌 × 𝐵𝑥 𝒊 + 𝐴𝑧 𝒌 × 𝐵𝑦 𝒋 + 𝐴𝑧 𝒌 × 𝐵𝑧 𝒌
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The individual terms may also be written as 𝐴𝑥 𝒊 × 𝐵𝑦 𝒋 = 𝐴𝑥 𝐵𝑦 𝒊 × 𝒋, and so on. Each term in which
the same unit vector appears twice, such as 𝒊 × 𝒊, is zero because it is a product of two parallel vectors.
The other terms are 𝒊 × 𝒋 = 𝒌, and 𝒋 × 𝒊 = −𝒌. Thus, 𝐴𝑥 𝒊 × 𝐵𝑦 𝒋 = 𝐴𝑥 𝐵𝑦 𝒌, and so on. Thus, we finally
obtain
𝑨 × 𝑩 = (𝐴𝑦 𝐵𝑧 − 𝐴𝑧 𝐵𝑦 )𝒊 + (𝐴𝑧 𝐵𝑥 − 𝐴𝑥 𝐵𝑧 )𝒋 + (𝐴𝑥 𝐵𝑦 − 𝐴𝑦 𝐵𝑥 )𝒌.
If 𝑪 = 𝑨 × 𝑩, the components of 𝑪 are given by
𝐶𝑥 = 𝐴𝑦 𝐵𝑧 − 𝐴𝑧 𝐵𝑦 ,
𝐶𝑦 = 𝐴𝑧 𝐵𝑥 − 𝐴𝑥 𝐵𝑧 ,
𝐶𝑧 = 𝐴𝑥 𝐵𝑦 − 𝐴𝑦 𝐵𝑥 .
Example:
A vector 𝑨 has a magnitude 6 units and is in the direction of the +𝑥-axis; vector 𝑩 has a magnitude 4
units and lies in the 𝑥𝑦-plane, making an angle of 30° with the +𝑥-axis and an angle of 60° with the 𝑦-
axis. Find the vector product 𝑨 × 𝑩.
Solution:
The magnitude of the vector product is
𝐴𝐵 sin 𝜃 = (6)(4) (sin 30°) = 12
The direction of 𝑨 × 𝑩 is that of the +𝑧-axis.
𝐴𝑥 = 6, 𝐴𝑦 = 0 𝐴𝑧 = 0,
𝐵𝑥 = 4 cos 30° = 2√3, 𝐵𝑦 = 4 cos 60° = 2, 𝐵𝑧 = 0
𝐶𝑥 = (0) − (0)(2) = 0,
𝐶𝑦 = (0)(2√3) − (6)(0) = 0,
𝐶𝑧 = (6)(2) − (0)(2√3) = 12.
The vector product 𝑪 has only a 𝑧-component, and it lies along the 𝑧-axis. The magnitude agrees with
the above result.
VI. LEARNING ACTIVITIES
1. Determine whether each statement is a scalar or vector.

(a) The football player was running 10 miles an hour towards the end zone.
(b) The volume of that box at the west side of the building is 14 cubic feet.
(c) The temperature of the room was 15 degrees Celsius.
(d) The car accelerated north at a rate of 4 meters per second squared.
(e) The temperature in Hawaii was a pleasant 75 degrees F.
2. Find the magnitude and direction of the vector represented by each of the following pairs of
components:
(a) 𝐴𝑥 = 3.0 𝑐𝑚, 𝐴𝑦 = −4.0 𝑐𝑚;
(b) 𝐴𝑥 = −5.0 𝑚, 𝐴𝑦 = −12.0 𝑚;
(c) 𝐴𝑥 = −2.0 𝑘𝑚, 𝐴𝑦 = 3.0 𝑘𝑚.
From the figure below:
3. Write each of the two vectors in terms of the unit vector 𝒊 and 𝒋.
4. Find the scalar product 𝑨 · 𝑩 of the two vectors.
y
B (20m)
37°
x
A
(7m)
Page 10 of 11
IM No.2: Physics 1-2S-2020-2021
5. A sailboat sails 2.0 km east, then 4.0 km southeast, then an additional distance in an unknown
direction. Its final position is 6.0 km directly east of the starting point. Find the magnitude and direction
of the third leg of the journey.
VII. EVALUATION
Quiz: TBD via MS Teams (LMS)
VIII. REFERENCES:
Walker, J. (2014). Fundamentals of Physics 10th Ed. Cleveland State University: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Young, H. D. et al. (2020). University Physics 15th Ed. New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall.
Page 11 of 11

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Republic of the Philippines

NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY

DEGREE Bachelor of Science in COURSE NO. Physics 1

I. UNIT TITLE/CHAPTER TITLE: Vectors

II. LESSON TITLE:

III. LESSON OVERVIEW:

IV. DESIRED LEARNING OUTCOMES:

2.1 SCALARS AND VECTORS

2.1A Representing Vectors

2.1B Conventions for Describing Directions of Vectors

2.1C Representing the Magnitude of a Vector

2.2 COORDINATE SYSTEMS AND COMPONENTS OF A VECTOR

2.2A Vectors in Cartesian Coordinates

𝑅 = √(40 km)2 + (27.3 km)2 = 48.4 km

2.2B Unit Vectors

2.3 ALGEBRA OF VECTORS

2.3A Addition of Parallel Vectors

2.3B Addition of Non-Parallel Vectors

2.3B1 Commutative Law

2.3B2 Associative Law

2.3B3 Head to Tail Method

(b) Analytical Method

Distance Angle 𝑥-component 𝑦-component

𝑅 = √(20.4 m)2 + (−16.9 m)2 = 26.5 m

2.3C Subtraction of Vectors

We define subtraction as addition with the opposite of a vector:

2.4 PRODUCTS OF VECTORS

2.4A Scalar Product

𝑨 · 𝑩 = 𝐴𝐵 cos 𝜃 = |𝑨||𝑩| cos 𝜃

𝐴𝑥 𝐵𝑥 + 𝐴𝑦 𝐵𝑦 + 𝐴𝑧 𝐵𝑧 = (2)(1) + (3)(−2) + (4)(3) = 8

𝐵 = √𝐵𝑥2 + 𝐵𝑦2 + 𝐵𝑧2 = √12 + (−2)2 + 32 = √14

2.4B Vector Product

If 𝑪 = 𝑨 × 𝑩, the components of 𝑪 are given by

𝐴𝐵 sin 𝜃 = (6)(4) (sin 30°) = 12

The direction of 𝑨 × 𝑩 is that of the +𝑧-axis.

VI. LEARNING ACTIVITIES

1. Determine whether each statement is a scalar or vector.

Quiz: TBD via MS Teams (LMS)

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