NOTES

DIMENTIONS OF HEADER
P H Y S I C S

MATHEMATICAL TOOLS
VECTORS: DOT PRODUCT

What you already know What you will learn

• Vector and its representation • Vector subtraction

• Unit vector • Position and displacement vector
• Triangular, parallelogram, and polygon • Vector multiplication
law of vector addition • Dot product - properties and
• Direction and magnitude of resultant applications
vector

Vector Subtraction

• Magnitude of the resultant 𝑨 − 𝑩 can be obtained by

𝑨 − 𝑩 = 𝑨 + (- 𝑩 )
| 𝑨 − 𝑩 | = √(𝑨𝟐 + 𝑩𝟐 + 𝟐𝑨𝑩 𝐜𝐨𝐬 (𝝅−𝜽)
𝑩
| 𝑨 − 𝑩 | = √(𝑨𝟐 + 𝑩𝟐 − 𝟐𝑨𝑩 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜽
𝑨 𝜽
• Direction of the resultant 𝑨 − 𝑩: Let the resultant make α
an angle ⍺ with 𝑨. 𝜽 𝝅 − 𝜽

𝑩 sin 𝜽 −𝑩
𝐭𝐚𝐧 ⍺ = 𝑨−𝑩
𝑨−𝑩 cos 𝜽

| 𝑨 − 𝑩 | = (𝑨𝒙 − 𝑩𝒙) 𝒊 + (𝑨𝒚 − 𝑩𝒚) 𝒋 + (𝑨𝒛 − 𝑩𝒛) 𝒌

If the sum of two unit vectors is also a unit vector, find the magnitude of their difference.
a. √6 b. √5 c. √3 d. √8

Solution

| 𝑅|=| 𝐴+𝐵| 1
| 𝐴−𝐵|= 1+1−2×− |𝐴 + 𝐵| = √𝐴2 + 𝐵2 + 2𝐴𝐵 cos 𝜃
2
1 = √1 + 1 + 2 cos 𝜃
| 𝐴 − 𝐵 | = √3
1 |𝐴 − 𝐵| = √𝐴2 + 𝐵2 − 2𝐴𝐵 cos 𝜃
𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃 = −
2

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 02

Find the resultant of the three vectors 𝑂𝐴, 𝑂𝐵, and, 𝑂𝐶 as shown in the figure. Radius of
the circle is 𝑅.

Solution
𝐶
𝑂𝐴 = 𝑂𝐶
𝐵
𝑂𝐴 + 𝑂𝐶 is along 𝑂𝐵 and its magnitude is
2𝑅 cos 45° = 𝑅√2 45°
45°
(𝑂𝐴 + 𝑂𝐶) + 𝑂𝐵 is along 𝑂𝐵 and its magnitude is 𝐴
𝑂
𝑹 √𝟐 + 𝑹 = 𝐑 (𝟏 + √𝟐)

Two vectors have magnitude 𝟑 unit and 𝟒 unit respectively. What should be the angle
between them if the magnitude of the resultant is
a. 𝟏 unit b. 𝟓 unit

Solution

𝑅2 = 𝐴2 + 𝐵2 + 2𝐴𝐵 cos 𝜃
𝑅 = 1 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡 𝑅 = 5 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡
12 = 32 + 42 + 2 × 3 × 4 cos 𝜃 52 = 32 + 42 + 2 × 3 × 4 cos 𝜃
24 cos 𝜃 = −24 24 cos 𝜃 = 0
cos 𝜃 = −1 cos 𝜃 = 0

𝜃 = 180° 𝜃 = 90°

BOARDS

Three forces 𝐹1 , 𝐹2 , 𝐹3 , each of magnitude 10 𝑁 are acting at

𝐹2 𝐹1
a point as shown in the figure. Find the net force at point O. 10 10
3𝟎𝟎 3𝟎𝟎
a. 𝐹 𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 5 √3 𝑖 c. 𝐹 𝑛𝑒𝑡 = −10 𝑗
O
b. 𝐹 𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 0 d. 𝐹 𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 5 𝑗
10

𝐹3

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 03

Solution 5𝑗 5𝑗
𝐹2 𝐹1
𝐹1 = 5 √3 𝑖 + 5𝑗 10 10 𝐹1
60𝟎

3𝟎𝟎 30𝟎
𝐹2 = − 5 √3 𝑖 + 5𝑗 120𝟎
− 5 √3 𝑖 5 √3 𝑖 Sum of three 60𝟎 𝐹3
𝐹3 = 0 𝑖 − 10𝑗 vectors of equal
10 magnitude making
60𝟎
𝐹 𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝐹1 + 𝐹2 + 𝐹3 𝟏𝟐𝟎𝟎 with each other 𝐹2
is null vector.
𝑭 𝒏𝒆𝒕 = 𝟎 𝐹3

Position Vector

A vector that represents the position of a point in magnitude and direction w.r.t a coordinate
system is known as position vector.

𝑷 (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) Position vector of point ‘P’

w.r.t origin is
𝑟 𝒓 = 𝒙𝒊 + 𝒚𝒋 + 𝒛𝒌

𝑂 𝑥
(0, 0, 0)

Displacement Vector

Difference between two position 𝑟1 = 𝑥1 𝑖 + 𝑦1 𝑗 + 𝑧1𝑘

vectors is known as displacement
vector. It is drawn as an arrow 𝑟2 = 𝑥2 𝑖 + 𝑦2 𝑗 + 𝑧2𝑘
from the initial position to the final
position. 𝑟1 + 𝑫 = 𝑟2 𝑫 = (𝒙2 − 𝒙1)𝒊 + (𝒚2 − 𝒚1)𝒋 + (𝒛2 − z1)𝒌
𝑫 = 𝑟2 − 𝑟1
𝑩 (𝑥2, 𝑦2, 𝑧2) 𝑦

𝑷1 (𝑥1, 𝑦1, 𝑧1)

𝐴𝐵
𝑫
𝑟1
𝑨 𝑷2 (𝑥2, 𝑦2, 𝑧2)
(𝑥1, 𝑦1, 𝑧1) 𝑟2
𝑂 𝑥

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 04

If a particle moves from point P (2,3,5) to point Q (3,4,5), its displacement vector is
a. 𝑖 + 𝑗 + 10𝑘 c. 𝑖 + 𝑗
b. 𝑖 + 𝑗 + 5𝑘 d. 2 𝑖 + 4𝑗 + 6𝑘

Solution
𝑦
Position vector 𝑂𝑃 = 2 𝑖 + 3𝑗 + 5𝑘
𝑃𝑄 𝑄
Position vector 𝑂𝑄 = 3 𝑖 + 4𝑗 + 5𝑘 P
Displacement = Final position − Initial position
𝑃𝑄 = 𝑂𝑄 − 𝑂𝑃 = (3 𝑖 + 4𝑗 + 5𝑘) − (2 𝑖 + 3𝑗 + 5𝑘) 𝑂𝑃
𝑂𝑄
= (3 − 2) 𝑖 + (4 - 3)𝑗 + (5 − 5)𝑘

𝑃𝑄 = 𝑖 + 𝑗
𝑥
O
𝑧

Multiplication of Vectors

Scalar Product/Dot Product Vector Product / Cross Product

Gives us scalar quantities by Gives us vector quantities by

multiplication of two vector quantities. multiplication of two vector quantities.
Mathematically, it is given by 𝑨. 𝑩. Mathematically, it is given by 𝑨 x 𝑩

Dot Product

The scalar product or dot product of any two vectors 𝑨 and 𝑩, denoted by 𝑨. 𝑩, is defined as the
product of their magnitude with the cosine of angle between them.

𝑨. 𝑩 = 𝑨𝑩 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝜽

𝑩
The dot product of 𝑨 and 𝑩 is equal to the
product of 𝑨 and projection of 𝑩 on 𝑨 or
𝜃 product of 𝑩 and projection of 𝑨 on 𝑩.

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 05

If |𝐴 | = 2, |𝐵| = 3, and the angle between 𝐴 and 𝐵 is 60°, find 𝐴 .𝐵.

Solution

|𝐴 | = 2, |𝐵| = 3
𝜃 = 60° 𝐴 .𝐵 = 3
𝐴 .𝐵 = |𝐴 ||𝐵| cos 𝜃
= 2 × 3 × cos 60° 𝑨. 𝑩 = 𝑨𝑩 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝜽
1
= 2 × 3 ×
2

Properties of Dot Product

• It is commutative, i.e., 𝑨. 𝑩 = 𝑩. 𝑨
• It is distributive, i.e., 𝑨. (𝑩 + 𝑪 ) = 𝑨. 𝑩 + 𝑨. 𝑪

𝑨.𝑩 = 𝑨𝒙𝑩𝒙 + 𝑨y𝑩y + 𝑨z𝑩z n.n = 𝑖 . 𝑖 = 𝑗 .𝑗 = 𝑘.𝑘 = 1

If 𝐴 = 3 𝑖 − 𝑗 + 4𝑘 and 𝐵 = 2 𝑖 + 3𝑗 −𝑘 find 𝐴 .𝐵.

Solution

𝐴 = 3 𝑖 − 𝑗 + 4𝑘
𝐵 = 2 𝑖 + 3𝑗 − 𝑘
Scalar product: 𝐴 . 𝐵 = 𝐴𝒙𝐵𝒙 + 𝐴y𝐵y + 𝐴z𝐵z

= 3 × 2 − 1 × 3 − 4 × 1

𝐴 . 𝐵 = −1 ⟹ 𝑨.𝑩 = 𝑨𝒙𝑩𝒙 + 𝑨y𝑩y + 𝑨z𝑩z

If 𝑎 = 𝑖 − 𝑗 and 𝑏 = − 𝑗 + 2𝑘, find ( 𝑎 − 2 𝑏 ). ( 𝑎 + 𝑏 ).

Solution
( 𝑎 − 2 𝑏 ). ( 𝑎 + 𝑏 )
𝑎=𝑖 −𝑗
= ( 𝑖 + 𝑗 − 4𝑘). ( 𝑖 − 2𝑗 + 2𝑘)
𝑏 = − 𝑗 + 2𝑘
= 1 × 1 + 1 × (−2) + (−4) × 2
( 𝑎 − 2 𝑏 ) = ( 𝑖 − 𝑗 ) − 2 (− 𝑗 + 2𝑘) ( 𝑎 + 𝑏 ) = ( 𝑖 − 𝑗 ) + (− 𝑗 + 2𝑘)
=1−2−8
= ( 𝑖 − 𝑗 ) + 2𝑗 − 4𝑘 = 𝑖 − 𝑗 − 𝑗 + 2𝑘
= 𝑖 + 𝑗 − 4𝑘 = 𝑖 − 2𝑗 + 2𝑘 ( 𝑎 − 2 𝑏 ). ( 𝑎 + 𝑏 ) = − 9

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 06

BOARDS
Application of Dot Product

𝐴. 𝐵
• Finding the angle between two vectors 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜽 =
|𝐴 | |𝐵|

𝐴. 𝐵
|𝐵| cos 𝜃 = = 𝐵. 𝐴
• Component of a vector on another |𝐴 |
vector (Projection) 𝐴. 𝐵
|𝐴 | cos 𝜃 = = 𝐴. 𝐵
|𝐵|
• Condition for orthogonality (to check
𝐴 . 𝐵 is zero
whether the given vectors are orthogonal or)

• Calculating the work done W = 𝑭 . 𝒓

Angle Between Two Vectors

If 𝐴 = 2 𝑖 + 4𝑗 + 3𝑘 and 𝐵 = 𝑖 + 2𝑗 + 𝑘, find the following:

i. Scalar product of 𝐴 and 𝐵 ii. The angle between 𝐴 and 𝐵

Solution

𝐴 = 2 𝑖 + 4𝑗 + 3𝑘

𝐵 = 𝑖 + 2𝑗 + 𝑘
i. Scalar product: ii. Angle between the vectors:
𝐴 . 𝐵 = 𝐴𝒙𝐵𝒙 + 𝐴y𝐵y + 𝐴z𝐵z 𝐴. 𝐵
cos 𝜃 =
= 2 × 1 + 4 × 2 + 3 × 1 |𝐴 | |𝐵|
|𝐴 | = √4 + 16 + 9 = √29
𝐴 . 𝐵 = 13
|𝐵| = √1 + 4 + 1 = √6
13
13 cos 𝜃 =
cos 𝜃 = √174
√29 √6

BOARDS

Find the angle that the vector 𝑎 = 𝑖 − 𝑗 + √2𝑘 makes with the coordinate axes.

Solution

Component along 𝑥, 𝑦 and 𝑧-axes are 𝑖 , 𝑗 and 𝑘, respectively.

Let 𝜃1 be the angle between 𝑎 and 𝑖 .

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 07

𝑎.𝑖
cos 𝜃1 =
|𝑎| |𝑖 |
( 𝑖 − 𝑗 + √2𝑘).( 𝑖 + 0𝑗 + 0𝑘) 1 × 1 + (−1) × 0 + √2 × 0
= =
| 𝑖 − 𝑗 + √2𝑘| | 𝑖 + 0𝑗 + 0𝑘| √1 + 1 + 2 × √1
1 𝜋
cos 𝜃1 = 𝜃1 =
2 3

Let 𝜃2 be the angle between 𝑎 and 𝑗 .

𝑎 .𝑗
cos 𝜃2 =
| 𝑎 | |𝑗 |
( 𝑖 − 𝑗 + √2𝑘).(0 𝑖 + 𝑗 + 0𝑘) 1 × 0 + (−1) × 1 + √2 × 0
= =
| 𝑖 − 𝑗 + √2𝑘| |0 𝑖 + 𝑗 + 0𝑘| √1 + 1 + 2 √1

1 2𝜋
cos 𝜃2 = − 𝜃2 =
2 3

Let 𝜃3 be the angle between 𝑎 and 𝑘.

𝑎 .𝑘
cos 𝜃3 =
| 𝑎 | |𝑘| So, the angle between vector
𝜋
( 𝑖 − 𝑗 + √2𝑘).(0 𝑖 + 0𝑗 + 𝑘) 1 × 0 + (−1) × 0 + √2 × 1 𝑎 and 𝑥−axis is , vector 𝑎
3
= =
| 𝑖 − 𝑗 + √2𝑘| |0 𝑖 + 0𝑗 + 𝑘| √1 + 1 + 2 √1 2𝜋
and y−axis is , and, 𝑎 and
3
√2 1 𝜋 𝜋
cos 𝜃3 = = 𝜃3 = 𝑧−axis is .
√4 √2 4 4

Component of a Vector on another Vector

Find the projection of 𝐴 = 𝑖 + 𝑗 + 𝑘 along the vector 𝐵 = 2 𝑖 − 𝑗 + 𝑘.

Solution 𝐴
𝐴 = 𝑖 + 𝑗 + 𝑘 𝐵 = 2 𝑖 − 𝑗 + 𝑘.
Projection of 𝐴 in the direction of 𝐵 is given by | 𝐴 | cos 𝜃 or 𝐴 cos 𝜃,
where 𝜃 = the angle between 𝐴 and 𝐵. We know that, 𝐴 . 𝐵 = |𝐴 ||𝐵| cos 𝜃
𝐴 . 𝐵 ( 𝑖 + 𝑗 + 𝑘). (2 𝑖 − 𝑗 + 𝑘) (2 − 1 + 1)
|𝐴 | cos 𝜃 = = = 𝜃
|𝐵| √4 + 1 + 1 √6
2 𝐵
|𝐴 | cos 𝜃 =
√6 𝐴 cos 𝜃

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 08

Find the projection of 𝑏 + 𝑐 on 𝑎, where 𝑎 = 2𝑖 − 2𝑗 + 𝑘, 𝑏 = 𝑖 + 2𝑗 − 2𝑘 and 𝑐 = 2𝑖 − 𝑗 + 4𝑘.

Solution

𝑎 = 2 𝑖 − 2𝑗 + 𝑘, 𝑏 = 𝑖 + 2𝑗 − 2𝑘 and 𝑐 = 2 𝑖 − 2𝑗 + 4𝑘
𝑏 + 𝑐 = ( 𝑖 + 2𝑗 − 2𝑘) + (2 𝑖 − 𝑗 + 4𝑘) = 3 𝑖 + 𝑗 + 2𝑘
( 𝑏 + 𝑐 ).𝑎
Projection of ( 𝑏 + 𝑐 ) on 𝑎 is
|𝑎|
(3 𝑖 + 𝑗 + 2𝑘).(2 𝑖 − 2𝑗 + 𝑘)
=
√4 + 4 + 1
6−2+2
=
√9

Projection of ( 𝑏 + 𝑐 ) on 𝑎 = 2

Condition for Orthogonality

Find the value of 𝑚 so that the vector 3 𝑖 − 2𝑗 + 𝑘 may be perpendicular to the vector
2 𝑖 + 6𝑗 + 𝑚𝑘.

Solution

Let the given vectors be 𝑃 and 𝑄.

𝑃 = 3 𝑖 − 2𝑗 + 𝑘
𝑄 = 2 𝑖 + 6𝑗 + 𝑚𝑘
These vectors will be perpendicular if their dot product is zero.
(3 𝑖 − 2𝑗 + 𝑘).(2 𝑖 + 6𝑗 + 𝑚𝑘) = 0
3 × 2 + (−2) × 6 + 𝑚 = 0
𝑚 − 6 = 0
𝑚 = 6

BOARDS

If 𝑎 = 2 𝑖 − 𝑗 + 𝑘, 𝑏 = 𝑖 + 𝑗 − 2𝑘, and 𝑐 = 𝑖 + 3𝑗 − 𝑘, find 𝜆 such that 𝑎 is

perpendicular to 𝜆 𝑏 + 𝑐 .

Solution

𝑎 = 2 𝑖 − 𝑗 + 𝑘, 𝑏 = 𝑖 + 𝑗 − 2𝑘, and 𝑐 = 𝑖 + 3𝑗 − 𝑘
Given that 𝑎 is perpendicular to 𝜆 𝑏 + 𝑐 .

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 09

⟹ 𝑎 . (𝜆 𝑏 + 𝑐 ) = 0
⟹ 𝜆𝑎.𝑏 + 𝑎. 𝑐 = 0
𝜆 (2 𝑖 − 𝑗 + 𝑘).( 𝑖 + 𝑗 − 2𝑘) + (2 𝑖 −𝑗 + 𝑘).( 𝑖 + 3𝑗 − 𝑘) = 0
𝜆 (2 − 1 − 2) + (2 − 3 − 1) = 0
− 𝜆 − 2 = 0
𝜆 = − 2

Calculating Work Done

A particle moves from position 𝑟1 = 2 𝑖 + 3𝑗 − 4𝑘 to 𝑟2 = 𝑖 − 𝑗 + 𝑘 under the action of a

force 𝐹 = 2 𝑖 − 4𝑗 + 𝑘. Calculate the work done.
a. 15 𝐽 b. 19 𝐽 c. 22 𝐽 d. 30 𝐽

Solution

𝑟1 = 2 𝑖 + 3𝑗 − 4𝑘
𝑟2 = 𝑖 − 𝑗 + 𝑘
𝑠 = 𝑟2 − 𝑟1 = ( 𝑖 − 𝑗 + 𝑘) − (2 𝑖 + 3𝑗 − 4𝑘)
= − 𝑖 − 4𝑗 + 5𝑘
𝐹 = 2 𝑖 − 4𝑗 + 𝑘
Work done = (Force) . (displacement)
𝑊= 𝐹 . 𝑠 = (2 𝑖 − 4𝑗 + 𝑘). (− 𝑖 − 4𝑗 + 5𝑘)
𝑊 = 19 𝐽
= − 2 + 16 + 5

A force of magnitude 12 N acts on a particle in the direction of a vector 𝐴 = 2 𝑖 − 4𝑗 +4𝑘,

which results in change in position of particle from (3,3,5) (meter) to (2,-1,4) (meter).
Calculate the work done in ( J ).
a. 15 𝐽 b. 19 𝐽 c. 20 𝐽 d. 30 𝐽

Solution
Unit vector along 𝐴 = 2 𝑖 − 4𝑗 +4𝑘 is 𝐴 . 𝑟1 = 3 𝑖 + 3𝑗 + 5𝑘

𝐴 2 𝑖 − 4𝑗 + 4𝑘 2 𝑖 − 4𝑗 + 4𝑘 𝑟2 = 2 𝑖 − 𝑗 + 4𝑘
𝐴= = =
|𝐴 | √22+ (−4)2 + 42 6 𝑠 = 𝑟2 − 𝑟1 = (2 𝑖 − 𝑗 + 4𝑘) − (3 𝑖 + 3𝑗 + 5𝑘)
1 2 2 = − 𝑖 − 4𝑗 - 𝑘
= 𝑖 − 𝑗+ 𝑘
3 3 3 Work done = (Force) . (displacement)
Therefore, force 𝐹 = |𝐹 | 𝐴 𝑊= 𝐹 . 𝑠 = (4 𝑖 − 8𝑗 + 8𝑘). (− 𝑖 − 4𝑗 − 1𝑘)
1 2 2
= 12 𝑖 − 𝑗+ 𝑘 = − 4 + 32 − 8
3 3 3
𝑊 = 20 𝐽
= 4 𝑖 − 8𝑗 + 8𝑘

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