VECTORS - 2

UNIT VECTOR

Unit vector is a vector which has a unit magnitude and points in a

particular direction.

Any vector can be written as the product of unit vector in that

direction and magnitude of the given vector..

A unit vector has no dimensions and unit.

Unit vectors along the positive x, y and z axes

of a rectangular coordinate system are denoted
by

ZERO VECTOR
A vector of zero magnitude is called a zero or a null vector. Its direction is
arbitrary.
Resolution of vector in two Dimension
 Illustration –
Resolve a weight of 10 N in two directions which are parallel and
perpendicular to a slope inclined at 30° to the horizontal.

Solution -
Illustration-
Resolve horizontally and vertically a force F = 8 N which makes an angle
of 45° with the horizontal.
Illustration :
Find the magnitude of F1 and F2, if they make
angles 30° and 45° with their resultant F3 of
magnitude 10 N.

Solution :
Addition and Subtraction in Component form :

Consider two vectors in component form,

Modulus of vector A is given by

Illustration :
Obtain the magnitude of if and

Solution :
Multiplication of Vectors : Scalar Product or Dot Product

The scalar product between two vectors

is the product of their magnitude and
cosine of the angle between them,

It is denoted by
where q is the angle between the vectors

Properties of Scalar Product :

1. It is always a scalar quantity , positive if angle q is acute and

negative if angle q is obtuse.
2. The angle between the vectors is given by,
Properties of Scalar Product (contd.) :

3. Scalar product is commutative and distributive,

hence and

4. It is maximum when angle q is 00

It is minimum when angle q is 1800

The scalar product is zero for orthogonal vectors (q is 900)

5. Self product is square of the magnitude,

6. In case of unit vectors

7.
Projection of a vector along another vector :

For two vectors and inclined at an angle q

Component of along = B cos q =

(Projection of on )

Component of along = A cos q =

(Projection of on )
Illustration :
If the vectors and are mutually

perpendicular, find the value of a.

Solution : Since the vectors are perpendicular, their dot product is zero.
Illustration :
Find the component of along .

Solution :

Component of along is given by,

Illustration :
Find the angle between and .

Solution :
Illustration :
The velocity of a particle is given by , find the vector

component of its velocity parallel to the line

Solution : Component of along
Vector Product or Cross Product

The vector product of two vectors and inclined at an angle q

is given as , v (read as A cross B)

The direction is given by the right - hand - thumb rule.

Place your stretched right palm such that

the fingers are along the vector and

when the fingers are closed they go

towards , the direction of the

thumb gives the direction of

Properties of Vector Product :
1. Vector product of two vectors is always a vector perpendicular to the
plane containing the two vectors, i.e. orthogonal to both the vectors

2. Vector product of two vectors is not commutative,

But

3. The vector product is distributive when the order of the vectors is

strictly maintained

4. The magnitude of vector product of two vectors will be maximum

when sin θ = max = 1. i.e. θ = 90°

5. The magnitude of vector product is zero for collinear vectors

i.e., θ = 0° or 180° and

Properties of Vector Product (contd.) :

6. The self cross product is always a null vector,

7. In case of unit vectors

 Vector Product in component form :

In terms of components,

Illustration :
is Eastwards and is downwards, find the direction of ?

Solution : Applying Right Hand Thumb Rule we find that is in

North direction.
Illustration :

Solution :
Illustration :

Solution :
POSITION VECTOR :

Position vector of a point defines the position

of the point with respect to the origin.

DISPLACEMENT VECTOR :
Change in position vector of particle
is known as displacement vector.
DIRECTION COSINES OF A VECTOR :

Consider a vector having x , y , z components along X , Y and Z axis.

It makes angle a, b , g with the respective axes.
Then the direction cosines are given by,

l2 + m2 + n2 = 1

cos2 a + cos2 b + cos2 g = 1

 Home Assignment
HCV Part I – Chapter 2 – Exercise – Q 1 to 19

Ebook Foundation PCM – Vectors : Page 9 to 16

Ebook Foundation Medical – Vectors : Page 4 to 11

Thank You