PARALLELOGRAM LAW OF VECTORS

What is a vector ?

Any quantity that has both magnitude and a

direction is called a vector quantity .
For example : velocity and displacement

What is a unit vector ?

Vector with a magnitude of 1 unit pointing in

a particular direction is called as a unit vector .

Since our world is 3 dimensional , we use x, y

and z axis to reach any point in this world .

The unit vector of x axis is known as i cap ( i

with a ‘^’ on top )

The unit vector of y axis is known as j cap ( j

with a ‘^’ on top )
The unit vector of z axis is known as k cap ( k
with a ‘^’ on top )

What is a position vector ?

A vector which gives position of an object with

reference to the origin of a co-ordinate system
is called a position vector .

For example : the co-ordinates of a particular

object is ( 2, 4 , 5 ) .
This can be written as 2i^ + 4j^ + 5k^

What is a displacement vector ?

The displacement between 2 position vectors

is called displacement vector .

For example : 2 vectors A and B , ( 3i^ + 6j^ +

3k^ ) and ( 5i^ + 7j^ + 6 k^ ) respectively .

Displacement vector AB = Vector B - Vector A

ie : 5i^ + 7j^ + 6k^ - 3i^ - 6j^ - 3k^ = 2i^ + 1j^ +
3k^

How to find the magnitude of a

vector ?

For any vector ai^ + bj^ + ck^ , the magnitude

of the vector is :

√ a^2 + b^2 + c^2

Triangle law of vector addition :

If any two vectors both with magnitude and

direction can be represented as 2 sides of a
triangle , then their resultant can be
represented as the third side of the triangle in
the opposite order
What is a resultant ?

Lets assume there are 2 forces acting on a

body . In which direction will it get displaced ?
what will be the magnitude of velocity in
which it moves ? To answer all these , its
important to understand Resultant vector .

Resultant can be explained as a sum or

difference of 2 or more vectors . When
multiple forces are acting on a body , the
direction and magnitude of the path in which
the body moves is represented by a resultant
vector .

For sum of 2 vectors , the resultant =

√ a^2 + b^2 + 2ab cos θ

For difference of 2 vectors , the resultant =

     √ a^2 + b^2 - 2abcos θ

Theta represents the angle between 2 vectors

Parallelogram law of vector addition

If two vectors can be represented both in

magnitude and direction by the two adjacent
sides of a parallelogram drawn from drawn
from a common point , then their resultant is
completely represented , both in magnitude
and direction , by the diagonal of the
parallelogram drawn from that point .
A perfect example for parallelogram law of
vector addition is working of a sling .

When a stone is kept between the string and

pulled , a particular amount of tension is
formed in the string . The resultant of this
tension gives a force to the stone .

Source : New Simplified Physics by SL Arora

THANK YOU