Scalars and Vectors

Scalars and Vectors

A scalar is a number which expresses quantity. Scalars

may or may not have units associated with them.
Examples: mass, volume, energy, money

A vector is a quantity which has both magnitude and

direction. The magnitude of a vector is a scalar.
Examples: Displacement, velocity, acceleration, electric
field

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 Vector Notation
• Vectors are denoted as a symbol with an arrow over the top:
r
x
• Vectors can be written as a magnitude and direction:

r
E = 15.7 N C @ 30o deg

Vector Representation
• Vectors are represented by an arrow pointing in the direction of
the vector.
• The length of the vector represents the magnitude of the vector.
• WARNING!!! The length of the arrow does not necessarily
represent a length.

r
A = 2.3 m s

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 Vector Addition
Adding Vectors Graphically.

r r r r r
A A B A B
r r r
r C = A+ B
B
Arrange the The resultant is drawn
vectors in a head from the tail of the first
to tail fashion. to the head of the last
vector.

Vector Addition
This works for any number of
vectors.
r
r B
r
A C

r r r r r r
R = A+ B +C + D D

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 Vector Addition

Vector Subtraction
Subtracting Vectors Graphically. r
−B r
r r B
A A

r
r B
B
( )
r r r r r
C = A− B = A+ − B
Flip one vector.
The resultant is drawn
Then proceed to
from the tail of the first
add the vectors
to the head of the last
vector.

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 Vector Components
Any vector can be broken down into components along
the x and y axes.
r
Example: r = 5.0m @ 30 o from the horizontal. Find its
components.
r r r
r = rx + ry r
rx = (5.0m ) cos 30o iˆ
r r
r r rx = 4.3miˆ
ry = r sin θˆj
θ r
r ry = (5.0m )sin 30o ˆj
rx = r cos θiˆ
r
ry = 2.5mˆj

Vector Addition by Components

You can add two vectors by adding the components of
the vector along each direction. Note that you can only
add components which lie along the same direction.

r
A = 3.2 m s iˆ + 2.5 m s ˆj
r
+ B = 1.5 m s iˆ + 5.2 m s ˆj
r r
A + B = 4.7 m s iˆ + 7.7 m s ˆj

r r Never add the x-component

A + B = 12.4 m s and the y-component

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 Unit Vectors
Unit vectors have a magnitude of 1.
They only give the direction.

A displacement of 5 m in
the x-direction is written as
y r
d = 5miˆ
The magnitude is 5m.

ĵ The direction is the î-direction.

iˆ x
k̂
z

Finding the Magnitude and Direction

Pythagorean Theorem

ry
r = r +r x
2 2
y
tan θ =
rx
r
r r
ry
θ  ry 
r θ = tan −1  
rx r
 x

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 Vector Multiplication I: The Dot Product

The result of a dot product of two vectors is a scalar!

r r
A ⋅ B = AB cos θ
r
A

θ iˆ ⋅ iˆ = 1 iˆ ⋅ ˆj = 0
r
B ˆj ⋅ ˆj = 1 ˆj ⋅ kˆ = 0
kˆ ⋅ kˆ = 1 iˆ ⋅ kˆ = 0

Vector Multiplication I: The Dot Product

r
(
F = 2iˆ + 3 ˆj − 2kˆ N ) r
(
s = 3iˆ − 4 ˆj − 6kˆ m )
r r
F ⋅ s = 2(3) N ⋅ m + 3( −4) N ⋅ m + ( −2)( −6) N ⋅ m

r r
F ⋅ s = 6N ⋅ m

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Vector Multiplication II: The Cross Product

The result of a cross product of two vectors is a new vector!

r r
A × B = AB sin θ
r
A

θ iˆ × iˆ = 0 iˆ × ˆj = kˆ
r
r
C B ˆj × ˆj = 0 ˆj × kˆ = iˆ
kˆ × kˆ = 0 kˆ × iˆ = ˆj

Vector Multiplication II: The Cross Product

(
r r
) (
r r
) ( )
r r
q v × B = qv × B = v × qB

( ) ( )
r r r r r
r
A
C = B × A = − A× B

θ r r r r
r r
B
C⊥A C⊥B
C

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Vector Multiplication II: The Cross Product
r
(
F = 2iˆ + 3 ˆj − 2kˆ N )
r
(
r = 3iˆ − 4 ˆj − 6kˆ m )
τ = (r × F )
v r r

( )
τ = (2 N )(3m )(iˆ × iˆ ) + (2 N )(− 4m )(iˆ × ˆj ) + (2 N )(− 6m ) iˆ × kˆ
v

+ (3N )(3m )( ˆj × iˆ ) + (3N )(− 4m )( ˆj × ˆj ) + (3N )(− 6m )( ˆj × kˆ )

+ (− 2 N )(3m )(kˆ × iˆ ) + (− 2 N )(− 4m )(kˆ × ˆj ) + (− 2 N )(− 6m )(kˆ × kˆ )

v
(
τ = 26iˆ − 6 ˆj + 17 kˆ N ⋅ m )

Vector Multiplication II: The Cross Product

r
(
F = 2iˆ + 3 ˆj − 2kˆ N ) r
(
r = 3iˆ − 4 ˆj − 6kˆ m )
τ = (r × F )
v r r
ĵ k̂
v
 − 4 − 6 τ = (− 4(− 2) − (3)(− 6))iˆ
 
 3 − 2  iˆ ĵ + (− 6(2 ) − (3)(− 2 )) ĵ
 3 − 4
k̂ iˆ   + (3(3) − (2 )(− 4 ))k̂
 2 3 
 − 6 3
 
 − 2 2 v
(
τ = 26iˆ − 6 ˆj + 17 kˆ N ⋅ m )

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Vector Multiplication II: Right Hand Rule
Index finger in the direction of the
first vector.
Middle finger in the direction of the
second vector
Thumb points in the direction of the
cross product.

WARNING: Make sure you

are using your right hand!!!

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