Chapter 3: Vectors – PHYS 170

       
1. Find the dot product of the two vectors, A = i + 12 j + 13 k and B = 5i − j + 4 k .

A NS : A • B = 45

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2. Find the cross product of the vectors, A = 2i − 3 j − k and B = i + 4 j − 2 k .

A NS = 10i + 3 j + 11k

Angle between two vectors

The angle,  between any two vectors can be found by using either the Dot-Product or the
Cross-Product.
 
A• B
Angle using Dot-Product cos(  ) =  
AB

 
A B
Angle using Cross-Product sin(  ) =  
AB

       
3. Find the angle between A = 2i − 3 j + 6 k and B = 2i + 5 j + 14 k using the dot
product.

The Dot-Product is given by

A • B = 73

 = cos −1 = 45.95
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4. Find the angle between A = 2i − 3 j + 6 k and B = 2i + 5 j + 14 k using the cross-
product.

A NS = −72i − 16 j + 16 k

 = sin −1 = 45.95

Orthogonal and Parallel Vectors

Orthogonal (Also known as Perpendicular):

Two vectors are said to be orthogonal to each other, if the angle between them is a right angle (

c

 = 90  which is ). Since, Cos (90  ) = 0 , we have

2
 
A• B = 0 (Orthogonal Vectors)

Example:
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Prove that the two vectors, A = 2 i + 13 j + 6 k and B = 5i − 4 j + 7 k are orthogonal.

( ) ( )
       
A • B = 2i + 13 j + 6 k • 5i − 4 j + 7 k = ( 2)(5) + (13 )( −4) + (6)( 7 ) = 10 − 52 + 42 = 0

The dot-product is zero; hence the two vectors are orthogonal.

Parallel Vectors
Two vectors are said to be parallel to each other, if the angle between them is zero (  = 0  which
is 0 c ). Since, Sin (0  ) = 0 , we have
 
A B = 0 (Parallel Vectors)

Example:
       
Prove that the two vectors, A = 2i + 3 j + 5k and B = 4i + 6 j + 10 k are parallel.

  
i j k
( ) ( )
       
A  B = 2 i + 3 j + 5 k  4 i + 6 j + 10 k = 2 3 5 = 0̂
4 6 10

The cross-product is zero; hence the two vectors are parallel.

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5. Find the angle between A = 2i + 6 j + 3k and B = 2i + 4 j − 4 k , using cross product.

Solution:

A NS = −36i + 14 j − 4 k

 = sin −1 = 67.60