VECTOR

In this chapter, we focus on the basic language of vectors as physics deals

with a great many quantities that have both size and direction. This is called
vector algebra.
● Commutative (vector) P + Q = Q + P
● Associative (vector) (P + Q) + R = P + (Q + R)
● Additive identity There is a vector 0 such
that (P + 0) = P = (0 + P)
for all P
● Additive inverse For any P there is a vector -P such that P + (-P) = 0
● Distributive (vector) r(P + Q) = rP + rQ
● Distributive (scalar) (r + s) P = rP + sP
● Associative (scalar) r(sP) = (rs)P
● Multiplicative identity For the real number 1,
1P = P for each P
 VECTOR

vector subtraction is nothing but addition with

the reverse vector.
 VECTOR

Components of Vectors: A component

of a vector is the projection of the vector
on an axis.

Ax = Acos(theta) and Ay = Asin(theta).

 VECTOR

Problem 4: Consider two displacements, one of magnitude 3 m and another

of magnitude 4 m. Show how the displacement vectors may be combined
to get a resultant displacement of magnitude (a) 7 m, (b) 1 m, and (c) 5 m.

A unit vector is a vector that has a magnitude of exactly 1 and points in a

particular direction.
VECTOR
 VECTOR

MULTIPLYING VECTORS

The Dot Product

If the angle between two vectors is 0°,
the component of one vector along
the other is maximum, and so also is
the dot product of the vectors. If,
instead, is 90°, the component of one
vector along the other is zero, and so
is the dot product.
 VECTOR
The Vector Product

If a and b are parallel or antiparallel, a cross b= 0.The magnitude of a

cross b, which can be written as , is maximum when and are
perpendicular to each other.
 VECTOR

Problem In Fig. a cube of edge length a sits with one corner at the origin
of an xyz coordinate system. A body diagonal is a line that extends
from one corner to another through the center. In unit-vector notation,
what is the body diagonal that extends from the corner at (a) coordinates (0,
0, 0), (b) coordinates (a, 0, 0), (b) Determine the angles that the body diagonals
make with the adjacent edges. (c) Determine the length of the body diagonals in
terms of a.