Physics Remedial Program

Unit 1
Vector and Scalar Quantities
Introduction
 Any number or sets of numbers used for a
quantitative description of a physical phenomenon
is called a physical quantity.
 Physical quantities can generally be divided in two
groups: scalars and vectors.
 Scalars have only magnitudes while vectors have
both magnitude and direction.

January 21, 2024 1

 1.1 Scalars and Vectors

Scalars: are quantities that has only magnitude;

no direction.
examples Time, distance, density, mass ,speed,
length, volume, temperature, energy and power
 Vectors: are quantities that have both direction
and magnitude.
Example:- Displacement, acceleration, velocity
momentum, impulse, length, weight and electric
field strength, Torque and Force etc.
January 21, 2024 2
 Vector representations
 Vector quantities are represented either algebraically or
geometrically.
 Algebraically: they are represented by a bold letter as A or
with an arrow over the letter, for example Vector A=
,𝐴 , Force = ⇒ 𝐹 or F, Momentum = ⇒ 𝑃or P
 Geometrically: they are represented by an arrow that is
drawn at a suitable scale.
 The initial point of arrow is called tail and the final point
of the arrow is the head.
January 21, 2024 3
 Cont…

• The length of the arrow represents the vector

magnitude.

• The arrow head represents the direction of vector.

January 21, 2024 4

 1.2 Vector addition and subtraction

Addition of Vectors
• The sum of two or more vectors are called resultant vector
(𝑅 ). Note that subtraction is addition of the negative.

• 𝑅 = 𝐴 − 𝐵 = 𝐴 + −𝐵

• Vector addition is not simple algebraic addition of numbers

It Obeys the laws of vector addition.

January 21, 2024 5

 cont…
 only vectors of the same kind can be added.

 For example, two forces or two velocities can be

added. But a force and a velocity cannot be added.

 Scalars and vectors can never be added.

If vectors 𝐴 and 𝐵 have a resultant 𝑅, this can be

represented mathematically as, 𝑹=𝑨+𝑩

January 21, 2024 6

 cont…
When Two Vectors 𝑨 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝑩 are Parallel (Same

Direction) the magnitude of the resultant vector is the

sum of the magnitudes of the two vectors.

𝑹 = 𝑨+ 𝑩

 Two vectors are in the same direction, the direction

of the resultant vector is in the direction of one of
the two vectors.
January 21, 2024 7
 Cont…

 When Two Vectors 𝑨 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝑩 are acting in Opposite

Direction ( anti parallel) the magnitude of the resultant
vector R is the difference of the magnitudes of the two

vectors. 𝑹 = 𝑨 − 𝑩 or 𝑹 =𝑩−𝑨
 When two vectors are acts in opposite directions the
direction of the resultant vector is in the direction of the
larger vector.

January 21, 2024 8

 cont…

January 21, 2024 9

 Cont…
 Example : 𝐴 = 12m East and 𝐵= 6m East then

• 𝑅=𝐴+𝐵 = 12m East + 6𝑚 𝐸𝑎𝑠𝑡 = 18m East

• Two forces, 𝐹1 and 𝐹2 , act in the same direction with

magnitudes of 10N South and 5 South, respectively.
 Find the resultant force
𝐹𝑅 = 𝐹1 + 𝐹2 = 10𝑁 + 5𝑁 = 15𝑁

 Example: 𝐴 = 12m west and 𝐵= 6m East then

• 𝑹 = 𝑨 + 𝑩 = 12m west + (−6𝑚 𝐸𝑎𝑠𝑡) = 6m west

January 21, 2024 10
 Cont…
 When two vectors 𝑨 and 𝑩 are perpendicular
• the magnitude of the resultant vector is obtained using
the Pythagoras theorem. Hence, the magnitude of the

resultant vector is R = 𝑨𝟐 + 𝑩𝟐

January 21, 2024 11

 Cont…
 The direction of the resultant vector is obtained using the

trigono metric equation:

−𝟏 𝑩
θ =𝒕𝒂𝒏
𝑨

 Note: when two vectors acting on the same direction

resultant vector is maximum and when two vectors are
acting in opposite directions the resultant vector is
minimum.
January 21, 2024 12
 Cont…
 Example : 𝐴 = 6m East and 𝐵= 4m North then

• R = 𝐴2 + 𝐵 2 = (6𝑚)2 +(4𝑚)2 = 25𝑚2 = 5𝑚

 The direction of the resultant vector is obtained using the

trigono metric equation:

𝑩 𝟒
 θ =𝒕𝒂𝒏 −𝟏
𝑨
==𝒕𝒂𝒏 −𝟏
𝟔
= 𝒕𝒂𝒏−𝟏 (0.67)= 𝟑𝟑. 𝟖𝟎

 The resultant vector is 5m , 𝟑𝟑. 𝟖𝟎 East of North

January 21, 2024 13

 Subtraction of Vectors
• Vector subtraction is done in the same way as vector
addition.

• That manes add the first vector to the negative of the

vector that needs to be subtracted.

• a negative vector has the same magnitude as the original

vector, but points in the opposite direction.

• Subtracting vector 𝐵 from vector 𝐴, which is written as,

𝐴 - 𝑩, is actually equal to 𝐴 +(−𝐵).

January 21, 2024 14
 Cont…
 draw vector -B from the tip of A and join the tail of A with
the tip of -B, then the resulting vector is the difference

(A - B).

January 21, 2024 15

 Exercise
 1. Two vectors A and B have the same magnitude of 5 units
and they start from the origin: B points to the north east and A
points to the south west exactly opposite to vector B . What
would be the magnitude of the resultant vector? Why?

 2. If two vectors have equal magnitude, what are the maximum

and minimum magnitudes of their sum?

 3.If three vectors have unequal magnitudes, can their sum be

zero? Explain

January 21, 2024 16

 Graphical Method of Addition of Vectors
• When two or more vectors are added they must have the
same units.

• Vectors are added Graphically by using the following laws:

 Triangle law

 Parallelogram law

 Polygon law

January 21, 2024 17

 Triangle Law of Vector Addition

Triangle Law of Vector Addition is used to find the

sum of two vectors.

 This law is used to add two vectors when the first

vector’s head is joined to the tail of the second

vector and then joining the tail of the first vector

to the head of the second vector to form a triangle.

January 21, 2024 18
 Cont…

• R = A+B

January 21, 2024 19

 Parallelogram method of vector addition
 It is used to add two vectors when the vectors that are to be
added form the two adjacent sides of a parallelogram by
joining the tails of the two vectors.

 It is tail to tail methods. the sum of the two vectors is given

by the diagonal of the parallelogram.

𝒔𝑹 =𝒔𝟏 +𝒔𝟐

January 21, 2024 20

 Cont…
 the sum of the two vectors is given by the diagonal of
the parallelogram.

SR=S1+S2

Figure: Parallelogram Law of addition of vectors S1 and

S2 are placed tail to tail.
January 21, 2024 21
 polygon law of vector addition

 When we need to add more than two vectors use

that place the tail of the next vector to the head of
the first and do the same until all the vectors are
included.
 The vector drawn from the tail of the first vector to
the head of the last vector represents the resultant.

January 21, 2024 22

 Cont…

• 𝑹=𝑨+𝑩+𝑪+𝑫

Figure : polygon law of vector addition

January 21, 2024 23
 Vector Components
• The projection of the vector on the coordinate axes
is known as component of the vector.

• Consider a vector placed on the xy-plane with its

tail at o, the origin of the coordinate system.

January 21, 2024 24

 Cont…
• The projection of vector 𝐴 on the x axis, Ax, is known

as the x component of vector 𝑨 and that on the y axis,

Ay, is known as the y component of vector 𝑨 .

• Components Ax and Ay are numbers but they are

not vectors. 𝑨𝒙 and 𝑨𝒚 are the vector components of

𝑨 and in symbols: 𝑨 = 𝑨𝒙 + 𝑨𝒚

 for three dimension: 𝑨 = 𝑨𝒙 + 𝑨𝒚 + 𝑨𝒛

January 21, 2024 25
 Cont…
y

X
Ax

Figure : Vector Components

January 21, 2024 26

 Cont…

• The x and y components of vector 𝑨 the figure

shown from the above have magnitudes of

Ax = A𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜽 and Ay = A 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝜽, respectively.

The process of breaking up a vector into its

components is known as resolution of a vector.

January 21, 2024 27

 Cont…
 If the angle were measured with respect to the y-axis,
from the above figure the components would be given
by: Ax = A𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝜶 and Ay = A sin𝜶

Ax
 cos 𝜃 = ⇒ Ax = Acos 𝜃
A

Ay
 sin 𝜃 = ⇒ Ay = A sin 𝜃
A

January 21, 2024 28

 Unit Vectors

• we defined a unit vector as a vector of magnitude

one, with no unit.

• Unit vectors are used to represent the direction of

vectors in space.

• The symbol of unit vectors is denoted by a ‘hat’ (^)

• There are three unit vectors which are used to

specify direction.
January 21, 2024 29
 Cont…
• Unit vector 𝑖 is 1 unit in the x direction.

• Unit vector 𝑗 is 1 unit in the y direction.

• Unit vector 𝑘 is 1 unit in the z direction.

• 𝒊 = 𝟏, 𝟎, 𝟎 , 𝒋 = 𝟎, 𝟏, 𝟎 , 𝒌 = (𝟎, 𝟎, 𝟏)

• Any vector can be expressed in terms of unit vectors

𝒊 , 𝒋, 𝒌. Example ∶ A(1,2,4) = 𝑖 + 2𝑗 + 4𝑘

January 21, 2024 30

 cont…
• In an xyz -coordinate system we define a unit
vector hat{i} it that points in the direction of the
positive x-axis , a unit vector hat{j} that points in
the direction of the positive y-axis and a unit vector
hat{k} that points in the direction of the positive z-
axis .

January 21, 2024 Figure : Unit Vector in Rectangular Coordinate Axis 31

 Cont…
• Vector components of vector 𝐴 and its components
are related as

• 𝐀x = 𝐀 𝐱 𝐢 , 𝐀𝐲 = 𝐀𝐲𝐣 , 𝑨𝒛 = 𝑨𝒛 𝒌

• Vector A can be written in vector equation as

• 𝑨= 𝑨𝒙 𝒊 + 𝑨𝒚 𝒋 + 𝑨𝒛 𝒌

If A and B both have x , y and z components can

be expressed as:
January 21, 2024 32
 Cont…

• 𝐴 = A x i + A y j + 𝐴𝑧 𝑘

• 𝐵= Bx i + By j + 𝐵𝑧 𝑘

• 𝑅= 𝐴 +𝐵 = (Ax i + Ay j + 𝐴𝑧 𝑘)+ (Bx i + By j + 𝐵𝑧 𝑘)

• 𝑅= (Ax +Bx )𝑖 +(Ay + By )𝑗 + (𝐴𝑧 +𝐵𝑧 ) 𝑘

• 𝑹= 𝑹𝒙 𝒊 + 𝐑 𝒚 𝒋 +𝑹𝒛 𝒌

January 21, 2024 33

 Finding the unit vector
• The unit vector along the direction of a given non-
zero vector is defined as the vector divided by its
magnitude.

• If vector A= Ax i + Ay j +𝐴𝑧 𝑘, then the unit vector

𝐀
along A is 𝑼𝑨 =
IAI

January 21, 2024 34

 Example
• 1. Given force vector 𝐹 = (12i − 16j )N , what is a
unit vector along 𝐹 ? Solution

𝐹 12i−16j 12i−16j
 U𝐹 = = ,
𝐹 (12)2 +(−16)2 400

12i−16j
= = (0.6i − 0.8j)N
20

 Then the magnitude of U𝐹 is 𝑈𝐹

= (0.6)2 +(0.8)2 = 1
January 21, 2024 35
 Example
2. Given vectors A = 4mi+ 3mj, B= 2mi− 3mj,
C= 2m i+ 3mj − 2mk and D=1mi − 2mj +2mkˆ. Find

 a) |A| b) 2 A + B −C
• a) Solution
 The magnitude of a vector is the absolute value of its
length.
 We can use the Pythagorean theorem to find the
magnitudes of the vectors:
January 21, 2024 36
 Cont…

• |A| = 𝐴2 𝑥 + 𝐴2 𝑦 == (4𝑚)2 +(3𝑚)2 = 5𝑚

b) To find the sum of vectors, we simply add the

corresponding components: 2 A + B −C

 2(4mi ̂ + 3mj ̂) + (2mi ̂ - 3mj ̂) - (2mi ̂ + 3mj ̂ - 2mk ̂)

 (2 × 4mi ̂ + 2 ×3mj ̂) + (2mi ̂ - 3mj ̂) - (2mi ̂ + 3mj ̂ - 2mk ̂)

= 10mi ̂ - 2mj ̂ + 2mk ̂
January 21, 2024 37
 Cont…
c. To find the unit vector in the direction of R, we
need to follow these steps:
1.Find the vector R: We know that 2 C + B − R = 0
Solving for R, we get:
R = 2 C + B = 4mi ̂ + 6mj ̂ - 4mk ̂

2. Find the magnitude of R: | R |

= (4)2 + (6)2 + (−4)2 ) = 68𝑚2

January 21, 2024 38

 Cont…

• Divide each component of R by its magnitude to get

the unit vector:

R̂ = (4/√68)mi ̂ + (6/√68) mj ̂ - (4/√68) mk ̂.

There for the unit vector in the direction of R is

R̂ = (4/√68)mi ̂ + (6/√68)mj ̂ - (4/√68) mk ̂.

January 21, 2024 39

 1.3 Multiplication of vectors

 Vector multiplication refer to several operations

between two (or more) vectors.

 It may concern any of the following articles:

• Scalar-vector multiplication.

• Dot product.

• Cross product.

January 21, 2024 40

 Scalar-vector multiplication
 Multiplication of a vector by a scalar changes the magnitude of the
vector, but its direction unchanged.
 The scalar changes the size of the vector.

 For example, If 𝑨 = Ax𝒊+ Ay 𝒋+ Azkˆ

 Multiplied A by the scalar b is

 bA = b(Ax𝑖+ Ay𝑗 + Azkˆ) = bAx𝑖+ bAy 𝑗 + bAzkˆ

 The direction of b𝑨 is the same as the direction of 𝑨 if
b>0.
 The direction of bA is opposite to that of 𝑨 if b<0.
January 21, 2024 41
 Dot product
 The dot product of two vectors A and B, denoted by A • B, is a scalar
quantity (single number) obtained by multiplying the corresponding
components of the vectors and then adding the products.

 Mathematically defined as:-

 𝐀• 𝐁 = ABcosθ , where θ the angle between A and B

 Let : 𝐴 = ax𝑖+ ay 𝑗 + azkˆ and 𝐵 = bx𝑖+ by 𝑗 + bzkˆ

 A• B = (ax𝑖+ ay 𝑗 + azkˆ ) .(bx𝑖+ by 𝑗 + bzkˆ )

 ax.bx𝑖.𝑖 + ayby 𝑗 . 𝑗 + az.bzkˆ.kˆ = ax.bx + ayby + az.bz .

January 21, 2024 42

 cont…
• Note that: 𝒊·𝒊 = 1 , 𝒋·𝒋 = 1 , 𝒌·𝒌 = 1

• but ˆi·ˆj = ˆj·ˆi = 0, ˆj·kˆ = kˆ·ˆj = 0 , kˆ·ˆi = ˆi · kˆ = 0

• the dot product can be interpreted geometrically as

the projection of one vector onto another.

January 21, 2024 43

 Dot Product Properties of Vector
• Dot product of two vectors is commutative i.e. 𝑨• 𝑩 = 𝐁• 𝐀

• 𝑨• 𝑩 = 0 , If either 𝑨 or 𝑩 is zero or cos(θ) = 0.

• The scalar product of vectors (p 𝑨) • (q𝑩) =

(p𝑩) • (q 𝑨) = pq(𝑨• 𝑩)
 The dot product of a vector to itself is the magnitude
squared of the vector i.e. 𝑨•𝐀) = AA cos(0) = 𝑨𝟐

 Distributive Property: 𝑨• (𝐁 +𝐂 ) = 𝑨 •𝐁+ 𝑨•𝐂

January 21, 2024 44
 Cont…
 Non-Associative Property:

 A• (B • C ) ≠ (A • B) • ( A • C) , because the dot product

between a scalar and a vector is not allowed.
 Example:-

• 1. Vector 𝐴 = 𝑖 + 𝑗and vector 𝐵 = −2𝑖 + 3𝑗 .

• What is (a) the scalar product of 𝐴 and 𝐵 ?

• (b) the angle between 𝐴 and 𝐵?

January 21, 2024 45
 Cont…
• Solution
• 𝐴.𝐵 = 𝐴𝑥 .𝐵𝑥 + 𝐴𝑦 .𝐵𝑦 = (1) (- 2) + (1) (3)= 1
• Since: 𝑖. 𝑖 = 1, 𝑗 ∙ 𝑗 = 1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑖 ∙ 𝑗 = 0, 𝑗 ∙ 𝑖 = 0

𝐴∙𝐵
• From 𝐴.𝐵 = AB cos 𝜃, cos 𝜃 =
𝐴∙𝐵

• 𝐴= 𝐴𝑥 2 + 𝐴𝑦 2 , = 12 + 12 , = 2

• B= 𝐵𝑥 2 + 𝐵𝑦 2 , = (−2)2 +32 , = 13
January 21, 2024 46
 Cont…

𝐴∙𝐵 1
 cos 𝜃 = , = 0.96 ,
𝐴∙𝐵 2 .( 13)

𝜃 = cos −1 (0.96), 𝜃 = 78.70

2. Given that 𝑎= 3i – j + 2k and 𝑏= 2i + j – 2k, find

 a) 𝑎 • 𝑏

 b) the angle between the vectors 𝑎 and 𝑏.

January 21, 2024 47

 Cont…
• Solution

 𝑎 • 𝑏 = (3i – j + 2k) • (2i + j – 2k) =

(3i • 2i) + (j •(–j))+ (2k•(–2k)) =6+(-1)+(-4) = 1

To find the angle between the vectors 𝑎 and 𝑏 we can

use the following 𝑎.𝑏 = abcos 𝜃

𝒂∙𝒃
𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝜽 =
𝒂∙𝒃
January 21, 2024 48
 Cont…

• a= 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑎𝑦 2 + 𝑎𝑧 2 , = (3)2 + (−1)2 +(2)2 ,

= 14

• b= 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑎𝑦 2 + 𝑎𝑧 2 = (2)2 +(1)2 +(−2)2 ,

= 9=3

January 21, 2024 49

 Cont…

𝑎∙𝑏 1 −1 1
 cos 𝜃 = = cos 𝜃 = , 𝜃 = cos ( )
𝑎∙𝑏 3 14 (3 14)

 𝜃 = 79.10

3. If p = 4i + 3j + 2k and q = 2i – j + 11k, find

 a) p • q

 b) q • p

January 21, 2024 50

 Cont…
• Solution

 p • q = (4i + 3j + 2k ) •(2i – j + 11k)

(4i • 2i) + (3j •(–j))+ (2k•11k) = 8+(-3)+(22) = 27

 Since i•i = j •j = k•k= 1

 b) Since multiplication is commutative then

 p • q = q • p = 27
January 21, 2024 51
 Cross Product
• The cross product of two vectors a and b, denoted by a × b,
this product has magnitude and direction, it is also known

as the vector product. 𝒂 × 𝒃= absin(𝛉)nˆ

• The vector 𝑛(n hat) is a unit vector perpendicular to

the plane formed by the two vectors and θ is the

angle between 𝑎 and 𝑏.

• The direction of 𝑛 ̂ is determined by the right hand rule

Figure : Cross Product

January 21, 2024 52
 Properties of Cross Product

the cross product is distributive: 𝐚 ×(𝐛 +𝐂 ) =

(𝐚 ×𝐛 ) + (𝐚 ×𝑪) 𝒐𝒓 𝒂 ×(𝒃 +𝑪 ) = (𝒂 .𝒄 )𝒃 −(𝒂 .𝒃) 𝑪

 the cross product is not commutative: 𝒂× 𝒃 ≠ 𝒃× 𝒂

but 𝑎× 𝑏 = − 𝑏× 𝑎

the cross product of any vector with itself is zero:

𝑎× 𝑎 = 𝑏× 𝑏 = 0
January 21, 2024 53
 Cont…
 cross product of any unit vector with itself is zero:

ˆi × ˆi = ˆj × j = kˆ × kˆ = 0, since, sin( 0)0 = 0

 any cyclic product of the three coordinate axes is positive

and any ant cyclic product is negative as shown bellow:

January 21, 2024 54

 Example

 Let : 𝐀 = axi+ ay j+ azkˆ and 𝐁 = bxi+ by j+ bzkˆ

 A × B = (axi+ ay j+ azkˆ ) × (bxi+ by j+ bzkˆ )

 (axi × bxi )+(axi × byj)+(axi ×bzkˆ) +(ayj × bxi)

+(ayj ×byj)+(ayj ×bzk)+(azkˆ× bxi)+(azkˆ× byj) +

(azkˆ × bzkˆ )
January 21, 2024 55
 Cont…

 A × B = 0+(ax by)𝑘 −(axbz)𝑗 −(aybx)𝑘 + 0 +

(aybz)𝑖 +(azbx)𝑗 −(azby)𝑖+0

 A × B =(ax by ) 𝑘 − (axbz) 𝑗 − (ay bx ) 𝑘 +

(aybz)𝑖+(azbx)𝑗 −(azby)𝑖

 We can find the Cross product of a given

vector by using determinant form: 𝒂×𝒃

January 21, 2024 56
 Cont…

i j k ay az ax ay
az ax
ax ay az = i − j + k
by bz bz bx bx by
bx by bz

( ay bz − az by)𝒊 − (az bx −ax bz)𝒋+ (ax by − ay bx)𝒌

January 21, 2024 57

 Example

1. Find the vector product a × b if a = 3i –2j +5k and

b = 7i + 4j – 8k.

2. If a = 8i + j – 2k and b = 5i – 3j + k show that

• a) a × b = – 5i – 18j – 29k

• b) b × a = 5i + 18j +29k

January 21, 2024 58

 Cont…
• 1. Solution

𝑖 𝑗 𝑘 𝑖 𝑗 𝑘
 a × b = 𝑎𝑥 𝑎𝑦 𝑎𝑧 = 3 −2 5
𝑏𝑥 𝑏𝑦 𝑏𝑧 7 4 −8

−2 5 5 3 3 −2
 𝑖 + 𝑗 + 𝑘
4 −8 −8 7 7 4
 (-2×-8 − 5×4 )𝑖 − (5×7 −3×-8 )𝑗+ (3×4 − (-2× 7)𝑘

 (16− 20)𝑖 −(35+24)𝑗+ (12+ 14)𝑘 = −𝟒𝒊 −59𝒋+ 26𝒌

January 21, 2024 59
 Cont…
• 2. Solution

i j k
8 1 −2
5 −3 1

1 −2 8 −2 8 1
 𝑖 + 𝑗 + 𝑘
−3 1 5 1 5 −3
 (1× 1− 3× 2 )𝑖 − (8× 1 −(-2× 5 )𝑗+ (8× −3 − (1× 5)𝑘

 (1− 6)𝑖 −(8+10)𝑗+ (-24-5)𝑘 = −𝟓𝒊 −1𝟖𝒋 − 𝟐𝟗 𝑘

• b). Since a × b = −(b × a ) = 5i + 18j +29k

January 21, 2024 60
 Cont…

• 3. Find a × b × c if , a = 2i + 3j − k, b = 3i + 5j +
2k c = −i − 2j + 3k

• Solution

a ×(b +C ) = (a .c )b −(a .b) C

• −11 3i + 5j + 2k − 19(−i − 2j + 3k)
= −33𝑖 − 55𝑗 −22𝑘 + 19i + 38j − 57k
= −𝟏𝟒𝐢 − 𝟏𝟕𝐣 −𝟕𝟗 𝐤
January 21, 2024 61
 Review questions
1.Which of the following statements is true about the relation-
ship between the dot product of two vectors and the product of
the magnitudes of the vectors?

(a) 𝐴 · 𝐵 is larger than AB.

(b) 𝐴 · 𝐵 is smaller than AB.

(c) 𝐴 · 𝐵 could be larger or smaller than AB depending on the angle

between the vectors.

(d) 𝐴 · 𝐵 could be equal to AB.

January 21, 2024 62

 cont…
2. Which of the following is equivalent to the following

scalar product: (A × B) · (B × A)?

(a) (𝐴 · 𝐵 )+ ( 𝐵 · 𝐴)

(b) (A × A) · (B × B)

(c) (A × B) · (A × B)

(d) −(A × B) · (A × B)

January 21, 2024 63

 Cont…
 3. Which of the following statements is true about the
relationship between the magnitude of the cross product of two
vectors and the product of the magnitudes of the vectors?

(a) |A × B| is larger than AB

(b) |A × B| is smaller than AB

(c) |A × B| could be larger or smaller than AB, depending on the

angle between the vectors

(d) |A × B| could be equal to AB.

January 21, 2024 64

 Cont…
 4.Is the triple product defined by A • (B × C) a scalar or a
vector quantity? Explain why the operation A • (B × C) has
no meaning.

 5.Vector A is in the negative y direction, and vector B is in

the negative x direction. What are the directions of (a) A × B
(b) B × A?

 6.Given M = 6ˆi + 2ˆj − kˆ and N = 2ˆi − ˆj − 3kˆ

calculate the M • N, M × N and the angle between M&N.

January 21, 2024 65

 Answer
1. C 2. C 3. C

4. The triple product A · (B × C) is indeed a scalar quantity

B × C) is a vector: The cross product of vectors B and C results in a

new vector that's perpendicular to both B and C.

A · (vector) is a scalar: The dot product between a vector (here, A) and

another vector yields a scalar, which represents the magnitude of the
projection of one vector onto the other.

Therefore, A · (B × C) is the dot product of a vector (A) with another

vector (the result of B × C), producing a scalar.

January 21, 2024 66

 Cont…
• 5. Directions of A × B and B × A
• To determine the directions of the cross products, we can visualize
the vectors and use the right-hand rule.
• A × B: Applying the right-hand rule, your thumb points out of the
page (positive z direction). Therefore, A × B is in the positive z
direction (coming out of the page). B × A: Applying the right-hand
rule with B as the first vector and A as the second, your thumb points
into the page (negative z direction). Therefore, B × A is in the
negative z direction (going into the page).
• A × B is in the positive z direction (coming out of the page).
• B ×A
January is in the negative z direction (going into the page).
21, 2024 67
 Cont…
6. The dot product of two vectors A and B is calculated as:

A • B = |A| |B| cos(θ), where θ is the angle between them.

M • N = (6ˆi +2ˆj −kˆ) •( 2ˆi −ˆj−3kˆ) = (6 ×2)+(2×-1)+(-1 × -3) = 13.

The cross product of two vectors A and B is a vector that is perpendicular to

both A and B.

It's calculated using the formula: A × B = |A| |B| sin(θ) n, where n is a unit
vector perpendicular to both A and B.

In this case, M × N = [-7, 16, -10]. the angle between two vectors can be
found using the arccosine of the normalized dot product:

θ = cos −1 A • B / (|A| |B|)). In this case, the angle between M and N is 57.14
January 21, 2024 degrees. 68
 For Your Attention

January 21, 2024 69