Meta Series

Chapter 2---Vector and Equilibrium

Lecture 1.
SUBJECT Date
 Vector Scalar
 Rectangular Coordinate System
 Addition and Subtraction of vectors Name

NOTES

Scalars: The quantities which require only magnitude for their complete description are called
scalar quantities. For example, mass, length, density, temperature etc.
Vectors: The quantities which require both magnitude and direction for their complete
description are called vector quantities. For example, force, velocity, acceleration etc
Symbolic Representation: Vectors are usually denoted by bold face letter such as A, B. During
writing we put an arrow head over the letter like ⃗A , and magnitude is represented by light face
letter A.

Graphical Representation: A vector is represented graphically by a

directed line segment with an arrowhead. The length of the segment,
according to a chosen scale, indicate the magnitude of the vector.
An example of scalar quantity Name the quantity which is
Q Which one is a vector? Q Q
is vector:
A Length B Volume A Displacement B Distance A Density B Power
C Velocity D Work C Velocity D Force C Charge D Torque
Rectangular co-ordinate system: Two lines drawn perpendicular to
each other are called co-ordinate axis and system of co-ordinate axis is
called rectangular co-ordinate system. Horizontal line (axis) is called X-
axis and vertical line (Axis) is called Y-axis.

Origin: The point of intersection of two axis is called origin. And line
right to and above origin is taken as positive and line left and below
origin is taken as negative.

Two-dimensional co-ordinate system: The

2D coordinate system consists of two
reference lines drawn at the right angle to
each other. One of the lines is named as x-axis
and the other the y-axis. The direction of vector
in plane is represented by angle makes with
positive x-axis in anti-clock direction.

Three-dimensional co-ordinate system: The 3D coordinate system consists of three mutually

perpendicular lines. The lines are named as x-axis, y-axis and z-axis. Direction of vector in
space is represented by three angle makes with x,y,z axis.
The direction of a vector in space is specified
Q Rectangular coordinate system is also called Q
by
Cartesian
A Polar coordinate B A One angle B Two angle
coordinate
C Cylindrical D Space coordinate C Three angle D No angle
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Meta Series

coordinate
Vector Addition: A graphical method for vectors addition is called head to tail rule. There are
following steps of vector addition by head to tail rule.

i. Draw a representative lines vector A & B

ii. Join the head of vector A with the tail of Vector B
iii. Now join the tail of vector A with head of B which gives resultant vector R.

As the vector sum A+B and B+A has the same results so A+B=B+A.
So vector addition is commutative

Resultant vector: The resultant of two or more vectors is a single vector which would have
same effect as if all the original vectors are taken together.
Vector Subtraction: The subtraction of a vector is equivalent to the addition of same vector with
reversed direction.

Multiplication Of Vector: When a vector A is multiplied by a positive number n>0 then its
magnitude is n𝐴 and in case of negative number direction is reversed.
Test your Concept
A single vector having the same effect as
Q Q The vector in plane has components
all the original vectors taken together called
A Resultant Vector B Unit Vector A One B Two

C Equal Vector D Position Vector C Three D Four

Q The result of 120 N and 20 N forces cannot Q this shows that addition of vectors is

A 100 N B 141 N A Associative B Commutative

C 120 N D 110 N C Additive D Additive inverse

When a vector is multiplied by -1 then its When two vectors are antiparallel, then angle
Q Q
direction is changed by? between them is
A 90˚ B 0˚ A 90˚ B 0˚

C 180˚ D 270˚ C 180˚ D 270˚

Q The vector in space has components Q Resultant of a closed figure

A One B Two A Maximum B Zero

C Three D Four C Both A and B D None

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