Lecture 02

Lecture 02
Basic Knowledge of Vectors
 Agenda

01 Addition of Vectors (Analytical Method)

02 Multiplication of Vectors

03 Scaler Product (Dot Product)

04 Vector Product (Cross Product)

 2.1 Addition of Vectors (Analytical)

• Analytical addition of vectors gives components, magnitude and direction of the

resultant vector. In analytical addition, x-axis is used for real component and y-axis for
Imaginary component of resultant vector.
• Using these components we can easily calculate the magnitude and direction of
resultant vector.
 2.1 Addition of Vectors (Analytical)
• To add two A and B vectors using analytical method we first need to calculate thei
r x and y components using following formulae.
Ax=AcosθA, Ay=AsinθA
Bx=BcosθB, By=BsinθB
• Now add respective components of both vectors to find
components of resultant vector.
Rx=Ax+Bx
Ry=Ay+By.
• Use Pythagoras theorem to find magnitude of the
resultant vector.
• For angle
 2.1 Addition of Vectors (Analytical)
Example: Add vector A to vector B using analytical method, Vector A represents the first leg
of a walk in which a person walks 53m in a direction 200 north of east, while vector B
represents the second leg, a displacement of 34m in a direction 63 0 north of east.
Solution: According to steps mentioned earlier we
first need to calculate components of each vector.
Ax=AcosθA=53cos200 = 49.8m
Bx=BcosθB=34cos630 = 15.4m
Ay=AsinθA=53sin200 = 18.1m
By=BsinθB=34sin630 = 30.3m
Rx=Ax+Bx =49.8 + 15.4 = 65.2m
Ry=Ay+By.=18.1 + 30.3 = 48.4m
Use Pythagoras Theorem to find magnitude of resultant vector
 Multiplication of Vectors

• The product of a scalar s and a vector v is a new vector whose magnitude is sv and
whose direction is the same as that of v if s is positive, and opposite that of v if s is
negative, to divide by s, multiply by 1/s.

• The scalar (or dot) product of two vectors is the scalar quantity.

• The vector (or cross) product of two vectors is a vector.

 2.1 Addition of Vectors (Analytical)
• =  = = 81.2m
R
Finally, we can find the direction of resultant vector
θ = = = 36.60
 2.2 Multiplication of Vector by a Scaler

• If we multiply a vector a by a scalar s, we get a new vector.

• Its magnitude is the product of the magnitude of a and the absolute value of s.
• Its direction is the direction a of if s is positive but the opposite direction if s is
negative.
• To divide by s, we multiply by 1/s.

Example:
 2.2 Product of Two Vectors

•  
Scaler Product (dot product)
• Vector Product (cross product)

SCALER PRODUCT:
• Multiplication of two vectors results into a scaler quantity.
• a.b = abCosθ
• a.b = b.a (commutative)
• The scaler product of two mutually perpendicular vectors is zero. i.e.
a.b = abCos900 = 0
. = . = 0 (in case of unit vectors)
 2.2 Dot Product (contd.)

•  The scaler product of two parallel vectors is equal to the product of their magnitudes.
a.b = abCos00 = ab
. = . = 1 (in case of unit vectors)
For anti-parallel vectors
a.B = abcos(1800) = -1
• Self product of a vector is equal to square of its magnitude.
a.a = aacos00 = a2
• Scaler product of two vectors a and b in terms of their rectangular components
a.b = (Ax
a.b = Ax + Ay + Az
 2.2 Dot Product (contd.)

•  
Example: Find the projection of vector a = 2 - 8 + in the direction of vector b = 3 - 4 - 1
Solution: If θ is the angle between a and b, then aCosθ is required projection.
a.b = abCosθ
aCosθ =
b = = 13
aCosθ = = = = 2
 2.2 Vector Product

•  
When two vectors are multiplied using cross product, we get a vector as a result.
• The vector product of two vectors a and b, is a vector defined as
a×b = abSinθ
Where is a unit vector, perpendicular to the plane containing a and b
Direction of can be found using “right hand rule”
• a×b = -b×a (non commutative)
• The cross product of two perpendicular vectors has maximum magnitude
a×b = abSin900 = ab
, ×=, ×= (in case of unit vectors)
, × =-, × =-
 2.2 Vector Product (contd.)

•  The cross product of two parallel or anti-parallel vectors is a null vector.

a×b = abSinθ = abSin00 = abSin1800 = 0
a×b = 0
. = . = 0 (in case of unit vectors)
• a×b = -b×a (non commutative)
• Cross product of two vectors a and b in terms of their rectangular components is
a×b = (Ax
a×b= (Ay - Az ) + (Az - Ax ) + (Ax - Ay)
 2.2 Vector Product (contd.)

•  The resultant can be expressed for memory in determinant form as

a×b =

Example: Find the cross product of two vectors a = + + 3 and b = + + 6

Solution: We can find the resultant vector by using cross product formula or by determinant
As we know a×b= (Ay - Az ) + (Az - Ax ) + (Ax - Ay)
a×b= (2*6- 3*5) + (3*4 – 1*6) + (1*5-2*4)
a×b= - + 6 -
We can find the resultant vector using determinant method as well
 2.2 Vector Product (contd.)

•  The resultant can be found in determinant form as

a×b =

a×b= (Ay - Az ) - (Ax - AZ ) + (Ax - Ay)

a×b= (2*6- 3*5) - (1*6 - 3*4) + (1*5-2*4)
a×b= - + 6 -
As we can see same resultant vector as a result of both methods.
 Summary

• Addition of vectors (Analytical Method)

• Multiplication of Vector by scaler
• Product of two vectors
• Scaler Product
• Vector Product
 References

• University Physics, Roger A. Freedman and Hugh D. Young, 12th edition.

• Fundamentals of Physics, David Halliday, Robert Resnick, and Jearl Walker, 7th Edition.
Thank you