Chapter 3 Vectors

3.1 Vectors and scalars 3.2 Adding vectors geometrically

3.3 Components of vectors

3.4 Unit vectors 3.5 Adding vectors by components 3.6 Vectors and the laws of physics 3.7 Multiplying vectors
1

3.1 Vectors and scalars

- In physics we have parameters that can be completely described by a number and are known as scalars. Temperature and mass are such parameters. - Other physical parameters require additional information about direction and are known as vectors. Examples of vectors are displacement, velocity, and acceleration.

- This is represented by an arrow that points from point A to point B.

- The length of the arrow is proportional to the displacement magnitude. - The direction of the arrow indicated the displacement direction. - The three arrows from A to B, from A' to B', and from A'' to B'', have the same magnitude and direction. - A vector can be shifted without changing its value if its length and direction are not changed. 3

3.2 Adding vectors geometrically

a b b a (associative) b
a

ab ba

a b c a (b c ) (commutative) b c a ab b c a b c

b b
a

a b a b
a
4

a b

3.3 Components of vectors

y
ax a cos

ay

a y a sin

2 x

ay

ax
0 x

ay tan ax

3.4 Unit vectors

- Indicates a direction. - Magnitude = 1 - Unit vector of x, y and z axis, in the positive direction are , , k respectively. i j - Example: a ax a y j 5 i

3.5 Adding vectors by components

Example:
a 3i 4j

Let Then,

5 , and c a b , b 2i j c 3 2 4 - 5 i j

5 -1 i j

3.6 Vectors and the laws of physics

y
ay

y
a

ax

ay '

a ' x

x x
6

3.7 Multiplying vectors

Let b ka

If
a

k=2
a

If

k = -2

Scalar product

a . b abcos

a
7

The Vector Product of Two Vectors The vector product c a b of the vectors a and b is a vector c . The magnitude of c is given by the equation c ab sin . The direction of c is perpendicular to the plane P defined by the vectors a and b . The sense of the vector c is given by the right-hand rule: a. Place the vectors a and b tail to tail. b. Rotate a in the plane P along the shortest angle so that it coincides with b . c. Rotate the fingers of the right hand in the same direction. d. The thumb of the right hand gives the sense of c . The vector product of two vectors is also known as the "cross" product. 8

The Vector Product c a b in Terms of Vector Components a a x a y az k, b b x by bz k, c c x c y cz k i j i j i j

The vector components of vector c are given by the equations cx a y bz az by , c y az bx ax bz , cz axby a y bx . Note: Those familiar with the use of determinants can use the expression i a b ax bx j ay by k az bz

Note: The order of the two vectors in the cross product is important: b a a b .
9

Sample Problem 1:

Here are two vectors: a (4.0 m) i (3.0 m) j

b (6.0 m)i (8.0m) j

What are (a) the magnitude of a ? (b) the angle (relativeto the i ) of a ? (c) the magnitude of b? (d) the angle (relative to the i ) of b? (e) the magnitude of a b ? (f) the angle (relativeto the i ) of a b? (g) the magnitude of b a ? (h) the angle (relative to the i ) of b a ? (i) the magnitude of a b ? (j) the angle (relative to the i ) of a b ? (k) the angle between the directions of b a and a b ?

[5.0 m] [-37o] [10 m] [53o] [11 m] [27o] [11 m] [80o] [11 m] [260o] [180o]
10