Applied Physics: Lecture 2

Todays Agenda

Review of Vectors

Physics 111: Lecture 2, Pg 1

Vectors (review):

In 1 dimension, we could specify direction with a + or - sign.

For example, in the previous problem ay = -g etc.

In 2 or 3 dimensions, we need more than a sign to specify the

direction of something:

To illustrate this, consider the position vector r in 2 dimensions.

Example:
Example Where is Chicago?
Choose origin at Urbana
Chicago
Choose coordinates of
r
distance (miles), and
direction (N,S,E,W)
Urbana
In this case r is a vector that
points 120 miles north.

Physics 111: Lecture 2, Pg 2

Vectors...

There are two common ways of indicating that something is

a vector quantity:
Boldface notation: A

A= A

Arrow notation: A

Physics 111: Lecture 2, Pg 3

Vectors...

The components of r are its (x,y,z) coordinates

r = (rx ,ry ,rz ) = (x,y,z)

Consider this in 2-D (since its easier to draw):

rx = x = r cos
where r = |r |
ry = y = r sin
(x,y)

arctan( y / x )

Physics 111: Lecture 2, Pg 4

Vectors...

The magnitude (length) of r is found using the Pythagorean

theorem:
r
y
2
2

r r x y

The length of a vector clearly does not depend on its direction.

Physics 111: Lecture 2, Pg 5

Unit Vectors:

A Unit Vector is a vector having length 1

and no units
It is used to specify a direction
Unit vector u points in the direction of U
Often denoted with a hat: u =

Useful examples are the Cartesian

unit vectors [ i, j, k ]
point in the direction of the
x, y and z axes

Physics 111: Lecture 2, Pg 6

Vector addition:

Consider the vectors A and B. Find A + B.

C=A+B

We can arrange the vectors as we want, as long as we

maintain their length and direction!!

Physics 111: Lecture 2, Pg 7

Vector addition using components:

Consider C = A + B.
(a)
(b)

C = (Ax i + Ay j) + (Bx i + By j) = (Ax + Bx)i + (Ay + By)j

C = (Cx i + Cy j)

Comparing components of (a) and (b):

Cx = Ax + Bx
Cy = Ay + By

By

A Ay Bx

Ax

Physics 111: Lecture 2, Pg 8

Lecture 2, Act 2
Vectors

Vector A = {0,2,1}
Vector B = {3,0,2}
Vector C = {1,-4,2}

What is the resultant vector, D, from

adding A+B+C?

(a) {3,5,-1}

(b) {4,-2,5}

(c) {5,-2,4}

Physics 111: Lecture 2, Pg 9

Aside: Dot Product (or Scalar Product)

a

Definition:
a.b = ab cos

ba

= a[b cos ] = aba

= b[a cos ] = bab

ab

Some properties:
ab = b a
q(ab) = (qb) a = b(qa) (q is a scalar)
a(b + c) = (ab) + (ac) (c is a vector)
Physics 111: Lecture 2, Pg 10
The dot product of perpendicular vectors is 0 !!

Aside: Examples of dot products

y

i.i=j.j=k.k=1
i.j=j.k=k.i=0
Suppose
a=1i+2j+3k
b=4i -5j+6k

Then
a . b = 1x4 + 2x(-5) + 3x6 = 12
a . a = 1x1 +
2x2 + 3x3 = 14
b . b = 4x4 + (-5)x(-5) + 6x6 = 77

Physics 111: Lecture 2, Pg 11

Aside: Properties of dot products

Magnitude:
a2 = |a|2 = a . a
= (ax i + ay j) . (ax i + ay j)
j
= ax 2(ii . i) + ay 2(jj . j) + 2ax ay (ii . j)
= ax 2 + ay 2

Pythagorean Theorem!!

ay
ax

j
i

Physics 111: Lecture 2, Pg 12

Aside: Properties of dot products

Components:
a = ax i + ay j + az k = (ax , ay , az) = (a . i,
i a . j,
j a . k)
k

Derivatives:

d
da
db
(ab )
b a
dt
dt
dt

Apply to velocity
d 2 d
dv
dv
v (v v )
v v
2v a
dt
dt
dt
dt

So if v is constant (like for UCM):

d 2
v 2v a 0
dt

Physics 111: Lecture 2, Pg 13

Recap of Lecture 2

Recap of 1-D motion with constant acceleration. (Text: 2-3)

1-D Free-Fall
example

(Text: 2-3)

Review of Vectors

(Text: 3-1 & 3-2)

3-D Kinematics
(Text: 3-3 & 3-4)
Shoot the monkey
(Ex. 3-11)
Baseball problem
Independence of x and y components

Physics 111: Lecture 2, Pg 14