Scalars and Vectors
Scalars
Physical quantities which can be completely specified by
1. A number which represents the magnitude of the quantity.
2. An appropriate unit are called Scalars.
Scalars quantities can be added, subtracted multiplied and divided by usual algebraic laws.
Examples
Mass, distance, volume, density, time, speed, temperature, energy, work, potential, entropy, charge etc.
2. An appropriate unit are called Scalars.
Scalars quantities can be added, subtracted multiplied and divided by usual algebraic laws.
Examples
Mass, distance, volume, density, time, speed, temperature, energy, work, potential, entropy, charge etc.
Vectors
Physical quantities which can be completely specified by
1. A number which represents the magnitude of the quantity.
2. An specific direction
are called Vectors.
Special laws are employed for their mutual operation.
1. A number which represents the magnitude of the quantity.
2. An specific direction
are called Vectors.
Special laws are employed for their mutual operation.
Examples
Displacement, force, velocity, acceleration, momentum.
Representation of a Vector
A straight line parallel to the direction of the given
vector used to represent it. Length of the line on a
certain scale specifies the magnitude of the vector. An
arrow head is put at one end of the line to indicate the
direction of the given vector.
The tail end O is regarded as initial point of vector R and the head P is regarded as the terminal point of the vector R.
The tail end O is regarded as initial point of vector R and the head P is regarded as the terminal point of the vector R.
Unit Vector
A vector whose magnitude is unity (1) and directed
along the direction of a given vector, is called the unit
vector of the given vector.
A unit vector is usually denoted by a letter with a cap over it. For example if r is the given vector, then r will be the unit vector in the direction of r such that
r = r .r
A unit vector is usually denoted by a letter with a cap over it. For example if r is the given vector, then r will be the unit vector in the direction of r such that
r = r .r
Or
r = r / r
unit vector = vector / magnitude of the vector
unit vector = vector / magnitude of the vector
Equal Vectors
Two vectors having same directions, magnitude and unit are called equal vectors.
Zero or Null Vector
A vector having zero magnitude and whose initial and
terminal points are same is called a null vector. It is
usually denoted by O. The difference of two equal vectors
(same vector) is represented by a null vector.
R - R - O
R - R - O
Free Vector
A vector which can be displaced parallel to itself and
applied at any point, is known as free vector. It can
be
specified by giving its magnitude and any two of the
angles between the vector and the coordinate axes. In
3-D, it is determined by its three projections on x, y,
z-axes.
Position Vector
A vector drawn from the origin to a distinct point in
space is called position vector, since it determines the
position of a point P relative to a fixed point O
(origin). It is usually denoted by r. If xi, yi, zk be
the x, y, z components of the position vector r, then
r = xi + yj + zk
Negative of a Vector
r = xi + yj + zk
Negative of a Vector
The vector A. is called the negative of the vector A,
if it has same magnitude but opposite direction as that
of A. The angle between a vector and its negative vector
is always of 180º.
Multiplication of a Vector by a Number
When a vector is multiplied by a positive number the
magnitude of the vector is multiplied by that number.
However, direction of the vector remain same. When a
vector is multiplied by a negative number, the magnitude
of the vector is multiplied by that number. However,
direction of a vector becomes opposite. If a vector is
multiplied by zero, the result will be a null vector.
The multiplication of a vector A by two number (m, n) is governed by the following rules.
The multiplication of a vector A by two number (m, n) is governed by the following rules.
1. m A = A m
2. m (n A) = (mn) A
3. (m + n) A = mA + nA
4. m(A + B) = mA + mB
2. m (n A) = (mn) A
3. (m + n) A = mA + nA
4. m(A + B) = mA + mB
Division of a Vector by a Number (Non-Zero)
If a vector A is divided by a number n, then it means
it is multiplied by the reciprocal of that number i.e.
1/n. The new vector which is obtained by this division
has a magnitude 1/n times of A. The direction will be
same if n is positive and the direction will be opposite
if n is negative.
Resolution of a Vector Into Rectangular Components
Definition
Splitting up a single vector into its rectangular components is called the Resolution of a vector.
Rectangular Components
Components of a vector making an angle of 90º with each other are called rectangular components.
Procedure
Let us consider a vector F represented by OA, making an angle O with the horizontal direction.
Draw perpendicular AB and AC from point on X and Y axes respectively. Vectors OB and OC represented by Fx and Fy are known as the rectangular components of F. From head to tail rule of vector addition.
OA = OB + BA
F = Fx + Fy
To find the magnitude of Fx and Fy, consider the right angled triangle OBA.
Fx / F = Cos ? => Fx = F cos ?
Fy / F = sin ? => Fy = F sin ?
Draw perpendicular AB and AC from point on X and Y axes respectively. Vectors OB and OC represented by Fx and Fy are known as the rectangular components of F. From head to tail rule of vector addition.
OA = OB + BA
F = Fx + Fy
To find the magnitude of Fx and Fy, consider the right angled triangle OBA.
Fx / F = Cos ? => Fx = F cos ?
Fy / F = sin ? => Fy = F sin ?
Addition of Vectors by Rectangular Components
Consider two vectors A1 and A2 making angles ?1 and ?2
with x-axis respectively as shown in figure. A1 and A2
are added by using head to tail rule to give the
resultant vector A.
The addition of two vectors A1 and A2 mentioned in the above figure, consists of following four steps.
The addition of two vectors A1 and A2 mentioned in the above figure, consists of following four steps.
Step 1
For the x-components of A, we add the x-components of
A1 and A2 which are A1x and A2x. If the x-components of A
is denoted by Ax then
Ax = A1x + A2x
Taking magnitudes only
Ax = A1x + A2x
Ax = A1x + A2x
Taking magnitudes only
Ax = A1x + A2x
Or
Ax = A1 cos ?1 + A2 cos ?2 ................. (1)
Step 2
For the y-components of A, we add the y-components of
A1 and A2 which are A1y and A2y. If the y-components of A
is denoted by Ay then
Ay = A1y + A2y
Taking magnitudes only
Ay = A1y + A2y
Ay = A1y + A2y
Taking magnitudes only
Ay = A1y + A2y
Or
Ay = A1 sin ?1 + A2 sin ?2 ................. (2)
Step 3
Substituting the value of Ax and Ay from equations (1)
and (2) respectively in equation (3) below, we get the
magnitude of the resultant A
A = |A| = v (Ax)2 + (Ay)2 .................. (3)
A = |A| = v (Ax)2 + (Ay)2 .................. (3)
Step 4
By applying the trigonometric ratio of tangent ? on
triangle OAB, we can find the direction of the resultant
vector A i.e. angle ? which A makes with the positive
x-axis.
tan ? = Ay / Ax
? = tan-1 [Ay / Ax]
Here four cases arise
(a) If Ax and Ay are both positive, then
? = tan-1 |Ay / Ax|
(b) If Ax is negative and Ay is positive, then
? = 180º - tan-1 |Ay / Ax|
( c) If Ax is positive and Ay is negative, then
? = 360º - tan-1 |Ay / Ax|
(d) If Ax and Ay are both negative, then
? = 180º + tan-1 |Ay / Ax|
tan ? = Ay / Ax
? = tan-1 [Ay / Ax]
Here four cases arise
(a) If Ax and Ay are both positive, then
? = tan-1 |Ay / Ax|
(b) If Ax is negative and Ay is positive, then
? = 180º - tan-1 |Ay / Ax|
( c) If Ax is positive and Ay is negative, then
? = 360º - tan-1 |Ay / Ax|
(d) If Ax and Ay are both negative, then
? = 180º + tan-1 |Ay / Ax|
Addition of Vectors by Law of Parallelogram
According to the law of parallelogram of addition of
vectors, if we are given two vectors. A1 and A2 starting
at a common point O, represented by OA and OB
respectively in figure, then their resultant is
represented by OC, where OC is the diagonal of the parallelogram
having OA and OB as its adjacent sides.
If R is the resultant of A1 and A2, then
R = A1 + A2
If R is the resultant of A1 and A2, then
R = A1 + A2
Or
OC = OA + OB
But OB = AC
Therefore,
OC = OA + AC
ß is the angle opposites to the resultant.
Magnitude of the resultant can be determined by using the law of cosines.
R = |R| = vA1(2) + A2(2) - 2 A1 A2 cos ß
Direction of R can be determined by using the Law of sines.
A1 / sin ? = A2 / sin a = R / sin ß
This completely determines the resultant vector R.
But OB = AC
Therefore,
OC = OA + AC
ß is the angle opposites to the resultant.
Magnitude of the resultant can be determined by using the law of cosines.
R = |R| = vA1(2) + A2(2) - 2 A1 A2 cos ß
Direction of R can be determined by using the Law of sines.
A1 / sin ? = A2 / sin a = R / sin ß
This completely determines the resultant vector R.
Properties of Vector Addition
1. Commutative Law of Vector Addition (A+B = B+A)
Consider two vectors A and B as shown in figure. From figure
OA + AC = OC
Or
A + B = R .................... (1)
And
OB + BC = OC
And
OB + BC = OC
Or
B + A = R ..................... (2)
Since A + B and B + A, both equal to R, therefore
A + B = B + A
Therefore, vector addition is commutative.
Since A + B and B + A, both equal to R, therefore
A + B = B + A
Therefore, vector addition is commutative.
2. Associative Law octor Addition (A + B) + C = A + (B + C) f Ve
Consider three vectors A, B and C as shown in figure. From figure using head - to - tail rule.
OQ + QS = OS
OQ + QS = OS
Or
(A + B) + C = R
And
OP + PS = OS
And
OP + PS = OS
Or
A + (B + C) = R
Hence
(A + B) + C = A + (B + C)
Therefore, vector addition is associative.
Hence
(A + B) + C = A + (B + C)
Therefore, vector addition is associative.
Product of Two Vectors
1. Scalar Product (Dot Product)
2. Vector Product (Cross Product)
1. Scalar Product (Dot Product)
2. Vector Product (Cross Product)
1. Scalar Product OR Dot Product
If the product of two vectors is a scalar quantity,
then the product itself is known as Scalar Product or Dot
Product.
The dot product of two vectors A and B having angle ? between them may be defined as the product of magnitudes of A and B and the cosine of the angle ?.
A . B = |A| |B| cos ?
A . B = A B cos ?
Because a dot (.) is used between the vectors to write their scalar product, therefore, it is also called dot product.
The scalar product of vector A and vector B is equal to the magnitude, A, of vector A times the projection of vector B onto the direction of A.
If B(A) is the projection of vector B onto the direction of A, then according to the definition of dot product.
A . B = A B(A)
A . B = A B cos ? {since B(A) = B cos ?}
The dot product of two vectors A and B having angle ? between them may be defined as the product of magnitudes of A and B and the cosine of the angle ?.
A . B = |A| |B| cos ?
A . B = A B cos ?
Because a dot (.) is used between the vectors to write their scalar product, therefore, it is also called dot product.
The scalar product of vector A and vector B is equal to the magnitude, A, of vector A times the projection of vector B onto the direction of A.
If B(A) is the projection of vector B onto the direction of A, then according to the definition of dot product.
A . B = A B(A)
A . B = A B cos ? {since B(A) = B cos ?}
Examples of dot product are
W = F . d
P = F . V
W = F . d
P = F . V
Commutative Law for Dot Product (A.B = B.A)
If the order of two vectors are changed then it will
not affect the dot product. This law is known as
commutative law for dot product.
A . B = B . A
if A and B are two vectors having an angle ? between then, then their dot product A.B is the product of magnitude of A, A, and the projection of vector B onto the direction of vector i.e., B(A).
And B.A is the product of magnitude of B, B, and the projection of vector A onto the direction vector B i.e. A(B).
To obtain the projection of a vector on the other, a perpendicular is dropped from the first vector on the second such that a right angled triangle is obtained
In ? PQR,
cos ? = A(B) / A => A(B) = A cos ?
In ? ABC,
cos ? = B(A) / B => B(A) = B cos ?
Therefore,
A . B = A B(A) = A B cos ?
B . A = B A (B) = B A cos ?
A B cos ? = B A cos ?
A . B = B . A
Thus scalar product is commutative.
A . B = B . A
if A and B are two vectors having an angle ? between then, then their dot product A.B is the product of magnitude of A, A, and the projection of vector B onto the direction of vector i.e., B(A).
And B.A is the product of magnitude of B, B, and the projection of vector A onto the direction vector B i.e. A(B).
To obtain the projection of a vector on the other, a perpendicular is dropped from the first vector on the second such that a right angled triangle is obtained
In ? PQR,
cos ? = A(B) / A => A(B) = A cos ?
In ? ABC,
cos ? = B(A) / B => B(A) = B cos ?
Therefore,
A . B = A B(A) = A B cos ?
B . A = B A (B) = B A cos ?
A B cos ? = B A cos ?
A . B = B . A
Thus scalar product is commutative.
Distributive Law for Dot Product
A . (B + C) = A . B + A . C
Consider three vectors A, B and C.
B(A) = Projection of B on A
C(A) = Projection of C on A
(B + C)A = Projection of (B + C) on A
Therefore
A . (B + C) = A [(B + C}A] {since A . B = A B(A)}
= A [B(A) + C(A)] {since (B + C)A = B(A) + C(A)}
= A B(A) + A C(A)
= A . B + A . C
Therefore,
B(A) = B cos ? => A B(A) = A B cos ?1 = A . B
And C(A) = C cos ? => A C(A) = A C cos ?2 = A . C
Thus dot product obeys distributive law.
Consider three vectors A, B and C.
B(A) = Projection of B on A
C(A) = Projection of C on A
(B + C)A = Projection of (B + C) on A
Therefore
A . (B + C) = A [(B + C}A] {since A . B = A B(A)}
= A [B(A) + C(A)] {since (B + C)A = B(A) + C(A)}
= A B(A) + A C(A)
= A . B + A . C
Therefore,
B(A) = B cos ? => A B(A) = A B cos ?1 = A . B
And C(A) = C cos ? => A C(A) = A C cos ?2 = A . C
Thus dot product obeys distributive law.
2. Vector Product OR Cross Product
When the product of two vectors is another
vector perpendicular to the plane formed by the
multiplying vectors, the product is then called vector or
cross product.
The cross product of two vector A and B having angle ? between them may be defined as "the product of magnitude of A and B and the sine of the angle ?, such that the product vector has a direction perpendicular to the plane containing A and B and points in the direction in which right handed screw advances when it is rotated from A to B through smaller angle between the positive direction of A and B".
A x B = |A| |B| sin ? u
Where u is the unit vector perpendicular to the plane containing A and B and points in the direction in which right handed screw advances when it is rotated from A to B through smaller angle between the positive direction of A and B.
The cross product of two vector A and B having angle ? between them may be defined as "the product of magnitude of A and B and the sine of the angle ?, such that the product vector has a direction perpendicular to the plane containing A and B and points in the direction in which right handed screw advances when it is rotated from A to B through smaller angle between the positive direction of A and B".
A x B = |A| |B| sin ? u
Where u is the unit vector perpendicular to the plane containing A and B and points in the direction in which right handed screw advances when it is rotated from A to B through smaller angle between the positive direction of A and B.
Examples of vector products are
(a) The moment M of a force about a point O is defined as
M = R x F
Where R is a vector joining the point O to the initial point of F.
(b) Force experienced F by an electric charge q which is moving with velocity V in a magnetic field B
F = q (V x B)
M = R x F
Where R is a vector joining the point O to the initial point of F.
(b) Force experienced F by an electric charge q which is moving with velocity V in a magnetic field B
F = q (V x B)
Physical Interpretation of Vector OR Cross Product
Area of Parallelogram = |A x B|
Area of Triangle = 1/2 |A x B|
Area of Triangle = 1/2 |A x B|