Vectors Notes

M-28, First Floor, Old DLF Colony, Sector-14, Gurgaon, Haryana-122001
Vectors
Physical quantities are mainly classified into two types, viz. Scalars and Vectors.
Scalar quantities are those physical quantities which have only magnitude but no direction e.g. mass, length, time,
temperature, density, work, power, energy etc.
Scalars can be added or subtracted by rules of simple algebra.
Vector quantities are those physical quantities which have both magnitude as well as direction e.g. velocity,
acceleration, force, displacement etc.
Differences b/w scalars and vectors:
Scalars Vectors
(1) Scalar quantities have only magnitude. (1) Vectors have both magnitude and direction.
(2) It obeys ordinary laws of algebra. (2) It does not obey ordinary laws of algebra.
(3) Product of two scalars always gives a scalar. (3) Product of two vectors may either be a scalar or a vector.
Types of vectors:
(1) Equal vectors: Two vectors are said to be equal if they have same magnitude and direction.
(2) Negative vectors: Two vectors having same magnitude but opposite direction are said to be negative vectors.
(3) Collinear vectors: Vectors lying on the same straight line are termed collinear.
(4) Co-initial or concurrent vectors: Vectors having a common initial point are called co-initial vectors.
(5) Coplanar vectors: Vectors lying in one plane irrespective of their direction are said to be coplanar vectors.
Physics Gurukul by Sanjeet Singh

Contact: 7065827902, 9404753603; E-mail ID: physicsgurukul16@gmail.com
Website: www.physicsgurukul.com
(6) Null vectors or zero vectors: The vector having zero magnitude is said to be null vectors or zero vectors. Or in
other words, the difference between two equal vectors is called zero or null vectors. Symbolically it is represented by
[Note: It has no specific direction.]
(7) Unit vector: A vector having unit magnitude and direction same as that of a given vector is said to be a unit vector
of that vector e.g. i, j and k are the unit vectors along x, y and z-axis respectively.
The unit vector along
]
[Note: It is denoted by A

Problem: Find the unit vector corresponding to a vector given by A 3i 2 j 5k .

Solution: Here, A 3 2 5 38 unit
2 2 2

3i 2 j 5k 3 i 2 j 5 k
Required unit vector, A
A
A 38 38 38 38
Resultant vector: The resultant of two or more vectors is defined as that single vector, which produces the same effect
as produced by all the vectors together.
Position vector: A vector which gives the position of a particle at a point with respect to the origin of a chosen
coordinate system.

R x i y j z k
Addition of vectors:
The addition of two or more vectors of the same type, gives rise to a single vector, such that the effect of this single
vector is the same as the net effect of the original vectors. It is very important to understand that only the vectors of the

same type (physical quantity) can be added. Velocity v1 and velocity v2 can be added to give the resultant velocity

v v1 v2 . Similarly forces F1 and F2 can be added to give the resultant force F F1 F2 .
However velocity cannot be added to force.
Question: Whether it is possible to add two vectors representing physical quantities having different dimensions?

Case-I: If two vectors are acting along the same direction/ opposite direction, they can be added/ subtracted as
follows:
Case-II: When the vectors are not along the same/ opposite direction, we have to use the triangle law of vector
addition which is stated as follows.
If two vectors of the same type are represented in magnitude and direction by the two sides of a
triangle taken in the same order, then their resultant is represented in magnitude and direction by the third side
of the triangle drawn from the starting point of first vector to the end point of the second vector.
Case-III:
If a number of vectors are represented in mag. & dir. By the sides of an open polygon, taken in the same order, then
their resultant will be represented in magnitude & direction by the closing side of the polygon taken in the reverse
order.

Case-IV: Parallelogram law of vector addition:
If two vectors of the same type starting from the same point are represented in magnitude and direction by
two adjacent sides of a parallelogram, then their resultant vector is given in magnitude and direction by the diagonal of
the parallelogram starting from the same point.
To find the magnitude & direction of Resultant:
In right angle ,
OB = OD + DB
= (OA + AD) + DB
= OA + AD + 2.OA.AD + DB
= OA + 2.OA.AD + AB [Since, AB = AD + DB]

OB = OA + AB + 2.OA.ABcos [cos = ]
or, R = P + Q + 2PQcos
R = + + 2 cos
Magnitude of R
Direction of R:
sin sin
tan = = + =+ cos = + cos [ sin = & cos = ]

Special cases:
(i) If & are at right angle to each other, then = 900

R = + & tan =

(ii) If & are in the same direction, then = 00
R = ( + ) = P + Q & tan = 0 => = 0
(iii) If & are in the opposite direction, then = 1800

R=PQ & =0
PROBLEM: Two vectors 2 and are inclined to each other at a certain angle. If the first vector is doubled, then the
resultant vector is increased three times. Calculate the angle b/w the two vectors.
Solution: we know that,

R = 2 + 2 + 2 cos
= 2 2 + 2 + 2.2. cos
= 4 + + 4 cos
= 5 + 4 cos
By problem,
Resultant increases three times if the first vector is doubled. Therefore,
3R = 4 2 + + 2.4. cos
= 16 + + 8 cos
= 17 + 8 cos
3x 5 + 4 cos = 17 + 8 cos
Squaring both side,
9(5p+4pcos ) = (17p+8pcos )
Or, 45p+36pcos = 17p+8pcos
Or, 28p = -28pcos
Or, cos = -1 = cos = cos 1800
= 1800
PROBLEM: Two vectors and are given by = 5 + 3 4 and =5 +2 +4. Find the unit vector along
+ and -.
Solution:
(i) + =10 + 5
Unit vector along + ,
+ 10+5 10+5 2+ 2 1
= |+ | = 100+25
= 5 5
= 5
= 5
+ 5
(ii) = - 8
Unit vector along ,

8 8 1 8
= = = = -
| | 1+64 65 65 65
Resolution of Vectors:
The process of finding the components (or component vectors) of a given vector is called resolution of vectors.
The given vector can be split up into two or more components such that the combined effect of these components is
same as the original vector.
The components can be found at any required angle, but if they are at right angles to each other they are called
rectangular components.
Resolution of a vector into two rectangular components:
The resolution of a vector into two mutually perpendicular vectors is called the rectangular resolution of the vector.
From parallelogram law, = +
If OP = x and OQ = y , then = x and = y, = x +
From right angled triangle OPR,

cos = =

x = rcos
Also,

sin = =
y= r sin

Multiplication of two vectors:
(i) Dot product (Scalar product) (ii) Cross product (Vector product)
(i) Dot product:
The Dot product of two vectors & is given by . = ABcos
Where is the angle between the vectors & .
Properties:
(i) i i j j k k 1
(ii) . = . = . = . = . = 0
PROBLEM: If = + 2 + 4 and = 2 + + 8 , find . .

x
Solution:. = + 2 + 4 . ( 2 + + 8
= 2+2+32 = 36
(ii) Cross product:
The cross product of two vectors & is,
x = ABsin . & | x|=ABsin
[ NOTE: x is perpendicular to both the vectors ]

Properties:
(i) i i j j k k 0
(ii) i j k; j k i; k i j ; j i k; k j i; i k j
Question: What is the angle b/w x and x ?
PROBLEM: If = +2+4 and=2++8 , find x and x.
Solution:

x = 1 2 4 = (16-4) - (8-8) + (1-4) = 12 -3
2 1 8

&

x = 2 1 8 = (4-16) (8-8) + (4-1) = -12 + 3
1 2 4
[ NOTE:x = x]
PROBLEM: If = 3 + 3 3 and = 2 + + 3 , find the angle b/w .
Solution: We know that,
. = cos
. 6+39
or, cos =
=
= 0 = cos 900
= 900
i.e., the vector are perpendicular to each other.
PROBLEM: If | + | = | |, show that is perpendicular to.
Solution: | + | =| |
or, | + | =| |
or, ( + ). ( + )=( ). ( )
or, A+B+2. = A+B-2.
or, 4 . = 0
or, . = 0 i.e., is perpendicular to .
Area of parallelogram:
Let PQRS is a parallelogram formed by the two vectors as its two sides.
Area of parallelogram
= base x height
= (PQ) x (ST)
= AB sin
= |x | ( ST = Bsin )
Area of triangle:
Let PQR be a triangle formed by the two vectors as its two sides.
1
Area of triangle = x base x height
2
1
= 2 x QR x PS
1 PS PS
= AB sin (In QSP , sin )
2 PQ B
1
= AB ( AD = Bsin )
2
PROBLEM: Calculate the area of a parallelogram whose two adjacent sides are given by = + 2 + 3 and
=2 3 + .
Solution:
Area of parallelogram = |x|
Now,

x = 1 2 3 = (2+9) - (1-6) + (-3-4) = 11 + 5 7
2 3 1
|x| = 11 2 + 5 2 + (7) = 121 + 25 + 49 = 195 = 13.96
So, the area of parallelogram is 13.96 units.


Vectors Notes

Încărcat de

Informații document

Drepturi de autor

Formate disponibile

Partajați acest document

Partajați sau inserați document

Opțiuni de partajare

Vi se pare util acest document?

Este necorespunzător acest conținut?

Drepturi de autor:

Formate disponibile

Vectors Notes

Încărcat de

Drepturi de autor:

Formate disponibile

M-28, First Floor, Old DLF Colony, Sector-14, Gurgaon, Haryana-122001

Scalars can be added or subtracted by rules of simple algebra.

Differences b/w scalars and vectors:

Physics Gurukul by Sanjeet Singh

[Note: It has no specific direction.]

The unit vector along

However velocity cannot be added to force.

Physics Gurukul by Sanjeet Singh

Physics Gurukul by Sanjeet Singh

To find the magnitude & direction of Resultant:

= OA + 2.OA.AD + AB [Since, AB = AD + DB]

(i) If & are at right angle to each other, then = 900

(ii) If & are in the same direction, then = 00

R = ( + ) = P + Q & tan = 0 => = 0

(iii) If & are in the opposite direction, then = 1800

Solution: we know that,

Unit vector along + ,

Unit vector along ,

Physics Gurukul by Sanjeet Singh

Resolution of a vector into two rectangular components:

From parallelogram law, = +

If OP = x and OQ = y , then = x and = y, = x +

From right angled triangle OPR,

Physics Gurukul by Sanjeet Singh

(i) Dot product:

The Dot product of two vectors & is given by . = ABcos

Where is the angle between the vectors & .

PROBLEM: If = + 2 + 4 and = 2 + + 8 , find . .

(ii) Cross product:

The cross product of two vectors & is,

x = ABsin . & | x|=ABsin

[ NOTE: x is perpendicular to both the vectors ]

Question: What is the angle b/w x and x ?

PROBLEM: If = +2+4 and=2++8 , find x and x.

Physics Gurukul by Sanjeet Singh

PROBLEM: If = 3 + 3 3 and = 2 + + 3 , find the angle b/w .

Solution: We know that,

PROBLEM: If | + | = | |, show that is perpendicular to.

or, A+B+2. = A+B-2.

or, . = 0 i.e., is perpendicular to .

Area of parallelogram = |x|

|x| = 11 2 + 5 2 + (7) = 121 + 25 + 49 = 195 = 13.96

So, the area of parallelogram is 13.96 units.

Physics Gurukul by Sanjeet Singh

S-ar putea să vă placă și