Vectors

Contents

Vectors in two and three dimensions

The magnitude of a vector
Multiplying vectors
Adding and subtracting vectors
 Vectors and scalars
A scalar is a quantity that has size (or magnitude) only.
Examples of scalar quantities include: length
speed
mass
A vector is a quantity that has both size (or magnitude)
and direction.
Examples of vector quantities include: displacement
velocity
force
 Representing vectors

A vector can be represented using a line segment with an arrow on it.

For example, the vector that goes from the point A to the point B can be
represented by the following directed line segment.

The magnitude of the vector is given by the length of the line.

The direction of the vector is given by the arrow on the line.

 Representing vectors
uuu
r
We can write this vector as AB.
Vectors can also be written using single letters in bold type.
For example, we can call this vector a.
When this is hand-written, the a is written as a

To go from the point A to the point B we must move 6 units to the

right and 3 units up.

A 6
 Representing vectors

This component tells us the number of

uuu
r �6� units moved in the x-direction.
AB = � �
3�
� This component tells us the number of
units moved in the y-direction.

We can also represent vectors in three dimensions relative to a

three dimensional coordinate grid:

A third axis, the z-axis, is added at

right angles to the xy-plane.

Conventionally, we show the z-axis

pointing vertically upwards with
the xy-plane horizontal.
 Representing vectors
uuur
For example, consider the following three-dimensional vector CD.
To go from the point C to the point D we
C 5 must move
–3 5 units in the x-direction,
z y –2 –3 units in the y-direction
x D –2 units in the z-direction.
This three-dimensional vector can be written in column vector form
as:
This component tells us the number of
units moved in the x-direction.
�5 �
uuur � � This component tells us the number of
CD = �-3 � units moved in the y-direction.
�-2 �
� � This component tells us the number of
units moved in the z-direction.
 The unit base vectors

The unit base vectors, i and j, run parallel to the x- and y-axes.
y-axis

j
x-axis
i
Any column vector can easily be written in terms of i and j.
5�
�
For example, �� i-4j
=5
-
�4�
The number of i’s tells us how many units are moved horizontally,
and the number of j’s tells us how many units are moved vertically.
 The unit base vectors

In three dimensions, we introduce a third unit base vector, k, that

runs parallel to the z-axis.
z-axis
�1� 0�
� �0�
�
0 � �1 � �0 �
i is � �
, j is � �and k is � �
y-axis � � � � � �
k j 0
�� 0
�� 1
��

i x-axis �- 1 �
�6 �
For example, the three-dimensional vector � � can be written in
terms of i, j and k as �- 3 �
� �

–i + 6j –3k
Vectors written in terms of the unit base vectors i, j and k are
usually said to be written in component form.
 Contents

Vectors in two and three dimensions

The magnitude of a vector
Multiplying vectors
Adding and subtracting vectors
 Finding the magnitude of a vector

The magnitude (or modulus) of a vector is given by the length of the

line segment representing it.
For example, suppose we have the A
vector a
uuur �4 �
AB = a = � � B
�-2 �
uuu
r
The magnitude of this vector is written as AB a or a .

We can calculate this using Pythagoras’s Theorem.

uuu
r
AB = 42 + 22

= 20
=2 5
 Finding the magnitude of a vector

The magnitude of a three-dimensional vector can be found by

applying Pythagoras’s Theorem in three dimensions.
For example, suppose we have the vector
�3 �
uuu
r � �
AB = �6 �
�-2 �
� �
The magnitude of this vector is given by
uuu
r
AB = 32 + 62 + 22

= 9 + 36 + 4
= 49
=7
 Contents

Vectors in two and three dimensions

The magnitude of a vector
Multiplying vectors
Adding and subtracting vectors
 The “Dot” Product (Vector Multiplication)
Multiplying 2 vectors sometimes gives you a
SCALAR quantity which we call the DOT
PRODUCT.
In polar notation consider 2 vectors:
A = |A| < θ1 & B = |B| < θ2

The dot product between A and B

produces a SCALAR quantity. The
magnitude of the scalar product is defined
as:

Where q is the NET angle between the

two vectors. As shown in the figure.
 The Scalar Dot Product
Let A = |12| < 30, Let B = |5| < 65
What is A "dot" B?
A  B  A B cos q  12 5 cos 35
A  B  49.15
In unit vector notation, it looks a
little different. Consider:

The "Dot" product between these

is equal to:
 The Scalar Dot Product

What is the SIGNIFICANCE of the dot product?

The significance of the dot product
In this figure, vector B has been split into 2
components, one PARALLEL to vector A
and one PERPENDICULAR to vector A.
Notice that the component parallel to vector
A has a magnitude of |B|Cos θ

THEREFORE when you find the DOT

PRODUCT, the result is:
i) The MAGNITUDE of one vector,
in this case |A| and,
ii) The MAGNITUDE of the 2nd
vector's component that runs parallel to
the first vector. (That is where the cos q
comes from)
 Applications of “Dot Product”
Consider this situation: A force F is applied to a
moving object as it transverses over a
frictionless surface for a displacement, d.

As F is applied to the object it will increase the

object's speed!
But which part of F really
causes the object to increase
in speed?
It is |F|Cos θ ! Because it is parallel to the displacement d
In fact if you apply the dot product, you get (|F|Cos θ)d, which happens to be
defined as "WORK" (check your equation sheet!)

A  B  A B cos q Work is a type of energy and energy DOES NOT

have a direction, that is why WORK is a scalar or in
this case a SCALAR PRODUCT
W  F  x  F x cos q (AKA DOT PRODUCT).
The “Cross” Product (Vector Multiplication)
Multiplying 2 vectors sometimes gives you a VECTOR quantity which we call
the VECTOR CROSS PRODUCT.

In polar notation consider 2 vectors:

A = |A| < θ1 & B = |B| < θ2 q A
B
The cross product between A and B
produces a VECTOR quantity. The
magnitude of the vector product is defined
as:

Where q is the NET angle between the

two vectors. As shown in the figure.
Cross Products and Unit Vectors
The cross product between B and A
produces a VECTOR of which a 3x3
matrix is need to evaluate the
magnitude and direction.
You start by making a
iˆ ˆj kˆ 3x3 matrix with 3
columns, one for i, j, &
B  A  Bx B y Bz k-hat. The components
Ax Ay Az then go under each
appropriate column.

Since B is the first vector it comes first in the matrix

 Cross Products and Unit Vectors
You then make an X in the
iˆ ˆj kˆ columns OTHER THAN the unit
vectors you are working with.
B  A  Bx By Bz •For “i” , cross j x k
•For “j” , cross i x k
Ax Ay Az •For “k” , cross i x j

Let’s start with the i-hat vector: We cross j x k iˆ  ( B y Az ) - ( Bz Ay )

ˆj  ( Bz Ax ) - ( Bx Az )
Now the j-hat vector: We cross i x k

Now the k-hat vector: We cross i x j kˆ  ( Bx Ay ) - ( B y Ax )

 Example

Let’s start with the i-hat vector: We cross j x k iˆ  (-4)(5) - (-6)(-4)  -44

Now the j-hat vector: We cross i x k ˆj  (-6)(3) - (-2)(5)  -8

Now the k-hat vector: We cross i x j kˆ  (-2)( -4) - (-4)(3)  20

The final answer would be:

B  A  -44iˆ - 8 ˆj  20kˆ
 The significance of the cross product

In this figure, vector A has been split

into 2 components, one PARALLEL to
vector B and one PERPENDICULAR to
vector B. Notice that the component
perpendicular to vector B has a
magnitude of |A|sin θ

THEREFORE when you find the CROSS PRODUCT, the result is:
i) The MAGNITUDE of one vector, in this case |B| and,
ii) The MAGNITUDE of the 2nd vector's component that runs
perpendicular to the first vector. ( that is where the sin q
comes from)
 Application of “Cross Product”
There are many cross products in physics. The cross product system will be
used in mechanics (rotation) as well as understanding the behavior of
particles in magnetic fields.

A force F is applied to a wrench a

displacement r from a specific point of
rotation (ie. a bolt).

Common sense will tell us the larger r

is the easier it will be to turn the bolt.

But which part of F actually causes the wrench to turn? |F| Sin θ

A  B  A B sin q
 
F  r  F r sin q
 Contents

Vectors in two and three dimensions

The magnitude of a vector
Multiplying vectors
Adding and subtracting vectors
 Adding Vectors
VECTOR ADDITION – If 2 similar vectors point in the SAME
direction, add them.
• Example: A man walks 54.5 meters east, then another 30
meters east. Calculate his displacement relative to where he
started?
54.5 m, E + 30 m, E
Notice that the SIZE
of the arrow conveys
84.5 m, E MAGNITUDE and the
way it was drawn
conveys DIRECTION.
 Substracting Vectors
VECTOR SUBTRACTION - If 2 vectors are going in opposite
directions, you SUBTRACT.

• Example: A man walks 54.5 meters east, then 30 meters

west. Calculate his displacement relative to where he
started?
54.5 m, E
-
30 m, W

24.5 m, E
THANK YOU