7.1&7.

2 Vectors as Forces and Velocity

Unit 7: Applications of Vectors
MCV 4U1: Calculus and Vectors

Force as a Vector
A force can be thought of as either a push or a pull on an object. If a large enough force is applied to an object
at rest, the object will most likely move. A force is specified by stating its magnitude and direction. The unit of
measure for a force is a Newton, which is abbreviated as N.

Resultant and Composition of Forces

In most cases there is more than one force acting on an object. It is most useful to find the single force, or
resultant force, that would produce exactly the same effect as all forces acting together. The individual forces
that make up the resultant are referred to as the components of the resultant.
→ → → →
​ 𝑅 = 𝐹1 + 𝐹2 +... + 𝐹𝑛
→ →
Ex. 1 Two forces are applied to a boat 𝐹1 = 1000[𝑁30˚𝐸] and 𝐹2 = 2000[𝐸]. Find the resultant force (magnitude
and direction).

Resolution of a Vector into Horizontal and Vertical Components

In many situations there may be many vectors acting on an object. This can be simplified by resolving each
→ → → → →
force 𝑓 into its horizontal and vertical components, 𝑓𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑓𝑦, 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 |𝑓𝑥| = |𝑓|𝑐𝑜𝑠θ 𝑎𝑛𝑑 |𝑓𝑦| = |𝑓|𝑠𝑖𝑛θ where θ
→
is the angle that 𝑓 makes with the x axis. The scalar components of the resultant force are given by:
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 𝑅𝑥 = 𝐹1𝑥 + 𝐹2𝑥 +... + 𝐹𝑛𝑥
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 𝑅𝑦 = 𝐹1𝑦 + 𝐹2𝑦 +... + 𝐹𝑛𝑦
The magnitude and the direction of the resultant force are given by: ​
→ 2 2 𝑅𝑥
​ |𝑅| = 𝑅𝑥 + 𝑅𝑦 ​ ​ ​ ​ 𝑡𝑎𝑛θ = 𝑅𝑦

Ex. 2 Find the resultant of the following system of forces (magnitude and direction).
Equilibrium of Forces
A system of forces is in a state of equilibrium if the resultant force is 0 . This can also be viewed as the single
force that opposes the resultant of the forces acting on an object. The equilibrant of a number of forces is the
single force that opposes the resultant of the forces acting on an object.

Three forces in equilibrium will form a triangle or a balanced line. This means that the forces are coplanar and
the largest magnitude force is less than or equal to the sum of the other two magnitudes.

Ex. 3 Find the tensions in each string such that the body is at equilibrium.

Velocity
Velocity is a vector and the measurement unit is m/s or km/h. The resultant velocity of any two velocities is
their sum.

→
When we have two moving objects A and B, the velocity of the object B traveling at 𝑣𝐵 relative to the object A
→ → → →
traveling at 𝑣𝐴 is given by: ​ ​ ​ 𝑣𝐵𝐴 = 𝑣𝐵 − 𝑣𝐴

Plane Velocity
The plane velocity relative to ground is the vector sum between the plane velocity relative to air
→ → → → →
𝑣𝑝𝑎 and the air velocity relative to ground 𝑣𝑎𝑔:​​ ​ 𝑣𝑝𝑔 = 𝑣𝑝𝑎 + 𝑣𝑎𝑔

Ex. 4 A plane is scheduled to travel from airport A to an airport B where AB = 600km [N60°E]. The speed of the
plane relative to air is 300km/h and a strong wind of 100km/h is blowing eastward.
a) Draw a diagram to illustrate the situation.
 b) In what direction should the pilot head the plane?

c) What is the speed of the plane relative to ground?

d) How long will the trip last?

Boat Velocity
→
The boat velocity relative to the ground is the vector sum between the boat velocity relative to water 𝑣𝑏𝑤 and
→ → → →
the water velocity relative to ground 𝑣𝑤𝑔 (current): ​ ​ 𝑣𝑏𝑔 = 𝑣𝑏𝑤 + 𝑣𝑤𝑔

Ex. 5 A river flows eastward with 4m/s. A motorboat heads downstream the river between two towns which are
50km apart along the south bank of the river. If the motorboat speed in still water is 12m/s, find:
a) the speed of the motorboat relative to the ground when traveling downstream

b) the time required to cover the distance between the towns downstream

c) the speed of the motorboat relative to the ground when traveling upstream

d) the time required to cover the distance between the towns upstream

→ →
Ex. 6 A car is travelling at 𝑣𝑐 = 100 𝑘𝑚/ℎ [𝐸], a motorcycle is travelling at 𝑣𝑚 = 80 𝑘𝑚/ℎ [𝑊], a truck is travelling
→ →
at 𝑣𝑡 = 120 𝑘𝑚/ℎ [𝑁] and an SUV is travelling at 𝑣𝑠 = 100 𝑘𝑚/ℎ [𝑆𝑊]. Find the velocity of the car relative to:
a) The motorcycle

b) The truck

c) The SUV

Consolidate: Pg 362-364 #2, 5, 6, 8 - 11, 13, 15, 16 & Pg 369-370 #1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 11, 13, 14
7.3&7.4 Dot Product of Geometric and Algebraic Vectors
Unit 7: Applications of Vectors
MCV 4U1: Calculus and Vectors

Dot Product
→ →
The dot product of two geometric vectors 𝑎 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏 with an angle θ between them (when positioned tail to tail)
→ → → →
is a scalar defined by: ​ ​ ​ 𝑎 · 𝑏 = |𝑎||𝑏|𝑐𝑜𝑠θ, 0˚ ≤ θ ≤ 180˚

The dot product of the standard unit vectors is given by:

^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
​ ​ ​ 𝑖 · 𝑖 = 1​ ​ 𝑗 · 𝑗 = 1​ ​ 𝑘·𝑘= 1
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
​ ​ ​ 𝑖 · 𝑗 = 0​ ​ 𝑗 · 𝑘 = 0​ ​ 𝑘·𝑖= 0

The dot product of two algebraic vectors:

→ ^ ^ ^ → ^ ^ ^ → →
If 𝑎 = (𝑎𝑥, 𝑎𝑦, 𝑎𝑧) = 𝑎𝑥𝑖 + 𝑎𝑦𝑗 + 𝑎𝑧𝑘 and 𝑏 = (𝑏𝑥, 𝑏𝑦, 𝑏𝑧) = 𝑏𝑥𝑖 + 𝑏𝑦𝑗 + 𝑏𝑧𝑘, then: 𝑎 · 𝑏 = 𝑎𝑥𝑏𝑥 + 𝑎𝑦𝑏𝑦+ 𝑎𝑧𝑏𝑧

→ → → →
Ex. 1 If |𝑢| = 4, |𝑣| = 6, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 θ = 120˚, 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑢 · 𝑣.

→ →
Ex. 2 For each case, find the dot product of the vectors 𝑎 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏.
→ →
a)​ 𝑎 = (1, − 2, 0), 𝑏 = (0, − 1, 2)

→ ^ ^ → ^ ^ ^
b)​ 𝑎 =− 𝑖 + 2𝑗, 𝑏 = 𝑖 − 2𝑗 − 𝑘

Properties of the Dot Product

→ →
1. 𝑎 · 𝑏 is a scalar (a real number)
→ → → →
2. If 𝑎 is perpendicular to 𝑏 then 𝑎 · 𝑏 = 0 (since cos(90˚)=0)
→ → → → → →
3. If 𝑎 · 𝑏 = 0 then |𝑎| = 0 or |𝑏| = 0 or 𝑎 𝑖𝑠 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑡𝑜 𝑏
→ →
4. If 0˚ < θ < 90˚ then 𝑐𝑜𝑠θ > 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎 · 𝑏 > 0
→ →
5. If 90˚ < θ < 180˚ then 𝑐𝑜𝑠θ < 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎 · 𝑏 < 0
→ → → → → →
6. If 𝑎 is parallel to 𝑏 in the same direction, then θ = 0˚, 𝑐𝑜𝑠θ = 1, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎 · 𝑏 = |𝑎||𝑏|
→ → → → → →
7. If 𝑎 is parallel to 𝑏 in the opposite direction, then θ = 180˚, 𝑐𝑜𝑠θ =− 1, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎 · 𝑏 =− |𝑎||𝑏|
→ → →2
8. 𝑎 · 𝑎 = |𝑎|
→ → → →
9. 𝑎 · 𝑏 = 𝑏 · 𝑎 (commutative property)
→ → → → → → →
10. 𝑎 · (𝑏 + 𝑐) = 𝑎 · 𝑏 + 𝑎 · 𝑐 (distributive property)
→ → → → → →
11. (𝑘𝑎) · 𝑏 = 𝑘(𝑎 · 𝑏) = 𝑎 · 𝑘(𝑏) (associative property)
→ →
12. 𝑎 · 0 = 0
 → →2 →2 →2 → →
Ex. 3 Use the dot product to prove:​ |𝑎 · 𝑏| = |𝑎| + |𝑏| + 2𝑎 · 𝑏

→ → 1 → → → →
Ex. 4 If the vectors 2𝑎 + 𝑏 𝑎𝑛𝑑 2
𝑎 − 𝑏 are perpendicular to each other and 2|𝑏| = 3|𝑎|, find the angle
→ →
between the nonzero vectors 𝑎 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏.

→ →
Ex. 5 For each case, find the angle between the vectors 𝑎 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏 if 0˚≤θ≤180˚.
→ →
a)​ 𝑎 = (1, − 2, − 1), 𝑏 = (0, − 1, 2)

→ ^ ^ → ^ ^
b)​ 𝑎 =− 𝑖 − 2𝑘, 𝑏 =− 2𝑗 + 𝑘

→ →
Ex. 6 Find a non-zero vector perpendicular to each of the vectors 𝑎 = (1, 5, − 1) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏 = (− 3, 1, 2).
Ex. 7 A triangle is defined by three points A(0,1,2) , B(1,0,2) , and C(−1,2,0) . Find the ∠A of this triangle.

→ ^ ^ ^
Ex. 8 Find the angles between the vector 𝑎 =− 2𝑖 + 𝑗 + 3𝑘 and each coordinate axis.

→ →
Ex. 9 For what values of k are the vectors 𝑎 = (𝑘, − 2, 3) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏 = (2, 2𝑘 − 6, 6):
a) Perpendicular (orthogonal)?

b) Parallel (collinear)?

c) In opposite directions?

Consolidate: Page 377-378 #1, 2, 5, 6af, 7af, 9, 11, 15

Page 385-387, #2c, 6d, 7a, 10, 13, 14, 18, 19
7.5 Scalar and Vector Projections
Unit 7: Applications of Vectors
MCV 4U1: Calculus and Vectors

Scalar Projection
→ → → →
A scalar projection of 𝑎 𝑜𝑛 𝑏 is made by creating a perpendicular line from the tip of 𝑎 𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑏 or an
→ → → →
extension of 𝑏. When calculating the scalar projection of 𝑎 𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑏, one must solve for |𝑎|𝑐𝑜𝑠θ in the dot
→→
→ 𝑎·𝑏
product formula. This gives: |𝑎|𝑐𝑜𝑠θ = →
|𝑏|
→ →
Given 𝑎 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏:

→ → →
When calculating the scalar projection of 𝑏 𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑎, one must solve for |𝑏|𝑐𝑜𝑠θ in the dot product formula.
→→
→ 𝑎·𝑏
This gives: |𝑏|𝑐𝑜𝑠θ = →
|𝑎|
→ →
Given 𝑎 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏:

→ →
Ex. 1 Given two vectors with the magnitudes |𝑎| = 10 𝑎𝑛𝑑 |𝑏| = 16 and the angle between them is equal to
120°, find the scalar projection:
→ →
a) of the vector 𝑎 onto the vector 𝑏

→ →
b) of the vector 𝑏 onto the vector 𝑎

→
Ex. 2 Given the vector 𝑎 = (2, − 3, 4), find the scalar projection of:
→ ^
a)​ 𝑎 onto the unit vector 𝑖

^ →
b)​ 𝑖 𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑎

→ → ^ ^ ^
c)​ 𝑎 onto the unit vector 𝑏 =− 𝑖 + 2𝑗 + 𝑘
Direction Angles
→
Consider a 3D coordinate system and a 3D vector 𝑂𝑃 with its tail at the origin O. Direction angles are the angles
α, β, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 γ between the vector and the positive directions of the coordinate axes x, y and z, respectively. The link
between the direction angles (α, β, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 γ) and the scalar components of a vector (𝑣𝑥, 𝑣𝑦, 𝑣𝑧 ) is given by:
→ → →
𝑣𝑥 = |𝑣|𝑐𝑜𝑠α​ 𝑣𝑦 = |𝑣|𝑐𝑜𝑠β 𝑣𝑧 = |𝑣|𝑐𝑜𝑠γ
𝑣𝑥 𝑣𝑦 𝑣𝑧
𝑐𝑜𝑠α = → 𝑐𝑜𝑠β = → 𝑐𝑜𝑠γ = →
|𝑣| |𝑣| |𝑣|

​ ​ ​
→ 2 2 2
|𝑣| = 𝑣𝑥 + 𝑣𝑦 + 𝑣𝑧

→
Ex. 3 Determine the direction angles for 𝑣 = (2, 3, −5).

Vector Projection
→ →
The calculation of the vector projection of 𝑎 𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑏 is just the corresponding scalar
→ →
→ → 𝑏 𝑏
projection of 𝑎 𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑏multiplied by → . The expression → is a unit vector pointing
|𝑏| |𝑏|

( )( )
→→ → →→ →→
→ 𝑎·𝑏 𝑏 𝑎·𝑏 → 𝑎·𝑏 → → →
in the direction of 𝑏. This gives: ​ → → = →2 𝑏= →→ 𝑏, 𝑏 ≠ 0
|𝑏| |𝑏| |𝑏| 𝑏·𝑏

→ →
Ex. 4 Given two vectors 𝑎 = (0, 1, − 2) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏 = (− 1, 0, 3) find the vector
projection of:
→ →
a)​ 𝑎 𝑜𝑛 𝑏 → ^
c)​ 𝑎 𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑖

→ → →
b)​ 𝑏 𝑜𝑛 𝑎 d)​ 𝑏 𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑧 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠

Consolidate: Page 398-400 # 1-3, 5-7, 11, 13, 14

7.6 Cross Product of Two Vectors
Unit 7: Applications of Vectors
MCV 4U1: Calculus and Vectors

Cross Product
Suppose we wish to consider the forces that involve a rotation such as the tightening of a nut with a wrench. The
torque about the turning point can be defined by using the cross product of the vectors in this scenario. Other
applications of the cross product are used in electromagnetics.

→ →
If we are given two vectors 𝑎 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏, and want to calculate their cross
product, what we are trying to find is a particular vector that is
perpendicular to each of the two given vectors. The cross product is
sometimes referred to as a vector product because the result is a vector
and not a scalar. The cross product exists in R3.

→ →
Let 𝑎 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏 and be two non-collinear vectors in 3-space arranged
→ →
tail-to-tail forming an angle θ. The cross product ("a cross b" or 𝑎 × 𝑏) is
defined to be a vector.

→ →
Direction of 𝑎 × 𝑏
→ → → → → → → →
The direction of 𝑎 × 𝑏 is perpendicular to the plane containing 𝑎 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏 so that 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎 × 𝑏 satisfy the
→ →
right-hand rule. When the fingers of the right hand point in the direction of 𝑎 and curl towards 𝑏, the thumb
→ → → → → →
points in the direction of 𝑎 × 𝑏. The vector 𝑏 × 𝑎 is the opposite of 𝑎 × 𝑏 and points in the opposite direction.

→ →
Magnitude of 𝑎 × 𝑏
→ → → →
The magnitude of 𝑎 × 𝑏 is equal to the area of the parallelogram determined by 𝑎 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏.
Area of parallelogram = (base)(height)
→ → → →
|𝑎 × 𝑏| = |𝑎||𝑏|𝑠𝑖𝑛θ
Here are some special cases:
→ → → → →
1. If 𝑎||𝑏 then 𝑎 × 𝑏 = 0
→ → → →
2. If 𝑎 ⊥ 𝑏 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 |𝑎 × 𝑏| is a maximum

→ → → →
Ex. 1 The magnitudes of two vectors 𝑎 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏 𝑎𝑟𝑒 |𝑎| = 2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 |𝑏| = 3 respectively, and the angle
between them is α = 60°. Find the magnitude of the cross product of these vectors.

Cross Product of Algebraic Vectors

→ → → →
Given 𝑎 = (𝑎1, 𝑎2, 𝑎3) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏 = (𝑏1, 𝑏2, 𝑏3) then: 𝑎 × 𝑏 = (𝑎2𝑏3 − 𝑎3𝑏2, 𝑎3𝑏1 − 𝑎1𝑏3, 𝑎1𝑏2 − 𝑎2𝑏1)

An easy way to remember is to use the following visual representation:

𝑥 = 𝑎2𝑏3 − 𝑎3𝑏2
𝑦 = 𝑎3𝑏1 − 𝑎1𝑏3
𝑧 = 𝑎1𝑏2 − 𝑎2𝑏1
 → →
Ex. 2 For each case, find the cross product of the vectors 𝑎 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏.
→ →
a)​ 𝑎 = (1, − 2, 0) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏 = (0, − 1, 2)

→ ^ ^ → ^ ^ ^
b) 𝑎 =− 𝑖 + 2𝑗 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏 = 𝑖 − 2𝑗 − 𝑘

→ → ^ ^ ^
c) 𝑎 = (− 1, 1, − 2) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏 =− 2𝑖 − 𝑗 + 3𝑘

Properties of the Cross Product

→ → →
Let 𝑝, 𝑞 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑟 be three vectors in R3, and let 𝑘ϵ𝑅.
→ → → →
Vector multiplication is NOT commutative: 𝑝 × 𝑞 =− (𝑞 × 𝑝)
→ → → → → → →
Distributive law for vector multiplication: 𝑝 × (𝑞 + 𝑟) = 𝑝 × 𝑞 + 𝑝 × 𝑟
→ → → → → →
Scalar law for vector multiplication: 𝑘(𝑝 × 𝑞) = (𝑘𝑝) × 𝑞 = 𝑝 × (𝑘𝑞)

Ex. 3 Use the cross product properties to prove the following relations:
→ → → → → →
a)​ (𝑎 − 𝑏) × (𝑎 + 𝑏) = 2(𝑎 × 𝑏)

→ → → → → → → → → → → →
b)​ (𝑎 × 𝑏) · (𝑎 × 𝑏) + (𝑎 · 𝑏)(𝑎 · 𝑏) = (𝑎 · 𝑎)(𝑏 · 𝑏)

Page 407-408 #3-8, 11, 13

7.7 Applications of the Dot and Cross Product
Unit 7: Applications of Vectors
MCV 4U1: Calculus and Vectors

→ →
The work, W, done by a constant force, 𝐹, acting on an object during a displacement, 𝑑,
is given by:
→ → → →
𝑊 = |𝐹||𝑑|𝑐𝑜𝑠α​ =𝐹·𝑑

Ex. 1 A box is pulled a horizontal distance of 100m by a force of 500N applied at an

angle of 30° to the horizontal line. Calculate the amount of work done to the nearest joule.

Torque
→
The torque (rotational or turning effect) about the point A, created by a force, 𝐹, acting
on an object located at the point B is given by: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​
→ → → → → → → →
|τ| = |𝑟||𝐹|𝑠𝑖𝑛α ​ ​ τ = 𝐴𝐵 × 𝐹​ =𝑟×𝐹
→
(Note: |𝑟| must be in metres)

Ex. 2 A wrench 20cm long is used to loosen a bolt by applying a force of 20N (see the figure below). Find the
magnitude of the torque.

Parallelogram Area
→ →
The area of a parallelogram defined by the vectors 𝑎 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏 is determined by the formula:
→ → → →
​ ​ ​ ​ 𝐴 = |𝑎 × 𝑏| = |𝑎||𝑏|𝑠𝑖𝑛α

→ →
Ex. 3 Find the area of the parallelogram defined by the vectors 𝑎 = (1, − 1, 0) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏 = (0, 1, 2).
Triangle Area
→ →
The area of a triangle defined by the vectors 𝑎 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏 is given by:
1 → → 1 → →
𝐴= 2
|𝑎 × 𝑏| = 2
|𝑎||𝑏|𝑠𝑖𝑛α
(Note: Any two sides of a triangle can be used to calculate its area)

Ex. 4 Find the area of ΔABC, which has vertices A (0, 1, 2), B (−1, 0, 2), and C (1, −2, 0).

Consolidate: Page 414-415 #2 –10