VECTOR - Complete Notes
Physics / Mathematics | For Class 11, 12 & Competitive Exams (JEE/NEET/CUET)
1. What is a Vector?
Vector: A quantity having both magnitude and direction. Represented as A→ or |A|. Example: Displacement,
Velocity, Force, Acceleration, Momentum.
Scalar: Only magnitude. Example: Mass, Distance, Speed, Temperature, Energy.
Representation: A = A_x i + A_y j + A_z k ; Magnitude |A| = √(A_x² + A_y² + A_z²) ; Direction given by unit
vector: Â = A / |A|
2. Types of Vectors
Zero Vector Magnitude 0, direction undefined. A + (-A) = 0
Unit Vector Magnitude 1. Used for direction. i, j, k are unit vectors along x,y,z
Equal Vectors Same magnitude and same direction
Negative Vector Same magnitude, opposite direction
Collinear Vectors Act along same or parallel line
Coplanar Vectors Lie in same plane
Position Vector Vector from origin to a point: r = xi + yj + zk
3. Addition & Subtraction of Vectors
Triangle Law: If two vectors are placed head to tail, the third side from tail of first to head of second is
resultant R = A + B
Parallelogram Law: If A and B are two adjacent sides of a parallelogram, diagonal from common tail is
resultant. |R| = √(A² + B² + 2AB cosθ)
Direction of Resultant: tan α = B sinθ / (A + B cosθ) where α is angle of R with A
Properties: A+B = B+A (commutative), A+(B+C) = (A+B)+C (associative). Subtraction: A - B = A + (-B)
4. Resolution of Vectors
Any vector can be resolved into components. In 2D: A_x = A cosθ, A_y = A sinθ. In 3D: A = A_x i + A_y j +
A_z k
Direction Cosines: cos α = A_x/|A|, cos β = A_y/|A|, cos γ = A_z/|A|, and cos²α + cos²β + cos²γ = 1
5. Dot Product (Scalar Product)
Definition: A · B = |A||B| cosθ = A_xB_x + A_yB_y + A_zB_z → Result is a SCALAR
Properties: i·i=j·j=k·k=1 ; i·j=j·k=k·i=0 ; Commutative: A·B = B·A
Importance:
• If A·B = 0 → A ⊥ B (perpendicular)
• Work: W = F · d = Fd cosθ
• Angle between vectors: cosθ = (A·B)/(|A||B|)
• Projection of A on B = (A·B)/|B|
6. Cross Product (Vector Product)
Definition: A × B = |A||B| sinθ n■ (n■ is perpendicular to plane of A,B by Right Hand Rule). Result is a
VECTOR.
Formula: A × B = | i j k ; A_x A_y A_z ; B_x B_y B_z | = (A_yB_z - A_zB_y)i - (A_xB_z - A_zB_x)j + (A_xB_y
- A_yB_x)k
Properties: i×i=j×j=k×k=0 ; i×j=k, j×k=i, k×i=j ; Anti-commutative: A×B = -(B×A) ; If A×B=0 → A ■ B
Importance:
• Area of parallelogram = |A×B|
• Area of triangle = ½ |A×B|
• Torque: τ = r × F
• Force on charge in magnetic field: F = q(v × B)
7. Important Formulas - Quick Revision
Resultant max/min |A-B| ≤ |R| ≤ |A+B| ; Max when θ=0°, Min when θ=180°
Unit vector  = A / |A|
Dot Product A·B = AB cosθ
Cross Product magnitude |A×B| = AB sinθ
Perpendicular condition A·B = 0
Parallel condition A×B = 0 or A = λB
Triple Product A·(B×C) = Volume of parallelepiped
8. Solved Example
Q1: A = 2i + 3j + k, B = i - 2j + 2k. Find A·B and A×B.
Sol: A·B = (2)(1)+(3)(-2)+(1)(2)=2-6+2= -2
A×B = i*(3*2 -1*-2) - j*(2*2 -1*1) + k*(2*-2 -3*1) = i*(6+2) - j*(4-1) + k*(-4-3) = 8i -3j -7k
Q2: Find angle between A= i+2j+3k and B=2i-j+k.
Sol: A·B=2-2+3=3, |A|=√14, |B|=√6 → cosθ=3/√84 → θ=cos■¹(3/√84)
Tip for Exams: Always draw diagram for vector addition. For dot/cross, remember: Dot →
cos, projection, work. Cross → sin, area, torque, perpendicular vector.