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Direction Cosines and Vectors Explained

The document explains direction cosines, which are the angles a vector makes with the positive x, y, and z axes, denoted by α, β, and γ. It provides formulas for calculating these angles and highlights that the sum of squares of direction cosines equals one. Additionally, it discusses unit vectors, their properties, and includes numerical examples for finding direction cosines and unit vectors.

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ka3891312
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23 views3 pages

Direction Cosines and Vectors Explained

The document explains direction cosines, which are the angles a vector makes with the positive x, y, and z axes, denoted by α, β, and γ. It provides formulas for calculating these angles and highlights that the sum of squares of direction cosines equals one. Additionally, it discusses unit vectors, their properties, and includes numerical examples for finding direction cosines and unit vectors.

Uploaded by

ka3891312
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Direction Cosines

“ The angles, which makes vector A ⃗ with +ve x, y, and z axis called direction cosines. They are denoted
by 𝛼 ( +ve x axis), 𝛽 ( +ve y axis), 𝛾 ( +ve z axis)

𝐴 = Ax i + Ay j + Az k

|𝐴| = √(Ax)2 + (Ay)2 + (Az)2


𝐴𝑥
𝛼 = cos−1 ( 𝐴
) ( angle along +ve x-axis)

𝐴𝑦
𝛽 = cos −1 ( 𝐴
) ( angle with +ve y-axis)
𝐴𝑧
𝛾 = cos−1 ( 𝐴
) ( angle with +ve z-axis)

Note: Sum of squares of direction cosines is 1

l2 + m2 + n2 = 1

OR

Cos2𝛼 + cos2𝛽 + cos2𝛾 = 1

Numericls:

1. Find the direction cosine which makes vector 𝐴 = 2i + 3j + 6k with positive x, y, z-axis.
2. Find the direction cosines of v = ( 3, 4, 0 ).
3. Find the angles which vector 𝐴 = 2i - 3j - 6k makes with the co-ordinates.

General points regarding vector


1. Vectors can be shifted without changing direction

2. Vectors can be slided without changing direction and magnitude

3. The angle between two vectors is the smallest angle between two vectors when they are joined
by tail to tail or head to head
Note: The angle between two vectors is 0 ≤ 𝜽 ≤ 1800

Think of compass needle it points


Types of vector direction but we don’t care how long
1. Unit vector; it is
“The vector whose magnitude is “one” (unity).”
It is denoted by a hat/ cap symbol e.g.” 𝑎̂ “read as a hat/cap

The unit vector is obtained by dividing vector by its magnitude

⃗
A
𝑎̂ =
|⃗A|

𝐴 = Ax i + Ay j + Az k

Ax 𝐢 + Ay 𝐣 + Az 𝐤
⃗ =
𝐴
|⃗A|
Ax Ay Az
⃗ =
𝐴 𝒊+ j + k
⃗⃗ |
|A ⃗⃗ |
|A ⃗⃗ |
|A

cos𝛼 cos𝛾
cos𝛽

⃗
𝐀 𝐀𝐱 𝐢 + 𝐀𝐲 𝐣 + 𝐀𝐳 𝐤
̂=
Unit vector = 𝒂
⃗|
= ⃗|
= cos𝜶i, cos𝜷j, cos𝜸k
|𝐀 |𝐀

Special unit vectors

1. “ 𝑖̂ “ = The unit vector along x-axis


2. “ 𝑗̂ “ = The unit vector along y-axis
3. “𝑘̂ ” = The unit vector along z-axis
Properties of unit vector

1. Magnitude is unity e.g. |𝑎̂| = 1


m
10 due east
s
2. It is a unit less e.g. v̂ = 𝑚 = east
10
𝑠
3. It represents only direction because the components of unit vectors are direction cosines

Numerical:
1. Find the unit vector whose magnitude is “3”in the direction/ parallel of 4i – 3j + k.
2. Find a vector whose magnitude is that of vector 2i - j - 2k and in the direction of 3i -6j + 2k.
3. Find the value of “m” if the vectors 3i + +4j – 3k and 2i + 2j + -m k have the same direction.

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