VECTOR ALGEBRA
Learning Objectives:
Understanding the vector algebra in 3- dimensional system.
Applies the laws of vector addition.
Applies the section formulae and finds the position vector of a point.
Finds scalar (dot) and cross (vector) products of vectors and applies their properties.
VOCABULARIES
Vector
Scalar
Magnitude
Postion Vector
Collinear Vectors
Coinitial Vectors
Dot Product(scalar product)
Cross Product(vector product)
Section Formula
Direction Ratios
Orthogonal Vectors
Physical quantities are of two types - Scalar and Vector.
Quantities having magnitude only are scalar [Link] having both magnitude and direction are
called vector quantities
Definition of a vector
Consider a directed line segment AB. Put an arrow mark from A to B. It is a vector. It is represented by �� .
(read as vector AB). The point A is called the initial point or origin and the point B is called final point /
terminal point of the vector �� .
Magnitude of a vector:
If �� is a vector, then �� = |��| is known as magnitude of �� .(length of a vector)
Position Vector:
A point P in space, P (x,y,z) with respect to the origin O(0, 0, 0). Then, the vector OP having O and P as its
initial and terminal points, respectively, is called the position vector of the point P with respect to O.
Types of Vectors
Zero or Null vector: Vector whose magnitude is zero. It’s denoted by 0.
Unit vector : Vector whose magnitude of unity or one.
Unit vector in the direction of a vector � is denoted by �� .
�
Note: Unit vector in the direction of a vector � is, �� = |�|
Coinitial vectors: Two or more vectors having the same initial point are called coinitial vectors.
Collinear vectors: Two or more vectors are collinear, if they have the same line or parallel to the same
line ,irrespective of their magnitude and direction.
Equal vectors: If two vectors � and � are equal, if they have the same magnitude and direction.
It is written as �= �.
Negative of a vector: Two vectors having same magnitude, but direction opposite to that of it.
EXERCISE 10.1
1) Represent graphically a displacement of 40 km, 30° east of north.
Answer :
Step 1 : Step 2:
2)
Answer:
(i) 10 kg - Scalar
(ii) 2 meters north-west -Vector
(iii) 40° - Scalar
(iv) 40 watt - Scalar
(v) 10-19 coulomb - Scalar
(vi) 20 m/s2 -Vector
3)
Classify the following as scalar and vector quantities.
(i) time period (ii) distance (iii) force (iv) velocity (v) work done
Answer:
(i) time period - Scalar (ii) distance - Scalar
(iii) force -Vector (iv) velocity -Vector (v) work done - Scalar
4)
Addition of vectors
Let �� = � and �� = � be any two vectors. Then the displace from A to C is denoted by �� , is known as
sum of two vectors � and� .
�� = � + � .
Note: This is also known as triangle law of vector addition.
(ii) parallelogramlaw of vector addition.
Two vectors a and b represented by the two adjacent sides of a parallelogram in magnitude and direction
then their sum a + b is represented in magnitude and direction by the diagonal of the parallelogram through
their common point.
Multiplication of a vector by a scalar
Let � be any vector and � be any scalar. Then �� is known as scalar multiple of a vector.
Components of a vector
Notes
Magnitude of a vector :
Negative Vector
Vector joining two points
Direction Ratios and Direction Cosines
Note :