Complete Vector Explanation with Example
1. Definition of Vector
A vector is a quantity that has both magnitude and direction.
Examples: Displacement, velocity, force.
Scalars have only magnitude (e.g., temperature, mass).
2. Representation
In 2D: a = a1*i + a2*j
In 3D: a = a1*i + a2*j + a3*k
Magnitude: |a| = sqrt(a1^2 + a2^2 + a3^2)
Unit vectors: i, j, k are along x, y, z axes respectively.
3. Types of Vectors
- Zero vector: Magnitude = 0
- Unit vector: Magnitude = 1
- Equal vectors: Same magnitude and direction
- Opposite vectors: Same magnitude, opposite direction
- Collinear vectors: Lie on the same or parallel lines
4. Vector Operations
(a) Addition: a + b = (a1 + b1)i + (a2 + b2)j + (a3 + b3)k
(b) Subtraction: a - b = (a1 - b1)i + ...
(c) Scalar multiplication: k*a = (ka1)i + (ka2)j + ...
(d) Dot Product: a . b = a1b1 + a2b2 + a3b3 = |a||b|costheta
- Result is a scalar
(e) Cross Product: a x b = determinant of 3x3 matrix
- Result is a vector perpendicular to both a and b
5. Important Concepts
- Angle between vectors: costheta = (a . b)/(|a||b|)
- Projection: scalar = (a . b)/|b|; vector = [(a . b)/|b|^2] * b
- Area of parallelogram: |a x b|
- Area of triangle: 0.5 * |a x b|
- Scalar Triple Product: a . (b x c) = volume of parallelepiped
6. Summary Table
Magnitude: |a| = sqrt(a1^2 + a2^2 + a3^2)
Dot Product: a . b = |a||b|costheta
Cross Product: a x b = |a||b|sintheta * n
Projection: proj_b a = [(a . b)/|b|^2] * b
Triple Product: a . (b x c)
7. Comprehensive Example Problem
Let:
a = 2i + 3j + k
b = i - 2j + 2k
c = 3i + j - k
Find:
(a) Magnitude of a
(b) Unit vector in direction of a
(c) a . b and angle between a and b
(d) Projection of a on b
(e) a x b and area of parallelogram
(f) Scalar triple product a . (b x c)
(g) Check if a, b, c are coplanar