Module 3

PHYSICS FOR ENGINEERS

In this Module

 Vector Multiplication

At the completion of this module, you should be able to:

 Perform the two types of vector multiplication:
o the scalar product
o the vector product

Are you ready? Then start the lesson now!

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 Lesson
VECTOR MULTIPLICATION
1

INTRODUCTION
How much is A times B? This is a simple question to answer when A and B
represent scalars; however, when A and B represent vectors, the answer is not
obvious. In fact, on the face of it, one cannot even say whether the result should
be a scalar or vector.
Several different definitions of vector multiplication have been found useful in
physics; in this module, you will study two types: the scalar and vector products.
Just to sharpen your interest, we point out that the vector product has the
strange but useful property that 𝐴⃗ × 𝐵⃗⃗ = −𝐵⃗⃗ × 𝐴⃗.

PREREQUISITES
Before you begin this module, you should be able to:
 Find values for sin 𝜃 and cos 𝜃 of any given angle.
 Transform vectors from polar form (direction and magnitude) to
rectangular form (components and unit vectors) and vice versa.

We saw how vector addition develops naturally from the problem of combining
displacements. It will prove useful for calculations with many other vector
quantities. We can also express many physical relationships by using 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑠
of vectors. Vectors are not ordinary numbers, so we can’t directly apply ordinary
multiplication to vectors. The first, called the 𝑠𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡, yields a result that
is a scalar quantity. The second, the 𝑣𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡, yields another vector.
SCALAR PRODUCT

The scalar or dot product of two vectors 𝐴⃗ and 𝐵

⃗⃗ is defined
as follows:

𝐴⃗ · 𝐵
⃗⃗ = |𝐴⃗||𝐵
⃗⃗ | cos 𝜃

where
𝜃 represents the angle between the two vectors

|𝐴⃗| represents the magnitude of vector 𝐴⃗

⃗⃗ | represents the magnitude of vector 𝐵
|𝐵 ⃗⃗

The product of 𝐴⃗ · 𝐵
⃗⃗ (read as vector A dot vector B) results
in a scalar or a number, rather than a vector.

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Important conventions to remember:
 When the two vectors are parallel, meaning 𝜃 = 0°, the dot product is
equal to the product of the magnitudes of the two vectors.
 When the two vectors are perpendicular, meaning 𝜃 = 90°, the dot
product is equal to 0.
The above formula and definition is easy to use when both vectors are
expressed in polar form (magnitude and direction) and one can easily find 𝜃
easily. However, when both vectors are in rectangular form (either unit-vector
form or component form), 𝜃 is not usually known, thus one cannot use the
above equation.
We shall now present a general formula for the dot product of two vectors
written in terms of their rectangular components. To do this, we need to know
the dot product of the unit vectors with each other.
First, multiplying a unit vector to itself, means you have parallel vectors, which
means we have 𝜃 = 0°. According to the first convention, when we have 𝜃 = 0,
the dot product is equal to the product of the magnitude of the unit vectors.
Since the magnitude of a unit vector is 1, meaning multiplying a unit vector to
itself is equal to 1.
Thus,
𝑖̂ · 𝑖̂ = 𝑗̂ · 𝑗̂ = 𝑘̂ · 𝑘̂ = 1
Then, multiplying a unit vector to the unit vector perpendicular to it, means we
have 𝜃 = 90°. According to the second convention, when we have 𝜃 = 90°, the
dot product is equal to zero.
Thus,
𝑖̂ · 𝑗̂ = 𝑗̂ · 𝑖̂ = 0
𝑖̂ · 𝑘̂ = 𝑘̂ · 𝑖̂ = 0
𝑗̂ · 𝑘̂ = 𝑘̂ · 𝑗̂ = 0

Now, suppose we have two vectors 𝐴⃗ and 𝐵

⃗⃗ where

𝐴⃗ = 𝐴𝑥 𝑖̂ + 𝐴𝑦 𝑗̂ + 𝐴𝑧 𝑘̂
⃗⃗ = 𝐵𝑥 𝑖̂ + 𝐵𝑦 𝑗̂ + 𝐵𝑧 𝑘̂
𝐵
Thus,
⃗⃗ = (𝐴𝑥 𝑖̂ + 𝐴𝑦 𝑗̂ + 𝐴𝑧 𝑘̂) · (𝐵𝑥 𝑖̂ + 𝐵𝑦 𝑗̂ + 𝐵𝑧 𝑘̂)
𝐴⃗ · 𝐵

= (𝐴𝑥 𝑖̂)(𝐵𝑥 𝑖̂) + (𝐴𝑥 𝑖̂)(𝐵𝑦 𝑗̂) + (𝐴𝑥 𝑖̂)(𝐵𝑧 𝑘̂) + (𝐴𝑦 𝑗̂)(𝐵𝑥 𝑖̂) + (𝐴𝑦 𝑗̂)(𝐵𝑦 𝑗̂) +
(𝐴𝑦 𝑗̂)(𝐵𝑧 𝑘̂) + (𝐴𝑧 𝑘̂)(𝐵𝑥 𝑖̂) + (𝐴𝑧 𝑘̂)(𝐵𝑦 𝑗̂) + (𝐴𝑧 𝑘̂)(𝐵𝑧 𝑘̂)

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 1 0 0 0 1
= 𝐴𝑥 𝐵𝑥 ⏞
(𝑖̂ · 𝑖̂) + 𝐴𝑥 𝐵𝑦 ⏞ ⏞ · 𝑘̂) + 𝐴 𝐵 ⏞
(𝑖̂ · 𝑗̂) + 𝐴𝑥 𝐵𝑧 (𝑖̂ ⏞
𝑦 𝑥 (𝑗̂ · 𝑖̂) + 𝐴𝑦 𝐵𝑦 (𝑗̂ · 𝑗̂)
⏟ · 𝑘̂) + 𝐴𝑧 𝐵𝑥 (𝑘
+ 𝐴𝑦 𝐵𝑧 (𝑗̂ ⏟̂ · 𝑖̂) + 𝐴𝑧 𝐵𝑦 (𝑘
⏟ · 𝑗̂) + 𝐴𝑧 𝐵𝑧 (𝑘⏟̂ · 𝑘̂)
0 0 0 1

𝐴⃗ · 𝐵
⃗⃗ = 𝐴𝑥 𝐵𝑥 + 𝐴𝑦 𝐵𝑦 + 𝐴𝑧 𝐵𝑧

This formula makes it easy to calculate the dot product of the two vectors
expressed in terms of the three unit vectors.

EXAMPLE: Find the scalar product 𝐴⃗ · 𝐵 ⃗⃗ of

the two vectors in the figure. The magnitude
of the vectors are 𝐴 = 4.00 and 𝐵 = 5.00.
𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛:
Only the magnitudes of the two vectors are
given so we still need the angle between
them.
We can easily solve for the angle 𝜃 based
from the figure given.
𝜃 = 130° − 53° = 77°
Now that we have the angle, we can solve for the scalar product using the
formula

𝐴⃗ · 𝐵
⃗⃗ = |𝐴⃗||𝐵
⃗⃗ | cos 𝜃

𝐴⃗ · 𝐵
⃗⃗ = (4)(5) cos 77

𝐴⃗ · 𝐵
⃗⃗ = 4.499

EXAMPLE: Find the angle between the vectors

𝐴⃗ = 2.00𝑖̂ + 3.00𝑗̂ + 1.00𝑘̂

⃗⃗ = −4.00𝑖̂ + 2.00𝑗̂ − 1.00𝑘̂
𝐵
𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛:
Our target variable here is the angle 𝜃 between the two vectors. So from the
equation,

𝐴⃗ · 𝐵
⃗⃗ = |𝐴⃗||𝐵
⃗⃗ | cos 𝜃

we have

𝐴⃗ · 𝐵
⃗⃗
𝜃 = cos−1 ( )
|𝐴⃗||𝐵⃗⃗|

Then, we have to solve for the magnitude.

|𝐴⃗| = √𝐴𝑥 2 + 𝐴𝑦 2 + 𝐴𝑧 2 = √22 + 32 + 12 = √14

Physics for Engineers, Surigao del Sur State University – Bislig Page | 4
 ⃗⃗ | = √𝐵𝑥 2 + 𝐵𝑦 2 + 𝐵𝑧 2 = √(−4)2 + 22 + (−1)2 = √21
|𝐵

Since we are given with the unit vector forms of the given vectors, we can
also utilize the formula

𝐴⃗ · 𝐵
⃗⃗ = 𝐴𝑥 𝐵𝑥 + 𝐴𝑦 𝐵𝑦 + 𝐴𝑧 𝐵𝑧

𝐴⃗ · 𝐵
⃗⃗ = (2)(−4) + (3)(2) + (1)(−1) = −3

Substituting back to the equation:

𝐴⃗ · 𝐵
⃗⃗ −3
𝜃 = cos −1 ( ) = cos −1 ( ) = 100.077°
|𝐴⃗||𝐵⃗⃗ | (√14)(√21)

Master the scalar product because we will use it in Module 10 to describe work
done by a force. In later modules, we will be using it for a variety of purposes,
from calculating electric potential to determining the effects that varying
magnetic fields have on electric circuits.

VECTOR PRODUCT
The vector product or cross product of two
vectors is written as 𝐴⃗ × 𝐵
⃗⃗ and is equal to a
third vector 𝐶⃗.

|𝐶⃗| = |𝐴⃗ × 𝐵
⃗⃗ | = |𝐴⃗||𝐵
⃗⃗ | sin 𝜃

where
𝜃 represents the smaller angle between the
two vectors
Note: The angle 𝜃 is always in the 0° − 180°
range.

The direction of vector 𝐶⃗ is defined to be

perpendicular to both 𝐴⃗ and 𝐵
⃗⃗. Following this
convention will give us two possible options.
There are always two directions perpendicular
them, one on each side. We choose which of
these is the direction as follows:

 𝐴⃗ × 𝐵⃗⃗ means that the rotation of the

angle is from 𝐴⃗ to 𝐵⃗⃗, so place your right
hand vertically in vector 𝐴⃗. Curl your
fingers towards vector 𝐵 ⃗⃗. Your thumb
will then point in the direction of 𝐴⃗ × 𝐵⃗⃗

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  ⃗⃗ × 𝐴⃗ means that the rotation of the angle is from 𝐵
𝐵 ⃗⃗ to 𝐴⃗, so place your
hand vertically on vector 𝐵⃗⃗. Curl your fingers towards vector 𝐴⃗. You will
notice that the thumb is pointing to the opposite direction of 𝐴⃗ × 𝐵 ⃗⃗.

This convention is what we call the right-hand rule.

To help us understand, let us try performing vector product
to our unit vectors just like what we did in the scalar product.
Note, however, that we are always gonna use the right-
handed coordinate system as shown in the figure to the
right. You can see that three vector products have already
been given but let’s try to discuss them individually.
 First, performing vector product a vector to itself will equal to zero.
Meaning if you perform 𝑖̂ × 𝑖̂, 𝑗̂ × 𝑗̂ and 𝑘̂ × 𝑘̂ will give us zero.
𝑖̂ × 𝑖̂ = 𝑗̂ × 𝑗̂ = 𝑘̂ × 𝑘̂ = 0
 𝑖̂ × 𝑗̂
Place your right hand vertically on 𝑖̂ then curl your fingers towards 𝑗̂, you
will find that your thumb is pointing to the direction which 𝑘̂ is pointing.
Thus,
𝑖̂ × 𝑗̂ = 𝑘̂
 𝑗̂ × 𝑘̂
Place your right hand vertically on 𝑗̂ then curl your fingers towards 𝑘̂, you
will find that your thumb is pointing to the direction which 𝑖̂ is pointing.
Thus,
𝑗̂ × 𝑘̂ = 𝑖̂
 𝑘̂ × 𝑖̂
Place your right hand vertically on 𝑘̂ then curl your fingers towards 𝑖̂, you
will find that your thumb is pointing to the direction which 𝑗̂ is pointing.
Thus,
𝑘̂ × 𝑖̂ = 𝑗̂
 𝑗̂ × 𝑖̂
Place your right hand vertically on 𝑗̂ then curl your fingers towards 𝑖̂, you
will find that your thumb is pointing to the direction opposite of which 𝑘̂
is pointing. Thus,
𝑗̂ × 𝑖̂ = −𝑘̂
 𝑘̂ × 𝑗̂
Place your right hand vertically on 𝑘̂ then curl your fingers towards 𝑗̂, you
will find that your thumb is pointing to the direction opposite of which 𝑖̂ is
pointing. Thus,
𝑘̂ × 𝑗̂ = −𝑖̂
 𝑖̂ × 𝑘̂
Place your right hand vertically on 𝑖̂ then curl your fingers towards 𝑘̂, you
will find that your thumb is pointing to the direction opposite of which 𝑗̂ is
pointing. Thus,
𝑖̂ × 𝑘̂ = −𝑗̂
NOTE: When performing this, it is necessary that at the starting positing when you place
your right hand on a certain vector, your fingers should be pointing towards the direction
that certain vector is pointing.

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The equation introduced first on vector product will give us the magnitude of the
vector answer. Now, let us find a general formula that will give us the vector
equation itself.

Now, suppose we have two vectors 𝐴⃗ and 𝐵

⃗⃗ where

𝐴⃗ = 𝐴𝑥 𝑖̂ + 𝐴𝑦 𝑗̂ + 𝐴𝑧 𝑘̂
⃗⃗ = 𝐵𝑥 𝑖̂ + 𝐵𝑦 𝑗̂ + 𝐵𝑧 𝑘̂
𝐵
Thus,
⃗⃗ = (𝐴𝑥 𝑖̂ + 𝐴𝑦 𝑗̂ + 𝐴𝑧 𝑘̂) × (𝐵𝑥 𝑖̂ + 𝐵𝑦 𝑗̂ + 𝐵𝑧 𝑘̂)
𝐴⃗ × 𝐵

= (𝐴𝑥 𝑖̂) × (𝐵𝑥 𝑖̂) + (𝐴𝑥 𝑖̂) × (𝐵𝑦 𝑗̂) + (𝐴𝑥 𝑖̂) × (𝐵𝑧 𝑘̂) + (𝐴𝑦 𝑗̂) × (𝐵𝑥 𝑖̂) + (𝐴𝑦 𝑗̂) ×
(𝐵𝑦 𝑗̂) + (𝐴𝑦 𝑗̂) × (𝐵𝑧 𝑘̂) + (𝐴𝑧 𝑘̂) × (𝐵𝑥 𝑖̂) + (𝐴𝑧 𝑘̂) × (𝐵𝑦 𝑗̂) + (𝐴𝑧 𝑘̂) × (𝐵𝑧 𝑘̂)
0 ̂
𝑘 −𝑗̂ ̂
−𝑘 0
= 𝐴𝑥 𝐵𝑥 (𝑖̂ ⏞× 𝑗̂) + 𝐴𝑥 𝐵𝑧 ⏞
⏞× 𝑖̂) + 𝐴𝑥 𝐵𝑦 (𝑖̂ ⏞× 𝑖̂) + 𝐴𝑦 𝐵𝑦 (𝑗̂
(𝑖̂ × 𝑘̂) + 𝐴𝑦 𝐵𝑥 (𝑗̂ ⏞× 𝑗̂)
⏟ × 𝑘̂ ) + 𝐴𝑧 𝐵𝑥 (𝑘
+ 𝐴𝑦 𝐵𝑧 (𝑗̂ ⏟̂ × 𝑖̂) + 𝐴𝑧 𝐵𝑦 ⏟ ⏟̂ × 𝑘̂)
(𝑘 × 𝑗̂) + 𝐴𝑧 𝐵𝑧 (𝑘
𝑖̂ 𝑗̂ −𝑖̂ 0

= 𝐴𝑥 𝐵𝑦 𝑘̂ + (−𝐴𝑥 𝐵𝑧 𝑗̂) + (−𝐴𝑦 𝐵𝑥 𝑘̂) + 𝐴𝑦 𝐵𝑧 𝑖̂ + 𝐴𝑧 𝐵𝑥 𝑗̂ + (−𝐴𝑧 𝐵𝑦 𝑖̂)

= (𝐴𝑦 𝐵𝑧 − 𝐴𝑧 𝐵𝑦 )𝑖̂ + (𝐴𝑧 𝐵𝑥 − 𝐴𝑥 𝐵𝑧 )𝑗̂ + (𝐴𝑥 𝐵𝑦 − 𝐴𝑦 𝐵𝑥 )𝑘̂

⃗⃗ = (𝐴𝑦 𝐵𝑧 − 𝐴𝑧 𝐵𝑦 )𝑖̂ + (𝐴𝑧 𝐵𝑥 − 𝐴𝑥 𝐵𝑧 )𝑗̂ + (𝐴𝑥 𝐵𝑦 − 𝐴𝑦 𝐵𝑥 )𝑘̂
𝐴⃗ × 𝐵

EXAMPLE: Given the two vectors below, solve for 𝐴⃗ × 𝐵

⃗⃗ then find the
magnitude.

𝐴⃗ = 2.00𝑖̂ + 3.00𝑗̂ + 1.00𝑘̂

⃗⃗ = −4.00𝑖̂ + 2.00𝑗̂ − 1.00𝑘̂
𝐵
𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛:
⃗⃗ = (𝐴𝑦 𝐵𝑧 − 𝐴𝑧 𝐵𝑦 )𝑖̂ + (𝐴𝑧 𝐵𝑥 − 𝐴𝑥 𝐵𝑧 )𝑗̂ + (𝐴𝑥 𝐵𝑦 − 𝐴𝑦 𝐵𝑥 )𝑘̂
𝐴⃗ × 𝐵
= [(3)(−1) − (1)(2)]𝑖̂ + [(1)(−4) − (2)(−1)]𝑗̂
+ [(2)(2) − (3)(−4)]𝑘̂

= −5𝑖̂ + (−2)𝑗̂ + 16𝑘̂

⃗⃗ = −5𝑖̂ − 2𝑗̂ + 16𝑘̂
𝐴⃗ × 𝐵
To solve for the magnitude:

|𝐴⃗ × 𝐵
⃗⃗ | = √(−5)2 + (−2)2 + 162 = √285

Physics for Engineers, Surigao del Sur State University – Bislig Page | 7
LESSON TEST
Answer the following problems. Show you solutions in a whole
sheet of paper. Send your answers to my facebook account Toper
Man.

1. Given 𝐴⃗ = (6.0𝑖̂ + 1.0𝑗̂ − 2.0𝑘̂) 𝑚 and 𝐵 ⃗⃗ = (−4.0𝑖̂ − 3.0𝑘̂) 𝑚, calculate:

a. 𝐴⃗ · 𝐵
⃗⃗
b. the angle between 𝐴⃗ and 𝐵 ⃗⃗.
2. Given 𝐴⃗ = (3.0𝑖̂ + 3.0𝑗̂ − 2.0𝑘̂) and 𝐵⃗⃗ = (−1.0𝑖̂ − 4.0𝑗̂ + 2.0𝑘̂), calculate:
a. 𝐴⃗ × 𝐵 ⃗⃗
b. the magnitude of 𝐴⃗ × 𝐵 ⃗⃗.

Physics for Engineers, Surigao del Sur State University – Bislig Page | 8