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Unit and Position Vector

The document outlines key concepts in three-dimensional vectors and their applications: 1) It discusses unit vectors in 3D, position vectors to specify locations in 3D, and using position vectors to represent forces acting along a line between two points. 2) Examples are provided to find unit vectors, position vectors between points, and representing a force as a Cartesian vector using the line of action between two points. 3) The document concludes with an example problem to find the total force magnitude acting on a hook from two cables attached at different points.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)

67 views34 pages

Unit and Position Vector

Uploaded by

sanele

We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.

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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

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Lecture Outline

 Unit vectors and position vectors

 Use position vectors to obtain forces acting

along a line
Unit vectors in 3D

 Unit vectors are vectors with a magnitude of 1.

 Just like in two dimensions we can make a unit
vector from any vector by dividing it by its
magnitude.
Example

 Find a unit vector point in the same direction as

Now

1. A) B) 1
C) D)
E)
Example

 Find a unit vector point in the same direction as

Now

So
Example

 Find a unit vector point in the same direction as

Now

So
Coordinates in 3D

 We can specify the

position of a point in
3D by their distance
from the 3 axes –
these are the x, y, z
coordinates.
 Eg.
 A (4m,2m,-6m)
 B (0m,2m,0m)
 C (6m,-1m,4m) We use right-handed axes.
Position Vectors

 Tell us the location of points

 Can be used to specify the direction of forces
 Calculate moments of forces
 Later
Position vectors – Head to tail
 A position vector locates one point relative to another.
We often use the letter, r to indicate position vectors
 For example rP below extends from the origin, O, to the
point P (x,y,z)
Position vectors – tail to tail
 A position vector locates one point relative to another.
We often use the letter, r to indicate position vectors
 For example rP below extends from the origin, O, to the
point P (x,y,z)
Example
Example
Position vectors

 More generally we would like to write down a position

vector between to arbitrary points – say A and B. We
use subscripts to differentiate different position
vectors.
Position vectors
Position vectors
Example 2.12

An elastic band stretches from

point A to point B. Find its length
and a unit vector which points
from A to B.
Example 2.12

An elastic band stretches from

point A to point B. Find its length
and a unit vector which points
from A to B.

A is at (?,?,?)
B is at (?,?,?)

B at
2. A) (2 m, 3 m, -2 m)
B) (2 m, 2 m, 3 m)
C) (2 m,-2 m, 3 m)
D) (-2 m , 3 m, 2 m)
E) (-2 m, 2 m,3 m)
Example 2.12

An elastic band stretches from

point A to point B. Find its length
and a unit vector which points
from A to B.

A is at (1m,0m,-3m)
B is at (-2m,2m,3m)

3. A) (3i + 2j + 6k) m B) (-3i + 2j + 6k) m

C) (3i - 2j - 6k) m D) (-3i + 2j - 6k) m
E) (-1i + 2j + 0k) m
Example 2.12

An elastic band stretches from

point A to point B. Find its length
and a unit vector which points
from A to B.

A is at (1m,0m,-3m)
B is at (-2m,2m,3m)
Force along a line

Often in 3D problems a
force point along a line of
action which passes through
two points.

The figure to the left is an

example of such a situation.

Both F and rAB point along

the same unit vector uAB.

Now uAB = rAB /|rAB |

and F = |F|uAB
so:
Force along a line

Often in 3D problems a
force point along a line of
action which passes through
two points.

The figure to the left is an

example of such a situation.

Both F and rAB point along

the same unit vector uAB.

Now uAB = rAB /|rAB |

and F = |F|uAB
so:
Example 2.13
 The person shown below pulls a cord with a force of 350N.
Represent this force as a Cartesian vector.

A (?,?,?)
B (?,?,?)

7.5m

2.0m

1.5m