01

NOTE
P H Y S I C S

MATHEMATICAL TOOLS
INTRODUCTION TO VECTORS

What you will learn

• Vectors and Scalars • Properties of Vector • Types of Vectors

What is a Vector ?

A physical quantity is a vector when,

• it has magnitude and units

• it has a direction
• it obeys laws of vector algebra

Representation of Vectors

Vectors

Symbolic representation Pictorial representation

A
Any vector quantity is denoted by a small right Head
B
arrow over it. If it is a vector quantity, it should Arrow - Direction
be denoted by A AB
Example:
A Length - Magnitude
Velocity - V
Tail
Speed - V
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Representation on Cartesian Plane

To place a vector on cartesian plane

Magnitude of Angle with the axis

the vector (Generally x-axis)

θ
x

Properties of Vectors

If a vector is displaced If a vector is rotated If the coordinate axes are

parallel to itself, through an angle other translated or rotated, the
it does not change. than multiple of 2π (or vector does not change.
360°), it changes.

A A
A≠B
B S’
B O’
A B
θ S
A=B O

BOARDS
Angle Between Vectors

A
Angle between two vectors means smaller of the two
angles between the vectors, when they are placed
tail-to-tail by displacing either of the vectors parallel to
itself. (i.e. 0 ≤ θ ≤ π) θ B
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D D D D
θ θ

C C C C

Three vectors are arranged along sides of a triangle. Find the angle between the vectors.

(i) A and B (ii) B and C (iii) A and C

Angle between the vectors

A and B is 60°
B C
B and C is 105°
{ Parallel displacement of C vector } 60° 45°

A and C is 45°
A

30°
D
60°
B
Four vectors are arranged as shown in the C
figure below, find angle between the vectors.
A
(i) A and D (ii) A and C

Simple, just coincide the tails of all vectors at the intersection of both the axis by parallel shifting.

Angle between the vectors Parallel displacement of vectors

A and B is 90° A
C
A and C is 30° 30°
B and D is 30° 60°
A and D is 120° 30° B
60°
D
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Multiplication of a Vector by a Scalar

Multiplying a vector A with a positive number λ gives a vector B (= λ A ) whose magnitude is

changed by the factor λ but the direction is the same as that of A

A 2A
Multiplying a vector A with a negative number λ gives a vector B whose direction is opposite to
that of A and whose magnitude is -λ times | A|

A -2A

Types of Vectors

Collinear Parallel

The vectors acting along the same line i.e., in Two collinear vectors acting along the same
the same direction (or) opposite directions are direction are known as parallel vectors. The
known as collinear vectors. angle between the two vectors must be 0°. The
magnitude of two vectors need not be equal.
They are also known as like vectors.

Anti-Parallel Negative vectors

Two collinear vectors acting along the opposite Any two vectors of same type which are equal
direction areknown as anti-parallel vectors. in magnitude but opposite in direction are
The angle between the two vectors must be known as opposite or negative vectors.
π. The magnitude of two vectors need not be
equal.
180° P -Q

Q
A B
| P | = |-Q|

Equal vectors Null vector

Two or more vectors having the same A vector having zero magnitude and undefined
magnitude and the same direction irrespective direction is known as a null vector or a zero
of their positions in space are known as equal vector. It is represented by 0 . Zero vector
vectors. cannot be represented graphically.
P

Q
10 N 10 N
P =Q