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Cross Product

The document discusses the cross product of two vectors, including its properties, definition, and applications. The cross product of two vectors a and b is defined as a x b and has a magnitude of a*b*sin(θ) where θ is the angle between the vectors. The direction of the cross product is perpendicular to both vectors and can be determined using the right hand rule. Examples are provided for finding the cross product of vectors in rectangular and standard form.

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Sumit Thakur
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25 views15 pages

Cross Product

The document discusses the cross product of two vectors, including its properties, definition, and applications. The cross product of two vectors a and b is defined as a x b and has a magnitude of a*b*sin(θ) where θ is the angle between the vectors. The direction of the cross product is perpendicular to both vectors and can be determined using the right hand rule. Examples are provided for finding the cross product of vectors in rectangular and standard form.

Uploaded by

Sumit Thakur
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Vector product of two vectors

[also known as cross product]

a⃗
θ

Cross product of a and b is defined as b⃗

| a × b | = a b sin θ

a × b = a b sin θ n ̂ ( Where n ̂ is a unit vector in the

In the direction of a ×b )

Direction of a × b ( I.e. n ̂ ) is normal to the plane containing a and b

and is obtained by “ Right hand thumb rule”.


Note:

a × b = − (b × a )

a × ( b × c ) ≠ (a × b ) × c

a . (a × b) = 0
ĵ
Orthogonal to plane containing a and b
Standard cross product
î
i ̂× i ̂ = 0 ; j ̂× j ̂ = 0 ; k ̂× k ̂ k̂
i ̂× j ̂ = k̂ j ̂× i ̂ = − k ̂
î
j ̂× k ̂ = î But k ̂× j ̂ = − i ̂

k ̂× i ̂ = j ̂ i ̂× k ̂ = − j ̂ k̂ ĵ
Performing a ⃗ × b⃗ when a ⃗ , b⃗ are in standard notation( Rectangular form )
2 axbz(y)
a ⃗ = ax i ̂ + ay j ̂ + az k ̂
an
by +

let
aybx (-2)
+ aybzi
b = bx i ̂ + by j ̂ + bz k ̂ ( 4)
t azbxj + az by
-

î ĵ k ̂
a×b = ax ay az
bx by bz

= (ay bz − by az) i ̂ − (axbz − bxaz) j ̂ + (axby − bxay) k̂


Find the value of ( i ̂ + j )̂ × (k̂ + i ̂ )

I
E

I
9 I
1 10

I j I
a ⃗ = 2 i ̂ + 3 j ̂ + 5k̂ and b⃗ = 3 i ̂ − j ̂ + 4k̂

find b⃗ × a ⃗
Find the value of

| a ⃗ × b⃗ |2 + | a ⃗ . b⃗ |2
a2 b2
If a ⃗ . b⃗ = 3 | a ⃗ × b⃗ | . Find the angle between a ⃗ and b⃗ .
Application of Cross product

1) Area of a parallelogram / triangle

Area of parallelogram
D C
a⃗ = (base) (height)

θ = (AB) (AD) sin θ


A B
b⃗ = | a ×b |

⇒ AB × AD = area vector of parallelogram

Note that this area’s direction is considered perpendicular to the plane


of parallelogram.

1
Represents the area of a triangle formed by AB
⇒ | AB × AD |
2
and AD i.e. Δ ABD
A ( 1,1 ), B ( 2, -3) , C ( -1, 4 ) are the three vertices of a triangle. Find the area
of triangle ABC
Find the perpendicular distance between origin and line joining the points
A ( 2, 4) , B ( -3, 3)
Condition for 3 points to be collinear
Condition for 3 vectors to be coplanar
Torque or moment of a force about a point A with the force F ⃗ acting at

a point B is defined as τ ⃗ = AB × F ⃗ . Notice that AB is position vector

of B with respect to A( reference point ). If a force F ⃗ = ( i ̂ + j ̂ + k ̂ ) N.

What is the Torque of this force about a point whose position vector is

( )
− i ̂ + 2 j ̂ + 3k̂ m.
Find r ⃗ such that r ⃗ is ⊥ to a ⃗ and b⃗ with a ⃗ = i ̂ + j ̂ + k̂ ,

b⃗ = 2 i ̂ − j ̂ + k̂ , | r ⃗ | = 5 and r ⃗ makes an acute angle with i ̂ − j ̂ + k̂


Given a ⃗ + b⃗ = c ⃗ × d ⃗ then choose the corrrect option (s)

a) a ⃗ ⊥ c ⃗

b) a ⃗ ⊥ b⃗

c) c ⃗ is perpendicular to plane containing a ⃗ and b⃗

d) a ⃗ + b⃗ is parallel to c ⃗ × d ⃗

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