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Chapter 3: Vectors
3.1 Coordinate Systems
Cartesian Coordinate System (x,y) Plane Polar Coordinate System (r,θ)

▪ x- and y- axes ▪ point is distance (r) from the

origin in the direction of angle ()
▪ points are labeled (x, y) ▪ points are labeled (r,)
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 Relation between (r,θ) and (x,y)

𝒙 = 𝒓 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝜽 𝒓= 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐

𝒚 = 𝒓 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝜽 θ = tan-1 (y/x)

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Example (3.1): (page 60)

The Cartesian coordinates of a point in the (xy) plane are

(x, y) = ( – 3.50, – 2.50) m,
Find the polar coordinates (r, θ ) of this point.

𝑟= 𝑥2 + 𝑦2
= ( – 3.50 m)2+ ( – 2.50 m)2 = 4.30 m

θ = tan-1 (y/x) = tan-1 (– 2.50 / – 3.50 ) = 216o

(r, θ) = (4.30 m , 216°)

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3.2 Vector and Scalar Quantities
Scalar quantity: Quantity has a unit value with no direction (mass,
length, volume, speed, temperature, time, age,…..).

Vector quantity: Quantity has a unit value (number) with a direction

(force, displacement, velocity, acceleration, …).

Vector Notation
• When handwritten, use an arrow: A
• When printed, will be in bold print: A
• When dealing with just the magnitude of a vector in print, an italic
letter will be used: A or 𝐀

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3.3: Some Properties of Vectors
• Equality of Two Vectors (𝐴Ԧ = 𝐵)
– Two vectors are equal if they have the same magnitude and the same direction
• Movement of vectors in a diagram
– Any vector can be moved parallel to itself without
being affected

• Commutative law of addition

𝐴Ԧ +𝐵 =𝐵 +A

• Associative law of addition

𝐴Ԧ +𝐵 +𝐶Ԧ =(𝐴Ԧ +𝐵)+ 𝐶Ԧ = 𝐴Ԧ +(𝐵 +𝐶)
Ԧ

In the figure shown, four vectors are equal

because they have equal lengths and point in
the same direction
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 Adding Vectors
The first way: Graphically The second way: law of cosines

• The resultant vector is the sum of

a given set of vectors
𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜷 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜶 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜽 if θ = 90 we can use
• Draw the vectors “tip-to-tail” = =
𝑩 𝑨 𝑹 𝜷 = tan-1 (B/A)
where θ is The angle between 𝐴 and 𝐵
• The resultant is drawn from the
origin of (A) to the end of the last Example:
vector If you walk first 3.0 m due east and then
4.0 m due north, what’s the resultant
• Measure the length of (R) and its displacement?
angle(𝜷).

4m
𝛽 𝜃
Solution: 3m
A=3m B=4m θ= 90o
𝑹 = 𝐴2 + 𝐵2 = 32 + 42 = 25 = 5 𝑚
The angle:
𝜷 = tan-1 (B/A) = tan-1 (4/3) = 53o
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Example 3.2 (page 64)
A car travels 20.0 km due north and then 35.0 km in a direction 60.0° west of north as shown
in Figure 3.11a. Find the magnitude and direction of the car’s resultant displacement.

Solution:
A = 20 km B = 35 km θ= 180-60 = 120o
𝑹 = 𝐴2 + 𝐵2 − 2 𝐴 𝐵 𝑐𝑜𝑠θ
= 202 + 352 − 2 × 20 × 35 × cos 120 = 48.2 𝑘𝑚

The angle:

The resultant displacement of the car is 48.2 km in a direction 38.9∘ west of north

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 Subtracting Vectors

The Negative Vector:

The negative of (𝑩) is (−𝑩).
Both have the same magnitude but are in opposite
directions.

Vector Subtraction: (Is a special case of vector addition)

A − B = A + (−B)
Continue with standard vector addition procedure
Example:
If 𝐴 = 2 𝑚 and 𝐵 = 3 𝑚 f𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐴 − 𝐵

Solution:
A − B = A + (−B) = 2 + (-3)= -1 m

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 Multiplying or Dividing a Vector by a Scalar

• The result of the multiplication or division is a vector

• The magnitude of the vector is multiplied or divided by the scalar
• If the scalar is positive, the direction of the result is the same as of
the original vector
• If the scalar is negative, the direction of the result is opposite that
of the original vector

For Example: If vector (𝐴) is multiplied by a negative scalar quantity (− 3), then
the product (−3𝐴) is three-times the length of (𝐴) and points in the opposite
direction of (𝐴).

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Quick Quiz 3.1 : Which of the following are vector quantities and which are scalar
quantities?
(a) your age (b) acceleration (c) velocity (d) speed (e) mass

[Answer: Scalar (a, d, e) – Vector (b, c)]

Quick Quiz 3.2 : The magnitudes of two vectors (A) and (B) are (A = 12 units) and
(B = 8 units). Which of the following pairs of numbers represents the largest and smallest
possible values for the magnitude of the resultant vector (R = A + B)?

a) 14.4 units, 4 units b) 12 units, 8 units c) 20 units, 4 units d) none of these answers.

Quick Quiz 3.3 : If vector B is added to vector A , which two of the following
choices must be true for the resultant vector to be equal to zero?

(a) A and B are parallel and in the same direction.

(b) A and B are parallel and in opposite directions.
(c) A and B have the same magnitude.
(d) A and B are perpendicular.
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Quick Quiz : If vector (B) is added to vector (A), under what condition does
the resultant vector (A + B) have magnitude (A + B)?

(a) A and B are parallel and in the same direction.

(b) A and B are parallel and in opposite directions.
(c) A and B are perpendicular.

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 3.4: Components of a Vector and Unit Vectors

• A component of (A) is a part of it.

• It is useful to use Cartesian components
– These are the projections of the vector
along the x- and y-axes
• The (x) and (y) components of a vector (A) are:
➢ 𝐴𝑥 = 𝐴 cos 𝜃
➢ 𝐴𝑦 = 𝐴 sin 𝜃

The magnitude and direction of (A) are related to its components through the
𝐴𝑦
expressions 𝐴= 𝐴2𝑥 + 𝐴2𝑦 , 𝜃= tan−1
𝐴𝑥

Quick Quiz 3.4 : Choose the correct response to make the sentence true:
A component of a vector is (a) always , (b) never , or (c) sometimes
larger than the magnitude of the vector. 13
 ෡
Unit Vectors (𝒊Ƹ , 𝒋,Ƹ 𝒌)

1- Unit vectors are used to specify the direction.

𝒊Ƹ ≡ positive x direction
𝒋Ƹ ≡ positive y direction
෡ ≡ positive z direction
𝒌

2- Unit vector is a dimensionless vector (no units)

having a magnitude of (1).

The vector 𝐀 is written as:

A = 𝐴𝑥 𝑖 Ƹ + 𝐴𝑦 𝑗 Ƹ
➢ When (A) is multiplied by scalar (𝑐), all
components are multiplied by the same scalar
𝑐 A = 𝑐 𝐴𝑥 𝑖 Ƹ + 𝑐 𝐴𝑦 𝑗 Ƹ

Where (c) is scalar (positive or negative)

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 Adding Vectors Algebraically (Components Method)
Given: 𝐴Ԧ = 𝐴𝑥 𝑖Ƹ + 𝐴𝑦 𝑗Ƹ and 𝐵 = 𝐵𝑥 𝑖Ƹ + 𝐵𝑦 𝑗Ƹ
The Resultant vector 𝑅 = 𝐴Ԧ + 𝐵
𝑅 = (𝐴𝑥 +𝐵𝑥 ) 𝑖Ƹ + (𝐴𝑦 +𝐵𝑦 ) 𝑗Ƹ

𝑅 = 𝑅𝑥 𝑖Ƹ + 𝑅𝑦 𝑗Ƹ Where 𝑅𝑥 = 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵𝑥 and 𝑅𝑦 = 𝐴𝑦 + 𝐵𝑦
𝑅𝑦
The magnitude of 𝑅 is 𝑅 = 𝑅𝑥2 + 𝑅𝑦2 The direction 𝜃 = tan−1
𝑅𝑥

Example 3.3. Find the sum (R) of two vectors (A) and (B) lying in the xy –
plane and given by: A = (2.0 𝑖Ƹ + 2.0 𝑗Ƹ ) m and B = (2.0 𝑖Ƹ – 4.0 𝑗Ƹ ) m

Solution:
R = A + B = (2 𝑖Ƹ + 2 𝑗)Ƹ + (2 𝑖Ƹ – 4 𝑗)Ƹ = (2 + 2) 𝑖Ƹ + (2 – 4) 𝑗Ƹ = 4 𝑖Ƹ – 2 𝑗Ƹ

➔ Rx = 4 and Ry = −2
R = 𝑅𝑥 2 + 𝑅𝑦2 = 16 + 4 = 4.5 𝑚
𝜃 = tan−1 Ry/Rx = tan−1 – 2/4  𝜃 = tan−1 − 0.5 = 333𝑜 15
Example: If 𝐴 = 6𝑖Ƹ − 8𝑗Ƹ and 𝐵 = 12𝑖Ƹ − 16𝑗Ƹ , what is the magnitude of the
vector 𝐶 = 3𝐴 − 𝐵 ?

Solution: 3𝐴 = 3 × 6 𝑖Ƹ − 3 × 8 𝑗Ƹ = 18 𝑖Ƹ - 24 𝑗Ƹ
𝐶 = 3𝐴 − 𝐵 = (18 𝑖Ƹ − 24 𝑗)Ƹ − 𝟏𝟐𝒊Ƹ − 𝟏𝟔𝒋Ƹ
𝐶 = 6 𝑖Ƹ − 8 𝑗 Ƹ
magnitude: 𝐶Ԧ = 62 + 82 = 10

Example (P. 3.22): A displacement vector lying in the xy-plane has a magnitude
(d) of 50.0 m and is directed at an angle (θ) of 120° to the positive x axis. What
are the rectangular components of this vector?

Solution:

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Example (P. 3.31):

Solution:
Solution:

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Example:
Your cat is running around the grass in your back yard. He undergoes successive
displacements 3.50 m south, 8.20 m northeast, and 15.0 m west. What is the
resultant displacement?

Vector d1 = −3.50 𝑗Ƹ 𝑚
Vector d2 = 8.2 cos45 𝑖Ƹ + (8.2 𝑠𝑖𝑛45)𝑗Ƹ
Vector d3 = −15 𝑖Ƹ 𝑚

d1+d2+d3 = −3.50𝑗Ƹ + 5.8𝑖Ƹ + 5.8𝑗Ƹ − 15𝑖Ƹ

= −9.2𝑖Ƹ + 2.3𝑗Ƹ

Resultant displacement = R
R = −9.2 2 + 2.3 2 = 9.48 𝑚

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Product of Two Vectors

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Example 7.2:
The vectors (𝑨) and (𝑩) are given by: ( 𝑨 = 𝟐𝒊Ƹ + 𝟑𝒋)Ƹ and (𝑩 = −𝒊Ƹ + 𝟐𝒋)Ƹ
(A) Determine the scalar product (𝑨 ∙ 𝑩)
𝐴Ԧ ∙ 𝐵 = 𝐴𝑥 𝐵𝑥 + 𝐴𝑦 𝐵𝑦 = 2 −1 + 3 2 = −2 + 6 = 4
(B) Find the angle () between (𝑨) and (𝑩)

2 2 2 2
𝐴= 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐴𝑦 = 22 + 32 = 3.61 , 𝐵= 𝐵𝑥 + 𝐵𝑦 = (−1)2 +22 = 2.24
Ԧ
𝐴∙𝐵 4 4
➔ cos 𝜃 = = (3.61 × 2.24) = (8.1) = 0.493 ➔ 𝜃 = cos −1 (0.493) ≈ 60𝑜
𝐴𝐵

Example 11.1:

 
A  B = (2iˆ + 3 ˆj )  (−iˆ + 2 ˆj )
Solution: i
= 2iˆ  (−iˆ) + 2iˆ  2 ˆj + 3 ˆj  (−iˆ) + 3 ˆj  2 ˆj
= 0 + 4iˆ  ˆj − 3 ˆj  iˆ + 0 = 4kˆ + 3kˆ = 7kˆ j k
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 Questions
1. The vector (−𝑨) is:
A. greater than A in magnitude B. less than A in magnitude
C. in the same direction as A D. in the direction opposite to (𝑨)

2. If 𝑨 + 𝑩 = 𝑨 + 𝑩 and 𝑨 ≠ 𝟎, 𝑩 ≠ 𝟎, then:
A. 𝑨 and 𝑩 are parallel and in the same direction B. A and B are parallel and in opposite directions
C. the angle between A and B is 45o D. the angle between A and B is 60o

3. Vectors (𝐀) and (𝐁) lie in the xy-plane. We can conclude that (𝑨 = 𝐁) if:
A. 𝐴2𝑥 + 𝐴2𝑦 = 𝐵𝑥2 + 𝐵𝑦2 B. 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐴𝑦 = 𝐵𝑥 + 𝐵𝑦 C. 𝑨𝒙 = 𝑩𝒙 and 𝑨𝒚 = 𝑩𝒚 D. 𝐴𝑥 = 𝐴𝑦 and 𝐵𝑥 = 𝐵𝑦

෡ then (𝟒𝐀) has a magnitude:

4. If (𝑨 = 𝟔𝒊Ƹ − 𝟖𝒋)
𝑨 = 𝟔𝒊Ƹ − 𝟖𝒋Ƹ
4𝑨 = 𝟐𝟒𝒊Ƹ − 𝟑𝟐𝒋Ƹ
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒈𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒆 = 𝟐𝟒𝟐 + 𝟑𝟐𝟐 = 𝟒𝟎

A. 10 B. 20 C. 30 D. 40

5. If vector (B) is added to vector (A), under what condition does

the resultant vector (A + B) have magnitude (A + B)?

(a) A and B are parallel and in the same direction.

(b) A and B are parallel and in opposite directions.
(c) A and B are perpendicular.
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 Chapter 3 (Vectors) Multiple Choice Questions

6. A vector in the xy-plane has a magnitude of (24 m) and an x-component of (12 m). The angle (θ) it
makes with the positive x-axis is:

A. 21o B. 29o C. 60o D. 68 o

𝑨𝒙 = 𝑨 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝜽
12 = 24 cosθ
cosθ = (12/24) = ½ = 0.5
θ = cos-1 (0.5) = 60o

෡ and (𝐵 = 4𝑖Ƹ + 2𝑗).

7. Let (𝐴 = 2𝑖Ƹ + 6𝑗) ෡ The vector difference 𝐷 = 𝐴 − 𝐵 is:

A. 6𝑖Ƹ + 8𝑗Ƹ B. −𝟐𝒊Ƹ + 𝟒𝒋Ƹ C. 2𝑖Ƹ − 4𝑗Ƹ D. 8𝑖Ƹ + 12𝑗Ƹ

෡ − (𝟒𝒊Ƹ + 𝟐𝒋)
𝑫 = 𝑨 − 𝑩 = (𝟐𝒊Ƹ + 𝟔𝒋) ෡ = 𝟐𝒊Ƹ + 𝟔𝒋Ƹ − 𝟒𝒊Ƹ − 𝟐𝒋Ƹ = − 𝟐𝒊Ƹ + 𝟒𝒋Ƹ

8. If 𝐴 = 12𝑖Ƹ − 16𝑗Ƹ and 𝐵 = −24𝑖Ƹ + 10𝑗Ƹ , what is the magnitude of the vector 𝐶 = 2𝐴 − 𝐵

A . 42 B. 22 C. 64 D. 90

𝐶 = 2𝐴 − 𝐵 = 2 (12𝑖Ƹ − 16𝑗Ƹ ) − (−24𝑖Ƹ + 10𝑗)Ƹ = 24𝑖Ƹ − 32𝑗Ƹ +24𝑖Ƹ − 10𝑗Ƹ = 48i − 42𝑗Ƹ

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒈𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒆 = 𝟒𝟖𝟐 + 𝟒𝟐𝟐 = 𝟔𝟒

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Practice Problems

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Practice Problems

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