Vector Algebra Study Material
Uploaded by
Jeya Prakash KVector Algebra Study Material
Uploaded by
Jeya Prakash KVector Algebra: Study Material
1. Scalars and Vectors
Scalar: A scalar quantity has only magnitude and no direction. Examples: Mass,
temperature, time.
Vector: A vector quantity has both magnitude and direction. It is represented as:
A = A_x a_x + A_y a_y + A_z a_z
where A_x, A_y, A_z are the components of the vector along the x, y, and z axes, and a_x, a_y,
a_z are unit vectors in those directions.
2. Unit Vector
Definition: A unit vector points in the direction of a given vector and has a magnitude of 1.
The formula is:
a_A = A / |A|
Magnitude of a Vector:
|A| = sqrt(A_x^2 + A_y^2 + A_z^2)
Example: For A = 3a_x + 4a_y:
|A| = sqrt(3^2 + 4^2) = 5
The unit vector is:
a_A = (1/5)(3a_x + 4a_y)
3. Vector Addition and Subtraction
Addition:
C = A + B = (A_x + B_x)a_x + (A_y + B_y)a_y + (A_z + B_z)a_z
Subtraction:
D = A - B = (A_x - B_x)a_x + (A_y - B_y)a_y + (A_z - B_z)a_z
Graphical Representation:
- Parallelogram Rule: Vector addition can be visualized as the diagonal of a parallelogram
formed by A and B.
- Head-to-Tail Rule: Place the tail of B at the head of A; the resultant is from the tail of A to
the head of B.
4. Dot Product (Scalar Product)
Definition:
A . B = |A| |B| cos(theta)
In terms of components:
A . B = A_x B_x + A_y B_y + A_z B_z
Applications:
- Calculating the angle between vectors.
- Finding projections of one vector onto another.
5. Cross Product (Vector Product)
Definition:
A x B = |A| |B| sin(theta) n
Component Form:
AxB=|i j k |
|Ax Ay Az|
|Bx By Bz|
6. Position and Distance Vectors
Position Vector:
The position vector of a point P(x, y, z) is:
r_P = x a_x + y a_y + z a_z
Distance Vector:
The distance vector between points P(x_1, y_1, z_1) and Q(x_2, y_2, z_2) is:
r_PQ = (x_2 - x_1)a_x + (y_2 - y_1)a_y + (z_2 - z_1)a_z
Distance Formula:
d = sqrt((x_2 - x_1)^2 + (y_2 - y_1)^2 + (z_2 - z_1)^2)
7. Practice Problems
1. Unit Vector: Find the unit vector of A = 4a_x - 3a_y + 5a_z.
2. Vector Addition: Add A = a_x + 2a_y + 3a_z and B = 3a_x - a_y + 2a_z.
3. Dot Product: Find the dot product of A = 2a_x + a_y - a_z and B = a_x + 2a_y + a_z.
