Vectors.

pdf October 1, 2018

Vector Components Multiple Vectors

When adding multiple vectors, first find the components of
vectors in x and y directions, then add x components and y
components respectively. These additions provide the x and
y components of the resulting vector sum.
v
vy vy Bx
By
Ax Cy
θ

vx Cx The magnitude of D is:

Ay
Dy
The angle θ that D makes with
the x axis is:
Dx

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7 The components of vectors A and B are given as 8 The components of vector A are given as follows:
follows:

The angle measured counter-clockwise from the +x

axis to vector A, in degrees, is:
Answer

Solve for the magnitude of

A 339o

Answer
A 5
B 200o
B √17
C 122o
C 17
D 21 o
D 10
E 159o
E 8

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11 Vector A is equal to vector B added to vector C. 12 Vectors A and B are shown in the figure below.
What is the magnitude of vector A? Vector C is given by C = A + B. The magnitude of
C is:
y

A 2.6 A 7.5
5.3
B -1.8
Answer

B 3.9
Answer

30O x

C -3.4 C 5.2 30o

45O 6 60o
D 1.6 D 9.3
E -2.5 E 2.6

note the short cut for this problem

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Vectors.pdf October 1, 2018

Unit Vectors Unit Vectors

Unit vectors describe directions in space. They do not represent any
physical quantity and have a magnitude of 1. When two vectors A and B are represented by their components in
the xyz plane using unit vectors, the resultant vector R = A + B is
indicates the x direction expressed as:

indicates the y direction

indicates the z direction

Any given Vector can be presented in The magnitude of R is:

terms of unit vectors:
Pythagoras in 3D!

13 What is the magnitude of the sum of the

following vectors?

A 9.3
B 12.3
Answer

C 5.1
D 10.7
E 3

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Vector Multiplication Scalar Dot Product

The scalar dot product yields a scalar quantity and is defined as:
We've shown how a scalar can multiply a vector and change its
magnitude, and reverse its direction.
Two vectors can be "multiplied" but in a way much different from
the ordinary multiplication of real numbers. One way produces
a scalar, the scalar dot product, or dot product for short.
The second method is the vector cross product, which results The dot product can be viewed as the "projection" of the magnitude
in a vector. of A on the vector B, multiplied by the magnitude of B.
Unit vectors are key in performing these operations. The value of this product can be positive, zero, or negative
depending on angle θ. θ ranges from 0 to 1800.

The scalar dot product is a maximum when the two vectors are in
line, θ = 00. It is a minimum when θ = 900.

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Vectors.pdf October 1, 2018

Scalar Dot Product Scalar Dot Product

Apply the definition of the scalar dot product to the unit vectors:

. = . = . =
. = . = . =
Work was defined as ,the magnitude of the force times the
displacement parallel to the direction of the force.
Use this to find the value of in vector component notation.

and finally:
From this product you get 9 terms,
but 6 of them are zero, leaving:

14 In the figure, find the scalar dot product of 15 What is the closest value for the scalar dot product
vectors B and C . of vectors A and C ?

A 0 A 0
B 17 B 14

Answer
C 24 4 C 42 4
7 7
D -17 D -14
65o 45o 6 65o 45o 6
E -24 E -42
Answer

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Vector Cross Product Vector Cross Product

The vector cross product yields a vector quantity and its The vector cross product yields a vector perpendicular to the plane
magnitude is defined as: ab described by the two vectors a and b.

The vector cross product is not

a commutative operation as
The cross product can be viewed as the "projection" of the
shown on the figure:
magnitude of A on a line perpendicular to vector B, multiplied by By User:Acdx - Self-
the magnitude of B. made, based on
Image:Crossproduct.png,

The magnitude of this product can be positive or zero depending

Public Domain, https://
commons.wikimedia.org/
The magnitude of the cross
on angle θ. θ ranges from 0 to 1800. w/index.php? product of a and b is:
curid=4436304

The vector cross product is a minimum when the two vectors are in
line, θ = 00. It is a maximum when θ = 900.

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Vectors.pdf October 1, 2018

Vector Cross Product Vector Cross Product

Apply the definition of the vector cross product to the unit vectors: Using the properties of the unit vectors, we find the vector in
component notation.

This product will have 9 terms but

only 6 will remain as follows. By User:Acdx - Self-
made, based on
To remember the cross product rules for the unit vectors, write out Image:Crossproduct.png,
Public Domain, https://
the unit vectors in order (twice): commons.wikimedia.org/
w/index.php?
curid=4436304

Going from left to right, you get a positive result:

Going from right to left, you get a negative value:

Vector Cross Product Vector Cross Product

1. 2. 3. 3. 1. 2. 3. 3.

4.
5.

1. Create the 3 x 3 matrix using the unit vectors and the vector
4. Cross multiply within each 2 x 2 matrix, starting from the top left
components and put the vertical lines on either side,
corner, putting a negative sign in front of the second product.
representing the need to take its determinant.
2. The 3 x 3 determinant breaks into three 2 x 2 determinants. To 5. Reverse the order of the component to make all the
find the component, draw an imaginary vertical line down from components positive (only to match what was shown earlier).
and eliminate those vector components from the determinant.
3. Repeat for and , placing a negative sign in front of .

16 In the figure, find the magnitude of the vector cross 17 Two vectors are given as follows:
product of vectors A and B .

A 12
Solve for
B 30
4
Answer

C 25 A
7
Answer

D 20 B
65o 45o 6
E 10 C
D
E

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Vectors.pdf October 1, 2018

Two vectors are given as follows: 18 Two vectors are given as follows:

Worked Out Solution

Solve for
Solve for

Answer
A 2
B -4
C 7
D 5
E -12

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19 Solve for the angle between vectors and 20 Two vectors are given:
Answer

A 98o The angle between vectors A and B, in degrees, is:

Answer
B 278o
A 117 o
C 57o
B 76o
D 85o
C 150o
E 124o
D 29o

E 161o

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21 Two vectors are given: Two vectors are given:

Worked Out Solution

Solve for the magnitude of

Solve for the magnitude of
A 33
Answer

B 29
C 25
D 21 See next slide for worked
E 17 out solution.

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