Unit# 2 (VECTORS)

Short Questions
1. If the cross product of two vectors vanishes, what will you say about their orientation?
Ans. If vectors 𝐴⃗ 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐵
⃗⃗ are parallel or anti-parallel to each other, then their vector product will be zero.

A x B = A B Sinθ n̂
Since θ = 00
0
as Sin0 =0
A x B = A B . (0) n̂
= 0
In case of antiparallel vectors
A x B = A B Sinθ n̂
Since θ = 1800
and Sin 1800 = 0
This means that
A x B = 0
2. Find the dot product of unit vectors with each other at (a) 00 and (b) 900.
Ans. (a) For unit vector at 𝜃 = 0°
iˆ . iˆ = iˆ iˆ Cos0°
= 1.1.1
= 1
Similarly ĵ . ĵ = k̂ . k̂ = 1
(b) For unit vectors at 𝜃 = 90°
iˆ . ĵ = iˆ ĵ Cos 90°
= 1 1 0
= 0
Similarly
ĵ . k̂ = k̂ . ĵ = 0
3. Show that scalar product obeys commutative property.

Ans. If A and B are two vectors making an angle θ with each other then their dot product is defined as.
A . B = AB Cosθ …………….(i)
Where A is the magnitude of vector A and B Cosθ is the projection of vector B on
vector A (or component of B parallel to A ).
If we take the component of A along B we can write
B . A = (B) (A Cosθ)
B . A = (Magnitude of B ) (Projection of A on B )
B . A = B A Cos ……. (ii)
From equation (i) and (ii) we get
A.B = B . A which is commutative property.

4. ̂)
Solve by using the properties of dot and cross product: (a) 𝒊̂ . (𝒋̂ × 𝒌 b) ̂ )?
𝒋̂ × (𝒋̂ × 𝒌
Ans. (a) 𝑖̂ . (𝑗̂ × 𝑘̂)
Since 𝑗̂ × 𝑘̂= 𝑖̂
So 𝑖̂ . 𝑖̂ = 1
b) 𝑗̂ × (𝑗̂ × 𝑘̂)
Since 𝑗̂ × 𝑘̂= 𝑖̂
So 𝑗̂ × 𝑗̂ = 0
5. If both the dot product and the cross product of two vectors are zero. What would you conclude
about the individual vectors?

Ans. If both the dot product and the cross product of two vectors A and B are zero then either A or B is a
null vector.

If A = 0 and B ≠ 0 then A . B =(0)B Cosθ =0 and A x B = (0) B Sinθ =0

Or
If A ≠ 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 B = 0 then A . B =A (0) Cosθ =0 and A x B = A (0) Sinθ =0

6. What are rectangular components of a vector? How they can be found?

Ans. Rectangular Components:
Two components of a vector which are at right angle to each other are known as rectangular
components.
Consider a vector A is making an angle θ with x-axis is represented by line OP . We draw a projection OM
of A on x-axis and projection ON of A on y-axis. ON = MP = Ay
By head to tail rule
OP = OM + MP
A = Ax + Ay
Ax and Ay are at right angle to each other so they are rectangular components of A .
as Ax = Ax iˆ , Ay = Ay ĵ
Therefore A = Ax iˆ + Ay ĵ
Now to find magnitude of rectangular components, consider ΔOMP
OM
Cos =
OP
Ax
Cos =
A
Ax=A Cosθ
MP
Similarly Sin =
OP
Ay
Sin =
A
Ay=A Sinθ

7. Give two examples for each of the scalar and vector product.
Ans. Scalar Product:
Examples
(i) Work
If a force F acts on a body making an angle θ and displaces it through d then work done will be
Work done= (Projection of F along d ) (d)
 = (F Cosθ) (d)
W = F d Cosθ
Using vector notation
W= F . d
(ii) Power
→ →
Scalar product of force F and velocity V that is
→ →
P = F . V = FVcos
→ →
Where  is angle between F and V .
Vector product:
Examples
(i) Torque:
If F is a force applied on a body at a point whose position vector is r from the axis of rotation then
torque will be
τ = r x F
(ii) Angular Momentum:
→ → →
Angular momentum L is the cross product of position vector r and linear momentum P is given as
→ → →
L = r  P

8. Show that: A . B = Ax Bx + Ay By + Az Bz .
Ans. Scalar product in terms of rectangular components is given as let
A = Ax iˆ + Ay ĵ + Az k̂
B = Bx iˆ + By ĵ + Bz k̂
Now
A . B = (Ax iˆ + Ay ĵ + Az k̂ ) . (Bx iˆ + By ĵ + Bz k̂ )
= Ax Bx ( iˆ . iˆ ) + Ax By ( iˆ . ĵ ) + Ax Bz ( iˆ . k̂ )
+ Ay Bx ( ĵ . iˆ ) + Ay By ( ĵ . ĵ ) + Ay Bz ( ĵ . k̂ )
+ Az Bx ( k̂ . ĵ ) + Az By ( k̂ . ĵ ) + Az Bz ( k̂ . k̂ )
since iˆ . iˆ = ĵ . ĵ = k̂ . k̂ = 1
iˆ . ĵ = ĵ . k̂ = k̂ . iˆ = 0
Thus A . B = Ax Bx + Ay By + Az Bz
9. ̂?
What units are associated with the unit vectors 𝒊̂, 𝒋̂, and 𝒌
Ans. A unit vector is a vector whose magnitude is 1. It is a dimensionless vector and used to represent
direction of a vector.
The unit vector is generally represented by letter with a cap or hat (^) over it.
For example, the unit vector for vector 𝐴⃗ is 𝐴̂.
Unit vectors 𝑖̂, 𝑗 ̂ 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑘 ̂ act along x, y and z-axes respectively to represent the
direction of a vector.
The magnitude associated with each 𝑖̂, 𝑗 ̂ 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑘 ̂ is one.
 Comprehensive Questions
1. Explain the resolution of a vector into its rectangular components?
Ans. Resolution of a vector:
The process of splitting a vector into its components is called resolution of a vector.
Rectangular Components:
Two components of a vector which are at right angle to each other are known as rectangular
components.
Usually a vector is resolved into two components. One component acts along x-axis known as
horizontal component. The other component acts along y-axis known as vertical component. Since these
components act along the sides of a rectangle, therefore, these components are also called rectangular
components.
Consider a vector A is making an angle θ with x-axis is represented by line OP . We draw a
projection OM of A on x-axis and projection ON of A on y-axis. ON = MP = Ay
By head to tail rule
OP = OM + MP
A = Ax + Ay
Ax and Ay are at right angle to each other so they are rectangular components of A .
as Ax = Ax iˆ , Ay = Ay ĵ
Therefore A = Ax iˆ + Ay ĵ ----------- (i)
Now consider ΔOMP
OM
Cos =
OP
Ax
Cos =
A

Ax=A Cosθ ----------- (ii)

Similarly

MP
Sin =
OP
Ay
Sin =
A
Ay=A Sinθ ------------------ (iii)
Putting the values of (ii) and (iii) in (i) we get
A = (A Cosθ) iˆ + (A Sin0) ĵ
2. What is scalar product? Explain. Also write the properties of scalar product.
Ans. Scalar Product or Dot Product
The product of two vectors which results a scalar quantity is called scalar or dot product.
The scalar product is denoted by a dot (.) between two vectors. The scalar product of two vectors is written as
→ → → →
A . B , we read is as ( A dot B ). Hence the scalar product is also called dot product.
If A and B are two vectors making an angle θ with each other then their dot product is defined as.
A . B = AB Cosθ
= A B Cosθ
Where A and B are the magnitudes of vector A and B .
Dot product of two vectors is also defined as the multiplication of one vector
and the projection of other vector on the first vector.
From fig we see that
Projection of B on A = B Cosθ
From the definition
A . B = A B Cosθ …….(i)
→ →
A . B = (Magnitude of A ) (projection of B on A )
Simillarly, If we take the component of A along B we can write
B . A = (B) (A Cosθ)
B . A = (Magnitude of B ) (Projection of A on B )
B . A = B A Cos ……. (ii)
From equation (i) and (ii) we get
A . B = B . A which commutative property.

Examples: (1) Work:-

W= F . d
(2) Power:-
→ →
Scalar product of force F and velocity V that is
→ →
P = F . V = FVcos
Properties Of Dot Product
(i) Commutative Property
As A . B = A B Cosθ
and B . A = BA Cosθ
so A . B = B . A
This means that if order of the vectors is changed the scalar product does not change. This means scalar
product obeys commutative property.
(ii) Scalar product of perpendicular vectors
Scalar product of two perpendicular vectors A and B is given as
A . B = A B Cosθ θ = 90o
A . B = A B Cos 90o
= AB
= 0
As we know that iˆ , ĵ and k̂ are unit vectors along x, y and z axis respectively. This means that iˆ and ĵ and
k̂ are mutually perpendicular to each other.
Therefore
iˆ . ĵ = iˆ ĵ Cos 90
= 1 1 0
= 0
Similarly
ĵ . k̂ = k̂ . ĵ = 0
(iii) Scalar Product Of Two Parallel vectors
Scalar product of parallel vectors is given as
A . B = A B Cosθ
Since θ = 0°
A . B = A B Cosθ
= A B (1)
= AB
Scalar product of anti parallel vector
If θ = 180°
 A . B = A B Cos (180°)
= A B (-1)
= -AB
For unit vector
iˆ . iˆ = iˆ iˆ Cosθ
= 1.1.1
= 1
Similarly ĵ . ĵ = k̂ . k̂ = 1
(iv) Self Product Of A Vector
Self product of a vector A is given as
A .A = A A Cosθ

A. A = A A Cos0
= A2
(v) Scalar Product In Terms Of Rectangular Components
Scalar product in terms of rectangular components is given as let
A = Ax iˆ + Ay ĵ + Az k̂
B = Bx iˆ + By ĵ + Bz k̂
Now
A . B = (Ax iˆ + Ay ĵ + Az k̂ ) . (Bx iˆ + By ĵ + Bz k̂ )
= Ax Bx ( iˆ . iˆ ) + Ax By ( iˆ . ĵ ) + Ax Bz ( iˆ . k̂ )
+ Ay Bx ( ĵ . iˆ ) + Ay By ( ĵ . ĵ ) + Ay Bz ( ĵ . k̂ )
+ Az Bx ( k̂ . ĵ ) + Az By ( k̂ . ĵ ) + Az Bz ( k̂ . k̂ )
iˆ . iˆ = ĵ . ĵ = k̂ . k̂ = 1
iˆ . ĵ = ĵ . k̂ = k̂ . iˆ = 0
thus A . B = Ax Bx + Ay By + Az Bz

3. What is vector product? Explain. Also write the properties of vector product.
Ans. Vector Product
The product of two vectors which results a vector quantity is known as vector product or cross
product.
The vector product is denoted by putting a cross () between the two vectors. Hence vector product is also
called cross product.
Let A and B are two vectors then their vector product will be
A x B = AB Sinθ n̂
= A B Sinθ n̂
Where θ is the angle between A and B and n̂ is the unit vector perpendicular to the
plane containing A and B .
The direction of n̂ is obtained by using the right hand rule.
Similarly,

B x A= - B ASinθ n̂
= - A B Sinθ n̂
Thus vector product is not commutative.
Example of vector product is torque τ = r x F
Right Hand Rule
→ →
(i) Place the tails of two A and B vectors together, so that they form a plane.
→ →
(ii) Rotate the first vector A towards the second vector B through the smaller
angle.
(iii) Curl the fingers of right hand in the direction of rotation with stretched thumb.
→ →
(iv) The stretched thumb points towards the direction of n̂ or A  B .
Properties of Vector Product:
(i) Commutative property
A x B = A B Sinθ n̂
Now B x A = B A Sinθ (- n̂ )
=- A B Sinθ n̂
=- A x B
So A x B is not equal to B x A . Hence cross product is not commutative.
(ii) Cross Product Of Perpendicular Vectors.
Let A and B are two perpendicular vectors then
A x B = A B Sinθ n̂
= A B Sin 90 n̂
= A B n̂
n̂ is the unit vector perpendicular to the plane of A and B . Unit vector iˆ , ĵ and k̂ are mutually
perpendicular.
So their cross product is given as
iˆ x ĵ = | iˆ | | ĵ | Sinθ n̂
Since θ = 90
n̂ is unit vector perpendicular to both iˆ and ĵ , which is k̂
Hence n̂ = k̂
iˆ x ĵ can be written as iˆ x ĵ = 1 . 1 . 1 . k̂
iˆ x ĵ = k̂
Similarly
ĵ x k̂ = iˆ and k̂ x iˆ = ĵ
as A x B = - (B x A)
so ĵ x iˆ = - k̂ , k̂ x ĵ = - iˆ , iˆ x k̂ = - ĵ
(iii) Cross product of parallel vectors.
Cross product of two parallel vectors is given as
A x B = A B Sinθ n̂
Since θ = 0°
A x B = A B . (0) n̂
= 0
In case of antiparallel vectors
A x B = A B Sinθ n̂
Since θ = 180°
and Sin 180 = 0
 This means that
A x B = 0
Similarly using the same reason the self cross product of unit vector.
iˆ x iˆ = ĵ x ĵ = k̂ x k̂ = 0
(iv) Cross Product In Terms Of Rectangular Components
→
A = A x î + A y ĵ + A z k̂
→
B = B x î + B y ĵ + B z k̂
In determinant form cross product can be obtained as
iˆ ĵ k̂
A x B= Ax Ay Az
Bx By Bz
ˆ
=(Ay Bz – Az By) i +(Az Bx – Ax Bz) ĵ + (Ax By – Ay Bx) k̂

(v) Magnitude of Cross Product

The magnitude of cross product is equivalent to the area of the parallelogram. It is explained as
| A x B | =A B Sinθ …………(i)

Area of parallelogram = (base) (height)

= (A) Bsin
= ABsin ……………….. (ii)
From (i) and (ii)
→ →
Area of parallelogram = A B
In parallelogram A and B are two adjacent sides.

4. What geometric interpretation does the cross product have? Explain with the help of diagram.
Ans. Right Hand Rule
→ →
(i) Place the tails of two A and B vectors together, so that they form a plane.
→ →
(ii) Rotate the first vector A towards the second vector B through the smaller
angle.
(iii) Curl the fingers of right hand in the direction of rotation with stretched thumb.
→ →
(iv) The stretched thumb points towards the direction of n̂ or A  B .
Parallelogram Area:
The magnitude of cross product is equivalent to the area of the parallelogram. It is explained as
| A x B | =A B Sinθ …………(i)

Area of parallelogram = (base) (height)

= (A) Bsin
= ABsin ……………….. (ii)
From (i) and (ii)
→ →
Area of parallelogram = A B
In parallelogram A and B are two adjacent sides.