PHYSICS CHAPTER 1

www.kmph.matrik.edu.my/physics

CHAPTER 1:
Physical quantities and
measurements
(5 Hours)

1
 PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
Learning Outcome:
1.1 Physical Quantities and Units (2 hours)
www.kmph.matrik.edu.my/physics

At the end of this chapter, students should be able to:

 State basic quantities and their respective SI units: length
(m), time (s), mass (kg), electrical current (A), temperature
(K), amount of substance (mol) and luminosity (cd).
 State derived quantities and their respective units and
symbols: velocity (m s-1), acceleration (m s-2), work (J),
force (N), pressure (Pa), energy (J), power (W) and
frequency (Hz).
 Use dimensional analysis to check homogeneity and
construct equation of physics.
 Perform conversion between SI and British units.

2
PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
1.1 Physical Quantities and Units
 Physical quantity is defined as a quantity which can be measured.
 It can be categorised into 2 types
 Basic (base) quantity

 Derived quantity

 Basic quantity is defined as a quantity which cannot be derived

from any physical quantities.
 Table 1.1 shows all the basic (base) quantities.
Quantity Symbol SI Unit Symbol
Length l metre m
Mass m kilogram kg
Time t second s
Temperature T/θ kelvin K
Electric current I ampere A
Amount of substance N mole mol
Table 1.1 Luminous Intensity candela cd 3
PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
 Derived quantity is defined as a quantity which can be expressed
in term of base quantity.
 Table 1.2 shows some examples of derived quantity.

Derived quantity Symbol Formulae Unit

Velocity v s/t m s-1
Volume V l×w×t M3
Acceleration a v/t m s-2

Density ρ m/V kg m-3

Momentum p m×v kg m s-1

Force F m×a kg m s-2 @ N

Table 1.2
Work W F×s kg m2 s-2 @ J

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PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
 Unit is defined as a standard size of measurement of physical
quantities.
 Examples :
 1 second is defined as the time required for 9,192,631,770
vibrations of radiation emitted by a caesium-133 atom.
 1 kilogram is defined as the mass of a platinum-iridium
cylinder kept at International Bureau of Weights and
Measures Paris.
Paris
 1 meter is defined as the length of the path travelled by light
in vacuum during a time interval of

1
s
299,792,458

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PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
 The unit of basic quantity is called base unit
 addition unit for base unit:

 unit of plane angle - radian (rd)

π rad = 180o
180 o
1 rad = = 57.296 o
π

 unit of solid angle- steradian (sr)

 The common system of units used today are S.I unit (System
International/metric system) and cgs unit - UK.
 The unit of derived quantity – called derived unit 6
PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
1.1.1 Unit Prefixes
 It is used for presenting larger and smaller values.
 Table 1.3 shows all the unit prefixes.
Prefix Value Symbol
tera × 1012 T
giga × 109 G
mega × 106 M
kilo × 103 k
deci × 10-1 d
centi × 10-2 c
milli × 10-3 m
micro × 10-6 µ
Table 1.3 nano × 10-9 n
 Examples: pico × 10-12 p
 2700000 m = 2700 km = 2.7 Mm

 0.00000476 s = 4.76 x 10-6 s = 4.76 µs

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PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
1.1.2 Conversion of Unit
 Table 1.4 shows the conversion factors between SI and British units for
length and mass only.

Length Mass
1 m = 39.37 in = 3.281 ft 1 kg = 103 g
1 in = 2.54 cm 1 slug = 14.59 kg
1 km = 0.621 mi 1 lb = 0.453 592 kg
1 mi = 5280 ft = 1.609 km 1 kg = 0.0685 slug
1 angstrom (Å) = 10-10 m
Table 1.4

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PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
Example 1 :
Solve the following problems of unit conversion.
a. 30 mm2 = ? m2 b. 865 km h-1 = ? m s-1
c. 300 g cm-3 = ? kg m-3 d. 17 cm = ? in
e. 24 mi h-1 = ? km s-1
Solution :
a. 30 mm2 = ? m2

(1 mm) 2
= 10 m( −3
) 2

1 mm 2 = 10 −6 m 2
30 mm 2 = 30 × 10 −6 m 2 or 3.0 × 10 −5 m 2
b. 865 km h-1 = ? m s-1
1st method :  865 × 10 3
m
865 km h = 
−1


 1 h 
 865 × 10 3
m
865 km h = 
−1


 3600 s 
−1 −1
865 km h = 240 m s 9
PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
−1  865 km  1000 m  1 h 
2nd method : 865 km h =   
 1 h  1 km  3600 s 
−1  865 km  1000 m  1 h 
865 km h =   
 1 h  1 km  3600 s 
865 km h −1 = 240 m s −1
c. 300 g cm-3 = ? kg m-3

 300 g  10 -3
kg  1 cm 3 
-3
300 g cm =    
 1 cm 3 
 1 g  ( )
 10 - 2 3
m 3 
300 g cm −3 = 3.0 × 105 kg m -3

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PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
d. 17 cm = ? in
 2.54
1
in 
17 cm = (17 cm )  
 1 cm 
17 cm = 6.69 in
e. 24 mi h-1 = ? km s-1
-1  24 mi  1.609 km  1 h 
24 mi h =    
 1 h  1 mi  3600 s 
24 mi h −1 = 1.07 × 10 -2 km s -1

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PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
1.1.3 Dimensional Analysis
 Dimension is defined as a technique or method which the physical
quantity can be expressed in terms of combination of basic
quantities.
quantities
 It can be written as
[physical quantity or its symbol]
 Table 1.5 shows the dimension of basic quantities.

[Basic Quantity] Symbol Unit

[mass] or [m] M kg
[length] or [l] L m
[time] or [t] T s
[electric current] or [I] A@I A
[temperature] or [T] θ K
[amount of substance] N mole
Table 1.5 or [N]
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PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
 Dimension can be treated as algebraic quantities through the
procedure called dimensional analysis.
 The uses of dimensional analysis are
 to determine the unit of the physical quantity.
 to determine whether a physical equation is correct or not
dimensionally by using the principle of homogeneity.

Dimension on the L.H.S. = Dimension on the R.H.S

 to derive a physical equation.
 Note:
 Dimension of dimensionless constant is 1,

e.g. [2] = 1, [refractive index] = 1

 Dimensions cannot be added or subtracted.
 The validity of an equation cannot determined by dimensional
analysis.
 The validity of an equation can only be determined by experiment.

13
PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
Example 2 :
Determine a dimension and the S.I. unit for the following quantities:
a. Velocity b. Acceleration c. Linear momentum
d. Density e. Force
Solution :
a.
[ Velocity] = [
change in displacement ]
or
[ time interval]
[ v] = [ ∆s ]
[ ∆t ]
L
[ v] = = LT −1
T
The S.I. unit of velocity is m s-1.

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PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
b. [ a] = [ ∆v ] c. [ p ] = [ m] × [ v ]
[ ∆t ]
LT −1 [ p] = ( M ) ( LT −1 )
[ a] =
T [ p ] = MLT −1
[ a ] = LT −2 S.I. unit : kg m s-1.
Its unit is m s-2.
d.
[ m] e. [ F ] = [ m] × [ a ]
[ ρ] =
[V ] [ F ] = ( M ) ( LT −2 )
[ ρ] = [ m]
[ l ] × [ w] × [ h ] [ F ] = MLT −2
M
[ ρ] = S.I. unit : kg m s-2.
L×L×L
[S.I.ρ]unit
= ML −3
: kg m .-3

15
PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
Example 3 :
Determine Whether the following expressions are dimensionally correct
or not.
a. s = ut + 1 at 2 where s, u, a and t represent the displacement,
initial velocity,2acceleration and the time of an object respectively.
b. v = u − 2 gs where s, u, v and g represent the displacement,
initial velocity, final velocity and the gravitational acceleration
respectively.
c. l where T, l and g represent the period of simple
T = 2π
g
pendulum , length of the simple pendulum and the gravitational
acceleration respectively.

16
PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
Solution :
a. Dimension on the LHS : [ s] = L
Dimension on the RHS : [ ut ] = [ u ][ t ] = ( LT −1 )( T ) = L
and
[ 1
2
] ( )( )
at 2 = [ 21 ][ a ][ t ] = ( 1) LT -2 T 2 = L
2

Dimension on the LHS = dimension on the RHS

Hence the equation above is homogeneous or dimensionally correct.
b. Dimension on the LHS :
[ v] = LT-1

Dimension on the RHS :

[ u ] = LT −1
and

[ 2 gs ] = [ 2][ g ][ s ] = ( 1) ( LT -2 )( L ) = L2T -2
Thus
[ v] =the[ uequation
Therefore ] ≠ [ 2 gsabove
] is not homogeneous or dimensionally
incorrect. 17
PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
Solution :
c. Dimension on the LHS : [T ] = T
Dimension on the RHS :
 l 
 = [ 2π ][ l ] [ g ]
1 − 12
2π 2

 g 

 l 
2π
g 
(
 = ( 1)( L ) 2 LT
1
−
)
2 − 12
=T

 l 
[ T ] = 2π 
Therefore the equation above
g 
 is homogeneous or dimensionally
correct.

18
PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
Example 4 :
The period, T of a simple pendulum depends on its length l,
acceleration due to gravity, g and mass, m. By using dimensional
analysis, obtain an equation for period of the simple pendulum.
Solution :
Suppose that : T ∝ l x g y m z

Then x y z
T = kl g m …………………(1)
where k, x, y and z are dimensionless constants.

[T ] = [ k ][l ] [ g ] [ m]
x y z

T = (1) L (LT ) M z
x −2 y

T = Lx + y T −2 y M z
L0 T1M 0 = Lx + y T −2 y M z

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PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
By equating the indices on the left and right sides of the equation, thus
x + y = 0 …………………(2)
− 2y =1
y = − 12 …………………(3)
z =0
By substituting eq. (3) into eq. (2), thus

x + ( − 12 ) = 0
x = 1
Replace the value of x, y and z in eq. 2
(1), therefore
1 − 12
T = kl g m 0
2

l
T =k
g
The value of k can be determined experimentally.

20
PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
Example 5 :
Determine the unit of γ in term of basic unit by using the equation
below:
4γ
Pi − Po =
R
where Pi and Po are pressures of the soap bubble and R is the radius
of the bubble.
Solution :
[
[ P] = = F ] [ m][ a ] MLT
=
−2
= ML T −1 −2
[ A] [ A] L 2

[ R] = L

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PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
1
γ = R ( Pi − Po )
4
1 
[ γ ] =  [ R ][( Pi − Po ) ]
4 
Since
[ Pi ] = [ Po ] = [ P ] thus
1 
[ γ ] =  [ R ][ P ]
4 
(
[ γ ] = (1)( L ) ML−1T −2 )
[ γ ] = MT −2
Therefore the unit of γ is kg s
-2

22
PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
Exercise 1.1 :
1. Deduce the unit of η(eta) in term of basic unit for the equation
below:
F Δv
=η
A Δl
where F is the force, A is the area, ∆v is the change in velocity
and ∆l is the change in distance.
ANS. : kg m-1 s-1
6. A sphere of radius r and density ρs falls in a liquid of density ρf. It
achieved a terminal velocity vT given by the following expression:
2
vT =
2r g
9 k
(
ρs − ρ f )
where k is a constant and g is acceleration due to gravity.
Determine the dimension of k.
ANS. : M L-1 T-1
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PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
Exercise 1.1 :
1. The escape velocity, v for a tomahawk missile which escape the
gravitational attraction of the earth is depend on the radius of the
earth, r and the acceleration due to gravity, g. By using dimensional
analysis, obtain an expression for escape velocity, v.
ANS. :
v = k gr
 Show that the equation below is dimensionally correct.

πR 4 ( P1 − P2 )
Q=
8 ηL
Where R is the inside radius of the tube, L is its length, P1-P2 is
the pressure difference between the ends, η is the coefficient of
viscosity ( N s m-2) and Q is the volume rate of flow ( m3 s-1).

24
 PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
Learning Outcome:
1.2 Scalars and Vectors (3 hours)
www.kmph.matrik.edu.my/physics

At the end of this chapter, students should be able to:

 Define scalar and vector quantities, unit vectors in
Cartesian coordinate.
 Explain vector addition and subtraction operations and
their rules. Visualize resultant vector graphically by
applying
 commutative rule
 associative rule, and
 distributive rule
 Resolve vector into two perpendicular components (2-D)
and three perpendicular components (3-D):
 Components in the x, y and z axes.

 Components in the iˆ, ˆj , kˆ unit vectors.

25
 PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
Learning Outcome:
1.2 Scalars and Vectors (3 hours)
www.kmph.matrik.edu.my/physics

At the end of this topic, students should be able to:

 Define and use dot (scalar) product;
 
A • B = A( B cos θ ) = B( A cos θ )
and the magnitude of cross (vector) product;
 
A × B = A( B sin θ ) = B ( A sin θ )

26
PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
1.2 Scalars and Vectors
 Scalar quantity is defined as a quantity with magnitude only.
 e.g. mass, time, temperature, pressure, electric current, work,
energy and etc.
 Mathematics operational : ordinary algebra

 Vector quantity is defined as a quantity with both magnitude &

direction.
 e.g. displacement, velocity, acceleration, force, momentum,
electric field, magnetic field and etc.
 Mathematics operational : vector algebra

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PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
1.2.1 Vectors

Vector A
Length of an arrow– magnitude of vector A
Direction of arrow – direction of vector A

 Table 1.6 shows written form (notation) of vectors.

displacement velocity acceleration

  
s v a
s v a
s (bold) v (bold) a (bold)
Table 1.6
 Notation of magnitude of vectors.

v =v

a =a
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PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
 Two vectors equal if both magnitude and direction are the same.
(shown in figure 1.1)

Q  
 P=Q
P
Figure 1.1

 a scalar quantity k
If vector A is multiplied by
 Then, vector A is kA

 kA
A

−A

if k = +ve,
+ve the vector is in the same direction as vector A.

if k = - ve,
ve the vector is in the opposite direction of vector A. 29
PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
1.2.2 Direction of Vectors
 Can be represented by using:
 Direction of compass,
compass i.e east, west, north, south, north-east,
north-west, south-east and south-west
 Angle with a reference line
e.g. A man throws a stone with a velocity of 10 m s-1, 30° above
horizontal.

y
v
30°
0 x

30
PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
 Cartesian coordinates
 2-Dimension (2-D)


s = ( x, y ) = ( 2 m, 4 m)
y/m

4

s

0
x/m
2

31
PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
 3-Dimension (3-D)

s = ( x, y , z ) = ( 4, 3, 2) m
y/m


s
x/m
0 4

z/m
32
PHYSICS CHAPTER 1

( )
 Polar coordinates 
F = 50 N,120

F
120°

 Denotes with + or – signs.

signs
+

- +

33
-
PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
1.2.3 Addition of Vectors
 There are two methods involved in addition of vectors graphically i.e.
 Parallelogram

 Triangle  
 For example : A + B

 
A B

Parallelogram Triangle

   
 A+ B A+ B
B 
B
O  O 
A A 34
PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
 Triangle of vectors method:
 Use a suitable scale to draw vector A.
 From the head of vector A draw a line to represent the vector B.
 Complete the triangle. Draw a line from the tail of vector A to the
head of vector B to represent the vector A + B.
   
A+ B = B+ A Commutative Rule


A

B  
B+ A
O

35
PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
 If there are more than 2 vectors therefore   
 Use vector polygon and associative rule. E.g. P+Q+ R

 Q 
P R

(   
P+Q + R )

P (  
P+Q ) 
R

Q

( )
     
P+Q + R = P+ Q+ R ( ) Associative Rule
36
PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
 Distributive Rule :

(  
) 
a. α A + B = αA + αB
 

 α , β are real number
b. ( α + β ) A = αA + β A
 For example :
Proof of case a: let α =2

( ) ( )
   
α A+ B = 2 A+ B

 
A+ B

B
( )
 
O 
A
2 A+ B
37
PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
   
αA + α B = 2 A + 2 B

 
2 A + 2B

2B

O 
2A
( 
)  
2 A + B = 2 A + 2B

38
PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
Proof of case b: let α = 2 and β =1
  
(α + β ) A = ( 2 + 1) A = 3 A

A

    3A
αA + β A = 2 A + 1 A
2A
 + 
A

= 
3A
  
( 2 + 1) A = 2 A + 1A  39
PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
1.2.4 Subtraction
 of Vectors
 For example : C−D

 −D
C 
D
( )
   
C−D=C+ −D
Parallelogram Triangle
 
C C
O   O   
C−D C−D −D

−D

40
PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
 Vectors subtraction can be used
 to determine the velocity of one object relative to another object
i.e. to determine the relative velocity.
 to determine the change in velocity of a moving object.

Exercise 1.2 :
 Vector A has a magnitude of 8.00 units and 45° above the positive x
axis. Vector B also has a magnitude of 8.00 units and is directed along
the negative x axis. Using graphical methods and suitable scale to
 
determine  
a) A + B b) A − B
   
c) A + 2B d) 2A − B
(Hint : use 1 cm = 2.00 units)

41
PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
1.2.5 Resolving a Vector
 1st method :  2nd method :

y y

 
 D  φ D φ
Dy Dy
θ
 x  x
0 0
Dx Dx

Dx Dx
= cos θ ⇒ Dx = D cos θ = sin φ ⇒ Dx = D sin φ
D D
Dy Dy
= sin θ ⇒ D y = D sin θ = cos φ ⇒ D y = D cos φ
D D
42
PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
 The magnitude of vector D :

D or D = ( Dx ) 2
( )
+ Dy
2

 Direction of vector D :

Dy −1 
Dy 
tan θ = θ = tan  
or

Dx  Dx 
 Vector D in terms of unit vectors written as

D = Dx iˆ + D y ˆj

43
PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
Example 6 :
A car moves at a velocity of 50 m s-1 in a direction north 30° east.
Calculate the component of the velocity
a) due north. b) due east.
Solution :
N a) v N = v sin 60 or v N = v cos 30
 

v N = 50 sin 60  v N = 50 cos 30 

v 30°  v = 43.3 m s −1
N v N
60°
W  E
vE v
b) E = v cos 60 
or v = v sin 30 
E
v E = 50 cos 60 v E = 50 sin 30 


v E = 25 m s −1
S

44
PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
Example 7 :

F
120°
x
S
A particle S experienced a force of 100 N as shown in figure above.
Determine the x-component and the y-component of the force.
Solution :
y Vector x-component y-component

Fx = − F cos 60 
F y = F sin 60 

  Fx = −100 cos 60  Fy = 100 sin 60 

F Fy
 Fx = −50 N Fy = 86.6 N
120°
60°
x F or or

S Fx = F cos 120 Fy = F sin 120 

Fx
Fx = 100 cos 120  Fy = 100 sin 120 
Fx = −50 N Fy = 86.6 N
45
PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
Example 8 : y

F2 (30 N )

F1 (10 N )
45o 20°
x
30o O


F3 (40 N )
The figure above shows three forces F1, F2 and F3 acted on a particle O.
Calculate the magnitude and direction of the resultant force on particle
O.

46
PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
y
Solution :

 
 F1 y F1
F3 x 20°
  x
30o O 45o F1 x F2 x



F3y
F3 F2 y

     F2
Fr

=∑ F = F1 + F2 + F3
 
=∑
∑ 
Fr Fx + Fy
 
∑ Fx

= F1 x + F2 x + F3 x
  
∑ Fy = F1 y + F2 y + F3 y 47
PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
Solution :

Vector x-component y-component

 F1 x = F1 cos 20 
F1 y = F1 sin 20 
F1 F1 x = 10 cos 20  F1 y = 10 sin 20 

F1 x = 9.40 N F1 y = 3.42 N
 F2 x = 30 cos 45  F2 y = −30 sin 45 
F2 = −21.2 N
F2 x = 21.2 N F2 y
 F3 x = −40 cos 30  F3 y = −40 sin 30 
F3
F3 x = −34.6 N F3 y = −20.0 N

Vector ∑F x = 9.40 + 21.2 + ( − 34.6 ) ∑ F = 3.42 + ( − 21.2) + ( − 20.0)

y

sum
∑F x = −4.00 N ∑ Fy = −37.8 N
48
PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
Solution :
The magnitude of the resultant force is

Fr = (∑ F ) + (∑ F )
x
2
y
2

Fr = ( − 4.00) 2
+ ( − 37.8)
2

Fr = 38.0 N y
 264
and its direction is ∑ Fx
x
θ = tan

−1 ∑F y

 84.0°
O

 ∑F  
 x  ∑ Fy
 − 37.8 
−1 
θ = tan   Fr
 − 4.00 
θ = 84.0 or 264 from positive x - axis( anticlockwise )
49
PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
Exercise1.3 : 
1. Vector A has components Ax = 1.30 cm, Ay = 2.25 cm; vector B
has components Bx = 4.10 cm, By = -3.75
 cm.Determine
 the components of the vector sum A+ B ,
 the magnitude and direction ofA +B ,
 the components of the vector B− A,
 the magnitude and direction of B − A . (Young & freedman,pg.35,no.1.42)
ANS. : 5.40 cm, -1.50 cm; 5.60 cm, 345° ; 2.80 cm, -6.00 cm;
6.62 cm, 295° 
4. For the vectors A and B in figure 1.2, use the method of vector
 themagnitude and direction of
resolution to determine
a) the vector sum A + B , y
 
( )

b) the vector sum B + A  , B 18.0 m s -1
c) the vector difference A − B ,
d) the vector difference B − A. 
(Young & freedman,pg.35,no.1.39)

ANS. : 11.1 m s , 77.6° ; U think;

-1
(
A 12.0 m s -1 ) 37.0°
x
28.5 m s-1, 202° ; 28.5 m s-1, 22.2° 0
50
Figure 1.2
PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
1.2.6 Unit Vectors
 notations – aˆ , bˆ, cˆ
 E.g. unit vector a – a vector with a magnitude of 1 unit in the direction
of vector A.
 
A A
aˆ =  = 1
A â
 Unit vectors are dimensionless.

[ aˆ ] = 1
 Unit vector for 3 dimension axes :
x - axis ⇒iˆ @ i (bold )
y - axis ⇒ ˆj @ j (bold ) iˆ = ˆj = kˆ = 1
z - axis ⇒kˆ @ k (bold )
51
PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
y

ĵ
x
k̂
iˆ
z
 Vector can be written in term of unit vectors as :

r = rx iˆ + ry ˆj + rz kˆ
 Magnitude of vector,

r= ( rx ) 2 + ( ry ) 2 + ( rz ) 2
52
PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
 E.g. :

(
s = 4iˆ + 3 ˆj + 2kˆ m )
s= ( 4 ) 2 + ( 3) 2 + ( 2 ) 2 = 5.39 m

y/m

3 ĵ

s
x/m
2k̂ 0 4iˆ

z/m

53
PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
Example 9 :
Two vectors are given as:

(
a = 2iˆ − 4 ˆj + 5kˆ m )

(
b = − 7iˆ + 8 ˆj + kˆ m )
Calculate
  and its magnitude,
e) the vector a
 + b
f) the vector
b − a and its magnitude,
g) the vector 2a + b and its magnitude.
Solution :

(a + b)
a)  
x = a x + bx = 2 − 7 = −5iˆ
(a + b )

y = a y + by = −4 + 8 = 4 ˆj
(  
)
a + b z = a z + bz = 5 + 1 = 6kˆ

(
a + b = − 5iˆ + 4 ˆj + 6kˆ m
The magnitude,
)
a+b = ( − 5) 2 + ( 4 ) 2 + ( 6 ) 2 = 8.78 m
54
PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
b) ( 
)
b − a x = bx − a x = −7 − 2 = −9iˆ
(
 
)
b − a y = b y − a y = 8 + 4 = 12 ˆj
(b − a )

z = b z − a z = 1 − 5 = − 4 ˆ
k

(
b − a = − 9iˆ + 12 ˆj − 4kˆ m )
The magnitude, b − a = ( − 9) 2 + (12) 2 + ( − 4) 2 = 15.5 m

c) (  
)
2a + b x = 2a x + bx = 2( 2 ) − 7 = −3iˆ
(  
)
2a + b y = 2a y + b y = 2( − 4 ) + 8 = 0 ˆj
(  
)
2a + b z = 2a z + bz = 2( 5) + 1 = 11kˆ

(
2 a + b = − 3iˆ + 11kˆ m )
The magnitude, 2a + b = ( − 3) 2 + (11) 2 = 11.4 m
55
PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
1.2.7 Multiplication of Vectors
Scalar (dot) product
 The physical meaning of the scalar
 product can be explained by
considering two vectors A and B as shown in figure 1.3a.

A

Figure 1.3a θ

B 
 shows
 Figure 1.3b
 the projection of vector B onto the direction
 of
(
vector A . A • B = A component of B parallel to A
 )
A A
B cos θ
θ θ
Figure 1.3b  Figure 1.3c 
B  Acos θ B
 shows
 Figure 1.3c the projection of vector A onto the direction of

( 
vector B . A • B = B component of A parallel to B 56

)
PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
 From the figure 1.3b, the scalar product can be defined as
 
A • B = A( B cos θ )
meanwhile from the figure 1.3c,
 
B • A = B ( A cos θ )
where θ : angle between two vectors
 The scalar product is a scalar quantity.
quantity
 The angle θ ranges from 0° to 180 °.
 When 0  < θ < 90  scalar product is positive
9 0  < θ < 180  scalar product is negative
θ = 90  scalar product is zero
 The scalar product obeys the commutative law of multiplication i.e.
   
A• B = B • A

57
PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
 Example of scalar product is work done by a constant force where the
expression is givenby

W = F • s = F ( s cos θ ) = s( F cos θ )
 The scalar product of the unit vectors are shown below :
y
iˆ • iˆ = i 2 cos 0 o = (1) (1) = 1
2

ˆj • ˆj = j 2 cos 0 o = (1) 2 (1) = 1

kˆ • kˆ = k 2 cos 0 o = (1) (1) = 1
2
ĵ
x
k̂
iˆ iˆ • iˆ = ˆj • ˆj = kˆ • kˆ = 1
z
iˆ • ˆj = ( 1)( 1) cos 90 o = 0
ˆj • kˆ = ( 1)( 1) cos 90 o = 0 iˆ • ˆj = ˆj • kˆ = iˆ • kˆ = 0
iˆ • kˆ = ( 1)( 1) cos 90 o = 0 58
PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
Example 10 :   
Calculate the A • B and the angle θ between vectors A and B for the
following
 problems. 
a) A = iˆ + 2 ˆj − 3kˆ
 b) A = 4iˆ − 3 ˆj + kˆ
B = −2iˆ − ˆj + 5kˆ B = 2 ˆj + 3kˆ ANS.:-3; 99.4°
Solution :
 
a) A • B =
 
(1)( − 2) iˆ • iˆ + ( 2)( − 1) ˆj • ˆj + ( − 3)( 5) kˆ • kˆ
A • B = −2 − 2 − 15
A • B = −19
The magnitude of the vectors:
A= (1) + ( 2) + ( − 3) = 14
2 2 2

The angle θ , B= ( − 2) 2 + ( − 1) 2 + ( 5) 2 = 30
 
A • B = AB cos θ 
−1  A• B  −1  − 19 
θ = cos    = cos  
AB 
  14 30 
θ = 158  59
PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
Vector (cross) product 
 Consider two vectors : A = xiˆ + yˆj + zkˆ

B = piˆ + qˆj + rkˆ
 In general, the vector product
  is defined
 as
A× B = C
and its magnitude is given by
    
A × B = C = A B sin θ = AB sin θ
where θ : angle between two vectors
 The angle θ ranges from 0° to 180 ° so the vector product always
positive value.

 quantity.
Vector product is a vector quantity
 The direction of vector C is determined by

RIGHT-HAND RULE
60
PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
 For example:
 How to use right hand rule :

 Point the 4 fingers to the direction of the 1st vector.

 Swept the 4 fingers from the 1st vector towards the 2nd vector.

 The thumb shows the direction of the vector product.

   
C A× B = C 
B

 A 
B C   
 B× A = C
A    
A× B ≠ B × A
 
(
 
but A × B = − B × A

)
 Direction of the vector product (C ) always
 perpendicular to the
plane containing the vectors A and B.
61
PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
 The vector product of the unit vectors are shown below :
y
iˆ × ˆj = − ˆj × iˆ = kˆ
ˆj × kˆ = −kˆ × ˆj = iˆ
ĵ
k̂ x kˆ × iˆ = −iˆ × kˆ = ˆj
iˆ
iˆ × iˆ = i 2 sin 0 o = 0
z
ˆj × ˆj = j 2 sin 0 o = 0 iˆ × iˆ = ˆj × ˆj = kˆ × kˆ = 0
kˆ × kˆ = k 2 sin 0 o = 0
 Example of vector product is a magnetic force on the straight
conductor carrying current places in magnetic field where the
expression is given by   
F = I l ×B( )
F = IlB sin θ 62
PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
 The vector product can also be expressed in determinant form as

iˆ ˆj kˆ
 
A× B = x y z
p q r
 1st method :
 
A × B = ( yr − zq ) iˆ − ( xr − zp ) ˆj + ( xq − yp ) kˆ
 2nd method :
 
A × B = ( yr − zq ) iˆ + ( zp − xr ) ˆj + ( xq − yp ) kˆ
 Note :
 The angle between two vectors can only be determined by using
the scalar (dot) product.
63
PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
Example 11 : 
Given two vectors : A = 5 ˆ − 2 ˆj + 4kˆ
i

B = iˆ + ˆj + 5kˆ
 
Determine  
a) A × B and its magnitude  b) A • B
c) the angle between vectors A and B .
Solution :
iˆ ˆj kˆ
a)  
A× B = 5 − 2 4
1 1 5
 
A × B = ( ( − 2 )( 5) − ( 4 )(1) ) iˆ − ( ( 5)( 5) − ( 4 )(1) ) ˆj + ( ( 5)(1) − ( − 2 )(1) ) kˆ
 
A× B = ( − 10 − 4) iˆ − ( 25 − 4 ) ˆj + ( 5 + 2) kˆ
A × B = −14iˆ − 21 ˆj + 7kˆ  
A × B = ( − 14 ) + ( − 21) + ( 7 )
2 2 2
The magnitude,
 
A × B = 26.2 64
PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
b)
 
( )(
A • B = 5iˆ − 2 ˆj + 4kˆ • iˆ + ˆj + 5kˆ
 
)
A • B = ( 5)(1) iˆ • iˆ + ( − 2 )(1) ˆj • ˆj + ( 4 )( 5) kˆ • kˆ
 
A • B = 5 − 2 + 20
A • B = 23
c) The magnitude of vectors,

A= ( 5) 2 + ( − 2 ) 2 + ( 4 ) 2 = 45
B= (1) 2 + (1) 2 + ( 5) 2 = 27
Using the scalar
 (dot) product formula,
A • B = AB cos θ 
 A• B  −1  23 
θ = cos  −1
 = cos 
 
 AB   45 27 
θ = 48.7 
65
PHYSICS CHAPTER 1
Exercise 1.4 : 
 ˆ + 5 ˆj ˆ + 4 ˆj , determine
a
1. If vector  = 3i and vector
 b = 2 i
( )
    
a) a × b , b) a • b , c) a + b • b .
ANS. : 2kˆ; 26; 46

5. Three vectors are given as follow :

 ˆ 
a = 3i + 3 ˆj − 2kˆ ; b = −iˆ − 4 ˆj + 2kˆ and c = 2iˆ + 2 ˆj + kˆ
Calculate
a) 
: •
ANS. a
(
 
b ×c) , b)
(ˆ
  
a• b +c ) , c)
(
  
a× b +c ) .

− 21; − 9; 5iˆ − 11 ˆj − 9k
 If vector  and vector  ,
ˆ ˆ ˆ
determineP = 3i + 2 j − k ˆ ˆ ˆ
Q = −2i + 4 j + 3k
a)  
P ×angle
b) the Q between  and  .
ANS. : P Q
10iˆ − 7 ˆj + 16kˆ; 92.8
66
PHYSICS CHAPTER 1

THE END…
Next Chapter…
CHAPTER 2 :
Kinematics of Linear Motion

67