CMCH 03

Chapter 3
3-1 Vectors and Scalars

 A vector has both a magnitude and a direction,
e.g. displacement, velocity, and acceleration.
You will see many more throughout this book,
so learning the rules of vector combination now
will help you greatly in later chapters.
 Physical quantities such as temperature,
pressure, energy, mass, time, etc. are scalars
because they involve magnitudes only.
1
Adding Vectors Geometrically
 Note head-to-tail arrangement for addition
2
Important Properties
   
ab  ba (commutative law ).
     
( a  b)  c  a  (b  c) (associative law ).
    
a  a  b  a  (  b) ( vector substraction ).
3
Components of Vectors
a x  a cos  and a y  a sin ,

2 2 ay
a ax  ay and tan  
ax
4
Unit Vectors
 A unit vector has a magnitude of 1 and
points in a particular direction
 The unit vectors in the positive directions
of the x, y, and z axes are labeled î , ĵ
and k̂ .
The arrangement of axes is a

right-handed coordinate
system.
5
Adding Vectors by Components
 Figure 3-16a shows the following three vectors:

a  ( 4.2 m ) î  (1.5 m ) ĵ ,

b  ( 1.6 m ) î  ( 2.9 m ) ĵ ,
and 
c  (  3.7 m ) ĵ .

What is their vector sum r , which is also shown?
6
 Solution rx  a x  b x  c x
 4 .2 m  1 . 6 m  0  2 . 6 m
and
ry  a y  b y  c y
 1.5 m  2.9 m  3.7 m  2.3 m
therefore 
r  (2.6 m) î  (2.3 m) ĵ ,
The magnitude is
r  ( 2.6 m) 2  (  2.3 m) 2  3.5m
The angle from the positive x-direction is

  2.3 m 
  tan 
1
   41 
 2.6 m  7
 An angle is positive if the rotation is
counter clockwise from the positive x-
direction.
 An angle is negative if the rotation is
clockwise from the positive x-direction.
8
Multiplying Vectors
 The scalar product (also known as the dot
product)
 
a  b  a b cos 
9
 
a  b  (a x î  a y ĵ  a z k̂ )  (b x î  b y ĵ  b z k̂ ),
 
a  b  a x bx  a y by  a z bz ,
   
a b  ba
10
The vector product
 
a x b  a b sin 
The right-handed rule

11
 
 If a and b are parallel or antiparallel, then
 
axb  0
 
 The magnitude of a x b is maximum
 
when a and b are perpendicular to each
other.
 
 a b  ba
   
 a x b   ( b x a)
12
 
a x b  (a x î  a y ĵ  a z k̂ ) x (b x î  b y ĵ  b z k̂ ),
 
a x b  (a y b z  b y a z ) î  (a x b z  a z b x ) ĵ  (a x b y  b x a y ) k̂.
See appendix E of textbook
13
Sample problem 3-7

 In Fig. 3-21, vector a lies in the xy plane, has a
magnitude of 18 units, and points in a direction
250° from the positive direction of x. Also,
vector hasba magnitude of 12 units and points
along the positive direction
   of z. What is the
vector product c  a x?b
14
Solution
c  a b sin   (18) (12) (sin 90  )  216

 
The direction
 of c is perpendicular to a
and b and points at the angle of 160o
from the positive x-direction.
15
Sample problem 3-8
 
 If a = 3 î - 4 ĵ and b = -2 î + 3 k̂ ,
  
what is c  a x b ?
SOLUTION:

c  ( 3 î  4 ĵ ) x (2 î  3 k̂ )
 12 î  9 ĵ  8 k̂
 
The vector
 c is perpendicular to both
  a
and b .We can show that c  a  0

and c  b  0
16
Common Errors with Cross Products
 Several errors are common in finding a cross product.
(1) Failure to arrange vectors tail to tail is tempting
when an illustration presents them head to tail: you
must mentally shift (or better, redraw) the vectors in the
tail-to-tail arrangement. (2) Failing to use the right hand
in applying the right-hand rule is easy when the right
hand is occupied with a calculator or pencil. (3) Failure
to sweep the first vector of the product into the second
vector can occur when the orientations of the vectors
require an awkward twisting of your hand to apply the
right-hand rule.
17
Homework
 23P
 25P
 33P
 35P
18

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Chapter 3

3-1 Vectors and Scalars

 Note head-to-tail arrangement for addition

a x  a cos  and a y  a sin ,

The arrangement of axes is a

The angle from the positive x-direction is

The right-handed rule

See appendix E of textbook

c  a b sin   (18) (12) (sin 90  )  216

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