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PHYSICS
Vectors
1.1 Introduction
a) definition
- scalar quantities can be completely specified by a magnitude. They can be
added algebraically.
- vector quantities cab be specified by both a magnitude and a direction.
They can be added geometrically or analytically.
c) representation of vector
- A vector is a line drawn to represent a vector quantity in
(i) direction, by its arrow head, and
(ii) magnitude, by its length.
e.g. consider 2 vectors A and B ,
B A
we have A =-4B
d) example in mechanics
scalar quantities vector quantities
length l displacement s
mass m force F
time t velocity v
volume V acceleration a
speed v momentum P
energy W/E torque / couple T
pressure P angular momentum L
density q
temperature θ/T
potential V
difference
(voltage)
specific direction.
- a unit vector is a vector whose magnitude is 1.
The basic unit vectors in rectangular coordinates are i , j, k
i = unit vector in positive x direction
j = unit vector in positive y direction
k = unit vector in positive z direction
R ab
- the resultant vector R can be measured graphically or calculated by
cosine rule.
R ab c
e.g. Find the resultant of the four coplanar forces act on a body at point 0
as shown below.
P.3
solution:
vector x-component y-component
80 80 0
100 100 cos 45º 100 sin 45º
110 -110 cos 30º 110 sin 30º
+) 160 -160 cos 20º -160 sin 20º
R Rx = 94 Ry = 71
Since R = Rx i + Ry j
i.e. R = -94 i + 71 j
tan θ= Ry / Rx
θ= -37ºor 143º (0º θ 360º)
θ= 143º only (It is because R lies on the second quadrant)
solution:
vector x-component y-component
a 3 -4
b -1 0
+) c 0 8
d dx = 2 dy = 4
hence, d =2 i +4 j
d = d x2 d y2 = 22 42 = 20
4
tanθ = dy / d x = =2
2
θ = 63.4ºor 243.4º
θ = 13.4º only (it is because d lies on first quadrant)
summary:
e.g. Two oars start at the same point with uniform velocities.
Car A moves to the north with speed 10m/s while car B moves to the east
with speed 4 ms-1. Find the velocity of car A observed by a passenger in
car B.
Solution:
V = V A = V B = -4 i + 10
BA j
VBA = 4 2 10 2 =
10
tanθ=
4
θ = ________ or ________
θ = ________ only (it is because VBA lies on the second
quadrant)
V AB = V B –V A
VAB = ( 4) 2 (8) 2 2( 4)(8) cos 40
K(a ) = k a
- It is defined as a new vector whose magnitude is k times the magnitude of
a . The new vector has the same direction as a if k is positive and
opposite in direction if k is negative.
b) Scalar (dot) product of 2 vectors a and b
(i) definition – this product id a scalar and is equal to the product of the
magnitude of one vector and the component of the other
vector in the direction of the first.
(ii) properties
(1) a b b a
(2) (a b ) c a c b c
a xb ab sin
(ii) Properties
(1) a xb b xa
(2) (a b ) xc axc b xc
(i) dot product e.g. work done on a body by a force F after a displacement
s.
W = F s = F s cosθ (θis the angle between F and S )
frictionless frictionless
surface surface
B = magnetic field strength
I = current
1 = length of the wire (in the direction of the
current)
F = magnetic force induced on the wire
Since F = I 1 x B ,
F is directed perpendicularly into this page which is consistent with the
result obtained by using Fleming’s left hand rule.