No. 1 Vectors and Scalars

CHAPTER 1
VECTORS AND SCALARS

1. A VECTOR is a quantity having both magnitude and direction, such as displacement,
velocity, force, and acceleration.
2. Graphically a vector is represented by an arrow OP defining the direction, the

magnitude of the vector being indicated by the length of the arrow. The tail end O
of the arrow is called the origin or initial point of the vector, and the head P is
called the terminal point or terminus.
3. Analytically a vector is represented by a letter with an arrow over it, as A i and its
magnitude is denoted by A or A. In printed works, bold faced type, such as A, is
used to indicate the vector A while A or A indicates its magnitude.

The vector OP is also indicated as OP or OP; in such case we shall denote its
magnitude by OP , OP , or OP .
4. A SCALAR is a quantity having magnitude but no direction, e.g. mass, length, time,
temperature, and any real number. Scalars are indicated by letters in ordinary type
as in elementary algebra. Operations with scalars follow the same rules as in
elementary algebra.
5. VECTOR ALGEBRA
The operations of addition, subtraction and multiplication familiar in the algebra of
numbers or scalars are, with suitable definition, capable of extension to algebra of
vectors.
6. Two vectors A and B are equal if they have the same magnitude and direction
regardless of the position of their initial points.
7. A vector having direction opposite to that of vector A but having the same
magnitude is denoted by A
8. The sum or resultant of vectors A and B is a vector C formed by graphically placing

the initial point of A and then joining the initial point of B. This sum is written A + B,
i.e. C = A + B.
The definition here is equivalent to the parallelogram law for vector addition
9. The difference of vectors A and B, represented by A-B, is that vector C which added
to B yields vector A. Equivalently, A-B can be defined as the
Sum A+ (-B)
10. If A=B, then A-B is defined as the null or zero vector and is represented by symbol 0
or simply 0. It has zero magnitude and no specific direction.
11. A vector which is not null is a proper vector. All vectors will be assumed proper
unless otherwise stated.
12. The product of a vector A by a scalar m is a vector mA with magnitude m times the
magnitude of A and with direction the same as or opposite to that A, according as m
is positive or negative. If m=0, mA is a null vector.
13. LAWS OF VECTOR ALGEBRA.

If A, B and C are vectors and m and n are scalars, then
A+B=B+A Commutative Law for Addition

A + (B + C) = (A + B) + C Associative Law for Addition
mA = Am Commutative Law for Multiplication
m (nA) = (mn) A Associative Law for Multiplication
(m+n) A= mA + nA Distributive Law
m (A+ B) =mA + mB Distributive Law
These laws enable us to treat vector equations in the same way as ordinary algebraic
equations. For example, If A +B = C then by transposing A = C - B.
Note however that in these laws only multiplication of a vector by one or more
scalars is used. Products of vectors will be defined in subsequent notes..
14. A UNIT VECTOR is a vector having unit magnitude. If A is a vector with magnitude
A =/ 0, then A/A is a unit vector having the same direction as A.
15. Any vector A can be represented by a unit vector a in the direction of A multiplied
by the magnitude of A. In symbols, A = Aa.
16. THE RECTANGULAR UNIT VECTORS : i, j, k.
An important set of unit vectors are those having the directions of the positive x, y,
and z axes of a three dimensional rectangular coordinate system, and are noted
respectively by i, j, and k
17. We shall use a right-handed rectangular coordinate system unless otherwise stated.
Such a system derives its name from the fact that a right threaded screw rotated
through 900 from Ox to Oy, will advance in the positive z direction.
18. In general, three vectors A, B and C which have coincident initial point and are not
coplanar, i.e. do not lie in or are not parallel to the same plane, are said to form a
right- handed system or dextral system if a right threaded screw rotated through an
angle less than 1800 from A to B will advance in the direction C .
19. COMPONENTS OF A VECTOR

Any vector A in 3 dimensions can be represented with initial point at the origin 0 of a
rectangular coordinate system.
Let (A1, A2, A3) be the rectangular coordinates of the terminal point of vector A with
initial point at 0.
The vectors A1i, A2j, and A3k are called the rectangular component vectors or simply
component vectors of A in the x, y and z directions respectively.
A1, A 2 and A3 are called the rectangular components or simply components of A in
the x, y and z directions respectively.
20. The sum or resultant of A1i, A2j, and A3k is the vector A so that we can write
A = A1i + A2j + A3k
The magnitude A is A=|A| = A21 + A2 2 + A2 3
21. In general, the position vector or radius vector r from initial 0 to the terminal point
(x, y, z) is written:
r = xi + yj + zk
and has the magnitude r=|r|= x 2 + y 2 + z 2 .

22. SCALAR FIELD
If to each point (x, y, z) of a region R in space, there corresponds a number or a
scalar ( x, y, z ), then is called a scalar function of position or scalar point function
and we say that a scalar field has been defined in R.
For example, the temperature at any point within or on the earths surface at a
certain time defines a scalar field.
23. A scalar field which is independent of time is called a stationary or steady-state

scalar field.
24. VECTOR FIELD

If to each point (x, y, z) of a region R in space there corresponds a vector V(x, y, z),
then V is called a vector function of position or vector point function, and we say
that a vector field V has been defined in R.
For example, if the velocity at any point (x, y, z) within a moving fluid is known at a
certain time, then a vector field is defined.
25. A vector field which is independent of time is called a stationary or steady-state

vector field.
Illustrative Examples:
1. Find the position vector whose terminal point is at (2,3,-4)

using r = xi + yj + zk
r = 2(i ) + 3( j ) + (4)k
r = 2i + 3 j 4k
2. Find the magnitude of V = 3i 4 j + 5k
V = 32 + (4) 2 + 52
= 7.07
3. Find the vector whose initial point is P(7,8,9) and terminal point at Q(1,2,3)
From the figure, by vector addition (tip to tail)
r1 + PQ = r2
PQ = r2 - r1
r1 = 7i + 8j+ 9k
r2 = 2i + 3j+ 4k
PQ = (2i + 3j+ 4k) - (7i + 8j+ 9k)
PQ = -5i - 5j - 5k
PQ = -5(i + j + k) answer

No. 1 Vectors and Scalars

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

No. 1 Vectors and Scalars

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

No. 1 Vectors and Scalars

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

CHAPTER 1

VECTORS AND SCALARS

2. Graphically a vector is represented by an arrow OP defining the direction, the

used to indicate the vector A while A or A indicates its magnitude.

8. The sum or resultant of vectors A and B is a vector C formed by graphically placing

13. LAWS OF VECTOR ALGEBRA.

A+B=B+A Commutative Law for Addition

16. THE RECTANGULAR UNIT VECTORS : i, j, k.

19. COMPONENTS OF A VECTOR

A = A1i + A2j + A3k

The magnitude A is A=|A| = A21 + A2 2 + A2 3

and has the magnitude r=|r|= x 2 + y 2 + z 2 .

23. A scalar field which is independent of time is called a stationary or steady-state

24. VECTOR FIELD

25. A vector field which is independent of time is called a stationary or steady-state

1. Find the position vector whose terminal point is at (2,3,-4)

2. Find the magnitude of V = 3i 4 j + 5k

From the figure, by vector addition (tip to tail)

You might also like