Vectors - Physics vs.
Math
Physics Mathematics
•Emphasize physical •Emphasize geometrical
applications applications
•Set up problem to •Analyze the most general
simplify analysis case
When we do the same problem,
we often use different notation!
Vectors Notation
Physics Mathematics
• Notations • Notation
A A v is velocity AB v is vector
• Unit vectors • Unit Vectors
– shows direction; – normalizes a vector
length 1 u = v/||v||
i j k x y z r θ φ i j k
Vector Description
Physics Mathematics
• Vector is an arrow • Vector is an list
– Direction – Direction
– Magnitude (Amount) – Length
• Vector terms • Vector terms
– Head – Initial point
– Tail – Terminal point
• Graphical • Analytical
– v=P1P2= x2x1,y2y1
Vector Units
Physics Mathematics
• All vectors have units • Pure vectors don’t
– Examples have units
• N – In applied examples
• m/s • N
– Typical vector: • m/sec
– Typical vector:
d=4.0m i 7.2m j
v =v x i v y jv z k
Vector - Physical Quantities
Physics Mathematics
• Tail of vector is at • Tend to put tail at the
point of application origin
Vector Physical Quantities
In Physics the force of gravity vector is
shown at the center of gravity.
Eddie Bart, Rhodes University, South Africa
Vector Algebra
Physics
• Vectors usually given Mathematics
in terms of magnitude • Vectors often given in
and direction terms of components
– Students need to find
v 1 v 2 = v 1x v 2x i v 1yv 2y j
components first
∑ E = E 1x E 2x i E 1y E 2y j N /C
Dr. Joseph Howard, Salisbury U.,
Australia
Vectors - Dot Product
Physics Mathematics
• The dot product of • The dot product of
vectors vectors
– the angle is known – used to find the angle
– answer is a scalar between vectors
quantity
u⋅v
W = F⋅s cosθ=
∥u∥∥v∥
θ
Vectors - Cross Product
Physics Mathematics
• The cross product of • The cross product of
vectors vectors
– the angle is known – used to find the area
– answer is a vector of a parallelogram with
quantity vectors as the two
sides
τ =r × F =rF sin θ ∥u ×v ∥=∥u∥∥v∥sinθ
Reza Shadmehr, Johns Hopkins U.
Vector Fields
Physics Mathematics
• Symmetrical cases • Look at exceptional
that recur cases also
• Match coordinate
system with
symmetry of the
problem
= GmM r
F
r2
Area vector examples
Vectors
•An area may be represented by a vector
–Vector direction is perpendicular to the area
•Vector points out on a closed surface
–Vector magnitude corresponds to area size
Remediation
Possible remediation steps:
•Students assigned translation of
problems
•Use both notations
•Particular topic threaded throughout
calculus course
Specific Topics
Topic Example
vectors force vector, position
vector
cross product torque (moment)
derivatives/ gradient velocity/ energy
conservation
vector fields force fields
line integral work with a variable
force
Sample Translation Problem
F1 = 10.0 N
θ = 35o A crate experiences two forces
s = 5.2 m applied as shown in the diagram.
As a result the crate slides a
distance of 5.2 m. How much work
F2 = 5.0 N is done on the crate?
Physics Approach Math Approach
In general, with more than one force acting, one way to In general, with more than one force acting, the force
calculate the total work is to consider the work done by vectors can be added together, and then the dot
each force separately: product computed.
W = F⋅s
W = ∑ F ⋅s
W = F⋅s=Fs cosθ
W =∑ W =F 1 s cosθ 1 F 2 scosθ 2 To sum the forces, the components are first determined:
o o
=10.0 N 5.2 m cos35 5.0 N 5.2 m cos0 F 1=10 cos 35o i 10 sin 35o j F 2 =5 i
=45.1 Nm 25 Nm F 1 F 2=8.19 { i 5 i 5.74 { j ¿=13.19 { i ¿ 5.74 { j ¿¿
=70 J W = ∑ F ⋅s=〈13 .19 , 5.74〉⋅〈5. 2, 0〉 W =70 Nm
