Chapter two

Vectors

Scalar and Vector

A scalar quantity:- is a physical quantities which can be completely described by single number plus unit
or magnitude alone with no need of direction. Example temperature, work, power, energy, voltage etc

Scalar physical quantity can be either positive or negative. They can be subtracted, added or multiplied as
the way does for numbers.

Which of the scalar physical quantity can be negative? state at least two ?

A vector physical quantity:- Are physical quantities which can be completely described by using
number and units plus direction. Besides having direction and magnitude this quantities obey the vector
law of addition and multiplication .

Vectors need direction since their effect is determined by their direction. Suppose an object moves in +x
direction what will happen to the motion if you apply the same force but the first one in +x , the second
one in –x and the third one in y direction , in which case does the speed a) decrease b) increase c) only
change its direction ?

Example, electric field, force, displacement, momentum, torque etc

From your previous grade can you guess the direction of the above vectors?

Check point 1

Is current scalar or vector?

In electric circuit current has direction which is the direction at which positive charge flow however this
does not fulfill vector law of addition thus we can’t consider current as a vector. For the circuit shown
below what will be the value of the current leaving the junction 3, did you think you will got the
same result if the quantities are force?
Representation of vectors

 Graphically vectors are represented using arrows, where the length of the arrows shows the
magnitude and drawn in scale
 The direction at which arrow points show the direction of the vector. Usually it is expressed in
terms of angle from the positive x axis measured in counter clockwise direction.
B head (terminal)
tail (origin)
A 𝜃 Reference line

In equation vectors are represented using bold letters, or letters with arrows like F, . The magnitude of

vector is denoted by light letter or letter with absolute value which is like F or |F|.

 The magnitude of vector can’t be negative it can only be zero or positive.

Equality of vectors
Two vectors A and B are said to be equal if they have the same magnitude, the same direction and
represent the same physical quantity.

Types of vector
Position vector
Are vectors which are used to indicate the position of an object in relation to another point. Here in the
figure below the positon of an object is stated in reference to A.

I II III
I. The position of B is indicated by distance and bearing angle from A , bearing angle measured
from north pole and positive in clockwise direction .
II. The position of B is indicated by distance and polar angle from A , B=(20, 45) , Polar angle is
measured from the positive x direction and positive in anticlockwise direction
 III. The position of B is indicated by its component along x,y and z , B= (14.1,14.1,0)

Zero vector or null vector: - is vector whose magnitude is zero. The initial and final points of the vector
are coincident .It is represented by point but it may arbitrary direction .
Example

Represent the following position the object with reference to the origin

 A car moves 10km south east from point

 A man heads 37km at 54 degree west of south
 An airplane fly 80km in 47 degree bearing angle
 An electron placed at 3m on x axis , -4m on y axis, and -5 on z axis
 The displacement of an athlete who cover one complete turn

Unit vector
A unit vector is a vector with a length equal to one and used to indicate the direction. In X-Y-Z
coordinate we do have three unit vectors along x, y and z direction.
 unit vector i is 1 unit in the x-direction
 unit vector j is 1 unit in the y-direction
 unit vector k is 1 unit in the z-direction
Note in the previous grade you learnt plus and minus sign are used to indicate the direction. But their
application is limited to 1D analysis. Furthermore angles do better in describing the direction but still for
three dimensional vectors we need two angle since one angle does not fully describe the direction of the
vector. That’s why we need unit vector which helps us to specify the direction.

For an arbitrary vector 𝑨 unit vector of A is denoted by 𝑈𝐴 and is given as

𝐴 𝐴𝑥 𝑖 + 𝐴𝑦 𝑗 + 𝐴𝑧 𝐾 𝑉𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟𝐴
𝑈𝐴 = = =
‖𝑨‖ √𝐴2𝑥 + 𝐴𝑦2 + 𝐴2𝑧 𝑀𝑎𝑔𝑛𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑜𝑓 𝐴
Where 𝐴𝑥 , 𝐴𝑦 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐴𝑧 are the component of the vector A along X, Y and Z direction respectively. We
will drive the formula for ‖𝑨‖ a bit later on while we learning resolving vector.
Example
Suppose a particle moves from point A (3,5-8) to point B (-5,7,-1) what is the displacement , express in
terms of unit vector i,j and k .
Solution
𝑆 = 𝑃𝑓 − 𝑃𝑖 = (−5 − 3,7 − 5, −1 − −8) = (−8,2,7)
𝑆 = −8𝑖 + 2𝑗 + 7𝑘
−8𝑖 + 2𝑗 + 7𝑘
𝑈𝑠 = = 0.782𝑖 + 0.185𝑗 + 0.647𝑘
√(−8)2 + 22 + 72
Example
Find the possible values of a such that vector B is unit vector in x,y and z plane
1 1
𝐵= 𝑎√𝑎𝑖 −
3 3
Solution
Since B is unit vector its magnitude is one

2
1 1 2
‖𝐵‖ = √( 𝑎√𝑎) + (− ) = 1
3 3

1 1
‖𝐵‖ = √ 𝑎3 + = 1
9 9

𝑎3 − 8 = 0, 𝑎3 − 23 = 0 note that 𝑥 3 − 𝑦 3 = (𝑥 − 𝑦)(𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑥𝑦)

(𝑎 − 2)(𝑎2 + 2𝑎 + 4) = 0 thus the only possible solution for this case is a=2
Example left for you
For the above case find all the possible values of a if B is unit vector and given as follows
1
𝐵 = 𝑎𝑖 − 𝑗
2
Equality of vectors
As we have said before two vector are said to be equal vector if they have same magnitude , direction and
represent the same physical quantity . If the vectors are given in the form of its component then for the
two vectors to be equal their respective component along the x, y and z direction must be the equal
Example
𝐴 = 3𝑖 + 4𝑗 , 𝐵 = 𝑥 2 𝑖 − 𝑦𝑗 if A=B then determine the values of x
Solution from equality of vector
3𝑖 + 4𝑗 = 𝑥 2 𝑖 − 𝑦𝑗
3 = 𝑥 2 , 𝑎𝑛𝑑 4 = −𝑦
Then 𝑥 = ±√3, 𝑦 = −4
Example (left for you)
Find all the possible value of x and y if the two vectors A and B are equal vectors such that
𝐴 = −3𝑥𝑦𝑖 + 4𝑦𝑗 , 𝐵 = 2𝑖 − 𝑥 2 𝑗
Parallel vectors
Two vectors A and B are said to be parallel if they have the same or opposite direction irrespective its
magnitude.

Mathematically for two non-zero vectors A and B are said to be parallel if and only if one of the vector
can be written as a scalar product of the other

Where c is scalar number

 If then A and B are parallel and in the same direction
 If then A and B are parallel and in the same direction
Example
Check if the two vectors are parallel or not, if they are identify whether they are in the same direction or
opposite
A. 𝑭 = 18𝑖 − 4𝑗 − 6𝑘, 𝑺 = 9𝑖 − 2𝑗 + 3𝑘
B. 𝑭 = 2𝑖 − 6𝑗 + 5𝑘, 𝑺 = −4𝑖 + 12𝑗 − 10𝑘
1
C. 𝑭 = 𝑎3 𝑖 − 𝑎2 𝑗 + 𝑎𝑘, 𝑺 = 𝑎𝑖 − 𝑗 + 𝑎 𝑘

Solution
Let’s assume F and S are parallel vector then 𝑭 = 𝑐𝑺
A) 18𝑖 − 4𝑗 − 6𝑘 = 𝑐(9𝑖 − 2𝑗 + 3𝑘)
18𝑖 − 4𝑗 − 6𝑘 = 9𝑐𝑖 − 2𝑐𝑗 + 3𝑐𝑘 the two vectors are equal then
18 = 9𝑐, 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑐 = 2; 4 = −2𝑐, 𝑐 = −2; 6𝑘 = 3𝑐, 𝑐 = 2; from the result we can see there is
no value of c which can satisfy the precondition for parallelism so the two vectors are not parallel.
B) Yes they parallel and act in opposite direction since c is negative (Try by yourself)
C) Yes they parallel and act in same direction since c is positive (Try by yourself)
Collinear vectors
These are vectors which are parallel to each other and act along the same line. They can be in the same
or opposite directions but they act in the same line. If the initial points of the two vectors are the same
and if they are parallel then the two vectors can be considered as collinear vectors.

Negative of vector
The negative of the non-zero vector A , is vector having the same magnitude as A but with opposite
direction .

Coplanar vectors

Coplanar vectors are vector along the same 2D plane. Vector which are in the same or opposite direction
are not coplanar since they are in one dimension. Example friction and normal force.

Coplanar vector
Addition of parallel vectors
Case 1 vectors in the same direction
If two vectors have the same direction their resultant has a
 magnitude equal to the sum of the magnitude of the two vectors
 Direction is the same as one of the added vectors
Case 2 vectors in opposite direction
If two vectors have the opposite direction their resultant has a
 Magnitude equal to the magnitude of the larger minus the smaller and note its always positive
 Direction is the same as the direction of the larger vector
Note that
 The resultant of two vectors will be maximum when the two vector act in the same direction
 The resultant of two vector will be minimum when the vector are in opposite direction
Example (Left for you)
The maximum resultant of two vectors is 18 and the minimum is 24, what will be the magnitude of the
two vectors. (hint use simultaneous equation )
Example
Two displacements vectors, and have magnitudes 6 and 8 then which of the following could be the
magnitude of the difference vector (There may be more than one correct answer.) (i) 14m; (ii) 10 m; (iii)
6m; (iv) 2 m; (v) 0 m; (vi) -2 m
Resolving vectors
Resolving means, splitting one vector into its three component along x, y and z axis . The three
components have the same effect as the original vector when combined or added.
Resolving 2D vector along x-y plane
To resolve the 2D vector follow the three steps

The component of the vector is given as shown below note that this can be negative, positive or zero.
,
𝐴𝑦 𝐴𝑦
𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 = , 𝜃 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 (𝐴 ) this an angle from +ve axis in counterclockwise direction
𝐴𝑥 𝑥

𝐴2𝑥 + 𝐴2𝑦 = (𝐴𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃)2 + (𝐴𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃)2 = 𝐴2 (sin2 𝜃 + cos 2 𝜃)

Thus

𝐴 = √𝐴2𝑥 + 𝐴2𝑦

Example
A ship is traveling 12.5m/s at an angle of 120°. What are the component of the vector along the x and y
axis.
𝑨𝒙 = 𝐴𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃𝑖 = 12.5𝑐𝑜𝑠120𝑖 = −6.25𝑚/𝑠 i
𝑨𝒚 = 𝐴𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃𝑖 = 12.5𝑠𝑖𝑛120𝑖 = 10.825𝑚/𝑠 j
Example
Find the magnitude and direction of the vector represented by the following pairs of components:
(a) ,
(b) ,
(c) 𝐴𝑥 = 4𝑚/𝑠 , 𝐴𝑦 = −3𝑚/𝑠
8
𝐴 = √(−8)2 + 52 = 9.43 𝜃 = tan−1 (− 5) = −58 + 180𝑛 Where n is an integer but since Ax is

negative and Ay is positive the angle lies on the second quadrant thus the final answer will become
122 when n equals one
B. 10 cm at 255.82 from positive x axis (the details left for you)
C. 5m/s at 323 from positive x axis (the details left for you)
Example (left for you, please first find the angle from positive x axis then apply the formula for the
x and y component)
Suppose you have three vectors A, B and C resolve each of them along x and y direction if
A=50N at angle of 30 south west
B=120N at angle of 47east of north
C=80N at angle of 60 west of south
D=40N toward south
Resolving Vectors in 3D
Let’s A be a vector in 3D where Ax, Ay and Az are its component along the x, y and z axis as shown in
figure below
Using Pythagoras theorem
𝐴2 = 𝐴2𝑥𝑦 + 𝐴2𝑧 but 𝐴2𝑥𝑦 = 𝐴2𝑥 + 𝐴2𝑦
𝐴2 = 𝐴2𝑥 + 𝐴2𝑦 + 𝐴2𝑧
𝐴𝑥
𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛽 =
𝐴
𝐴𝑦
𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼 =
𝐴
𝐴𝑧
𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛾 =
𝐴
𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼, 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛽 and 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛾 are called direction cosine
Adding and subtracting coplanar vector
Coplanar vectors are vector along the same 2D plane. Vector which are in the same or opposite direction
are not coplanar since they are in one dimension. Vector addition can be done analytically using
algebraic equation or graphically. To add such vector we do have three methods that will be discussed
now.

Coplanar vector
Note that
Subtracting vector is adding the negative of that vector .Where a negative of vector B, is a vector which
has same magnitude as A but in opposite direction

A. Vector addition using Parallelogram law

If two vectors be represented in magnitude and direction by the two adjacent sides of a parallelogram
with the common initial point then there vector sum is represented by the diagonal passing through the
same point.
B. Vector addition using Triangle low
It states that if two vectors are represented in magnitude and direction by the two sides of a triangle, taken
in order or connected (head to tail) , then their sum will be represented by the third side and it will
connect in reverse order ( tail to tail and head to head)

Note that
 The two laws works only for two vectors
 The magnitude of the resultant is determined by scaled diagram or algebraic equation
 The direction of the vector is given in terms the angel from positive x axis
Example
Using triangle low express the vector C in terms of vector A and B

Note that the resultant is always connected head to head and tail to tail
Example 2
Suppose ABCD is parallelogram, if the vector AC=a , and DB=b , then write the four vectors
AB,BC,CD,DA in terms of vector a and b
Answer

𝟏
𝑨𝑩 = 𝑨𝑬 + 𝑬𝑩 = (𝒂 + 𝒃)
𝟐

𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
𝑩𝑪 = 𝑩𝑬 + 𝑬𝑪 = − 𝒃 + 𝒂 = (𝒂 − 𝒃)
𝟐 𝟐 𝟐

𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
𝑪𝑫 = 𝑪𝑬 + 𝑬𝑫 = − 𝒂 + − 𝒃 = − (𝒂 + 𝒃)
𝟐 𝟐 𝟐

𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
𝑫𝑨 = 𝑫𝑬 + 𝑬𝑨 = − 𝒂 + 𝒃 = (𝒃 − 𝒂)
𝟐 𝟐 𝟐

Try by yourself for vectors BA,CB,DC and AD as per done above (check the answer is the negative the
above answers)

Example 3

In the diagram OBDE and OAFG are parallelograms.

" B is the midpoint of OG.
" A is the midpoint of OE. 𝑶𝑩 = 𝒃, 𝑶𝑨 = 𝒂

Express, the following vectors in terms of a and b. Give your answers in their simplest form.

A. 𝑶𝑪 B. 𝑩𝑨 C. 𝑫𝑭 𝑫. Do BA and EF are parallel

Try by yourself
 Polygon law
It states that if a number of vectors are represented in magnitude and direction by the sides of
polygon taken in order then the resultant is represented in magnitude and direction by side which
closes the polygon taken in reverse order.

Note that; if all vectors are combined in reverse order and form closed figure, then there vector
sum become zero since the initial point and the terminal point coincide.
Determining the direction and magnitude of resultant analytically
Analytically the direction and magnitude of the resultant vector can be determined using sin and
cosine low or Pythagoras theorem as follows.
But before that please note the following trigonometric equation (we already seen this while we
discus on trigonometry
sin(x ± y) = sinxcosy ± sinycosx
cos(x ± y) = cosxcosy ∓ sinysinx
I. Magnitude and direction using Pythagoras theorem

Suppose the two vectors A and B which are connected in reverse order with an angel of
𝜃 between them as shown below. The resultant vector ( C) magnitude and direction is given as
follows.

Magnitude using Pythagoras theorem

Since 𝜃 = 180 − 𝛼
cos(180 − 𝛼) = 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼𝑐𝑜𝑠180 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛180𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 = −𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼
sin(180 − 𝛼) = 𝑠𝑖𝑛180𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼𝑐𝑜𝑠180 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼
𝐶 = √𝐴2 + 𝐵 2 − 2𝐴𝐵𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼
Direction
𝑩𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜽 𝐵𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼
𝒕𝒂𝒏𝜷 = =
𝑨 + 𝑨𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽 𝐴 − 𝐴𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼

II. Magnitude and direction using sin and cosine law

Cosine low
For triangle with side and angle shown in figure below cosine low can be stated as
𝐶 = √𝐴2 + 𝐵 2 − 2𝐴𝐵𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼 i
𝐵 = √𝐴2 + 𝐶 2 − 2𝐴𝐶𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛽 ii
𝐴 = √𝐵 2 + 𝐶 2 − 2𝐵𝐶𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛾 iii

Thus using equation I it’s possible to determine the magnitude of the resultant
Sin low
It shows the ratio of the sides of the triangle and the sine of the opposite angel is constant It helps
to determine the unknown two angles if one of the angles and the three sides is given,

Dear student I hope we attempt to drive the above two laws and apply in problem. For further
information please see the exercise we did and the math’s book which I post on the channel .

 For the sake simplicity for the nearly all of the vector analysis I used cosine and sin low
despite the Pythagoras approach will also end up the same result
Example 1

What will be the resultant displacement of the man if he drives 6Km towards west then 11km at
53 due north of west?

Solution Using parallelogram low

Now to apply the sin and cosine low lets select the lower triangle

But

Then the direction is determined from the angle with S2 using sine law

above S2

Example 2

A postman travels a distance of 8Km at north of west then he change his direction and
moves 14Km at north of east. Then determine the magnitude of the resultant displacement
and the angle it makes with the last displacement. (use parallelogram or triangle law )
 Now apply the Cosine and sin low for right side triangle (possible to use the left side too)
𝑅 = √82 + 142 − 2 ∗ 8 ∗ 14cos(180 − 135)
𝑅 = √82 + 142 − 2 ∗ 8 ∗ 14cos(45)
𝑅 = 15.77𝐾𝑚
Using sine law
𝑺𝒊𝒏(𝟏𝟖𝟎 − 𝟏𝟑𝟓) 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜷
=
𝟏𝟓. 𝟕𝟕 𝟖
𝟖∗𝒔𝒊𝒏𝟒𝟓
𝜷 = 𝒔𝒊𝒏−𝟏 ( ) = 21.02 above S2 or 41.01 above the positive x axis
𝟏𝟓.𝟕𝟕

Thus
R=15.77 at angle 21.02 above S2 or 41.01 above the positive

Example 3

An air craft flies S1=12km west and then displace S2 =18km at an angel of 𝜃 due north west, the
resultant of displacement of the air craft displacement is S=15km at an angle of 𝛽 north east ,
then
A. Determine the two angle 𝛽, 𝜃
B. Find the magnitude of S1-S2 and its angel makes with S1

A. Let’s select the left side triangle and apply the cosine and sin low to find S2 and its
direction

𝑆 2 = √(𝑆12 + 𝑆22 − 2𝑆1 𝑆2 𝑐𝑜𝑠(180 − 𝜃))

15 = √122 + 182 + 2 ∗ 12𝑆2 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = √468 + 432𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃

243
𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = − 432 , 𝜃 = 124.23 From S1

Now using sin low

𝑆𝑖𝑛(180−124.23) 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛽
= 𝛽 = 82.81 From S1
15 18

Now let’s find 𝑆1 − 𝑆2

Using cosine low

‖𝑆2 − 𝑆1 ‖ = √𝑆12 + 𝑆22 − 2𝑆1 𝑆2 𝑐𝑜𝑠124.23

‖𝑆2 − 𝑆1 ‖ = √122 + 182 − 2 ∗ 12 ∗ 18 ∗ 𝑐𝑜𝑠124.23 = 26.66

Using sine low

𝑠𝑖𝑛124.23 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛽
= , 𝛽 = 33.93 above S1
26.66 18

Example 4
Consider two vectors A, and B which are at an angle of 53 to each other. If the magnitude of the
two vectors is 6 and 5 respectively then calculate
A. A-B
B. A+B (left for you)
Solution
Using cosine low
‖𝐴 − 𝐵‖ = √62 + 52 − 2 ∗ 6 ∗ 5𝑐𝑜𝑠53 = 5
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑎 𝑠𝑖𝑛53
= ‖𝐴−𝐵‖
𝐴

𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑎 𝑠𝑖𝑛53 6𝑠𝑖𝑛53

= , 𝑎 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛−1 ( ) = 73.41
6 5 5
𝐴 − 𝐵 = 5 𝑎𝑡 73.41 an angle of 73.41 north west
 Example 5 [left for you]

The magnitude of the vector sum of two vectors C and D is 12 and the magnitude of C is 7. If
the direction of D is reversed, the magnitude of the vector sum become 9 then determine

A. The magnitude of D
B. The angle between C and D

Given
‖𝐶 + 𝐷‖ = 12, ‖𝐶‖ = 7
‖𝐶 + (−𝐷)‖ = ‖𝐶 − 𝐷‖ = 9
‖𝐶 + 𝐷‖ = √𝐶 2 + 𝐷2 − 2𝐶𝐷𝑐𝑜𝑠(180 − 𝜃) = 12
√49 + 𝐷2 + 14𝐷𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = 12 ,,,,,, (1)
‖𝐶 − 𝐷‖ = √𝐶 2 + 𝐷2 − 2𝐶𝐷𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝜃) = 7
√49 + 𝐷2 − 14𝐷𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝜃) = 9 ,,,,, (2)
Squaring equation one and two and adding result
98 + 2𝐷2 = 225, 𝐷 = 7.97
144−49−7.972
Then using equation 1 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = = 0.282
14∗7.97

𝜃 = cos −1 0.282 = 73.61

Multiplication of Vectors
When two vectors A and B are multiplied, the result is either a scalar or a vector depending on
how they are multiplied. Thus there are two types of vector multiplication:
1. Scalar (or dot) product: A • B
2. Vector (or cross) product: A X B
Scalar product appear in while calculating work, kinetic energy
Vector product magnetic force, torque,
Dot Product
The dot product of two vectors A and B, written as A • B. is defined as the product of the
magnitudes of A and B and the cosine of the angle between them.

For
Property of dot product

Example Definition based

If we define work as product of force and displacement for what angle does the work become a)
+ve , b) zero c) negative
A.
A.
𝑨. 𝑩 = |𝐴||𝐵|𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 > 0 then 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 > 0 thus 𝜃 = [0,90)
Do the other by your self
Example Definition based
Find A.B if
A. A=3i+4j-5k, B=2i-5j+4k
B.
Answer
A. 𝐴. 𝐵 = (3𝑖 + 4𝑗 − 5𝑘). (2𝑖 − 5𝑗 + 4𝑘) = 2 ∗ 3 − 4 ∗ 5 − 5 ∗ 4 =-36
B. 𝑨. 𝑩 = |𝐴||𝐵|𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = 8 ∗ 6 ∗ 𝑐𝑜𝑠120 = −24

Example
Find the work done by the constant force F while the particle moves from P to Q
A. F=2i+5j+3k, P=(1,0,2) Q=(3,1,4)
B. F=-3i+3k, P=(1,0,2) Q=(2,-2,1)
(hint first find displacement then use 𝑊 = 𝐹. 𝑆 )
Ans A. 14J, B=-6 J
Example (Left for you)
Find the work done by the gravity while a toy car of mass 2kg moves along an inclined of length
4m with the slope of 37 degree above
First draw the inclined plane then find the angle between the displacement and weight then apply
the dot product
Ans (64J)
Angle between two vectors
If is the angle between two non-zero vector A and B then

Example (left for you)

For what values of a does the vectors are perpendicular?
Example
Find the angle between the two vectors A and B if
A.
B.
C.
𝐴.𝐵 2∗5−1∗7−1∗3
A 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = |𝐴||𝐵| = =0
√6∗√83

𝜃 = cos −1 0 = 90 thus they are perpendicular

B and C left for you
Example
If and the angle between them is 60 then find
A.
B.
C. The angle between and
Solution
|𝑨 + 𝟑𝑩| = √(𝑨 + 𝟑𝑩). (𝑨 + 𝟑𝑩)
|𝑨 + 𝟑𝑩| = √𝑨. 𝑨 + 𝟔𝑨. 𝑩 + 𝟗𝑩. 𝑩 But 𝑨. 𝑨 = |𝑨||𝑨|𝒄𝒐𝒔𝟎 = |𝑨|𝟐
|𝑨 + 𝟑𝑩| = √𝟖𝟐 + 𝟔(𝟖 ∗ 𝟔𝒄𝒐𝒔𝟔𝟎) + 𝟗 ∗ 𝟔𝟐 = √𝟓𝟑𝟐 = 𝟐𝟑. 𝟏
The other left for you , for c first define 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 in terms 𝑨 + 𝟑𝑩 and 𝟐𝑨 − 𝑩
Example
If A= 3i-4j+k, B=i+j-k then find the angle between A+3B with the positive x axis
Example
Then find
Matrix
Is a rectangular array of number which is represented as shown below . The elements of a matrix
are called entries
Square matrix, is matrix where the column and rows are equal
Determinant of a matrix
For square matrix A , det(A) shows a single number that can represent a matrix
1. Determinant of 2 by 2 matrix

=
Example
Find the determinant of the matrix shown below

A.

B.

Determinant of 3 by 3 matrixes

If A=
Then determinant of A is given as

Example
Find the determinant of A if

A. A=

B. A=
Cross product
The cross product of two vectors A and B. written as A X B. is defined as a vector whose
magnitude equal the product of magnitude of each vector and sine value of the angle. And whose
direction is the direction of the right thumb while the finger rotates from A to B.

Mathematically it is given as

Where unit vector is perpendicular to both A and B, which means AXB perpendicular to
both A and B
If then AXB can be given as

Which is determinant of vector

Example
Fr two non zero vector if AXB is zero what can you say about the two vector considering their
angle?
Example
Find the product of these vectors
A. ixi
B. ixj
C. jxi
D. jxk
E. ixk
F. kxi
Example
Find the cross product of u and v if
A. u=i-2j+k, v=3i+j-2k
B. u=4i+3j-2k v=6i-j3k
C. u=-5i+4j v=3i-6j

Property of vector product

D.
E.
Example if A and B are perpendicular then simplify the following expression
A. AX(A+B)
B. A.(AXB)
C. A.(A+B)

Example
Consider A=2i-3j, and B lies in X-Y plane where A.B=3,
Then find
A. angle between them
B. The vector B in rectangular coordinate

Geometric property of cross product

For non-zero vector A and B
 AxB is orthogonal to both A and B

 if and only if the two vectors are parallel
 is the area of a parallelogram having adjacent of A and B

Example
For the two vectors shown below determine
A. The area covered if the two are the sides of the triangle
B. The unit vector that is orthogonal to the two vectors
I wish to thank the authors of the following book for their valuable contribution in this
lecture note
 Elements of electromagnetic filed by Sadiku ,4th edition
 Pre-university physics by Melese Dessie , 2001 press
 Galaxy physics for grade 11 and 12 volume one by Melese Dessie ,2005 pres
 Introduction to physics, Volume one by Samule.Z ,2010 press
 Pre-calculus by James Stewart, Lother Redlin, Saleem Watson , 7th edition
 Ethiopian Grade 11 math’s text book
 Necret grade 11 physics

Am delighted for any of your comment concerning the faults you see in this lecture
note

May God Bless you all

By Tariku Deriba 2014EC