Vector Algebra - Detailed Notes
1. Definition of Vector:
A vector is a quantity that has both magnitude and direction. Examples: displacement, velocity,
acceleration, force. 2. Types of Vectors:
1. Zero Vector (0): Magnitude = 0.
2. Unit Vector: Magnitude = 1.
3. Equal Vectors: Have same magnitude and direction.
4. Negative Vectors: Have same magnitude but opposite direction.
5. Collinear Vectors: Parallel vectors.
6. Coplanar Vectors: Vectors lying in same plane.
3. Representation of Vectors:
Vector a = xi + yj + zk, where x, y, z are components and i, j, k are unit vectors along X, Y, Z axes.
4. Magnitude of Vector:
|a| = √(x² + y² + z²) 5. Direction Cosines and Ratios:
If vector a = xi + yj + zk makes angles α, β, γ with X, Y, Z axes:
cosα = x/|a| , cosβ = y/|a| , cosγ = z/|a|
Direction ratios are proportional to (x, y, z). 6. Addition and Subtraction of Vectors:
If a = x■i + y■j + z■k and b = x■i + y■j + z■k,
a + b = (x■+x■)i + (y■+y■)j + (z■+z■)k
a - b = (x■-x■)i + (y■-y■)j + (z■-z■)k 7. Scalar (Dot) Product:
a · b = |a||b|cosθ = x■x■ + y■y■ + z■z■
- If a ⊥ b → a · b = 0
Applications: Work done = Force · Displacement 8. Vector (Cross) Product:
a × b = |a||b|sinθ n■ , where n■ is a unit vector perpendicular to both.
a × b = determinant |i j k ; x■ y■ z■ ; x■ y■ z■|
- If a ■ b → a × b = 0
Applications: Torque = r × F, Area of parallelogram = |a × b| 9. Scalar Triple Product:
[a b c] = a · (b × c) = determinant |x■ y■ z■ ; x■ y■ z■ ; x■ y■ z■|
Geometrical meaning: Volume of parallelepiped. 10. Vector Triple Product:
a × (b × c) = (a · c)b - (a · b)c 11. Applications of Vectors:
1. To find work done, torque, moment of force.
2. To calculate area and volume (parallelogram, parallelepiped).
3. To solve geometry problems (collinearity, coplanarity).
4. To find angle between lines and planes.
