Applied Physics

NS (1001)
 Vectors Topics

• Vectors and their components

• Unit Vector , adding vector by components
• Multiplying Vectors
What is a scalar?
Scalar quantities are measured with numbers and units.

length temperature time

(e.g. 16 cm) (e.g. 102 °C) (e.g. 7 s)

What is a vector?
Vector quantities are measured with numbers and units, but also have a specific
direction.

acceleration displacement force

(e.g. 30 m/s2 (e.g. 200 miles (e.g. 2 N

upwards) northwest) downwards)
 Vectors
Vectors Power Graphics:
The Secret Behind Stunning Visuals: In computer graphics, vectors are used to
represent points, lines, and shapes in space. Every time you see a 3D animation or
play a video game, vectors are at work, determining the position and movement of
objects, the lighting, and even the camera angles.
Vector Magic in Physics:
Forces and Motion: Vectors are the language of physics when it comes to
describing forces, velocity, and acceleration. They allow us to break down complex
physical phenomena into understandable components, like figuring out how much
force is pushing an object up versus sideways.
Navigating the World:
•GPS and Navigation: Vectors are crucial in navigation systems like GPS. They
help calculate the shortest path between two points, determine direction, and guide
us to our destinations with incredible accuracy, whether on foot, by car, or even in
space.
Vectors in Nature:
•The Wind and the Waves: Natural phenomena like wind and ocean currents are
described using vectors. Meteorologists use vector fields to predict weather patterns,
helping us understand how storms will move and where they will go.
 Vectors
Vectors in Music:
•Sound Waves and Acoustics: Vectors are also used in the study of sound waves and
acoustics. They help in analyzing how sound waves travel through different mediums,
bounce off surfaces, and interact with each other, which is essential for designing
concert halls, speakers, and even noise-canceling headphones.

Vectors in Robotics:
•Robot Movements: In robotics, vectors are essential for programming the movements
of robots. Vectors help determine the position, orientation, and path a robot must take to
perform tasks, whether it's assembling a car or performing surgery.

Vectors in Data Science:

•Multi-Dimensional Data: In data science, vectors are used to represent multi-
dimensional data points. Techniques like machine learning rely on vector operations to
classify data, recognize patterns, and make predictions.

Vectors and AI:

•Neural Networks and Learning: Vectors play a crucial role in artificial intelligence,
especially in neural networks where data is processed as vectors. They help in
understanding and interpreting complex data structures, leading to advancements in AI
and machine learning.
 Vectors
Vectors in Space Exploration:
•Rocket Science: Vectors are vital in space exploration. They help calculate trajectories,
ensuring that spacecraft reach their intended destinations. The precise calculations
needed to land a rover on Mars, for example, involve vector math to account for
gravitational forces, velocity, and direction

Vectors and Art:

•Vector Graphics: In digital art and design, vector graphics allow for the creation of
images that can be scaled infinitely without losing quality. Unlike pixel-based images,
vector graphics are defined by mathematical equations, making them perfect for logos,
fonts, and intricate designs.

Vectors in Sports:
•The Physics of Play: In sports, vectors are used to analyze and optimize performance.
Whether it's determining the perfect angle for a soccer shot, the trajectory of a
basketball, or the force needed in a golf swing, vectors help athletes improve their game.
 Vectors

A vector has magnitude as well as direction, and vectors follow certain

(vector) rules of combination, which we examine in this chapter. A vector
quantity is a quantity that has both a magnitude and a direction and thus can be
represented with a vector.

Examples of Vector Quantities:

 Displacement
 Velocity
 Acceleration
 Force
 Vectors
The simplest vector quantity is displacement, or change of position. A vector that
represents a displacement is called, reasonably, a displacement vector.
 Adding Vectors Geometrically
Suppose that, as in the vector diagram of Fig. 3-2a, a particle
moves from A to B and then later from B to C.We can
represent its overall displacement (no matter what its actual
path) with two successive displacement vectors, AB and BC.
The net displacement of these two displacements is a single
displacement from A to C.We call AC the vector sum (or
resultant) of the vectors AB and BC. This sum is not the usual
algebraic sum.

We can represent the relation among the three

vectors in Fig. 3-2b with the
vector equation
Properties of Vector Addition
• Vector addition, defined in this way, has two important
properties.
• 1. Commutative Law
• 2. Associative Law
Properties of Vector Addition
Vector Subtraction
Components of Vectors
Components of Vectors
Check points
 Unit Vector
A unit vector is a vector that has a magnitude of exactly 1 and points in a particular
direction. It lacks both dimension and unit. Its sole purpose is to point—that
is, to specify a direction.
The unit vectors in the positive directions of the x, y, and z axes are labeled , , and ,
where the hat is used instead of an overhead arrow as for other vectors (Fig. 3-13).The
arrangement of axes in Fig. 3-13 is said to be a right-handed coordinate system.
Unit Vector

The quantities ax and ay are vectors,

called the vector components of .The
quantities ax and ay are scalars, called
the scalar components of :a (or, as before,
simply its components).
 ADDING VECTORS BY COMPONENTS
We can add vectors geometrically on a sketch or directly on a vector-capable
calculator. A third way is to combine their components axis by axis.

To subtract, we add (a ) and (–b) by components, to

Check points
Example
MULTIPLYING VECTORS
 MULTIPLYING VECTORS
There are three ways in which vectors can be multiplied, but none is exactly like
the usual algebraic multiplication.

Multiplying a Vector by a Scalar

Multiplying a Vector by a Vector

 Dot Product

• The dot product says

something about how
parallel two vectors are.
• The dot product (scalar
product) of two vectors can
be thought of as the

projection of one onto the B
direction of the other.
• Components
  ( A cos  ) B 
A  B = AB cos   A

A  iˆ = A cos  = Ax A( B cos  )

 
A  B = Ax Bx + Ay By + Az Bz
Projection of a Vector: Dot Product

• The dot product says

something about how
parallel two vectors are.
• The dot product (scalar
product) of two vectors can
be thought of as the 
B Projection is zero
projection of one onto the
direction of the other.

 
p/2
A  B = AB cos  
• Components A  iˆ = A cos  = A A
x
 
A  B = Ax Bx + Ay By + Az Bz
The Scalar Product
The Scalar Product
The Vector Product
Vector Product →  
C = A B 
 B
B sin 

• The cross product of two vectors says 

something about how perpendicular they are.  A
• Magnitude:   
→
C = A  B = AB sin  A sin 
y
•  is smaller angle between the vectors
• Cross product of any parallel vectors = zero j i
• Cross product is maximum for perpendicular x
vectors k
• Cross products of Cartesian unit vectors: z

iˆ  ˆj = kˆ; iˆ  kˆ = − ˆj; ˆj  kˆ = iˆ
j k
iˆ  iˆ = 0; ˆj  ˆj = 0; kˆ  kˆ = 0
 Vector Product

• Direction: C perpendicular
to both A and B (right-hand
rule)
• Place A and B tail to tail
• Right hand, not left hand
• Four fingers are pointed along
the first vector A
• “sweep” from first vector A    
into second vector B through A B = B  A ?
the smaller angle between
them
• Your outstretched thumb    
points the direction A B = - B  A

   
A B = B  A ?
Vector Product

•The quantity ABsin is the area of the

parallelogram formed by A and B
•The direction of C is perpendicular to
the plane formed by A and B
•Cross product is not commutative

   
A B = - B  A
•The distributive law
      
A  (B + C) = A  B + A  C
•The derivative of cross product
obeys the chain rule  
•Calculate cross product
dt
( dt
)
d   dA   dB
A B =  B + A
dt
 
A  B = ( Ay Bz − Az By )iˆ + ( Az Bx − Ax Bz ) ˆj + ( Ax By − Ay Bx )kˆ
Commutative property
Check points
Example: Finding the Components of an Acceleration
Vector
Example: Finding the Components of an Acceleration
Vector
Example Finding the Direction of Motion
Example Finding the Direction of Motion
Example 3.5 Run Rabbit Run!
Examples