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Objective: Understand vector, vector components, scalar, magnitude, scalar multiplication, direction,
adding vectors (algebraically and graphically), subtracting vectors (algebraically and graphically), unit vectors.
Position Vector
The position vector, ~r, from the origin to some point located at (x, y, z) is written as
~r =< rx , ry , rz >
(1)
Magnitude of a vector
The magnitude of a vector is determined by the Pythagorean theorem. For example, the magnitude of a
position vector is
q
|~r| = (rx2 + ry2 + rz2 )
(2)
and represents the distance from the origin to a point on the coordinate system. The magnitude of a
vector is always positive and is a scalar. A scalar is a quantity that does not depend on the rotation of
the coordinate system. Other examples of scalar quantities are mass and temperature. A number is also a
scalar.
(3)
The magnitude of the vector is thus a|~r|. Multiplying a vector by a scalar just scales the vectorthis
only changes the magnitude of the vector and not the direction unless the scalar is negative. Multiplying a
vector by 1, reverses the vector. In other words, ~r points in the opposite direction as ~r.
~ and the result of multiplying it by 2 and the result of multiplying it
The example below shows vector B
by 1.
(4)
Subtracting vectors
~ from A,
~ consider it as adding B
~ to A.
~ Its the same thing! Just reverse B
~
When subtracting vector B
~
before adding it to A.
~B
~ =A
~ + B
~ =< (Ax Bx ), (Ay By ), (Az Bz ) >
A
(5)
Unit Vector
A unit vector has a magnitude of 1. A unit vector in the direction of ~r is
r =
rx
r =< q
rx2
ry2
rz2
~r
|~r|
rz
rz
,q
,q
>
2
2
2
2
rx + ry + rz
rx + ry2 + rz2
(6)
(7)
A few specially defined unit vectors are i, j, and k which point along the x, y and z axes, respectively.
They are written as
i =< 1, 0, 0 >
(8)
j =< 0, 1, 0 >
(9)
k =< 0, 0, 1 >
(10)
(11)
Direction of a vector
If is the angle a vector makes with the +x axis, is the angle a vector makes with the +y axis, and is
the angle a vector makes with the +z axis, then
rx
|~r|
ry
cos =
|~r|
rz
cos =
|~r|
cos =
(12)
(13)
(14)
Application
1. A particle moves from the position ~r1 = (2m)i + (4m)j to ~r2 = (6m)i + (1m)j. Draw the position
vectors and determine the displacement vector, ~r, both graphically and algebraically. Express the displacement vector using unit vector notation. Also find its magnitude and direction with respect to the +x
axis.
2. A soccer player undergoes two successive displacements, ~rA = (15m)i + (5m)j and then ~rB =
(15m)i + (10m)j. What is the total displacement of the soccer player? Determine it both algebraically and
graphically. Also determine the magnitude and direction of the total displacement. The total displacement
is the sum of individual displacements along the way. Im curious, from the information in the problem can
you determine the path the soccer player took during these displacements?