Vectors

Readings: Chapter 1 (12th edition),

pp. 2 -27

PowerPoint® Lectures for

University Physics, Twelfth Edition
– Hugh D. Young and Roger A. Freedman

Adapted by the Dept. of Physics, University of Ghana

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 Goals
lHow to approach and solve a basic physics
problem.
l The difference between scalars and vectors, and
how to add and subtract vectors graphically.
lWhat the components of a vector are, and how to
use them in calculations.

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 Goals
lWhat unit vectors are, and how to use them with
components to describe vectors.
lTwo ways of multiplying vectors.

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 Solving problems in physics
Identify, set up, execute & evaluate
•Identify
–Read problem carefully
–Identifying what is needed .i.e. target
–And what principles of physics are required
• Set up –
–based on last step, sketch a diagram if needed,
–look for appropriate equation

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 Solving problems in physics
•Execute –
–State the explanation,
–do the calculation, if required, noting the missing
parts from the given parts;
–fix the puzzle!
•Evaluate –
–Go over your solution.
–Withdraw from the paper work and see if the
answer makes sense!

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 Scalars vs. Vectors
•Scalar quantities are numbers and combine with
the regular rules of arithmetic.
•Scalars may/may not have units.
• A vector has direction and magnitude and
combine according to the rules of vector arithmetic.
the directions specified by their deviation
from a reference direction (in degrees or
radians)
the magnitude is given by the distance in
from the initial point in that direction.

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 Vectors
lVectors have magnitude and direction. They are drawn as a
ray. In written form, vectors are shown here as bold faced with
arrow sign

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 Vector equality
lVectors are equal if their magnitude and drection are
equal. On equality, it doesn’t matter where a vector is
located -- only the magnitude and direction matter.
lIf two vectors are antiparallel but equal in size, they are
negative of each other.

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 Vector Addition
lVectors may be added graphically, “head to tail.”

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 Vector Addition

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 Vector Addition
lAs shown in the example the order of addition of
vectors is immaterial.
The figures below demonstrate this further. Notice the
direction and magnitude of (the resultant) in all cases.

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 Vector addition - demonstration
We require to
determine the final
displacement of a
trekker (cyclist, skier,
walker etc.) who first
moves north for 1 km
and then to the east
for 2 km.
Identify, set up and
execute in class as
demo.

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 Components of Vectors

Manipulating vectors graphically is insightful but

difficult when striving for numeric accuracy.
Vector components provide a numeric method of
representation.
A two dimensional vector can be built from an x
component and a y component.

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 Components of Vectors
lA 2-D vector, , may be “decomposed” into its components
using
Ax = Acos θ  x -component
Ay = Asin θ  y-component
(where θ is the angle measured from the +x axis).

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 Components of vectors - signs

Components can be
positive or negative.

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 Example - Components of Vectors

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 Solution - Components of Vectors

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 Finding a Vector’s Magnitude and Direction
l

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 Calculations using components

When two vectors are

described by the direction angle
θ such that tan θ = -1, one
distinguishes the vectors by
looking at the x- and y-
components
In this example Ax = 2 and
Ay = -2 so θ = 315o
Suppose Ax = -2 and Ay =2,
Then tan θ = -1 but θ =135o
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 Calculations using components

The components of two vectors can be used to

calculate their resultant.

When two or more

vectors make up a
resultant, the components
of the resultant is the
sum of the components
the of the vectors
forming the resultant.

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 1.8: Calculations using components
lRefer to Example 1.7
A

To be worked in class as a demo.

Determine the resultant of the

B vectors A, B, C given as

A (72.4 m, 32o north east of O)

B (57.3 m, 36o, south west of A)
C (17.8 m, south of B)

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 Unit vectors
•Assume vectors of magnitude 1
with no units exist in each of the
three standard dimensions.
•The x direction is termed , the y
direction is termed , and the z
direction, .
•A vector is subsequently
described by a scalar times each
component.

are called unit vectors in the

directions respectively.

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 Class example

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 Multiplication of vectors

Vector multiplication is carried out in two ways:

1. Scalar or “dot” product
2.Vector or “cross” product

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 1 - The scalar product

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 Example – Dot product

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 Example – Dot product
lTwo vectors are given as

Determine the angle between the vectors.

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 2 - The vector (cross) product

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 Example
l
Vector has magnitude 6 units and is in the
direction of the + x-axis. Vector B has magnitude
4 units and lies in the xy-plane,
making an angle of 30° with the + x-axis. Find the
vector product .
ABsin30o = (6)(4)(sin30o) = 12
From the right-hand rule the direction of is along
the +z-axis, so we have = 12.

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 The vector product

It is important to note the following properties of

vector product.

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 The vector product
l
With the above properties, the cross product of
two vectors = Ax + Ay + Az and
=Bx + By + Bz
can be calculated as

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 Example - cross product
lTwo vectors are given as

Find the cross product 𝐴 × 𝐵

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 Sine and cosine rules
Consider three vectors with their
magnitudes and directions represented
by a triangle as show.
The sides and angles are related as:
called the sine rule
and also as
The latter relation is called the cosine
rule.

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