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Vector Algebra PDF

This document defines key concepts in vector algebra, including: Vectors have both magnitude and direction, represented by arrows. Scalar quantities only have magnitude. Vector operations include addition, subtraction, and multiplication by scalars. Vectors in 3D space are represented by their components along x, y, z axes. Dot and cross products yield scalars and vectors respectively and have various properties. The scalar triple product results in a scalar from three vectors.

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140 views

Vector Algebra PDF

This document defines key concepts in vector algebra, including: Vectors have both magnitude and direction, represented by arrows. Scalar quantities only have magnitude. Vector operations include addition, subtraction, and multiplication by scalars. Vectors in 3D space are represented by their components along x, y, z axes. Dot and cross products yield scalars and vectors respectively and have various properties. The scalar triple product results in a scalar from three vectors.

Uploaded by

Kalyani
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Vector Algebra

Prerequisites for vector calculus

Scalar: A physical quantity which is completely described by a single real number


called magnitude.
Examples are temperature, density and mass.
Vector: Physical quantities which have both a magnitude and a direction
associated with them.
Examples are force, velocity, displacement and acceleration.

Geometrically, a vector is represented by an arrow; the arrow defines the


direction of the vector and the magnitude of the vector is represented by the
length of the arrow.
The vectors generally represented by lowercase letters with bar or arrow over
them. 𝑎̅ 𝑜𝑟 ⃗⃗⃗
𝑎

𝑎̅

Magnitude of a vector 𝑎̅ is denoted by 𝑎 or |𝑎̅ |.

Defn: Unit vector: A vector with unit length. Denoted by cap over it i.e. 𝑎̂
Defn: Negative vector: A vector with same magnitude but opposite direction.
Denoted by −𝑎̅
Addition of two vectors: Subtraction of two vectors:

Scalar multiple of a vector:

Representation in 3D space:

Unit vector along X-axis is denoted by 𝑖̂,


along Y-axis is denoted by 𝑗̂
and along Z-axis is denoted by 𝑘̂

Thus, Point 𝑃(𝑎1 , 𝑎2 , 𝑎3 ) can be represented by its position vector


𝑂𝑃 = 𝑎1 𝑖̂ + 𝑎2 𝑗̂ + 𝑎3 𝑘̂
̅̅̅ = ̅̅̅̅̅
𝑝
Magnitude: given by distance of P from origin.

𝑝 = |𝑝̅ | = √𝑎12 + 𝑎22 + 𝑎32


𝑝̅
Direction: given by a unit vector in direction of 𝑝̅ , calculated as
|𝑝̅ |
Let P and Q be two points with position vectors 𝑝̅ and 𝑞̅ then position vector of
̅̅̅̅ = 𝑞̅ − 𝑝̅
𝑃𝑄

Dot Product: A product of two vectors that result into a scalar.

𝑎̅ ∙ 𝑏̅ = 𝑎 𝑏 cos 𝜃

where, 𝑎 = |𝑎̅ |, 𝑏 = |𝑏̅ | and


𝜃: 𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑡𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑎̅ 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏̅
Note: (i) 𝑎̅ ∙ 𝑏̅ = 0 then 𝑎̅ 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏̅ are perpendicular vectors
(ii) 𝑎̅ ∙ 𝑎̅ = 𝑎̅2 = 𝑎2
(iii) If 𝑎̅ = 𝑎1 𝑖̂ + 𝑎2 𝑗̂ + 𝑎3 𝑘̂ and 𝑏̅ = 𝑏1 𝑖̂ + 𝑏2 𝑗̂ + 𝑏3 𝑘̂
Then, 𝑎̅ ∙ 𝑏̅ = 𝑎1 𝑏1 + 𝑎2 𝑏2 + 𝑎3 𝑏3
𝑎̅∙𝑏̅
(iv) The length of projection of 𝑎̅ onto 𝑏̅ is given by
|𝑏̅|

𝑎̅∙𝑏̅
(V) The angle 𝜃 between two vectors can be obtained by, cos 𝜃 =
|𝑎̅ ||𝑏̅|
Cross Product: The product of two vectors that results into a vector.
𝑎̅ × 𝑏̅ = 𝑎 𝑏 sin 𝜃 𝑛̂
where, 𝑛̂ : unit outward normal to the plane of 𝑎̅ 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏̅

Note: (i) 𝑎̅ × 𝑎̅ = 0
(ii) 𝑎̅ × 𝑏̅ = 0 then 𝑎̅ 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏̅ are parallel vectors.
(iii) 𝑎̅ × 𝑏̅ = −𝑏̅ × 𝑎̅
(iv) 𝑎̅ × (𝑏̅ + 𝑐̅) = 𝑎̅ × 𝑏̅ + 𝑎̅ × 𝑐̅

(v) If 𝑎̅ = 𝑎1 𝑖̂ + 𝑎2 𝑗̂ + 𝑎3 𝑘̂ and 𝑏̅ = 𝑏1 𝑖̂ + 𝑏2 𝑗̂ + 𝑏3 𝑘̂

𝑖̂ 𝑗̂ 𝑘̂
Then, 𝑎̅ × 𝑏̅ = |𝑎1 𝑎2 𝑎3 |
𝑏1 𝑏2 𝑏3

Scalar Triple product: Product of three vectors that results into a scalar.
𝑎̅ ∙ (𝑏̅ × 𝑐̅) = [𝑎̅ 𝑏̅ 𝑐̅]

If 𝑎̅ = 𝑎1 𝑖̂ + 𝑎2 𝑗̂ + 𝑎3 𝑘̂ , 𝑏̅ = 𝑏1 𝑖̂ + 𝑏2 𝑗̂ + 𝑏3 𝑘̂ and
𝑎1 𝑎2 𝑎3
𝑐̅ = 𝑐1 𝑖̂ + 𝑐2 𝑗̂ + 𝑐3 𝑘̂ Then, 𝑎̅ ∙ (𝑏̅ × 𝑐̅) = |𝑏1 𝑏2 𝑏3 |
𝑐1 𝑐2 𝑐3

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