JEE Class 11 Physics - Vectors (Complete Notes)
1. Introduction to Vectors
- Scalar Quantity: A quantity with only magnitude.
Examples: Mass, Speed, Time, Temperature.
- Vector Quantity: A quantity with both magnitude and direction.
Examples: Displacement, Velocity, Force, Acceleration.
2. Representation of Vectors
- Notation: Bold letters or arrow above (e.g., A or →A).
- Graphical Representation: Arrow's length = magnitude; arrow's direction = vector's
direction.
3. Types of Vectors
- Zero Vector: Magnitude = 0
- Unit Vector: Magnitude = 1
- Equal Vectors: Same magnitude and direction
- Negative Vectors: Same magnitude, opposite direction
- Collinear Vectors: Lie along the same line
- Coplanar Vectors: Lie in the same plane
- Position Vector: Vector from origin to a point (x, y, z)
- Displacement Vector: Change in position
4. Algebra of Vectors
(a) Vector Addition
- Triangle Law: Tail of B at head of A → R = A + B
JEE Class 11 Physics - Vectors (Complete Notes)
- Parallelogram Law: R = √(A² + B² + 2ABcosθ)
(b) Vector Subtraction
- A - B = A + (-B)
(c) Properties
- Commutative: A + B = B + A
- Associative: (A + B) + C = A + (B + C)
5. Resolution of Vectors
- 2D: A = Aₓ
+ Aᵧ
, where Aₓ = A cosθ, Aᵧ = A sinθ
- 3D: A = Aₓ
+ Aᵧ
+ A_z
JEE Class 11 Physics - Vectors (Complete Notes)
6. Unit Vector
- Â = A / |A|; magnitude = 1
7. Multiplication of Vectors
(a) Scalar (Dot) Product: A · B = AB cosθ (scalar)
(b) Vector (Cross) Product: A × B = AB sinθ
(vector, right-hand rule)
8. Applications in Physics
- Displacement, Velocity, Acceleration, Force
- Projectile motion, Relative velocity, Equilibrium, Circular motion
9. Vector Identities
- A · B = AₓBₓ + AᵧBᵧ + A_zB_z
- |A| = √(Aₓ² + Aᵧ² + A_z²)
- A × B = (AᵧB_z −
A_zBᵧ)i
̂
JEE Class 11 Physics - Vectors (Complete Notes)
− (AₓB_z −
A_zBₓ)j
+ (AₓBᵧ −
AᵧBₓ)k
10. Geometrical Interpretation
- Dot product: Projection
- Cross product: Area of parallelogram
11. Common Mistakes
- Adding magnitudes instead of components
- Ignoring direction
- Confusing dot and cross products
- Incorrect right-hand rule use
12. JEE Preparation Tips
- Practice diagrams
- Master component resolution
- Understand graphical and analytical methods
- Solve past problems on vector operations
