<< Chapter < Page Chapter >> Page >
By the end of this section, you will be able to:
  • Apply analytical methods of vector algebra to find resultant vectors and to solve vector equations for unknown vectors.
  • Interpret physical situations in terms of vector expressions.

Vectors can be added together and multiplied by scalars. Vector addition is associative ( [link] ) and commutative ( [link] ), and vector multiplication by a sum of scalars is distributive ( [link] ). Also, scalar multiplication by a sum of vectors is distributive:

α ( A + B ) = α A + α B .

In this equation, α is any number (a scalar). For example, a vector antiparallel to vector A = A x i ^ + A y j ^ + A z k ^ can be expressed simply by multiplying A by the scalar α = −1 :

A = A x i ^ A y j ^ A z k ^ .

Direction of motion

In a Cartesian coordinate system where i ^ denotes geographic east, j ^ denotes geographic north, and k ^ denotes altitude above sea level, a military convoy advances its position through unknown territory with velocity v = ( 4.0 i ^ + 3.0 j ^ + 0.1 k ^ ) km / h . If the convoy had to retreat, in what geographic direction would it be moving?

Solution

The velocity vector has the third component v z = ( + 0.1 km / h ) k ^ , which says the convoy is climbing at a rate of 100 m/h through mountainous terrain. At the same time, its velocity is 4.0 km/h to the east and 3.0 km/h to the north, so it moves on the ground in direction tan −1 ( 3 / 4 ) 37 ° north of east. If the convoy had to retreat, its new velocity vector u would have to be antiparallel to v and be in the form u = α v , where α is a positive number. Thus, the velocity of the retreat would be u = α ( −4.0 i ^ 3.0 j ^ 0.1 k ^ ) km / h . The negative sign of the third component indicates the convoy would be descending. The direction angle of the retreat velocity is tan −1 ( −3 α / 4 α ) 37 ° south of west. Therefore, the convoy would be moving on the ground in direction 37 ° south of west while descending on its way back.

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

The generalization of the number zero to vector algebra is called the null vector    , denoted by 0 . All components of the null vector are zero, 0 = 0 i ^ + 0 j ^ + 0 k ^ , so the null vector has no length and no direction.

Two vectors A and B are equal vectors    if and only if their difference is the null vector:

0 = A B = ( A x i ^ + A y j ^ + A z k ^ ) ( B x i ^ + B y j ^ + B z k ^ ) = ( A x B x ) i ^ + ( A y B y ) j ^ + ( A z B z ) k ^ .

This vector equation means we must have simultaneously A x B x = 0 , A y B y = 0 , and A z B z = 0 . Hence, we can write A = B if and only if the corresponding components of vectors A and B are equal:

A = B { A x = B x A y = B y A z = B z .

Two vectors are equal when their corresponding scalar components are equal.

Resolving vectors into their scalar components (i.e., finding their scalar components) and expressing them analytically in vector component form (given by [link] ) allows us to use vector algebra to find sums or differences of many vectors analytically (i.e., without using graphical methods). For example, to find the resultant of two vectors A and B , we simply add them component by component, as follows:

R = A + B = ( A x i ^ + A y j ^ + A z k ^ ) + ( B x i ^ + B y j ^ + B z k ^ ) = ( A x + B x ) i ^ + ( A y + B y ) j ^ + ( A z + B z ) k ^ .

In this way, using [link] , scalar components of the resultant vector R = R x i ^ + R y j ^ + R z k ^ are the sums of corresponding scalar components of vectors A and B :

Questions & Answers

what is biology
Hajah Reply
the study of living organisms and their interactions with one another and their environments
AI-Robot
what is biology
Victoria Reply
HOW CAN MAN ORGAN FUNCTION
Alfred Reply
the diagram of the digestive system
Assiatu Reply
allimentary cannel
Ogenrwot
How does twins formed
William Reply
They formed in two ways first when one sperm and one egg are splited by mitosis or two sperm and two eggs join together
Oluwatobi
what is genetics
Josephine Reply
Genetics is the study of heredity
Misack
how does twins formed?
Misack
What is manual
Hassan Reply
discuss biological phenomenon and provide pieces of evidence to show that it was responsible for the formation of eukaryotic organelles
Joseph Reply
what is biology
Yousuf Reply
the study of living organisms and their interactions with one another and their environment.
Wine
discuss the biological phenomenon and provide pieces of evidence to show that it was responsible for the formation of eukaryotic organelles in an essay form
Joseph Reply
what is the blood cells
Shaker Reply
list any five characteristics of the blood cells
Shaker
lack electricity and its more savely than electronic microscope because its naturally by using of light
Abdullahi Reply
advantage of electronic microscope is easily and clearly while disadvantage is dangerous because its electronic. advantage of light microscope is savely and naturally by sun while disadvantage is not easily,means its not sharp and not clear
Abdullahi
cell theory state that every organisms composed of one or more cell,cell is the basic unit of life
Abdullahi
is like gone fail us
DENG
cells is the basic structure and functions of all living things
Ramadan
What is classification
ISCONT Reply
is organisms that are similar into groups called tara
Yamosa
in what situation (s) would be the use of a scanning electron microscope be ideal and why?
Kenna Reply
A scanning electron microscope (SEM) is ideal for situations requiring high-resolution imaging of surfaces. It is commonly used in materials science, biology, and geology to examine the topography and composition of samples at a nanoscale level. SEM is particularly useful for studying fine details,
Hilary
cell is the building block of life.
Condoleezza Reply
Got questions? Join the online conversation and get instant answers!
Jobilize.com Reply
Practice Key Terms 2

Get Jobilize Job Search Mobile App in your pocket Now!

Get it on Google Play Download on the App Store Now




Source:  OpenStax, University physics volume 1. OpenStax CNX. Sep 19, 2016 Download for free at http://cnx.org/content/col12031/1.5
Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google Inc.

Notification Switch

Would you like to follow the 'University physics volume 1' conversation and receive update notifications?

Ask