Introduction

In this chapter we will come to know about some

interesting facts of vectors and how they are used in
our day-to-day life.
Following are some examples where vectors are
used.
o Motion of aero plane is based on the concept of
vectors. When the motion of the aero plane is
considered both speed and in which direction it
flies in the sky is also taken into account.

o The landing instructions which a pilot

receives from air traffic controller.
o Suppose when a ball is thrown let it be thrown
with some speed (for e.g.:-5m/s) and the direction
in which it is thrown is let north-east .This shows
 we are considering a vector as the ball has both
speed and direction.

o Vectors are to derive results in engineering and

science. Fluid mechanics, static, Electrical
Engineering etc.
o In game of cricket the bowler bowls the ball
with some speed and in some direction and
also the batsman hits the ball with some
speed and in particular direction. So the
concept of vectors is involved
o A motor can be either used for pumping water or
in a car. Motors work on the principle of torque
which is a vector quantity.

o In the game of carom board the striker is hit

with some speed and in some direction.
 Vectors

Vectors are the physical quantities which have both

direction as well as magnitude.
Vectors are represented by an arrow.

the vector AB ⃗ starts is called its initial point.

The point A (as shown in the figure) from where

The point B where it ends is called its terminal

point.
The distance between initial and terminal points of

vector, denoted by |AB ⃗| , or |a ⃗| or |a|.

a vector is called the magnitude (or length) of the

The arrow indicates the direction of the vector.

 Scalar & Vector

Consider the following measures and to classify

them as scalar and vectors.

Measures Scalar Vector Criteria

It has only
the
magnitude
and no
direction.
So it is a
scalar
10kg quantity.

21 metres north It has both

west the
magnitude
and as
well as
direction.
Therefore
it is a
vector
 quantity.

It has only
the
magnitude
and no
direction.
So it is a
scalar
quantity.
300

It has only
the
magnitude
and no
direction.
So it is a
scalar
70 Watts quantity.

It has both
the
magnitude
25m/s2 Acceleratio and as
n well as
 direction.
Therefore
it is a
vector
quantity.

It has only
the
magnitude
and no
direction.
So it is a
scalar
Distance quantity.

It has both
the
magnitude
and as
well as
direction.
Therefore
it is a
vector
Force quantity.
 It has both
the
magnitude
and as
well as
direction.
Therefore
it is a
vector
Velocity quantity.

It has only
the
magnitude
and no
direction.
So it is a
scalar
Speed quantity.

It has only
the
magnitude
and no
direction.
Work done
So it is a
 scalar
quantity.

It has both
the
magnitude
and as
well as
direction.
Therefore
it is a
vector
Torque quantity.
 Right handed
rectangular coordinate
System

Right hand thumb rule is applied to understand

the orientation conventions for vectors in three
dimensions.
Suppose if we fold our 4 fingers as shown in the
diagram and move from X to Y axis then the thumb
gives the direction of Z-axis.
 Position Vector

Consider a point P in space, having

coordinates (x, y, z) with respect to the origin
O (0, 0, 0).
Then, the vector OP--> having O and P as its
initial and terminal points, respectively, is
called position vector of the point P with respect

The value of | OP ⃗ | = √(x) 2+(y) 2+ (z) 2.

to O.
Direction Angle & Direction
Cosines
Consider a position vector OP ⃗ (or r->) of a point
P(x,y, z) as shown in the figure.
The angles α , β and γ made by the vector r-> with
the (+)ive directions of x,y and z-axes
The cosine values of these angles, i.e., cos α,
cos β and cos γ are known as direction cosines of
the vector r->
They are denoted by (l, m and n). Therefore, cos α
=l, cosβ=m and
cos γ= n.
Consider the right angled triangle OAP,
=> Cosα=(x/r) where (r= |r->|). Similarly from right
angled triangles (OBP) and (OCP) we get cos β
=(y/r) and cos γ =(z/r) .
The coordinates of the point P can also be written as
(lr, mr, nr)

r ⃗. The direction ratios are denoted as a, b and c

The lr, mr, nr are called as direction ratios of vector

respectively.
In general l2+m2+n2 =1.
Problem: -
Write two different vectors having same direction.

Consider a ⃗= (î + ĵ + k̂ ) and b ⃗ = (2î + 2ĵ + 2k̂ ).

Answer: -

The direction cosines of a ⃗ are given by,

l= ((2)/ (√ (1)2+ (1)2+ (1)2)) = (2/2√3) = (1)/ (√3)
m= ((1)/ (√ (1)2+ (1)2+ (1)2)) = (1)/ (√3) and

The direction cosines of b ⃗ are given by,

n= ((1)/ (√ (1)2+ (1)2+ (1)2)) = (1)/ (√3)

l= ((2)/ (√ (1)2+ (1)2+ (1)2)) = (2/2√3) = (1)/ (√3)

m= ((2)/ (√ (1)2+ (1)2+ (1)2)) = (2/2√3) = (1)/ (√3) and

The direction cosines of a ⃗ and b ⃗ are the same.

n= ((2)/ (√ (1)2+ (1)2+ (1)2)) = (2/2√3) = (1)/ (√3)

Hence, the two vectors have the same direction.

Problem:-
Find the direction cosines of the vector î +2ĵ + 3k̂

Let a ⃗ = î +2ĵ + 3k̂ .

Answer:-

Therefore I a ⃗I=√ ((1)2+ (2)2+ (3)2) = √ (1+4+9) = √14.

Hence, the direction cosines of a ⃗ are (1/√14),
(2/√14), (3/√14).
Types of Vectors
o Zero Vector
o Unit Vector
o Coinitial Vector
o Collinear Vector
o Equal Vectors
o Negative Vectors
o Free Vectors

Zero Vector:-
A vector, whose initial and terminal points coincide,
is called a zero vector or (null vector).
It is denoted by 0.
Zero vectors cannot be assigned a definite direction
as it has zero magnitude.
Unit Vector:-
A vector whose magnitude is unity (i.e., 1 unit) is
called a unit vector.
The unit vector in the direction of a given vector a ⃗ is
denoted by aˆ.
Coinitial Vectors:-
Two or more vectors having same initial point are
called Co initial vectors.

Collinear Vectors:-
Two or more vectors are said to be collinear if they
are parallel to the same line, irrespective of their
magnitudes and directions.
For example: - Consider 3 vectors as shown in the
figure, they all are parallel to each other but their
magnitudes are different as well as the directions.
But they are said to be collinear vectors because
they are parallel to each other.
Equal Vectors:-
Two vectors are said to be equal, if they have the
same magnitude and direction regardless of the
positions of their initial points.
For example: - Consider 2 vectors whose
magnitudes and their directions are same
irrespective of origin, then they are known as equal
vectors.
Negative of a Vector:-
A vector whose magnitude is same as that of a
given vector but direction is opposite to that of it is
called negative of the given vector.

Free Vectors:-
Vectors that don’t change even if it is displaced in
parallel direction without changing its magnitude
and direction are called free vectors.
Problem:-Represent graphically a displacement
of 40 km, 30° west of south.

The vector OP ⃗represents the required

Answer: -

displacement.
 Addition of Vectors

Consider a scenario when a man moves from A to B

and then from B to C (as shown in the fig).

point A to point C, is given by the vector AC ⃗and

Then the net displacement made by a man from

expressed as:-
AC ⃗ = AB ⃗ + BC ⃗
This is known as the triangle law of addition.
 Head
to tail
vector

addition
To add two vectors, position them so that the initial
point of one coincides with the terminal of the other.
Consider two vectors a ⃗and b ⃗ and move them
parallel to each other such that tail of b ⃗ touches
the head of a ⃗.

⃗ + b ⃗).
Then the resultant vector will be given as vector (a

Also AC⃗ = -CA ⃗ from equation (AC ⃗= AB ⃗+ BC ⃗).

AA ⃗= AB ⃗+BC ⃗+ CA ⃗=0. This implies when we
consider the sides of the triangle in order, it leads to
zero resultant as both initial and terminal points
coincides with each other. This is shown in the figure
(ii).

BC’⃗ and the magnitude of BC’ ⃗ is same as BC ⃗ but

Constructing a vector as shown in the figure (iii)

the direction is opposite to the vector BC ⃗, i.e.

BC’ ⃗= - BC ⃗
By applying triangle law of addition we have, AC’ ⃗ =
AB ⃗ + BC ⃗
= AB ⃗+ (-BC ⃗)
AC’ ⃗= (a ⃗ - b ⃗).
Therefore vector AC’ ⃗ is said to represent
the difference of a ⃗ and b ⃗.
Parallelogram law of vector
addition:-

If we have two vectors (a ⃗and b ⃗) represented by the

two adjacent sides of a parallelogram in magnitude
and direction, then their sum
(a ⃗ + b ⃗) is represented in magnitude and direction
by the diagonal of the parallelogram through
common point.
By using parallelogram law of vector, it will be given
as:-
OC ⃗ = OA ⃗ + AC ⃗(Fig)
In triangle OAC applying triangle law of addition,
OC ⃗= OA ⃗ + AC ⃗
Therefore, OC ⃗= a ⃗ + b ⃗
Again applying triangle law of addition in triangle
OCB,
OC ⃗= OB ⃗ + CB ⃗
OC ⃗= a ⃗ + b ⃗
Hence proved.
Problem:- Find the sum of the vectors a ⃗= (î -2 ĵ
+ k̂ ) and b ⃗= (-2î + 4 ĵ + 5k̂ )
and c ⃗ = (î -6 ĵ -7 k̂ ).

The given vectors are a ⃗= (î -2 ĵ + k̂ ) and b ⃗= (-2î + 4

Answer:-

ĵ + 5k̂ ) and
c ⃗ = (î -6 ĵ -7 k̂ ).
Therefore (a ⃗+ b ⃗+ c ⃗) = (1-2+1) î + (-2+4-6) ĵ + (1+5-
7) k̂
=0.î -4 ĵ -1 k̂ .
=-4 ĵ -1 k̂ .