Topic: Vector Products
Student Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this lesson, you are expected to be able to:
(1) Express vectors in terms of unit vectors;
(2) Illustrate vectors given their components in unit vectors;
(3) Determine the scalar product of 2 vectors;
(4) Find the angle between two vectors through their scalar or
dot product; and
(5) Calculate the vector product of 2 vectors in 4 methods:
(i) using vectors’ given magnitudes and direction ;
(ii) the component-form definition;
(iii) the determinant of a 3 x 3 matrix; and
(iv) the distributive property of multiplication.
READING REQUIREMENT for
a detailed discussion :
Young & Freedman (13th ed),
pp. 19-25.
Unit Vectors and Vector Products
Its only purpose is to “point a direction in space”,
specially the direction of the components of a vector.
A “hat” or “caret” is placed on top of the vector to
distinguish it from ordinary vectors.
Unit vector, , points the direction of the
x-component of a vector (either + or -).
Unit vector, , points the direction of the
y-component of a vector (either + or -).
Unit vector, , points the direction of the
z-component of a vector (either + or -).
Read: University Physics by Young & Freedman (13th ed.), pp. 19-25.
Expressing Vector Components Using Unit Vectors
x-component of vector A: Magnitude is Ax and direction is towards +x since is +.
Y-component of vector A: Magnitude is Ay and direction is towards +y since is +.
Read: University Physics by Young & Freedman (13th ed.), pp. 19-25.
Expressing Vector Components Using Unit Vectors
Read: University Physics by Young & Freedman (13th ed.), pp. 19-25.
Vector Products: Scalar Product (a.k.a. Dot Product)
The scalar product (or dot
product) of two vectors is
equal to the product of their
parallel components.
The scalar product of two
vectors results to a new
“scalar quantity”.
Read: University Physics by Young & Freedman (13th ed.), pp. 19-25.
Vector Products: Scalar Product (a.k.a. Dot Product)
WORK (W) is an example of a physical quantity that is a
scalar product of two vectors, force (F) and displacement (s).
In our later lessons, work is define as:
W = F s = F s cos .
Since the maximum values of cos are +1 for = 0o and
-1 for = 18 0o, the scalar product of 2 vectors is
maximum when they are either parallel (where = 0o)
or anti-parallel (where = 18 0o).
For unit vectors:
Read: University Physics by Young & Freedman (13th ed.), pp. 19-25.
Vector Products: Scalar Product (a.k.a. Dot Product)
The scalar product of 2 vectors is at minimum (or zero)
when they are perpendicular with each other when
drawn tail-to-tail where = 90o and cos 90o = 0.
=- =- = 0
Scalar Product using Unit Vectors
Read: University Physics by Young & Freedman (13th ed.), pp. 19-25.
Vector Products: Scalar Product (a.k.a. Dot Product)
Read: University Physics by Young & Freedman (13th ed.), pp. 19-25.
Vector Products: Scalar Product (a.k.a. Dot Product)
Read: University Physics by Young & Freedman (13th ed.), pp. 19-25.
Vector Product (a.k.a. Cross Product)
The vector product (or cross product)
The cross product of two vectors
of two vectors is equal to the product
results to a new “vector quantity”.
of their perpendicular components.
Read: University Physics by Young & Freedman (13th ed.), pp. 19-25.
Vector Product (a.k.a. Cross Product)
Unlike dot product, cross product is
The cross product of two vectors is
NON-COMMUTATIVE.
always directed perpendicular to the
plane where the 2 vectors are lying.
Read: University Physics by Young & Freedman (13th ed.), pp. 19-25.
Vector Product (a.k.a. Cross Product)
Since the maximum values of sin are +1 for = 90o and -1
for = 270o, the cross product of 2 vectors is maximum
when they are perpendicular with each other (where = 0o )
or = 180o). Guide for finding the cross
product of unit vectors, go
counterclockwise:
Read: University Physics by Young & Freedman (13th ed.), pp. 19-25.
Vector Product (a.k.a. Cross Product)
The cross product of 2 vectors is at minimum (or zero)
when they are either parallel (where = 0o ) or anti-
parallel (where cos 180o = 0).
Guide for finding the cross
product of unit vectors, go
counterclockwise:
Read: University Physics by Young & Freedman (13th ed.), pp. 19-25.
Vector Product (a.k.a. Cross Product): In terms of Components
This gives the magnitude and direction of each component of
the cross product of A and B.
Read: University Physics by Young & Freedman (13th ed.), pp. 19-25.
Vector Product (a.k.a. Cross Product): In terms of Components
Read: University Physics by Young & Freedman (13th ed.), pp. 19-25.
READING on:
Young & Freedman (13th ed),
pp. 19-25.
**Watch and study the videos of my
discussions on few examples under Vectors.
Study smart guys and gals!
