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VECTORS

The document explains the distinction between scalars and vectors, highlighting that scalars are defined by magnitude alone while vectors require both magnitude and direction. It describes the representation of vectors, types of vectors, and fundamental laws of vector addition, including the commutative and associative laws. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of the parallelogram law for a quantity to be classified as a vector.

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Atishay Singh
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10 views

VECTORS

The document explains the distinction between scalars and vectors, highlighting that scalars are defined by magnitude alone while vectors require both magnitude and direction. It describes the representation of vectors, types of vectors, and fundamental laws of vector addition, including the commutative and associative laws. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of the parallelogram law for a quantity to be classified as a vector.

Uploaded by

Atishay Singh
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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VECTORS

●​ Certain physical quantities completely described by a numerical value alone with


specified units and are added according to the ordinary rules of algebra. Such quantities
are called SCALARS. Ex- Mass, Temperature, Speed, Time, Energy, Distance, Power,
etc.

●​ Certain physical quantities which need both magnitude and direction to express them
completely are termed as VECTORS. Ex- Displacement, Velocity, Acceleration, Force,
etc.

●​ In Greek language, the word "vector" means "carrier" which signifies a directional nature.

●​ If a physical quantity in addition to magnitude has a specified direction and obeys the
law of parallelogram of addition, then only it is said to be a vector. If any of the conditions
is not satisfied, the physical quantity cannot be a vector.

●​ If a physical quantity is a vector, it has a direction, but if a physical quantity has a


direction, it may or may not be a vector because they do not obey parallelogram law of
addition. Ex- Time, Pressure, Surface Tension, Current, etc.

●​ The magnitude of a vector (A) is the absolute value of a vector and is indicated by |A|.

●​ REPRESENTATION OF VECTORS :

A vector is represented by a straight arrow. The tail is the starting point and the head is
the ending point. Length of the arrow gives us magnitude and direction is given by line
joining tail to head.

●​ To express them mathematically we need to draw the origin and the coordinate systems.
●​ TYPES OF VECTORS :

1. Parallel Vector- Direction same but magnitude same or different.

2. Equal Vector- Both magnitude and direction are same.

3. Anti Parallel- Direction is opposite but magnitude may or may not be different.

4. Negative Vector- Always antiparallel and equal magnitude.

5. Coplanar Vector- Vectors which lie in the same plane. 2 vectors are always coplanar.
3,4,5 vectors may be or not a coplanar vector.

6. Unit Vector- Magnitude would be unity or direction can be anything or anywhere.

●​ NOTE :
1.​ Angle between 2 vectors is defined as angle made by two vectors when they are
joined tail to tail by displacing either of the vectors parallel to itself. (0 ≤ ϴ ≤ π) .

●​ Commutative Law of Addition:


When two vectors are added, the sum is independent of the order of addition. This
property is known as the commutative law of addition.

A+B=B+A
●​ Associative Law of Addition:
When three or more vectors are added, their sum is independent of the way in which the
individual vectors are grouped together.This property is called the associative law of
addition.

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