UNIVERSITY PHYSICS

Chapter 2 VECTORS

Dr. Fatma Al Ma’Mari and Dr. Ridha Horchani

Fall 2020, PHYS2107, SQU
 EXAMPLE 2.4

Magnitude and Direction of the Displacement Vector

You move a mouse pointer on the display monitor from its initial position
at point (6.0 cm, 1.6 cm) to an icon located at point (2.0 cm, 4.5 cm). What
are the magnitude and direction of the displacement vector of the pointer?

ANSWER:
Magnitude of D= √(Dx2 + Dy2)= √((2-6)2 + (4.5-1.6)2) = 4.9 cm
Direction: θ= tan-1 (Dy/Dx)= 144.1 deg (vector in the second quadrant)
(check the full solution in the book!)
 EXAMPLE 2.5
Components of Displacement Vectors
A rescue party for a missing child follows a search dog named Trooper. Trooper wanders a lot
and makes many trial sniffs along many different paths. Trooper eventually finds the child and
the story has a happy ending, but his displacements on various legs seem to be truly
convoluted. On one of the legs he walks 200.0 m southeast, then he runs north some 300.0 m.
On the third leg, he examines the scents carefully for 50.0 m in the direction 30° west of north.
On the fourth leg, Trooper goes directly south for 80.0 m, picks up a fresh scent and turns 23°
west of south for 150.0 m. Find the scalar components of Trooper’s displacement vectors and
his displacement vectors in vector component form for each leg.

North (+j)
Answer: 4
3

5
L1= (141.4 i-141.4 j) m
L2= (300 j) m 2 East (+i)
L3= (-25 i+43.3 j) m
L4= (-80j) m 1
L5= (-58.6 i-138.1j) m
FIGURE 2.21

Three unit vectors define a Cartesian system in three-dimensional space. The order in
which these unit vectors appear defines the orientation of the coordinate system. The
order shown here defines the right-handed orientation.
FIGURE 2.22

A vector in three-dimensional space is the vector sum of its three vector components.
EXAMPLE 2.7

The origin of the coordinate system : control tower.

The direction of the +x-axis : unit vector i to the east,
the direction of the +y-axis: unit vector j to the north,
the direction of the +z-axis : unit vector k, (points up from the ground)

The drone’s first position : the beginning of displacement vector

its second position: the end (arrow) of the displacement vector.
Solution

Identify b (begin point of vector D): (300.0 m, 200.0 m, 100.0 m)

e (end point of vector D): (1200 m, 2100 m, 250 m)

and find the 3 scalar components of the drone’s displacement vector:

Dx = xe − xb = 1200.0 m − 300.0 m = 900.0 m,

Dy = ye − yb = 2100.0 m − 200.0 m = 1900.0 m,
Dz = ze − zb = 250.0 m − 100.0 m = 150.0 m.

From these 3 components find the displacement vector D:

D = Dx i + Dy j + Dz k = 900 m i + 1900 m j + 150 m k

= (0.90 i + 1.90 j + 0.15 k ) km

Finally, find the magnitude of the displacement:

D = √(Dx2 + Dy2 + Dz2)= √((0.90 km)2 + (1.90 km)2 + (0.15 km)2 )= 2.11 km.
2.3 | ALGEBRA OF VECTORS

ANSWER:
A B C
R= 12.7 i+3.1 j {=[10 cos 35 i+10 sin 35 j]+[7 cos (-110)i+7 sin(-110)j]+[8 cos 30 i+8 sin 30 j ] }

D=10.6 i +12.3 j

S= 22.3 i +29.8 j
FIGURE 2.24

Graphical illustration of the solutions obtained analytically in Example 2.9.

EXAMPLE 2.10

C=140 N B=200 N
For convenience, name the
dogs, A , B, C, D!

D=??? A=160 N
Strategy:
1. Find the x- and y- components of the 3 forces A, B and C.
Ax =160 cos 55, Ay= -160 sin 55, Bx=200 sin 60, By=200 cos 60
Cx=-140 sin 55, Cy= +140 cos 55
2. Find the net force,

R= A + B+ C = (Ax+Bx+Cx) i + (Ay+By+Cy) j
= 150. 3 N i +49.2 N j

3. Find the vector D, which will cancel R:

D= - R = -150. 3 N i - 49.2 N j (Must be in the 3rd quadrant!)

4. Find the magnitude and direction of D :

D= √(Dx2 + Dy2 )= 158 N, θ = tan -1 (Dy/Dx) = 18 deg

This MUST be the force exerted by the dog D!

2.4 | PRODUCTS OF VECTORS
3-3 Multiplying Vectors

 Multiplying a vector by a vector

scalar product vector product

scalar vector

𝑎𝑎.
⃗ 𝑏𝑏 = 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 cos 𝜙𝜙 𝑐𝑐⃗ = 𝑎𝑎⃗ × 𝑏𝑏
Dot product cross product
3-3 Multiplying Vectors

 Scalar product ( dot product)

 A dot product is: the product of the magnitude of one vector
times the scalar component of the other vector in the direction
of the first vector

𝑎𝑎.
⃗ 𝑏𝑏 = 𝑎𝑎 𝑏𝑏 cos 𝜙𝜙 = 𝑎𝑎 cos 𝜙𝜙 𝑏𝑏 Eq. (3-20)

Component of 𝑏𝑏⃗
along direction of 𝑎𝑎⃗
is 𝑏𝑏 cos 𝜙𝜙
𝑎𝑎⃗
𝜙𝜙
Component of a
along direction of 𝑏𝑏⃗
is 𝑎𝑎 cos 𝜙𝜙
3-3 Multiplying Vectors

 Scalar product ( dot product)

Results in a scalar, where a and b are magnitudes and φ

is the angle between the directions of the two vectors:

𝑎𝑎.
⃗ 𝑏𝑏 = 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 cos 𝜙𝜙
3.8.1. Consider the various vectors given in the choices below. The
dot product of which pair of vectors is equal to zero?
3.8.1. Consider the various vectors given in the choices below. The
dot product of which pair of vectors is equal to zero?
3-3 Multiplying Vectors

 Dot product in the unit vector notation form

⃗ 𝑏𝑏 = 𝑎𝑎𝑥𝑥 𝚤𝚤̂ + 𝑎𝑎𝑦𝑦 𝚥𝚥̂ + 𝑎𝑎𝑧𝑧 𝑘𝑘� . 𝑏𝑏𝑥𝑥 𝚤𝚤̂ + 𝑏𝑏𝑦𝑦 𝚥𝚥̂ + 𝑏𝑏𝑧𝑧 𝑘𝑘�
𝑎𝑎. Eq. (3-22)

[Remember: i.i=j.j=k.k = 1 and i.j=i.k=k.j=0]

𝑎𝑎.
⃗ 𝑏𝑏 = 𝑎𝑎𝑥𝑥 𝑏𝑏𝑥𝑥 + 𝑎𝑎𝑦𝑦 𝑏𝑏𝑦𝑦 + 𝑎𝑎𝑧𝑧 𝑏𝑏𝑧𝑧 Eq. (3-23)

 The commutative law applies, and we can do the dot product in

component form

𝑎𝑎.
⃗ 𝑏𝑏 = 𝑏𝑏. 𝑎𝑎⃗
EXAMPLE 2.16
STRATEGY

Use the definition of the dot product, by writing it in the form:

cos φ = (Α. Β)/ (ΑΒ)

Here, Α= F1 and B =F2

F1 . F2 = F1xF2x+ F1yF2y + F1z F2z = -162 N

F1= √(F1x2 + F1y2 + F1z2)= 22.8 N

F2= √(F2x2 + F2y2 + F2z2)= 16.2 N

cos φ = (F1. F2)/ (F1F2) = -0.439

φ= 116 deg
3-3 Multiplying Vectors

 The vector product (cross product)

𝑐𝑐⃗ = 𝑎𝑎⃗ × 𝑏𝑏

The cross product of two vectors with magnitudes a & b,

separated by angle φ, produces a vector with magnitude:

c = 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 sin 𝜙𝜙 Eq. (3-24)

o And a direction
perpendicular to both
original vectors 𝑎𝑎⃗
𝑐𝑐⃗
𝜙𝜙
FIGURE 2.29

The vector product of two vectors is drawn in three-dimensional space.

(a) The vector product 𝑨𝑨 × 𝑩𝑩 is a vector perpendicular to the plane that contains vectors 𝑨𝑨 and 𝑩𝑩. Small squares drawn in perspective
mark right angles between 𝑨𝑨 and 𝑪𝑪, and between 𝑩𝑩 and 𝑪𝑪 so that if 𝑨𝑨 and 𝑩𝑩 lie on the floor, vector 𝑪𝑪 points vertically upward to the
ceiling.

(b) The vector product 𝑩𝑩 × 𝑨𝑨 is a vector antiparallel to vector 𝑨𝑨 × 𝑩𝑩.

CORKSCREW RULE TO FIND DIRECTION OF CROSS
PRODUCT
3.8.1. Consider the various vectors given in the choices below. The
cross product of which pair of vectors is equal to zero?
3.8.1. Consider the various vectors given in the choices below. The
cross product of which pair of vectors is equal to zero?
 3-3 Multiplying Vectors

 vector product in the unit vector notation form

𝑎𝑎⃗ = 𝑎𝑎𝑥𝑥 𝚤𝚤̂ + 𝑎𝑎𝑦𝑦 𝚥𝚥̂ + 𝑎𝑎𝑧𝑧 𝑘𝑘� 𝑏𝑏 = 𝑏𝑏𝑥𝑥 𝚤𝚤̂ + 𝑏𝑏𝑦𝑦 𝚥𝚥̂ + 𝑏𝑏𝑧𝑧 𝑘𝑘�

𝑎𝑎⃗ × 𝑏𝑏 = 𝑎𝑎𝑥𝑥 𝚤𝚤̂ + 𝑎𝑎𝑦𝑦 𝚥𝚥̂ + 𝑎𝑎𝑧𝑧 𝑘𝑘� × 𝑏𝑏𝑥𝑥 𝚤𝚤̂ + 𝑏𝑏𝑦𝑦 𝚥𝚥̂ + 𝑏𝑏𝑧𝑧 𝑘𝑘�
Eq. (3-25)

 Determinant

𝚤𝚤̂ 𝚥𝚥̂ 𝑘𝑘� 𝑎𝑎𝑦𝑦 𝑎𝑎𝑧𝑧 𝑎𝑎𝑥𝑥 𝑎𝑎𝑧𝑧 𝑎𝑎𝑥𝑥 𝑎𝑎𝑦𝑦

𝑎𝑎𝑧𝑧 = 𝚤𝚤̂ 𝑏𝑏 �
𝑎𝑎⃗ × 𝑏𝑏 = 𝑎𝑎𝑥𝑥 𝑎𝑎𝑦𝑦
𝑦𝑦 𝑏𝑏𝑧𝑧 −𝚥𝚥̂ 𝑏𝑏𝑥𝑥 𝑏𝑏𝑧𝑧 + 𝑘𝑘 𝑏𝑏𝑥𝑥 𝑏𝑏𝑦𝑦
𝑏𝑏𝑥𝑥 𝑏𝑏𝑦𝑦 𝑏𝑏𝑧𝑧

𝑎𝑎⃗ × 𝑏𝑏 = (𝑎𝑎𝑦𝑦 𝑏𝑏𝑧𝑧 − 𝑏𝑏𝑦𝑦 𝑎𝑎𝑧𝑧 )𝚤𝚤̂ − (𝑎𝑎𝑥𝑥 𝑏𝑏𝑧𝑧 − 𝑏𝑏𝑥𝑥 𝑎𝑎𝑧𝑧 )𝚥𝚥̂ + (𝑎𝑎𝑥𝑥 𝑏𝑏𝑦𝑦 − 𝑏𝑏𝑥𝑥 𝑎𝑎𝑦𝑦 )𝑘𝑘�
3-3 Multiplying Vectors

 Unit vector

𝚥𝚥̂ 𝚤𝚤̂
𝚥𝚥̂ 𝚤𝚤̂

𝑘𝑘� 𝑘𝑘�

𝚤𝚤̂ × 𝚤𝚤̂ = 0
𝚤𝚤̂ × 𝚥𝚥̂ = 𝑘𝑘� 𝚥𝚥̂ × 𝚤𝚤̂ = −𝑘𝑘�
𝚥𝚥̂ × 𝚥𝚥̂ = 0
𝚥𝚥̂ × 𝑘𝑘� = 𝚤𝚤̂
And k X i = j 𝑘𝑘� × 𝑘𝑘� = 0
3-3 Multiplying Vectors

 Unit vector

𝑎𝑎⃗ × 𝑏𝑏 = 𝑎𝑎𝑥𝑥 𝚤𝚤̂ + 𝑎𝑎𝑦𝑦 𝚥𝚥̂ + 𝑎𝑎𝑧𝑧 𝑘𝑘� × 𝑏𝑏𝑥𝑥 𝚤𝚤̂ + 𝑏𝑏𝑦𝑦 𝚥𝚥̂ + 𝑏𝑏𝑧𝑧 𝑘𝑘�

𝑎𝑎⃗𝑎𝑎⃗××𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏== 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥𝚤𝚤̂ 𝚤𝚤×

̂ ×𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥𝚤𝚤̂ 𝚤𝚤̂ ̂ ×𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑧𝑧𝑧𝑧𝑘𝑘�𝑘𝑘� +
++ 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥𝚤𝚤̂ 𝚤𝚤×̂ ×𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦𝚥𝚥̂ 𝚥𝚥̂ ++ 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑥𝑥𝑥𝑥𝚤𝚤̂𝚤𝚤×
𝑎𝑎𝑦𝑦 𝚥𝚥̂ × 𝑏𝑏𝑥𝑥 𝚤𝚤̂ + 𝑎𝑎𝑦𝑦 𝚥𝚥̂ × 𝑏𝑏𝑦𝑦 𝚥𝚥̂ + 𝑎𝑎𝑦𝑦 𝚥𝚥̂ × 𝑏𝑏𝑧𝑧 𝑘𝑘� +
𝑎𝑎𝑧𝑧 𝑘𝑘� × 𝑏𝑏𝑥𝑥 𝚤𝚤̂ + 𝑎𝑎𝑧𝑧 𝑘𝑘� × 𝑏𝑏𝑦𝑦 𝚥𝚥̂ + 𝑎𝑎𝑧𝑧 𝑘𝑘� × 𝑏𝑏𝑧𝑧 𝑘𝑘�
EXAMPLE 2.18
SOLUTION:

(a) Torque has a magnitude,

τ= RF sin φ= 0.25 m 20 N sin 40 = 3.21 Nm
The right-hand rule gives a +z direction for this torque
(trying to rotate the nut anticlockwise)

(b) Torque has a magnitude,

τ= RF sin φ= 0.25 m 20 N sin 45 = 3.53 Nm
The right-hand rule gives a –z direction for this torque.
(trying to rotate the nut clockwise)

(c) The torque will have the largest value when sin φ =1

This will happen when φ=90, i.e., when the force is applied
perpendicular to the wrench handle.
EXAMPLE 2.19
RESULT

Use Eq. 3 (25) , the definition of the vector product to find the components
of the vector F.

(a) F= ζ (8.3i+13.2 j+19.4k) F= 24.9 ζ

According to the definition of the vector product, F must be perpendicular

to B (F= ζ u X B)

(b) F= ζ (−9i+22.5j) F=24.2 ζ

According to the definition of the vector product, F must be perpendicular

to B

(You can also calculate the dot product F.B to find the angle
between F and B. The dot product is zero, and so is the angle between them)