Vectors in Physics
Scalars vs. Vectors
Some quantities in Physics are uniquely determined by one number mass, temperature, speed, distance, etc. These are called SCALARS
Scalars vs. Vectors
There are other quantities that require more than one number velocity, acceleration, displacement, etc. These are called VECTORS
Characteristics of Vectors
A vector is represented as an arrow. An arrow has length and direction. So does a vector. Visual representation: Out of page: Into page:
Vector Addition
Vector Addition
A table in the room...
Vector Addition
A table in the room... A bug moves from point O...
O
Vector Addition
P
A table in the room... A bug moves from point O... to point P on the table.
Vector Addition
P
A table in the room... A bug moves from point O... to point P on the table. But, the table also moves
Vector Addition
P
A table in the room... A bug moves from point O... to point P on the table. But, the table also moves
Vector Addition
P S
A table in the room... A bug moves from point O... to point P on the table. But, the table also moves
The bugs position in the room is then point S.
Vector Addition
P S
A table in the room... A bug moves from point O... to point P on the table. But, the table also moves
The bugs position in the room is then point S. What you observe if these two motions happen simultaneously
Vector Addition
P S
Vector Addition
P S
OS = OP + P S
The vector OS is the vector OP plus the vector PS
Vector Addition Head-to-Tail Method
To add vectors A & B...
A
Vector Addition Head-to-Tail Method
A B
To add vectors A & B...
Translate one vector to the other, head-to-tail Magnitude & direction do not change So, same vector
Vector Addition Head-to-Tail Method
A
C = A+B
To add vectors A & B...
Translate one vector to the other, head-to-tail Magnitude & direction do not change So, same vector Draw resultant vector from tail of rst
to head of last
Vector Addition Head-to-Tail Method
A
C = A+B
To add vectors A & B...
Translate one vector to the other, head-to-tail Magnitude & direction do not change So, same vector Draw resultant vector from tail of rst
to head of last Result does not depend on order, so
C =B+A
Vector Addition Parallelogram Method
To add vectors A & B...
A
Vector Addition Parallelogram Method
To add vectors A & B...
A B
Translate one vector to the other, tail-to-tail Magnitude & direction do not change So, same vector
Vector Addition Parallelogram Method
To add vectors A & B...
A B
Translate one vector to the other, tail-to-tail Magnitude & direction do not change So, same vector Complete the parallelogram
Vector Addition Parallelogram Method
To add vectors A & B...
A B
C = A+B
Translate one vector to the other, tail-to-tail Magnitude & direction do not change So, same vector Complete the parallelogram Draw resultant vector from tails of vectors to
opposite corner of parallelogram
Vector Addition Parallelogram Method
To add vectors A & B...
A B
C = A+B
Translate one vector to the other, tail-to-tail Magnitude & direction do not change So, same vector Complete the parallelogram Draw resultant vector from tails of vectors to
opposite corner of parallelogram Easy to see that...
A+B =B+A
Vector Addition Subtraction
A + ( A ) = 0
Vector Addition Subtraction
A + ( A ) = 0
What is the meaning of A ?
Vector Addition Subtraction
A + ( A ) = 0
What is the meaning of A ? If this is displacement, it is the vector required to return to the start.
Vector Addition Subtraction
A + ( A ) = 0
What is the meaning of A ? If this is displacement, it is the vector required to return to the start. That would make the displacement zero.
Vector Addition Subtraction
A + ( A ) = 0
What is the meaning of A ? If this is displacement, it is the vector required to return to the start. That would make the displacement zero. It is simply the same vector in the opposite direction.
Vector Addition Subtraction
A + ( A ) = 0
A A
What is the meaning of A ? If this is displacement, it is the vector required to return to the start. That would make the displacement zero. It is simply the same vector in the opposite direction.
Vector Addition Subtraction
To determine
A B
AB = C
Vector Addition Subtraction
To determine
A B
Rewrite as A + ( B ) = C
AB = C
Vector Addition Subtraction
B A B
To determine
Rewrite as A + ( B ) = C Use head-to-tail method with A & B
AB = C
Vector Addition Subtraction
C
B A
To determine
Rewrite as A + ( B ) = C Use head-to-tail method with A & B
Draw resultant vector from tail of rst
AB = C
to head of last
Vector Addition Subtraction
C
B A
To determine
Rewrite as A + ( B ) = C Use head-to-tail method with A & B
Draw resultant vector from tail of rst
AB = C
to head of last
Order does matter
A B = B A
Vector Decomposition Components
Vector Decomposition Components
z
Vector Decomposition Components
z
P
Vector Decomposition Components
z
P
Vector Decomposition Components
z
Projections of vector A on to x, y, & z axes
Vector Decomposition Components
z
Projections of vector A on to x, y, & z axes
Vector Decomposition Components
z
Projections of vector A on to x, y, & z axes
Vector Decomposition Components
z
Projections of vector A on to x, y, & z axes
Vector Decomposition Components
Az
Projections of vector A on to x, y, & z axes
Ay
Ax x
Vector Decomposition Components
Az
z
A
Projections of vector A on to x, y, & z axes Unit vectors
Ay
Ax x
Vector Decomposition Components
Az
z
A
Projections of vector A on to x, y, & z axes Unit vectors
Ay
Ax x
Vector Decomposition Components
Az
z
A
Ay
Ax x
Projections of vector A on to x, y, & z axes Unit vectors One unit in length Point in positive direction Hat indicates unit vector
Vector Decomposition Components
Az
z
A
P
z x
O
Ay
Ax x
Projections of vector A on to x, y, & z axes Unit vectors One unit in length Point in positive direction Hat indicates unit vector
Vector Decomposition Components
Az
z
A
P
z x
O
Ay
Ax x
Projections of vector A on to x, y, & z axes Unit vectors One unit in length Point in positive direction Hat indicates unit vector
A = Ax x + Ay y + Az z
Vector Decomposition Components
Az
z
A
P
z x
O
Ay
Ax x
Projections of vector A on to x, y, & z axes Unit vectors One unit in length Point in positive direction Hat indicates unit vector
A = Ax x + Ay y + Az z
Vector Decomposition Components
Az
z
A
P
z x
O
Ay
Ax x
Projections of vector A on to x, y, & z axes Unit vectors One unit in length Point in positive direction Hat indicates unit vector
A = Ax x + Ay y + Az z
Vector Decomposition Components
Az
z
A
P
z x
O
Ay
Ax x
Projections of vector A on to x, y, & z axes Unit vectors One unit in length Point in positive direction Hat indicates unit vector
A = Ax x + Ay y + Az z
Vector Decomposition Components
Az
z
A
P
z x
O
Ay
Ax x
A = Ax x + Ay y + Az z
Vector Decomposition Components
Az
z
A
P
A = Ax x + Ay y + Az z
z x
O
Magnitude of vector A:
Ay
|A| =
Ax x
A2 + A2 + A2 x y z
Vector Decomposition Components
Az
z
A
P
A = Ax x + Ay y + Az z
z x
O
Ay
|A| =
Ax x
A2 + A2 + A2 x y z
Vector Decomposition Components
Az
z
A
P
z x
O
A = Ax x + Ay y + Az z |A| = A2 + A2 + A2 x y z
Ay
Example:
Ax x
Vector Decomposition Components
Az
z
A
P
z x
O
A = Ax x + Ay y + Az z |A| = A2 + A2 + A2 x y z
Ay
Example:
Ax x
A = 3 5 + 6 x y z
Vector Decomposition Components
Az
z
A
P
z x
O
A = Ax x + Ay y + Az z |A| = A2 + A2 + A2 x y z
Ay
Example:
Ax x
A = 3 5 + 6 x y z |A| = 32 + (5)2 + 62
Vector Decomposition Components
Az
z
A
P
z x
O
A = Ax x + Ay y + Az z |A| = A2 + A2 + A2 x y z
Ay
Example:
Ax x
A = 3 5 + 6 x y z |A| = 32 + (5)2 + 62 |A| = 9 + 25 + 36 = 70
Vector Decomposition Components
Az
z
A
P
z x
O
Ay
Ax x
A = 3 5 + 6 x y z |A| = 32 + (5)2 + 62 |A| = 9 + 25 + 36 = 70
Vector Decomposition Components
Az
z
A
P
z x
O
A = 3 5 + 6 x y z |A| = 32 + (5)2 + 62 |A| = 9 + 25 + 36 = 70
Ay
Ax x
Vector Decomposition Components
Az
z
A
P
z x
O
Ay
Ax x
A = 3 5 + 6 x y z |A| = 32 + (5)2 + 62 |A| = 9 + 25 + 36 = 70 Az 6 cos = = |A| 70
Vector Decomposition Components
Az
z
A
P
z x
O
Ay
Ax x
A = 3 5 + 6 x y z |A| = 32 + (5)2 + 62 |A| = 9 + 25 + 36 = 70 Az 6 cos = = |A| 70 6 1 = cos 70
Vector Components In Two Dimensions
Vector Components In Two Dimensions
Given magnitude & direction
Vector Components In Two Dimensions
Given magnitude & direction
Ax = |A| cos
Vector Components In Two Dimensions
Given magnitude & direction
Ax = |A| cos
Ay = |A| sin
Vector Components In Two Dimensions
Given magnitude & direction
Ax = |A| cos
Given components
Ay = |A| sin
Vector Components In Two Dimensions
Given magnitude & direction
Ax = |A| cos
Given components
|A| = A2 + A2 x y
Ay = |A| sin
Vector Components In Two Dimensions
Given magnitude & direction
Ax = |A| cos
Given components
|A| = A2 + A2 x y Ay 1 = tan Ax
Ay = |A| sin
Vector Components In Two Dimensions
Angle may be measured relative to the x or y axis. Be careful.
Unit Vector Notation
Unit Vector Notation
Unit Vector Notation
Find total displacement...
Unit Vector Notation
Each pace = 0.75 m
Find total displacement...
Unit Vector Notation
Each pace = 0.75 m
A = (3.75 m) y
Find total displacement...
Unit Vector Notation
Each pace = 0.75 m
A = (3.75 m) B = (2.25 m) y x
Find total displacement...
Unit Vector Notation
Each pace = 0.75 m
A = (3.75 m) B = (2.25 m) y x
C = (3(cos 45o ) m) (3(sin 45o ) m) x y
Find total displacement...
Unit Vector Notation
Each pace = 0.75 m
A = (3.75 m) B = (2.25 m) y x
C = (3(cos 45o ) m) (3(sin 45o ) m) x y
Find total displacement...
C = (2.12 m) (2.12 m) x y
Unit Vector Notation
Each pace = 0.75 m
A = (3.75 m) B = (2.25 m) y x
C = (3(cos 45o ) m) (3(sin 45o ) m) x y
Find total displacement...
C = (2.12 m) (2.12 m) x y
D= A+B+C
Unit Vector Notation
Each pace = 0.75 m
A = (3.75 m) B = (2.25 m) y x
C = (3(cos 45o ) m) (3(sin 45o ) m) x y
Find total displacement...
C = (2.12 m) (2.12 m) x y
D = (2.25 + 2.12) + (3.75 2.12) x y
D= A+B+C
Unit Vector Notation
Each pace = 0.75 m
A = (3.75 m) B = (2.25 m) y x
C = (3(cos 45o ) m) (3(sin 45o ) m) x y
Find total displacement...
C = (2.12 m) (2.12 m) x y
D = (2.25 + 2.12) + (3.75 2.12) x y D = (4.37m) + (1.63m) x y
D= A+B+C
Unit Vector Notation
Each pace = 0.75 m
A = (3.75 m) B = (2.25 m) y x
C = (3(cos 45o ) m) (3(sin 45o ) m) x y
Find total displacement...
C = (2.12 m) (2.12 m) x y
D = (2.25 + 2.12) + (3.75 2.12) x y D = (4.37m) + (1.63m) x y |D| = (4.37)2 + (1.63)2 = 4.66 m
D= A+B+C
Unit Vector Notation
Each pace = 0.75 m
A = (3.75 m) B = (2.25 m) y x
C = (3(cos 45o ) m) (3(sin 45o ) m) x y
Find total displacement...
C = (2.12 m) (2.12 m) x y
D = (2.25 + 2.12) + (3.75 2.12) x y D = (4.37m) + (1.63m) x y |D| = (4.37)2 + (1.63)2 = 4.66 m 1.63 1 = tan = 20.5o 4.37
D= A+B+C
Unit Vector Notation
Each pace = 0.75 m
A = (3.75 m) B = (2.25 m) y x
C = (3(cos 45o ) m) (3(sin 45o ) m) x y
Find total displacement...
C = (2.12 m) (2.12 m) x y
D = (2.25 + 2.12) + (3.75 2.12) x y D = (4.37m) + (1.63m) x y |D| = (4.37)2 + (1.63)2 = 4.66 m 1.63 1 = tan = 20.5o 4.37
D= A+B+C
Unit Vector Notation
Each pace = 0.75 m
A = (3.75 m) B = (2.25 m) y x
C = (3(cos 45o ) m) (3(sin 45o ) m) x y
Find total displacement...
C = (2.12 m) (2.12 m) x y
D = (2.25 + vector notation: x y Vector addition is straightforward with unit2.12) + (3.75 2.12) D = (4.37m) + (1.63m) x y |D| = (4.37)2 + (1.63)2 = 4.66 m 1.63 1 = tan = 20.5o 4.37
D= A+B+C
Unit Vector Notation
Each pace = 0.75 m
A = (3.75 m) B = (2.25 m) y x
C = (3(cos 45o ) m) (3(sin 45o ) m) x y
Find total displacement...
C = (2.12 m) (2.12 m) x y
D = (2.25 + vector notation: x y Vector addition is straightforward with unit2.12) + (3.75 2.12) D = (4.37m) + (1.63m) x y C = A + B = (Ax + Bx ) + (Ay2 + By ) 2 x y |D| = (4.37) + (1.63) = 4.66 m 1.63 1 = tan = 20.5o 4.37
D= A+B+C
Unit Vector Notation
Each pace = 0.75 m
A = (3.75 m) B = (2.25 m) y x
C = (3(cos 45o ) m) (3(sin 45o ) m) x y
Find total displacement...
C = (2.12 m) (2.12 m) x y
D = (2.25 + vector notation: x y Vector addition is straightforward with unit2.12) + (3.75 2.12) D = (4.37m) + (1.63m) x y C = A + B = (Ax + Bx ) + (Ay2 + By ) 2 x y |D| = (4.37) + (1.63) = 4.66 m D = A B = (Ax Bx ) + (Ay By )= 20.5o x tan1 1.63 y = 4.37
D= A+B+C
Unit Vector Notation
Each pace = 0.75 m
A = (3.75 m) B = (2.25 m) y x
C = (3(cos 45o ) m) (3(sin 45o ) m) x y
Find total displacement...
C = (2.12 m) (2.12 m) x y
D = (2.25 + 2.12) + (3.75 2.12) x y D = (4.37m) + (1.63m) x y |D| = (4.37)2 + (1.63)2 = 4.66 m 1.63 1 = tan = 20.5o 4.37
D= A+B+C
Position Vector
Position Vector
Position:
Position Vector
Position:
position vector = r
Position Vector
Position:
position vector = r
SI unit: meter, m
Position Vector
Position:
position vector = r
SI unit: meter, m
= x + y r x y
Displacement Vector
Displacement Vector
Displacement:
Displacement Vector
Displacement:
= r r r0
Displacement Vector
Displacement:
= r r r0 SI unit: meter, m
Displacement Vector
Displacement:
= r r r0 SI unit: meter, m
Written as a sum:
Displacement Vector
Displacement:
= r r r0 SI unit: meter, m
Written as a sum:
= + r r0 r
Velocity Vectors
Velocity Vectors
Average velocity:
Velocity Vectors
Average velocity:
v av r = t
Velocity Vectors
=r v av t SI unit: meter per second, m/s
Average velocity:
Velocity Vectors
=r v av t SI unit: meter per second, m/s
Average velocity:
Instantaneous velocity:
Velocity Vectors
=r v av t SI unit: meter per second, m/s
Average velocity:
= lim r v t0 t
Instantaneous velocity:
Velocity Vectors
=r v av t SI unit: meter per second, m/s
Average velocity:
= lim r v t0 t SI unit: meter per second, m/s
Instantaneous velocity:
Acceleration Vectors
Acceleration Vectors
Average acceleration:
Acceleration Vectors
Average acceleration:
a av v = t
Acceleration Vectors
Average acceleration:
a av v = t
SI unit: meter per second, m/s
Acceleration Vectors
Average acceleration:
a av v = t
SI unit: meter per second, m/s
Instantaneous acceleration:
Acceleration Vectors
Average acceleration:
a av v = t
SI unit: meter per second, m/s
= lim v a t0 t
Instantaneous acceleration:
Acceleration Vectors
Average acceleration:
a av v = t
SI unit: meter per second, m/s
= lim v a t0 t
Instantaneous acceleration:
2
SI unit: meter per second, m/s
Acceleration Vectors
Direction is the same as change in velocity
Acceleration Vectors
Average acceleration:
Direction is the same as change in velocity
Relative Motion
Two objects in motion relative to each other, and to a third Object one moves relative to object two Object two moves relative to object three These two relationships can be used to determine object ones motion relative to object three
Relative Motion
Relative Motion
Example:
Relative Motion
Example:
P
Bugs motion relative to table
Relative Motion
Example:
P S
Bugs motion relative to table Tables motion relative to room
Relative Motion
Example:
P S
Bugs motion relative to table Tables motion relative to room Bugs motion relative to room
Relative Motion
Example:
P S
Bugs motion relative to table Tables motion relative to room Bugs motion relative to room
For displacement, we would write:
Relative Motion
Example:
rbt
P S
Bugs motion relative to table Tables motion relative to room Bugs motion relative to room
For displacement, we would write:
Bugs displacement relative to Table rbt
Relative Motion
Example:
rbt
rtr
Bugs motion relative to table Tables motion relative to room Bugs motion relative to room
For displacement, we would write:
Bugs displacement relative to Table rbt Tables displacement relative to Room r
tr
Relative Motion
Example:
rbt
P
rbr
rtr
Bugs motion relative to table Tables motion relative to room Bugs motion relative to room
For displacement, we would write:
Bugs displacement relative to Table rbt Tables displacement relative to Room rtr Bugs displacement relative to Room r
br
Relative Motion
Example:
rbt
P
rbr
rtr
Bugs motion relative to table Tables motion relative to room Bugs motion relative to room
For displacement, we would write:
Bugs displacement relative to Table rbt Tables displacement relative to Room rtr Bugs displacement relative to Room r
br
= + r r rbr bt tr
