Chapter 01 - Introduction To Vector Analysis
Chapter 01 - Introduction To Vector Analysis
1.04 WRITING SCALARS AND VECTORS BY LONGHAND By longhand it is easier to write vectors by Plain type (not Boldface type) characters. Scalars: k , K , m, M r Vectors: A, CD Unit vectors: a A , aCD , (a x , a y , a z ), (a , a , a z ), (ar , a , a )
1.05 RECTANGULAR COORDINATES Also called the Cartesian coordinate system, it is the most commonly use coordinate system to represent vectors in three-dimensions. Rectangular coordinate system defines a point or a vector using three mutually perpendicular number lines, namely the x axis, the y axis, and the z axis. It is base on the geometry of a parallelepiped wherein the origin is located on one corner and the axes are the edges of the parallelepiped.
Fig. 1.1 Point and unit vectors in rectangular coordinate system 1.06 VECTOR IN RECTANGULAR COORDINATES
Fig. 1.2 Vector in rectangular coordinate system as a sum of components In component form,
r A = Ax a x + Ay a y + Az a z
r where: Ax , Ay , Az = components of A in the x, y, z directions respectively a x , a y , a z = unit vectors in the x, y, z directions respectively
1.07 MAGNITUDE OF A VECTOR The length of a vector. The distance from the tip to the tail of the arrow representing the vector. It is also called the Euclidean norm.
r 2 A = A = Ax2 + Ay + Az2
Fig. 1.3 Magnitude of a vector
A = 4 2 + 5 2 + 6 2 = 8.775
B = (3) 2 + 4 2 + 2 2 = 5.385
r 1.08 UNIT VECTOR IN THE DIRECTION OF A r Vector of unit length pointing in the direction of A
r A aA = A r Fig. 1.4 Unit vector in the direction of A
Example 1.02 Find the unit vector in the direction of r r a) A = 4a x + 5a y + 6a z , and b) B = 3a x + 4a y + 2a z Solution: a)
b)
r r R P = R OP = xPa x + yPa y + z Pa z
Fig. 1.5 Position vector Example 1.03 Find the vector extending from a) the origin to point P(6,1,8) , b) the origin to point Q(2,9,4) . Solution: r r R P = R OP = 6a x + a y + 8a z r r R Q = R OQ = 2a x + 9a y 4a z
r R PQ = ( xQ xP )a x + ( yQ yP )a y + ( zQ z P )a z
In terms of position vectors,
r r r R PQ = R P R Q
Example 1.04 Find the vector extending from P(6,1,8) to Q(2,9,4) . Solution: r R PQ = (2 + 6)a x + (9 1)a y + (4 8)a z r R PQ = 8a x + 8a y 12a z
1.11 NULL VECTOR Also called zero vector, is a vector with zero length. Null vector has no specific direction and unit vector. In rectangular coordinate system, r 0 = (0)a x + (0)a y + (0)a z .
1.12 PROBLEMS: 1) Identify the following quantities as scalar or vectors. a. volume b. acceleration c. torque d. density e. angular velocity 2) Elevation is a scalar quantity, how do cartographers normally draw a map representing the different elevations on the surface of the Earth? Aside from geography, cite other examples utilizing the same technique. 3) The average radius of the Earth is 6,371 km. If the center of the Earth is at the origin, the z axis passes through the North Pole, and the
surface of the Earth at the intersection of the Prime Meridian and the Equator (The point is above the Atlantic Ocean). b. the position vector at point B( x B , y B , z B ) , 5 km below the surface of the Earth at the South Pole. c. the distance vector from point B( x B , y B , z B ) to point A( x A , y A , z A ) . 1.13 PROBLEMS: 1) Determine the position vectors of each of the following points: a) A(1,4,5) , b) B(3,4,5) , c) C (2,2,0) , d) D(4,1,0) 2) Determine the length and unit vector in the direction of each of the position vectors in (1).