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preLecture Assignment #3. Vectors

The document discusses vector representations in the xy plane, including geometric, algebraic, and unit-vector forms. It covers scalar and vector products, their mathematical definitions, and transformation properties between different reference frames. Additionally, it highlights the significance of vectors in physics, particularly in relation to work and forces in different coordinate systems.

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2 views

preLecture Assignment #3. Vectors

The document discusses vector representations in the xy plane, including geometric, algebraic, and unit-vector forms. It covers scalar and vector products, their mathematical definitions, and transformation properties between different reference frames. Additionally, it highlights the significance of vectors in physics, particularly in relation to work and forces in different coordinate systems.

Uploaded by

이준상
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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preLecture Assignment #3.

Chapter 3. Vectors

D. Cho
March 8, 2022

1. A vector ~a in the xy plane can be represented by one of the following methods:


(i) geometric representation: an arrow
(ii) algebraic representation: Cartesian coordinates [1], (ax , ay )
(iii) unit-vector representation [2] : ax î + ay ĵ, where î and ĵ are the unit vectors along
the x and y axis, respectively.

FIG. 1:

(1) A scalar product of two vectors is defined as ~a · ~b = ab cos θ, where a and b are the
magnitude of ~a and ~b, respectively, and θ = θb − θa is the angle between them. See Fig. 1.
Using ax = a cos θa and ay = a sin θa , and the trigonometric addition formulas, show that
the scalar product can also be written as

~a · ~b = ax bx + ay by . (1)

(2) By noting that î · ĵ = 0, show that

(ax î + ay ĵ) · (bx î + by ĵ) = ax bx + ay by . (2)

(3) A vector product of the two vectors is defined as ~a × ~b = (ax by − ay bx )k̂ [3], where k̂
is a unit vector along the z axis. Show that

~a × ~b = ab sin θ k̂. (3)

1
2. In Chapter 4, we will study a 2D projectile motion as shown in Fig. 2. It is natural
to use the horizontal and vertical axis to define the x and y axis of the reference frame
S. Imagine, however, that we use the rotated frame S 0 of the x0 , y 0 axes for some reason.
Then the coordinates of the projectile in those two frames would be different. Nevertheless,
whichever frame we may use, motion of the projectile, or more fundamentally, the laws of
physics should be the same. It is this transformation property of a vector - or a first-rank
tensor in this context - that makes it a useful concept in physics [4]

FIG. 2:

~ is represented as ~a = (ax , ay ) in S. When the x0 axis is rotated with respect


(1) A vector A
to the x axis by η counterclockwise as in Fig. 2, show that its representation a~0 = (a0x , a0y )
in S 0 is:     
0
 ax   cos η sin η   ax 
 =  . (4)
a0y − sin η cos η ay

(2) Show that ~a · ~b = a~0 · b~0 .


In Chapter 7, you will learn that work done by a force f~ in moving an object by ∆~r is
∆W = f~ · ∆~r. The same work may be written as ∆W 0 = f~0 · ∆r~0 in S 0 , and it is obvious
that the work should the same in any reference frame we may happen to use. In this regard,
work is a scalar - or a zero-rank tensor. The 2 by 2 matrix R(η) in Eq. (4) is a second-rank
tensor.
(3) Show that (~a × ~b) · k̂ = (a~0 × b~0 ) · k̂. Or equivalently, ax by − ay bx = a0x b0y − a0y b0x .
(~a × ~b) · k̂ is the z component of ~a × ~b. The rotation in Eq. (4) is that of the xy axes
about the z axis, and hence leaves the z component unchanged.

2
(4) [Optional problem] (I do not think that you are ready for this problem yet. Come
back and solve it when you are ready.)
A force in S is given by    
 fx  − ∂V∂x
(x,y)
  =
 ,

(5)
fy − ∂V ∂y
(x,y)

and the force in S 0 is given by


   
∂V (x ,y ) 0 0 0
0
 fx   − ∂x0
= , (6)

∂V 0 (x0 ,y 0 )

0
fy − ∂y0

where
V 0 (x0 , y 0 ) = V (x(x0 , y 0 ), y(x0 , y 0 )).

V (x, y) is a potential energy function. (x0 , y 0 ) and (x, y) are related by R(η) in Eq. (4).
Show that (fx0 , fy0 ) and (fx , fy ) are also related by R(η). I.e. the force defined by Eq. (5) is
a vector.

[1] Descartes is the first one to introduce algebraic representation of geometric objects, thereby
bridging geometry and algebra. He made many important contributions in mathematics al-
though he is better known for his famous, but incomprehensible, thesis “cogito ergo sum”. For
those who are interested in what happened at the dawn of modernity in Europe, I recommend
a book by Anthony Gottlieb, The Dream of Enlightenment: The Rise of Modern Philosophy.
[2] A unit vector is a vector with a magnitude 1. It does not have any physical dimension, and it
just points a direction.
[3] A vector product is defined for 3D vectors. Assume that ~a = (ax , ay , 0), and similarly for ~b.
[4] Einstein’s special theory of relativity is nothing but a theory on transformation of a vector in
4D - space and time or simply spacetime - between two frames moving at a constant velocity
with respect to each other.

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