LECTURE GUIDE IN VECTOR

ANALYSIS
Prepared by: Engr. John Joel F. Martinez

ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

electronicsengineering@tip.edu.ph

Lecture Guide in Vector Analysis

Introduction to Vector Analysis

At the end of this session, the student should be able to:

Classify Scalar quantity and Vector Quantity

Represent a Vector, graphically, on a three-dimensional rectangular coordinates
system
Express vector as an equation using rectangular coordinates and unit vectors
Solve problems using rules in vector operations and dot and cross product.

1.1 Why study vector analysis?

Vector analysis, which had its beginnings in the middle of the 19 th century, has in
recent years become an essential part of mathematical background required for
engineers, physicists, mathematicians and other scientists. This requirement is far
more accidental, for not only does vector analysis provide a concise notation for
presenting equations arising from mathematical formulations of physical and
geometrical ideas. In short, it might very well be considered a most rewarding
language and mode of thought for the physical sciences. (Spiegel, 1959)
1.2 What are Scalar and Vector quantities
Scalar refers to quantity whose value maybe represented by a single (positive or
negative real number) only. Quantities that are scalar are those parameters that are
taken at a single point in space (ex. temperature at certain part in a tea cup) or
measured at a specific time (distance from the ground of a falling body at a certain
time). Some scalar quantities are mass, density, pressure, volume and volume
resistivity.
Vectors are n-dimensional quantities that has both magnitude and direction. In
this course, however, only two and three dimensional vectors are considered. Force,
velocity, acceleration, and a straight line from the positive or negative terminal of a
storage battery are examples of vector. Conversely, vectors are physical quantities
that has either a spatial direction or a change in its value.
In vector analysis, well be more interested in scalar and vector fields. A field
maybe defined mathematically as some function of that vector which connects an
arbitrary origin to a general point in space. Usually, fields are associated to some
physical effect, such as force on a compass needle in the magnetic field, or the
movement of smoke particles in the field defined by the vector velocity of air in some
region of space. Field concept are invariably related to some region in space. Some
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Lecture Guide in Vector Analysis

example of Scalar field are the temperature of soup throughout the bowl of soup and
the density at any point in the earth. The gravitational and magnetic fields of earth, the
voltage gradient in a cable, and the temperature gradient in a soldering tip are
examples of vector fields. The value of a field varies in general with both position and
time.
Activity 1.1
Classify each quantity as vector or scalar.
a. Distance
b. Computer Memory (bytes)
c. Heat
d. Energy
e. Acceleration
f. Bearing
g. Momentum
h. Displacement
i. Work
j. Pressure
k. Area
l. Entropy
m. Drag

1.3 Vector Representation

Graphically, vector are represented by an arrow OP defining the direction, the
magnitude of the vector being indicated by the length of the arrow. The tail end O of
the arrow is called the origin or the initial point of the vector, and the head P is called
the terminal point or terminus.

Figure 1. Vector Arrow

Analytically, a vector is represented by a letter with an arrow over it, as in Fig. 1,

and its magnitude is denoted by | | . In other books, vector is also represented
or OP.
by a bold face letter, A or the line segment

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Lecture Guide in Vector Analysis

Example 1.1
Present Graphically (a) Force of 10 lb in a direction 30 north of east.
(b) Force of 15 lb in a direction 30 east of north.

1.4 Vector in Rectangular coordinate system

1.4.1 Cartesian Coordinates
In order to describe a vector accurately, some specific lengths, directions, angles,
projections, or components must be given. There are three simple methods to
represent these properties and these are the rectangular, spherical and cylindrical
coordinate systems. In this section we will discuss the rectangular coordinates.
In rectangular coordinates, three axes are mutually perpendicular to each other
respectively x, y and z.

Figure 2.a Three dimensional rectangular coordinate system

Figure 2.b P(1,2,3) and Q(2,-2,1) Plotted on the rectangular coordinates

It is customary to choose a right-handed coordinate system, in which a rotation of

the x-axis in y-axis would cause a right-handed screw to progress in the direction of
the z-axis. If the right hand is used, the middle finger, fore finger and thumb may be
identified as x, y, and z axes, respectively.
1.4.2 Vector Components
A logical way to represent a vector in three-dimension is to identify its three
component vectors, lying along the three coordinate axes, whose vector sum must be
=
+
+
the given vector.

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Lecture Guide in Vector Analysis

Figure 3. Vector projected on a coordinate axes

Each component vector have magnitude that depends on the given vector.
However, they also have known and constant direction and is always directed along
its corresponding axis, this is not always the case. To obtain the real direction of the
original vector we must use unit vectors. A unit vector is a vector whose magnitude
is a vector, with magnitude not equal to zero, then
is unity or one. If

is the unit

. Any unit vector can be represented as . In this

vector having the same direction of
case:
=

Thus,
,

are the unit vectors in the Cartesian coordinate system. They
are directed along the x, y and z axes, respectively.

Figure 4. Unit vectors in the Cartesian coordinate system

If the component vector happens to be two units in magnitude and directed

= 2
toward increasing values of y, we should then write
.
Any vector may then
=
is given by:
be describe as
+
+ .
The magnitude of
|| = ( )2 + ( )2 +( )2

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Lecture Guide in Vector Analysis

Therefore, the unit vector in the direction of B is found as:

+
+

( )2 + ( )2 +( )2

Example 1.2
mathematically using the vector
Given the figure below, (a) express

components and unit vector as variable, (b) determine the magnitude of

and (c) the unit vector.

1.5. Vector Algebra

The operation of addition, subtraction and multiplication familiar in the algebra of
number of scalars are, with suitable definition, capable of extension to an algebra of
vectors.
1.5.1 Fundamentals of vector algebra
are equal if they have the same magnitude and
a) Two vectors and
.
direction regardless of the position of their initial points. Thus =
but having the same
b) A vector having direction opposite to that of vector
.
magnitude is denoted by -

Figure 5. Fundamentals of vectors

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Lecture Guide in Vector Analysis

is a vector formed by placing
c) The sum or resultant of vector of and
on the terminal point of
and then joining the initial
the initial point of
to the terminal point of
. The sum is written +
= . This is
point of
also known as the Parallelogram law. Extensions to sums of more than
two vectors are immediate.

Figure 6. Vector addition

d)

and
, represented by
-
, is that vector
The difference of vectors
yields vector
. Equivalently,

can defined as the
which added
).
sum + (

with magnitude |m|

e) The product of a vector by scalar m is a vector m
| and the direction the same as or opposite to
times the magnitude of |
is the null
that of , according as m is positive or negative. If m=0, m
vector.
1.5.2 Laws of vector algebra
are vectors and m and n are scalars, then
,
and
If
=
+

1. +
) = (

+ (
+
+
) +
2.
=
3. m
)=(mn)

4. m(n
= m
+m

5. (m+n)
+
)=m
+ m

6. m(

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Commutative Law for Addition

Associative Law for addition
Commutative Law for multiplication
Associative Law for Multiplication
Distributive Law
Distributive Law

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Lecture Guide in Vector Analysis

Example 1.3
1. Show that addition of vector is commutative.

2. Show that addition of vector is associative.

3. An automobile travels 3 miles due north, then 5 miles northeast. Represent

the displacement graphically and analytically.
4. Forces F1, F2, ., F6 acts on object P as shown. Show, graphically, the
Vector that will prevent P from moving.

=
= 3
= 2
5. Given
2

,
4

and
+ 2

+
3
+ 2
Find the magnitudes of:

a)

+
+
b)

c) 2

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Lecture Guide in Vector Analysis

Drill Problems 1.1
= 10
= 8
1. Given the vector
+
6 2
and
+ 3

,
2
find:

a) a unit vector in the direction of - +

b) the magnitude of 5
+
||2
|(
+
)
c) |
2. Given three points, A(4,3,2), B(-2,0,5), and C(7,-2,1):
extending from the origin to point A
a) specify the vector
b) give the unit vector extending from the origin toward the midpoint of line
AB
c) calculate the length of the perimeter of triangle ABC
3. The vector from the origin to point A is given as 6
2

,
4
and the unit
vector directed from the origin toward point B is (2/3,-2,3,1/3). If points A
and B are 10 units apart, find the coordinate of point B
= 2
4. Given = 3


4 ,
+ 4

and =
+ 2

3

Find:

+
a) 2
+
+ |
b) |
|

+
c) |3

+
d) a unit vector parallel to 2

5. The following forces acts on a particle P:
= 2
+ 3

5 , =

= 4

5
+
+ 3
,
2 + 4
and
3

=
2
a) Find the resultant of the forces
b) Magnitude of the resultant
c) unit vector of the resultant
1.6. Vector Multiplication
The process for multiplication of vectors depend on the nature of the vector involved. Firstly,
as discussed above, the multiplication of scalar to vector is straightforward and follows the rules of
algebra. Now, the same does not apply to multiplication of vector to another vector. There are two
ways to get the product of vector:
1.6.1 Scalar Product
Given two vectors A and B, the dot product, or scalar product, is defined as the product
of the magnitude of A, the magnitude of B, and the cosine of the smaller angle between them,
= ||||
The dot product, as well, obeys the commutative law, for the sign of the angle does not
affect the cosine term. The expression AB is read A dot B.

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Lecture Guide in Vector Analysis

The most common application of dot product is in mechanics, where a constant force F
applied over a straight displacement L does an amount of work FL cos , which is more easily
written .
=
Another example might be taken from magnetic fields.
=
Finding the angle between two vector in three-dimensional space is often a job we would
prefer to avoid, and for that reason the definition of the dot product is ussualy not used in its
basic form. For example,
= + +
= + +
Since thee angle between two different unit vectors of the Cartesian coordinate is 90
degree then,
= = = = = =
The three remaining three terms involve the dot product of a unit vector with itself,
which is unit, giving finally
= + +
Which is an expression involving no angles. A vector dotted with itself yields the
magnitude squared, or
= 2 = ||2
The geometrical term projection is also used with the dot product. Thus,
Is the projection of B in the A direction.
Example
1. Consider the vector field = 2.5 + 3 and the point Q(4,5,2). We wish
to find: (a) G at Q; (b) the scalar component at G at Q in the direction of =

(2 + 2 ; (c) the vector component of G at Q in the direction of and

finally, (d) the angle between G(rQ) and .

2. Three vertices of a triangle are located at A(6,-1,2), B(-2,3,-4), and C(-3,1,5). Find:
(a) (b) (c) the angle vertex A; (d) the (vector) projection of on

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Lecture Guide in Vector Analysis

Answer:
1.
(a) ( ) = 5 10 + 3
(b) -2
(c) ( ) = 1.333 0.667 + 1.333
(d) = 99.9
2. (a) 8 + 4 6
(b) 9 2 + 3
(c) -5.94 + 1.319 + 1.979

1.6.2 Cross Product

The cross product, say A x B, read as A cross B is a vector the magnitude of A x B is
equal to the product of the magnitudes of A, B, and the sine of the smaller angle between A and
B; the direction of A x B is perpendicular to the plane containing A and B and is along that one of
the two possible perpendiculars which is in the direction of advance of a right-handed screw as A
is turned into B.
x = ||||
Where is the unit vector normal to the plane where both A and B exist.

Cross product is not commutative. Conversely,

= ( )
When the definition of the cross product is applied to the unit vectors, say and , we
find that = , each vector has magnitude, the two vectors are perpendicular, and the
rotation of into indicates the positive z direction by the definition of a right handed
coordinate system.
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Lecture Guide in Vector Analysis

The evaluation of cross product is as follows:

Now, applying the unit vector multiplication for cross product, the product then become

Or is written as a determinant in a more easily remembered form,

Example
1. If = 2 3 + and = 4 2 + 5 , Find the cross product.
2. The three vertices of a triangle are located at A(6, -1, 2), B(-2,3,-4) and C(-3,1,5). Find:
(a (b) the area of the triangle (c) a unit vector perpendicular to the plane in
which the triangle is located.
Answer:
1. = 13 14 16
2. (a) 24 + 78 + 20
(b) 42
(c) 0.286 + 0.928 + 0.238

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Lecture Guide in Vector Analysis

Drill Problems 1.2
1. Find the angle between = 2 + 2 and If = 6 3 + 2 .
2. Determine the value of x so that = 2 + + and = 4 2 are
perpendicular.
3. Find the projection of the vector = + on the vector = 4 + 7
4. Prove the law of cosines for plane triangles.
5. Determine a unit vector perpendicular to the plane of = 2 + 6 3 and = 4 +
3 .
6. Find the vector component of = 10 6 + 5 that is parallel to = 0.1 + 0.2
0.3. (b) Find the vector component of F that is perpendicular to G. Find the vector component
of G that is perpendicular to F.
7. Point A(-4,2,5) and two vectors = 20 + 18 10 and = 10 + 8 +
15 , define a triangle (a) Find the unit vector perpendicular to the triangle. (b) Find a unit
vector in the plane of the triangle perpendicular to (c) Find a unit vector in the plane of the
triangle that bisects the interior angle at A.
8. Three vectors extending from the origin are given as = 7 + 3 2 , = 2 +
7 3 and = 2 + 3 . Find the (a) unit vector perpendicular to both r1 and
r2; (b) the unit vector perpendicular to r1-r2 and r2-r3; (c) the area of the right triangle defined
by r1 and r2 (d) the area of the triangle defined by the heads of r1, r2, and r3.
9. Use the definition of the dot product to find the interior angles at A and B of the triangle
defined by the three points: A(1,3,-2), B(-2,4,5) and C(0,-2,1).
10. Given the points M(0,1, -0.2, -0.1), N(-0.2,0.1,0.3) and P(0.4, 0, 0.1), find (a) the vector ; (b)
the dot product ; (c) he scalar projection of on (d) the angle between
and .

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