Vectors

• Quantity that has magnitude and direction.

• In 3-Dim vectors can be represented by arrows.
Two vectors are equal if they have the
same magnitude and the same
direction.
Vector Direction
By convention, a positive angle is
measured in the
counterclockwise direction from
the positive x-axis, and a negative
angle is measured in the
clockwise direction from the
positive x-axis.
Geometric Addition of Vectors
 Multiplying vectors by a numbers

• If a is a number and F is a vector,

then aF is a vector in the same
direction as F: longer (if a >1) and
shorter (if 0 < a < 1).
• aF is a vector in the opposite
direction to F if a < 0.
Vector Components
Positive and negative vector
components
Two vectors F1 and F2 are equal if
their corresponding components
are equal,
F1x = F2x
F1y = F2y
F1z = F2z
Adding Vectors Algebraically
 Unit Vectors

• A unit vector has a dimensionless

magnitude of 1. Unit vectors are
used to specify a direction and have
no other physical significance.
Unit vectors in the positive x-, y-, and z-
directions are denoted as 𝚤𝚤̂, 𝚥𝚥̂, and 𝑘𝑘�,
respectively.
A = Axi + Ayk
A = -3i + 3j, B = 3i + 1j, C = -2i
Example: Express the resultant vector in
terms of unit vectors i, j and k.
Example: Express P and Q in terms of unit
vectors and then determine the resultant
force acting on the pulley.
P = (120.0 N)(cos 300) i + (120.0 N )(sin 300) j
P = (104.0 N) i + (60.0 N) j

Q = - (100.0 N)(cos 700)i -(100.0 N )(sin 700)j

P = -(34.2 N) i - (94.0 N) j

The resultant force R = P + Q

R = (104.0 N - 34.2 N) i +(60.0 N - 94.0 N) j
R = (69.8N) i -(34.0 N) j

R = 69.82 + 34.02 = 77.6 N

−34.0
tan θ =
69.8
θ = -260
Exercise: Express forces F1, F2 and F3 in
terms of unit vectors and then determine
the resultant force.
Vectors in Three-dimensional Space
 F = Fxi + F xj + F xk
Fx, Fy, and Fz are vector components, that
is, projections of the vector 𝐹𝐹⃗ onto the
x-, y-, and z-axes, respectively.

The three angles α, β and γ are between

vector F and x, y and z – axes.

Often angles α, β and γ are designated

θ , θ and θ .
 F = F x i + Fx j + F x k

2 2 2
F = 𝐹𝐹𝑥𝑥 + 𝐹𝐹𝑦𝑦 + 𝐹𝐹𝑧𝑧

Fx = F cos α, Fy = F cos β, Fz = F cos γ

cos2α + cos2β + cos2γ = 1

cos α, cos β and cos γ are called direction

cosines.
Example: Express vector A in terms of unit
vectors i, j and k. Determine the angles
between A and coordinate axes x, y and z.
Az = (12.0 m)cos 300 = 10.4 m Ax = Axy cos 400 = (6.00 m)cos 400 = 4.60 m
Axy = (12.0 m)sin 300 = 6.00 m Ay = Axy sin 400 = (6.00 m) sin 400 = 3.86 m

A = (4.60 m)i + (3.86 m)j + (10.4 m)k

 -1 4.60
θx = cos � � = 67.50
12.0

-1 3.86
θy = cos � � = 71.30
12.0

-1 10.4
θx = cos � � = 30.00
12.0
Exercise:
Find the angles between the force

F = 1200i + 800j +- 1500k

and the x-, y-, and z-axes.

Exercise:
r= 240 mm. Express vector r in terms
of unit vectors i, j and k.
 Unit Vector in the Direction of F

F = FuF

𝐅𝐅 𝐹𝐹𝑥𝑥 𝐹𝐹𝑦𝑦 𝐹𝐹𝑧𝑧

uF = = 𝒊𝒊
+ 𝒋𝒋 + 𝒌𝒌
𝐹𝐹 𝐹𝐹 𝐹𝐹 𝐹𝐹
uF = (cos α)i + (cos β)j + (cos γ)k
Example: The cable attached to the eyebolt
is pulled with a force F of magnitude 500 N.
Express vector F in terms of unit vectors i, j
and k.
AB = -4.00i + 6.00j – 3.00k (m)

𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 −4.00𝐢𝐢 + 6.00𝐣𝐣 – 3.00𝐤𝐤

u= =
𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 −4.00 2 + 6.002 + −3.00 2

u = -0.512i + 0.768j – 0.384k

F = 500.0(-0.512i + 0.768j – 0.384k)

F = 256i + 384j – 192k

Solution
Exercise: F = 240 N. Express vector
F in terms of unit vectors i, j and k.
Exercise: Express vector F in terms of
unit vectors i, j and k.