VECTOR

Definition:

A quantity for which direction and magnitude (size) are important. The physical quantities
specified completely by their magnitude as well as direction are called vector quantities.

Some Important Examples of Vectors:

Displacement: Distance measured in a specific direction

Velocity: Speed and direction

Acceleration: Rate of change of velocity (as velocity is a vector because it has a direction,
acceleration has direction too and so is a vector)

Force: Pressure exerted on something in a particular direction.

Vector Representation:

A line segment that gives direction and an arrow that gives magnitude of the line segment.

Resultant Vector:

When two or more vectors are added, the single equivalent vector is called the resultant
vector. Two or more vectors (called components) can be added to give another vector,
which is called the resultant of the vectors. The resultant would produce the same effect as
that of the original vectors together.
Triangle Law of Vectors:

If two vectors A and B acting at a point are inclined at an angle Ɵ, then their resultant
vector R can be calculated using this formula:
R = √ A2 + B2 + 2AB Cos Ɵ

To calculate the inner angle β, we need to use the formula:

B Sin Ɵ
Tan β =
A+ B Cos Ɵ

Resolution Vector:

If P + Q = R, we know that R is the resultant vector, then conversely R = P + Q i.e. the

vector R can be split up so that the vector sum of the split parts equals the original vector R.

If the split parts are mutually perpendicular, then they are known as components of vector

and this process is known as resolution. We can use the following formulas to calculate the

component vectors:

Horizontal Component Ax = A Cos Ɵ

Vertical Component Ay = A Sin Ɵ

Magnitude of the Vector A = √ Ax2 + Ay2

and

Ay
Tan Ɵ =
Ax