1 Vector Operations (Chapter 2.1 2.

3, pages 17-25)
Q. WHY DO WE STUDY VECTORS? A. Because we want to study forces Q. WHAT DO WE MEAN BY WE WANT TO STUDY FORCES? A. Study the effects of forces Q. WHAT IS FORCE? A. A force represents the action of one body on another and is generally characterized by its point of application, its magnitude, and its direction Q. WHAT IS VECTOR? A. A quantity, which has magnitude and direction, is known as a vector. So, force is a vector

What is a vector? - A vector is quantity that has both a magnitude and a direction.
For example: Force Displacement Velocity Acceleration Moment

vectors

For handwritten work, a vector is generally presented by:

r P

(In our textbook

or

bold face type,

P)

The magnitude of a vector is generally presented by:

or

What is a scalar? - A quantity characterized by a positive or a negative number is

called a scalar. For example: Mass Volume Heat Time Length

scalars

Particle vs. Object

A particle An object

has a mass but no shape has mass and shape

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How do we represent a force by a vector?

A force represents the action of one body on another and is generally characterized by: Its point of application Its magnitude Its direction

For example:
Y sense line of action

point of application magnitude

head

direction, (+) counter-clockwise X

tail

Scale: 1 N = 1 mm

Its point of application

(0, 0)

Its magnitude the length of this segment may be chosen to represent the magnitude of the force. (SI) (US) newton (N) Kilonewton (1000N) pounds (lb) Kilopound (kip = 1000lb) It is defined by the line of action along which the force acts. 300 this shows the magnitude, the direction and the sense
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Its direction F = 100 N

Multiplication and Division of a Vector by a Scalar

Lets consider that

A
a

Vector Scalar, a0

The product of a scalar and a vector is:

a. A

its magnitude is a.A Its direction same as

If a >0 (+), then

a. A

A a

If a <0 (-), then

a. A

A a

We will use this property when we discuss Cartesian Vector Notation in the next class

Vector Addition
The sum of two vectors

and B is obtained by attaching the two vectors to the

same point and constructing a parallelogram, using parallelogram.

and B as two sides of the

A
O

B B
The diagonal that passes through O represents the sum of the vectors and this sum is denoted by:

and B ,

A+ B

A
O

A+ B B

From the parallelogram law, we can derive an alternate method for determining the sum of two vectors. This method, known as the triangle rule, is derived as follows: The sum of the two vectors may be found by arranging A and B in head-to-tail fashion and then connecting the head of A with the tail of B .

A R = A+ B

Connecting the tail of A with the head of B .

R= B+ A B A

Vector Addition is commutative

As a special case, if the two vectors A and B are collinear, both have the same line of action, the parallelogram law reduced to an algebraic (scalar) addition.

A
R = A+ B
OR

B R

R = A+ B

Vector Subtraction
The resultant difference between two vectors can be written as:

A B = A+ B

( )

Subtraction is a special case of addition, so the rules of vector addition also apply to vector subtraction.

A B

A B

B B
R = A B

A B = B A

Is this correct? - NO
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Resolution of a Vector
A vector may be resolved into two "components" having known lines of action by using the parallelogram law. For example, if R is to be resolved into components acting along the lines a and b, one starts at the head of R and extends a line parallel to a until it intersects b. Likewise, a line parallel to b is drawn from the head of R to the point of intersection with a.

b
The two components A and B are then drawn such that they extend from the tail of

R to the points of intersection.

A
O

R B
b

Vector Addition of Forces

If more than two forces are to be added, successive applications of the parallelogram law can be carried out in order to obtain the resultant force For example

F2 F1
F3

F2
R = F1 + F2 + F3
F1 + F2

F1
F3

Class Example #1

Solution:

Class Example #2

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Class Example #3

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