A Pre-Medical : Physics

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B
• • VECTORS
Scalar Quantities
A physical quantity which can be described completely by its magnitude only and does not require a direction is
known as a scalar quantity. .
It obeys the ordinary rules of algebra.

Ex: Distance, mass, time, speed, density, volume, temperature, electric current etc.

Vector Quantities
A physical quantity which requires magnitude and a particular direction, when it is expressed.

Ex.: Displacement, velocity, acceleration, force etc.

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A vector is represented by a line headed with an arrow. Its

length is proportional to its magnitude.
A is a vector.
A=PQ
Magnitude of A = IAI or A .1
Types of vector
·1 Parallel Vectors :-
Those vectors which have same direction are called parallel vectors. Angle • ..•.
between two parallel vectors is always 0° • B

• Equal Vectors
Vectors which have equal magnitude and same direction are called equal
vectors.

• Anti-parallel Vectors :
Those vectors which have opposite direction are called anti-parallel vector. Angle
between two anti-parallel vectors is always 180°
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Of
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§:I:
Examp,le.
+-- +-- (8 =
..,LIM------------
(ii) --+ --+ (8 =
0
>;-
0°) +-- --+ (8 (iv 0°)
s::
iE = 180°) ) --+ +-- (8 =
;<!'
180°)
~
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• Coplanar Vectors
\,I Vectors located in the same plane are called coplanar vectors. Note:-

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~ Two vectors are always coplanar.
§

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8
:5 • Concurrent vectors
~
~ Those vectors which pass through a common point are called concurrent vectors
6
13
~ In figure ii, band c are concurrent vectors.
«±
~ ·2 Null or Zero Vector
3
i!: A vector having zero magnitude is called null vector.
gN Note: Sum of two vectors is always a vector so, (A) + (-A) = 6 6 is a
E zero vector or null vector.

·3 Unit Vector
A vector having unit magnitude is called unit vector. It is used to specify direction. A unit vector is represented
by A (Read as A cap or A hat or A caret).

Unit vector in the direction of A is

unit vector» __________V_e_c_to_r ____ l
Magnitude
( of the vector)

y
Base Vectors
In an XYZ co-ordinate frame there are three unit vectors i , j and k
, these are used to indicate X, Y and Z directions respectively. These
three unit vectors are mutually perpendicular to each other.

• Negative (or Opposite) Vectors

Vectors which have equal magnitude but opposite direction are
·4called negative
Polar Vector
vectors of each other.
Vectors which have initial point or a point of application are called polar A------- ••
AB and BA are negative vectors
vectors. B
A ...•••
Ex.: Displacement, force etc.
AB=-BA ---------B

• ·5Co-initialAxial
vector
Vector
Co-initial
These vectors
vectors are those
are used vectors motion
in rotational which have the same
to define initialeffects.
rotational point. In ~
..•.
figure ii, band
Direction c are
of these co-initial
vectors vectors.
is always along the axis of rotation in a.ccordance a
with right hand screw rule or right hand thumb rule.
• Collinear
Ex.: Vectors:angular displacement (d8), Angular velocity
Infinitesimal
The vectors lying in the same line are known as collinear vectors.
(ill),

18 •
Angle between collinear vectors is either 0° or 180°.
Angular momentum (J), Angular acceleration (li) and Torque en • 17