Applied Physics: Lecture 2

Todays Agenda

Review of Vectors

Physics 111: Lecture 2, Pg 1

Vectors (review):

In 1 dimension, we could specify direction with a + or - sign. For example, in the previous problem ay = -g etc.

In 2 or 3 dimensions, we need more than a sign to specify the direction of something:

To illustrate this, consider the position vector r in 2 dimensions.

Example: Where is Chicago? Choose origin at Urbana Choose coordinates of distance (miles), and direction (N,S,E,W) In this case r is a vector that points 120 miles north.

Chicago r Urbana

Physics 111: Lecture 2, Pg 2

Vectors...

There are two common ways of indicating that something is a vector quantity: Boldface notation: A
A= A Arrow notation: A

Physics 111: Lecture 2, Pg 3

Vectors...

The components of r are its (x,y,z) coordinates r = (rx ,ry ,rz ) = (x,y,z) Consider this in 2-D (since its easier to draw): rx = x = r cos where r = |r | ry = y = r sin y r x (x,y) arctan( y / x )

Physics 111: Lecture 2, Pg 4

Vectors...

The magnitude (length) of r is found using the Pythagorean theorem: r y 2 2

r r x y

The length of a vector clearly does not depend on its direction.

Physics 111: Lecture 2, Pg 5

Unit Vectors:

A Unit Vector is a vector having length 1 and no units It is used to specify a direction Unit vector u points in the direction of U Often denoted with a hat: u =
y

Useful examples are the Cartesian unit vectors [ i, j, k ] point in the direction of the x, y and z axes

k
z

Physics 111: Lecture 2, Pg 6

Vector addition:

Consider the vectors A and B. Find A + B.

B B

C=A+B B

We can arrange the vectors as we want, as long as we maintain their length and direction!!

Physics 111: Lecture 2, Pg 7

Vector addition using components:

Consider C = A + B.

(a) (b)

C = (Ax i + Ay j) + (Bx i + By j) = (Ax + Bx)i + (Ay + By)j C = (Cx i + Cy j)

Comparing components of (a) and (b): Cx = Ax + Bx Cy = Ay + By By

A Ay Bx Ax

Physics 111: Lecture 2, Pg 8

Lecture 2, Act 2 Vectors

Vector A = {0,2,1} Vector B = {3,0,2} Vector C = {1,-4,2}

What is the resultant vector, D, from adding A+B+C?

(a) {3,5,-1}

(b) {4,-2,5}

(c) {5,-2,4}

Physics 111: Lecture 2, Pg 9

Aside: Dot Product (or Scalar Product)

Definition: a b = ab cos = a[b cos ] = aba

a
ba

b a

= b[a cos ] = bab Some properties: ab = ba q(ab) = (qb)a = b(qa) a(b + c) = (ab) + (ac)

ab (q is a scalar) (c is a vector) b

The dot product of perpendicular vectors is 0 !!

Physics 111: Lecture 2, Pg 10

Aside: Examples of dot products

y

.i=j.j=k.k=1 i.j=j.k=k.i=0
i
z

j k i
x

Suppose a=1i+2j+3k b=4i -5j+6k

Then a b = 1x4 + 2x(-5) + 3x6 = 12 a a = 1x1 + 2x2 + 3x3 = 14 b b = 4x4 + (-5)x(-5) + 6x6 = 77

. . .

Physics 111: Lecture 2, Pg 11

Aside: Properties of dot products

Magnitude: a2 = |a|2

=a.a = (ax i + ay j) . (ax i + ay j) = ax 2(i . i) + ay 2(j . j) + 2ax ay (i . j) = ax 2 + ay 2 a

Pythagorean Theorem!!

ay

ax

j
i

Physics 111: Lecture 2, Pg 12

Aside: Properties of dot products

Components: a = ax i + ay j + az k = (ax , ay , az) = (a . i, a . j, a . k)

Derivatives:

d da db (ab ) b a dt dt dt

Apply to velocity
d 2 d dv dv v (v v ) v v 2v a dt dt dt dt

So if v is constant (like for UCM):

d 2 v 2v a 0 dt

Physics 111: Lecture 2, Pg 13

Recap of Lecture 2

Recap of 1-D motion with constant acceleration. (Text: 2-3)

1-D Free-Fall example (Text: 2-3)

Review of Vectors

(Text: 3-1 & 3-2)

3-D Kinematics (Text: 3-3 & 3-4) Shoot the monkey (Ex. 3-11) Baseball problem Independence of x and y components

Physics 111: Lecture 2, Pg 14