Vector Algebra-I

Scalars and Vectors

A scalar is a quantity that is determined by its magnitude.

A vector is a quantity that is determined by both its magnitude and its direction and hence it is a directed line segment.

Representation of a vector

A vector has a tail and a tip. Consider the diagram

Types of vectors

1. Null vector

2. Position vector

3. Free vector

4. Unit vector

5. Equal vectors

6. Opposite vectors

Algebra operations of Vectors

Resolution of Vectors

1. Resolution of a vector in two dimension

2. Resolution of a vector in three dimension

Product of Vectors

There are two ways of multiplying two vectors.

(i) scalar product (dot product)

(ii) vector product (cross product)