Why do

we need
vectors?

Vectors
# Scalar quantity:- Physical quantities having only magnitude. For eg: - speed, area, density,
enerygy, work, power, frequency, temperature, electric current, potential, [resistance,
capatitance, intensity of sound influx, flux, intensity of radiation.

Scalar quantities can be subtracted, added and multiplied by simple laws of algebra.

# Vector quantities: - Physical quantities having both magnitude and direction and that obey
vector laws of additions are vectors. For eg:- Displacement , Velocity, Acceleration, Force,
Impulse, Angular Displacement, Angular Velocity, Magnetic moment, magnetic flux of electric
field.

Vector quantities can be added, subtracted and multiplied by laws of vector geometry.
Some important points:-
 ∙ Gradients of all are vectors. For eg: Temperature, gradient, velocity gradient, potential
gradient, energy gradient, etc.
∙ Field Strength (intensity is vector). For eg: Gravitation intensity
∙ Flux of vector is always scalar. For eg: electric flux, magnetic flux, etc. ∙
Potentials are scalars. For eg: electric potential , gravitational potential ∙
Small length and small area are vectors
∙ Necessary condition for a physical for a physical quantity to be a vector is that it should
have direction.
∙ Sufficient condition for a physical quantity to be vector is that it should obey the law of
vector addition.
∙ All physical quantities having directions are not necessarily vectors but all vectors must
have direction. For eg: Time, pressure, surface tension, current etc. have direction but
are not vectors because they do not obey vector addition law.

Tensor
Physical quantities having no direction but different values in different directions and at different points
are called tension. For eg: Moment of inertia, strain, refractive index, dielectric constant, electric
conductivity.

Moment of inertia is not a vector by changing the sense of rotation, its value is not same. It is also not a
scalar as it has different values in different directions. (i.e about different axes).Such physical quantity is
called tensor.

#Ways to specify physical quantity

1. A physical quantity is completely specified, if it has magnitude only, i.e. ratio.

2. Magnitude and unit i.e. Scalar quantities.
3. Magnitude, direction and unit i.e. Vector quantities.

Various Types of vectors

1. Polar vector(Real vector)
Vectors having starting point (as in the case of displacement) or pointof the application
(as in the the case of force) are olar vectors. For eg:- displacement, veclocity,
acceleration, force, etc which have natural direction are called polar vectors.
F Force
Starting point Final point ��
A displacement B O P
 2. Axial Vector(Pseudo Vector)
Vectors representing rotational effects and are always along the axis pf rotation in
accordance with right-hand screw rule or right hand thumb are axial vectors. For eg:-
angular displacement, angular, turque, angular acceleration , angular velocity, angular
momentum, etc.

Special Types of vectors

1. Zero vector or Null vector
A vector with zero magnitude and indeterminate direction is called zero or null vector.
Vector whose origin (starting point) and terminal point are same or coincide is also
called zero or null vector.

2. Proper Vector

A vector with non-zero magnitude is called proper vector.

i. Parallel / Like vector: - Two or more vectors having same direction.
 ii. Unlike or antiparallel vector: - Two vectors are in the opposite direction are
called unlike vector.

iii. Equal vectors: - Two vectors are called equal or equivalnet vector if they have
equal magnitude and same direction.

��

��⃗

iv. Negative of a vector:-A vector is said to be negative of a given vector if its

magnitude is the same as that of the given vector but it dirction is opposite.

��⃗⃗

��⃗

v. Collinear vectors: - Vectors which lie along the same or parallel lines are known to
be collinear vectors. �� �� ��

�� ��
��
��⃗
In case of collinear vectors , magnitude and direction may be different but should be in parallel
or same line. So like, unlike, equal or negative vectors are collinear vectors.
vi. Co- planar vectors: - Three or more vectors lying in the same plane or parallel to the
 same plane are known as co-planner vector.
vii. Co- initial vectors: - The vectors which have the same starting point are called co-initial
vectors.

viii. Co-terminal vector:- The vectors which have the common terminal point are called co
terminal vectors.

ix. Fixed / localized vector: - The vectors whose initial point is fixed is called fixed vectors,
For eg: position vector of a particle.

x. Free/Non- Localized vector: - A vector whose initial point is not fixed is called free or
non-localized vectors.

xi. Position vector: - The position vector of an object is the vector from the origin ‘O’ from
A
the coordinate system to the coordinate system to the position system.

OA

O
# Important points of position vector
 ∙ It gives straight line distance of the object from the origin ‘O’ (starting
point).
∙ It gives the direction of the object with wealth with respect to the origin.

xi. Displacement vector: - It is a vector that

points from object initial position to its final
position and whose magnitude is equal to the
straight line distance between the two
points/ position. r (t1)
O
∆r

r (t2)

⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗

PQ =OQ - OP = r (t2) – r (t)

⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
− OP1
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
= OP2 =r⃗⃗2 – r⃗1
Or, ∆r = P1P2
xii. Unit vector: - A vector with magnitude of unity is called unit vector. Unit
vector shows direction of a vector quantity.

Unit vector has no dimensions and unit.

Any vector can be written as P

⃗ ⃗ ̂ ⃗ ̂ ⃗
P = |P | P Where |P | = magnitude of P⃗ P = direction ofP . Unit

⃗
vector in the direction of P is

̂ P⃗ ⃗
P = |P |
As vectors are infinite so unit vectors are infinite but in practice, these are three
 ̂
unit vectors��̂, ��̂& �� along
positive x- axis, y-axis and z-axis
respectively.

X – axis ⊥ Y – axis ⊥ Z – axis

��̂⊥ ��̂⊥ ��̂

̂
|��̂| = |��̂| = |��| = 1

Representation of vector:
There are two methods for representation of vectors.

(a) Graphical method (b) Mathematical method

Graphical method: - A vector is represented graphically by a straight line with an

arrowhead as shown in fig. The length of line (OA)
represents the magnitude of the vector (on
suitable scale) and the
arrowhead indicates its direction.

O magnitude A

Mathematical method:

(i) In the form of components: - If ���� is a component of any vector �� in

X – direction, ���� is a component in Y – direction and ����is
component in Z – direction. Then �� = ������̂+
̂
������̂+������; where����, ���� and ���� may be the co
ordinates of point a.
 (ii) Unit vector method: If we represent any vector in mathematical form,
then we will multiply the magnitude of that vector with unit vector of
the direction.
If a = magnitude of vector and â = unit vector.
Then �� = a â .
Important points:
(i) If we multiply a vector with negative sign, then the magnitude will not
change only direction will change.

AB⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
AB

BA⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
AB
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
AB = - BA .
(ii) Two vectors are called equal if their magnitudes and directions are
same. So we can transfer any vector (to anywhere) parallel to itself.
 If a vector is displaced parallel to itself it does not change.
Transition of a vector parallel to itself.

(iii) If a vector is rotated through an angle other than multiple of 2��(360°) it

changes. B
⃗ ⃗ ⃗ ⃗
B A A ≠B

⃗ ⃗
|A | = | B |

�� Rotation of a vector

(iv) If the frame of reference is translated or rotated the vector does not
change (though its components may change).

S'

Vector

(v) If two vectors have same direction then he unit vector of both of them
will be similar because magnitude of unit vector is unity.
(vi) Angle between two vectors means smaller of the two angles between
the two vectors when they are placed tail to tail by displacing either of the
vectors parallel to itself (i.e. 0° ≤ �� ≤180°).
��
 �� �� �� (vii) Angle between two collinear vectors is 0°

or 180°.

Vector Addition
Composition or addition of vectors: As vectors have both magnitude
and direction they cannot be added by the simple algebraic method.

They are added graphically or geometrically.

The process of combining two or more vectors into a single vector (called
resultant vector) is called composition of vectors.

⃗ ⃗
1. Triangle law of vector addition: If two vectors P and Q can be
represented in both magnitude and direction by the two sides of a triangle
⃗ ⃗
taken in same order then their resultant P + Q is represented in magnitude
and direction by the third side of the triangle taken in opposite order.

⃗ ⃗ ⃗
Q P + Q Q⃗

⃗
P + = P⃗
⃗ ⃗⃗⃗
Let the vectors �� and �� acting on a particle represented both in
magnitude and direction by the two sides OP and PQ of a tringle OPQ. Let θ be
the angle between them. Then according to tringle law of vector addition the
side OQ represents their resultant.
⃗⃗⃗⃗
��
⃗⃗⃗ ��⃗⃗
= ��
⃗⃗⃗
+ ��
 ��⃗

Magnitude of ��⃗⃗⃗
In triangle ONQ, ����2 = ����2 + ����2

= (���� + ����)2 + ����2 = ����2 + 2����

× ���� + ����2 + ����2
��2 = ����2 + 2���� × ���� + ����2 + ����2
In triangle PNQ

�������� =����
����
���� = ��
���� = ����������
Similarly, Sin�� =����
����
����=
��
���� = ����������
Then above equation becomes
��2 = ��2 + 2������������ + ��2������2�� +
��2������2��
��2 = ��2 + 2������������ + ��2

�� = √���� + �������������� + ����

Direction of ��⃗⃗⃗
⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗
Let the resultant �� makes the angle ∅ with �� then
in ∆������ ������∅ =����
 ���� =����
���� + ���� =����������
�� + ����������
−��
∅ = ������ ����������
�� + ����������
⃗ ⃗
2. Parallelogram law of vector addition: If two vectors P and Q acting
simultaneously at a point are represented in both magnitude and direction
by the two adjacent sides of a parallelogram drawn from a point. Then their
⃗ ⃗
resultant P + Q is represented in both magnitude and direction by the
diagonal of that parallelogram drawn from that point.

⃗ ⃗ ⃗
Q B C Q P + Q⃗ ��
⃗ ⃗ ⃗
θ ∝ θ P = O P A D Magnitude of P + Q⃗
⃗ ⃗ 2 2
I P + Q I = √P + 2PQcosθ + Q
⃗
Direction of P + Q⃗
∝ = tan−1(Qsinθ

P+Qcosθ) with P⃗
Resultant of two vectors always lies in the plane containing the vectors
closer to the vector of larger magnitude.
✔ If P > Q then ∝ < ��
✔ If P < Q then ∝ > ��
✔ If P = Q then ∝= �� =��2
Special cases:

I.
⃗ ⃗
I P + Q I = P+Q

Q⃗

P⃗
 ⃗ ⃗
When θ = 0° then I P + Q I = P+Q =maximum.
⃗ ⃗
II. I P + Q I = P - Q

Q⃗

P⃗
⃗ ⃗
When θ =180° then I P + Q I = P - Q =minimum
III.
⃗ ⃗ ⃗ 2 2
Q I P + Q I = √P + Q

P⃗
⃗ ⃗ ⃗ ⃗ ��
IV. If I P I = I Q I = A then I P + Q I = 2A cos 2
⃗ ⃗ ⃗ ⃗
V. If I P I = I Q I = I P + Q I then θ = 120°.
⃗ ⃗
Limits of I P + Q I:
⃗ ⃗
P–Q≤IP +Q I≤P+Q
⃗ ⃗
Let two vectors be A and B acting simultaneously on a body represented in
⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗
both magnitude and direction by the two adjacent sides O P and OS
respectively of a parallelogram OPQS then by the parallelogram law of vector
⃗
addition the resultant vector R is represented both in magnitude and direction
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
by the diagonal OQ passing through the common point O.
 ��⃗⃗
��⃗⃗
⃗
�� = �� + ��⃗ ��
���
P
Q ��⃗

(���� + ����)2
��⃗⃗⃗ In triangle
+ ����2
��⃗
ONQ,
Magnitude of O ��⃗
����2 = ����2
2 SN
+ ���� =

= ����2 + 2���� × ���� + ����2 + ����2

��2 = ����2 + 2���� ×

���� + ����2 + ����2

In triangle SNQ,
 �������� =����
����
���� = ��
S�� = ����������
Similarly, Sin�� =����
����
����=
��

���� = ����������
Then above equation becomes

��2 = ��2 + 2������������ + ��2������2�� +

��2������2��

��2 = ��2 + 2������������ + ��2

�� = √��2 + 2������������ + ��2

⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗
Let the resultant �� makes the angle ∅ with �� then in ∆������

������∅ =����
���� =����
���� + ���� =����������
�� + ����������
−1
∅ = ������ ����������
�� + ����������
3. Polygon law of vector addition: if a number of vectors are represented in
both magnitude and direction by the sides of open polygon taken in the same
order, then their resultant can be represented in both magnitude and
direction by the closing side of that polygon taken in the opposite order.
 T ��⃗
��⃗⃗
��⃗
��⃗
O
��⃗ ��⃗⃗
S ��⃗⃗ Q

O P ��⃗

��⃗⃗
⃗ ⃗
Vectors �� ,�� , �� , ������ �� are represented completely by

⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗

four sides O P , P Q , QS , ST of a polygon OPQST taken in same

order as in fig.

⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
The closing side OT taken in opposite order represents the

resultant ��⃗ completely.

⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗

O P + P Q + QS + ST = OQ +QS +ST⃗⃗⃗⃗
⃗⃗⃗⃗
=O S + ST⃗⃗⃗⃗
⃗⃗⃗⃗
=O T⃗
⃗ ⃗
�� = �� + �� + �� + ��⃗
Properties of vector addition:
 ⃗ ⃗ ⃗
I. It follows commutative law. i.e. P + Q = Q + P⃗
⃗ ⃗ ⃗ ⃗ ⃗
II. It obeys associative law. i.e. P + (Q + R ) = (P + Q ) + R⃗
⃗ ⃗ ⃗ ⃗
III. It follows distributive law. i.e. m(P + Q ) = mP + mQ , where m is a

scalar. Some important points:

✔ Minimum number of collinear vectors of equal magnitude giving zero

resultant is 2.
✔ Minimum number of collinear vectors of unequal magnitude giving zero
resultant is 3.
✔ Minimum number of coplanar vectors giving zero resultant is 3. ✔
Minimum number of non-coplanar vectors giving zero resultant is 4. ✔ If a
number of vectors acting simultaneously at a point are such that the
largest magnitude is less than or equal to the sum of other magnitudes,
then their resultant may be zero.
✔ If a number of vectors acting simultaneously at a point are such that the
largest magnitude is greater than the sum of other magnitudes, then their
resultant can never be zero.

Vector Subtraction