Vector Flashcards
Why is current scalar if it has a magnitude and direction
If you imagine a current of 5A flowing from 2 wires each into a single wire , then the current in the final wire would be 10A. But according to vector algebra (addition) the current flowing in the final wire would be √50. So current is a scalar qty.
Why is time scalar ?
It is because time has only one direction, that is forwards. Time cannot go backwards as proven by Einstein’s theory (speed of light).
As time has only one direction.
By adding a bit to the definition of the vector quantity. ‘A vector quantity is a scalar with a direction in the three-dimensional space.’
Time is considered to be the 4th dimension
And Time does not follow vector algebra(addition)
Why is pressure scalar?
Pressure has both magnitude and direction but it always has only one direction, perpendicular to the surface it’s being applied to.
Polar vectors
Vectors having starting points
Axial vectors also called
Pseudovectors
Null vectors also called
0 vector
Null vector
0 magnitude and it’s direction is indeterminate
Null vector denoted by
→
0
Unit vector of →
A
A cap or A hat or A caret
A unit vector specifies
Only direction of vector A and no magnitude (no unit also)
The direction of x axis is represented by
i cap
The direction of y axis is represented by
j cap
The direction of z axis is represented by
k cap
Equal vectors have
Equal magnitude and same direction
Like vectors have
Unequal magnitude and same direction
Unlike vectors have
Unequal magnitude and opposite direction
Opposite vectors have
Equal magnitude and opposite direction
Unit vector =
Vector / Magnitude of the vector
Opposite vectors also called
Negative vectors
Coplanar vectors
Vectors lying in the same plane. E.g. i cap and j cap , j cap and k cap
Orthogonal vectors
Perpendicular vectors
If a vector is displayed parallel to itself :
Its value doesn’t change
E.g. of null vectors
When a body is moving with a constant velocity then the acceleration vector would be 0
3 law used for vector addition
Triangle law
Parallelogram law
Polygon law