Vector Analysis
Scalars and Vectors
- Scalars have magnitude only
- Vectors have both magnitude and direction
- For a physical quantity to be vector:
- Necessary condition: should have direction
- Sufficient condition: Should follow sum of vector addition
Q: Which is scalar quantity?
a) Temperature gradient
b) intensity of magnetization
c) intensity of radiation
d) current density
Correct: c
Intensity of radiation has only magnitude.
Q: Angular momentum is
a) a scalar
b) a polar vector
c) an axial vector
d) same as torque
Correct: c
Some vectors
- All gradients of scalars
- potential gradient
- pressure gradient
- All Field strength (intensity) are vectors
- Electric Field Strength
- Magnetic Field Strength
- Gravitational Field Strength
- Flux of scalar is vector
- Electric Flux
- Magnetic Flux
- All Potentials are scalars
- Small length and area are vector
Unit Vector
A vector with unit magnitude
dimensionless and unitless. Possess only direction.
Triangle Law of Vector
vectors a and b represented in magnitude and direction by two sides of a triangle taken in same order
then their resultant c is given in magnitude and direction by 3rd side taken in reverse order.
Lami's Theorm
co-planar vectors a, b, c are in equilibrium then
Parallelogram law
vectors a and b acting at a point represented in mag. and direction by 2 sides of a parallelogram then
O
A
B
C
If a > b,
If a < b,
If a = b,
Parallelogram law
Special cases:
O
A
B
C
when
when
when
when
then
Vector Difference
Special cases:
when
when
when
when
then
General Component
x
Y
Rectangular Component
Scalar(dot) Product
Vector(Cross) Product


Cross product is never -ve
Vector Analysis
By Roshan Bhandari
Vector Analysis
- 616