www.kmph.matrik.edu.

my/physics

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 1:
Physical quantities and
measurements
(5 Hours)

www.kmph.matrik.edu.my/physics

PHYSICS
CHAPTER 1
Learning Outcome:
1.1 Physical Quantities and Units (2 hours)
At the end of this chapter, students should be able to:
State basic quantities and their respective SI units: length
(m), time (s), mass (kg), electrical current (A), temperature
(K), amount of substance (mol) and luminosity (cd).
State derived quantities and their respective units and
symbols: velocity (m s-1), acceleration (m s-2), work (J),
force (N), pressure (Pa), energy (J), power (W) and
frequency (Hz).
Use dimensional analysis to check homogeneity and
construct equation of physics.
Perform conversion between SI and British units.

PHYSICS
CHAPTER 1
1.1 Physical Quantities and Units

Physical quantity is defined as a quantity which can be measured.

It can be categorised into 2 types
Basic (base) quantity
Derived quantity
Basic quantity is defined as a quantity which cannot be derived
from any physical quantities.
Table 1.1 shows all the basic (base) quantities.
Quantity

Symbol

SI Unit

Symbol

Length

metre

Mass

kilogram

kg

Time

second

T/

kelvin

Electric current

ampere

Amount of substance

mole

mol

Temperature

Table 1.1

Luminous Intensity

candela

cd 3

PHYSICS

Table 1.2

CHAPTER 1
Derived quantity is defined as a quantity which can be expressed
in term of base quantity.
Table 1.2 shows some examples of derived quantity.
Derived quantity

Symbol

Formulae

Unit

Velocity

s/t

m s-1

Volume

M3

Acceleration

lwt
v/t

m s-2

Density

m/V

kg m-3

Momentum

mv

kg m s-1

Force

ma

kg m s-2 @ N

Work

Fs

kg m2 s-2 @ J

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 1
Unit is defined as a standard size of measurement of physical
quantities.
Examples :
1 second is defined as the time required for 9,192,631,770
vibrations of radiation emitted by a caesium-133 atom.
1 kilogram is defined as the mass of a platinum-iridium
cylinder kept at International Bureau of Weights and
Measures Paris.
Paris
1 meter is defined as the length of the path travelled by light
in vacuum during a time interval of

1
s
299,792,458

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 1
The unit of basic quantity is called base unit
addition unit for base unit:
unit of plane angle - radian (rd)

rad 180o
180o
1 rad
57.296o

unit of solid angle- steradian (sr)

The common system of units used today are S.I unit (System
International/metric system) and cgs unit - UK.
The unit of derived quantity called derived unit
6

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 1

1.1.1 Unit Prefixes

It is used for presenting larger and smaller values.

Table 1.3 shows all the unit prefixes.
Prefix

Table 1.3

Value

Symbol

tera

1012

giga

109

mega

106

kilo

103

deci

10-1

centi

10-2

milli

10-3

micro

10-6

nano

10-9

pico

10-12

Examples:
2700000 m = 2700 km = 2.7 Mm
0.00000476 s = 4.76 x 10-6 s = 4.76 s

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 1

1.1.2 Conversion of Unit

Table 1.4 shows the conversion factors between SI and British units for
length and mass only.
Length

1 m = 39.37 in = 3.281 ft
1 in = 2.54 cm

Mass

1 kg = 103 g
1 slug = 14.59 kg

1 km = 0.621 mi

1 lb = 0.453 592 kg

1 mi = 5280 ft = 1.609 km

1 kg = 0.0685 slug

1 angstrom () = 10-10 m
Table 1.4

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 1

Example 1 :
Solve the following problems of unit conversion.
a. 30 mm2 = ? m2
b. 865 km h-1 = ? m s-1
c. 300 g cm-3 = ? kg m-3
d. 17 cm = ? in
e. 24 mi h-1 = ? km s-1
Solution :
a. 30 mm2 = ? m2

1 mm

10 m
1 mm 2 10 6 m 2
30 mm 2 30 10 6 m 2 or 3.0 10 5 m 2
865 103 m

1
h

865

10
m
1

865 km h

3600
s

1
1
865 km h 240 m s

b. 865 km h-1 = ? m s-1

1
1st method : 865 km h

PHYSICS
2nd method :

CHAPTER 1
865 km h

865 km h

865 km 1000 m

1 h 1 km

1h

3600 s

865 km 1000 m 1 h

1 h 1 km 3600 s

865 km h 1 240 m s 1
c. 300 g cm-3 = ? kg m-3

300 g
-3
300 g cm
3
1 cm

10 -3 kg

1g

300 g cm 3 3.0 105 kg m -3

1 cm 3

10 -2 3 m 3

10

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 1

d. 17 cm = ? in

17 cm 17 cm

1
2.54

17 cm 6.69 in

in

1 cm

e. 24 mi h-1 = ? km s-1

24 mi 1.609 km 1 h
24 mi h

1 mi 3600 s
1h
24 mi h 1 1.07 10 -2 km s -1
-1

11

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 1

1.1.3 Dimensional Analysis

Dimension is defined as a technique or method which the physical

quantity can be expressed in terms of combination of basic
quantities.
quantities
It can be written as

[physical quantity or its symbol]

Table 1.5 shows the dimension of basic quantities.

Table 1.5

[Basic Quantity]

Symbol

Unit

[mass] or [m]

kg

[length] or [l]

[time] or [t]

[electric current] or [I]

A@ I

[temperature] or [T]

[amount of substance]
or [N]

mole
12

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 1
Dimension can be treated as algebraic quantities through the
procedure called dimensional analysis.
The uses of dimensional analysis are
to determine the unit of the physical quantity.
to determine whether a physical equation is correct or not
dimensionally by using the principle of homogeneity.

Dimension on the L.H.S. = Dimension on the R.H.S

to derive a physical equation.
Note:
Dimension of dimensionless constant is 1,
e.g.
[2] = 1, [refractive index] = 1
Dimensions cannot be added or subtracted.
The validity of an equation cannot determined by dimensional
analysis.
The validity of an equation can only be determined by experiment.
13

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 1

Example 2 :
Determine a dimension and the S.I. unit for the following quantities:
a. Velocity
b. Acceleration c. Linear momentum
d. Density
e. Force
Solution :
a. Velocity change in displacement

or

time interval

v s
t
v L LT 1
T

The S.I. unit of velocity is m s-1.

14

PHYSICS
b.

v
a
t
LT 1
a
T
a LT 2

CHAPTER 1
c.

S.I. unit : kg m s-1.

Its unit is m s-2.

d.

m

V

m

l w h
M

LLL
ML3

S.I. unit : kg m-3.

p m v
p M LT 1
p MLT 1

e.

F m a
F M LT 2
F MLT 2
S.I. unit : kg m s-2.

15

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 1

Example 3 :
Determine Whether the following expressions are dimensionally correct
or not.
2

a. s ut 1 at
where s, u, a and t represent the displacement,
2
initial velocity, acceleration and the time of an object respectively.

b. v u 2 gs
where s, u, v and g represent the displacement,
initial velocity, final velocity and the gravitational acceleration
respectively.
c.

l
T 2
g

where T, l and g represent the period of simple

pendulum , length of the simple pendulum and the gravitational

acceleration respectively.

16

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 1

Solution :
a. Dimension on the LHS :
Dimension on the RHS :

s L

ut u t LT 1 T L

1
2

and

at 2 21 a t 1 LT -2 T 2 L
2

Dimension on the LHS = dimension on the RHS

Hence the equation above is homogeneous or dimensionally correct.
b. Dimension on the LHS : v LT -1

1
Dimension on the RHS : u LT

and

2 gs 2 g s 1 LT -2 L L2T -2
Thus v u 2 gs
Therefore the equation above is not homogeneous or dimensionally
17
incorrect.

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 1

Solution :
c. Dimension on the LHS :
Dimension on the RHS :

T T

1
l
21
2
2
2 l g
g

1
l
2
2
2
1 L LT
g

l
T 2
g

12

Therefore the equation above is homogeneous or dimensionally

correct.

18

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 1

Example 4 :
The period, T of a simple pendulum depends on its length l,
acceleration due to gravity, g and mass, m. By using dimensional
analysis, obtain an equation for period of the simple pendulum.
Solution :
x y z
Suppose that : T l g m
Then

T kl x g y m z (1)
where k, x, y and z are dimensionless constants.

T k l g m
x
2 y
T 1 L LT M z
x

T Lx y T 2 y M z
L0 T1M 0 Lx y T 2 y M z

19

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 1

By equating the indices on the left and right sides of the equation, thus
x y 0 (2)

2y 1

y 12 (3)
z0

By substituting eq. (3) into eq. (2), thus

1
2
1
2
Replace the value of x, y and z in eq. (1), therefore
1
12 0
2

T kl g m
l
T k
g

The value of k can be determined experimentally.

20

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 1

Example 5 :
Determine the unit of in term of basic unit by using the equation
below:

4
Pi Po
R

where Pi and Po are pressures of the soap bubble and R is the radius
of the bubble.
Solution :
2
1 2
2

F m a MLT
P

A A
L
R L

ML T

21

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 1
1
R Pi Po
4
1
R Pi Po
4
Since

Pi Po P thus

1
R P
4
1 L ML1T 2

MT 2

Therefore the unit of is kg s-2

22

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 1

Exercise 1.1 :
1.

Deduce the unit of (eta) in term of basic unit for the equation
below:

F
v

A
l

where F is the force, A is the area, v is the change in velocity

and l is the change in distance.
ANS. : kg m-1 s-1

A sphere of radius r and density s falls in a liquid of density f. It

achieved a terminal velocity vT given by the following expression:
2

2r g
vT
s f
9 k

where k is a constant and g is acceleration due to gravity.

Determine the dimension of k.
ANS. : M L-1 T-1

23

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 1

Exercise 1.1 :
3.

The escape velocity, v for a tomahawk missile which escape the

gravitational attraction of the earth is depend on the radius of the
earth, r and the acceleration due to gravity, g. By using dimensional
analysis, obtain an expression for escape velocity, v.

ANS. :
4.

v k gr

Show that the equation below is dimensionally correct.

R 4 P1 P2
Q
8 L

Where R is the inside radius of the tube, L is its length, P1-P2 is

the pressure difference between the ends, is the coefficient of
viscosity ( N s m-2) and Q is the volume rate of flow ( m3 s-1).

24

www.kmph.matrik.edu.my/physics

PHYSICS
CHAPTER 1
Learning Outcome:
1.2 Scalars and Vectors (3 hours)
At the end of this chapter, students should be able to:
Define scalar and vector quantities, unit vectors in
Cartesian coordinate.
Explain vector addition and subtraction operations and their
rules. Visualize resultant vector graphically by applying
commutative rule
associative rule, and
distributive rule
Resolve vector into two perpendicular components (2-D)
and three perpendicular components (3-D):
Components in the x, y and z axes.

Components in the

i, j , k

unit vectors.
25

www.kmph.matrik.edu.my/physics

PHYSICS
CHAPTER 1
Learning Outcome:
1.2 Scalars and Vectors (3 hours)
At the end of this topic, students should be able to:
Define and use dot (scalar) product;

A B A B cos B A cos

and the magnitude of cross (vector) product;

A B A B sin B A sin

26

PHYSICS
CHAPTER 1
1.2 Scalars and Vectors

Scalar quantity is defined as a quantity with magnitude only.

e.g. mass, time, temperature, pressure, electric current, work,
energy and etc.
Mathematics operational : ordinary algebra

Vector quantity is defined as a quantity with both magnitude &

direction.
e.g. displacement, velocity, acceleration, force, momentum,
electric field, magnetic field and etc.
Mathematics operational : vector algebra

27

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 1

1.2.1 Vectors
Vector A

Length of an arrow magnitude of vector A

Direction of arrow direction of vector A

Table 1.6 shows written form (notation) of vectors.

displacement

velocity

Table 1.6

v
v

s (bold)

v (bold)

acceleration

a
a

a (bold)

Notation of magnitude of vectors.

v v

a a

28

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 1

Two vectors equal if both magnitude and direction are the same.
(shown in figure 1.1)

Figure 1.1

PQ

If vector A is multiplied by
a scalar quantity k

Then, vector A is

kA

kA

if k = +ve,
+ve the vector is in the same direction as vector A.

if k = - ve,
ve the vector is in the opposite direction of vector A.29

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 1

1.2.2 Direction of Vectors

Can be represented by using:

a) Direction of compass,
compass i.e east, west, north, south, north-east,
north-west, south-east and south-west
b) Angle with a reference line
e.g. A man throws a stone with a velocity of 10 m s-1, 30 above
horizontal.

y
0

30

30

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 1
c)

Cartesian coordinates
2-Dimension (2-D)

s ( x, y ) (2 m, 4 m)
y/m
4

s
2

x/m

31

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 1

3-Dimension (3-D)

s ( x, y , z ) ( 4, 3, 2) m
y/m
3

s
0

x/m

z/m
32

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 1
d)

Polar coordinates

F 50 N,120

120

e)

Denotes with + or signs.

signs

33

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 1

1.2.3 Addition of Vectors

There are two methods involved in addition of vectors graphically i.e.

Parallelogram
Triangle

For example : A B

Parallelogram

A B

A B

B
O

Triangle

B
34

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 1

Triangle of vectors method:

a) Use a suitable scale to draw vector A.
b) From the head of vector A draw a line to represent the vector B.
c) Complete the triangle. Draw a line from the tail of vector A to the
head of vector B to represent the vector A + B.

A B B A

Commutative Rule

B A

35

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 1

If there are more than 2 vectors therefore

Use vector polygon and associative rule. E.g.

PQ R

PQ

Q

PQ R P Q R

PQ R

Associative Rule

36

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 1

Distributive Rule :

a. A B A B

b. A A A

, are real number

For example :
Proof of case a: let = 2

A B 2 A B

A B
O

2 A B

37

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 1

A B 2 A 2 B

2 A 2B

2A

2 A B 2 A 2B

2B

38

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 1

Proof of case b: let = 2 and = 1

A 2 1 A 3 A

3A

A A 2 A 1 A

2A

3A

2 1 A 2 A 1A

39

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 1

1.2.4 Subtraction
of
Vectors

For example :

CD

C DC D
Parallelogram

CD

Triangle

CD

40

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 1

Vectors subtraction can be used

to determine the velocity of one object relative to another object
i.e. to determine the relative velocity.
to determine the change in velocity of a moving object.

Exercise 1.2 :
1.

Vector A has a magnitude of 8.00 units and 45 above the positive x

axis. Vector B also has a magnitude of 8.00 units and is directed along
the negative x axis. Using graphical methods and suitable scale to
determine


a) A B
b) A B

A 2B

c)
(Hint : use 1 cm = 2.00 units)

d)

2A B

41

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 1

1.2.5 Resolving a Vector

1st method :

2nd method :

Dy
0

Dx

Dy
x

Dx
cos Dx D cos
D
Dy
sin D y D sin
D

Dx

Dx
sin Dx D sin
D
Dy
cos D y D cos
D
42

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 1

The magnitude of vector D :

D or D

Dy

Direction of vector D :

tan

Dx

Dy
Dx

or

Dy

tan
Dx

Vector D in terms of unit vectors written as

D Dx i D y j
43

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 1

Example 6 :
A car moves at a velocity of 50 m s-1 in a direction north 30 east.
Calculate the component of the velocity
a) due north.
b) due east.
Solution :

N
a) v N v sin 60 or v N v cos 30
v N 50 sin 60 v N 50 cos 30
1
30
v

43.3
m
s
N
v
N

60

vE
S

or
v

v
sin
30
v

v
cos
60
b) E
E

vE 50 cos 60 vE 50 sin 30

v E 25 m s 1

44

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 1

Example 7 :

F
120

S
A particle S experienced a force of 100 N as shown in figure above.
Determine the x-component and the y-component of the force.
Solution :
Vector
x-component
y-component
y

F
sin
60
Fx F cos 60
y

Fx 100 cos 60 Fy 100 sin 60

F
60

Fx

Fy

120
S

Fy 86.6 N

Fx 50 N
or

or

Fx F cos 120 Fy F sin 120

Fx 100 cos 120 Fy 100 sin 120
Fx 50 N

Fy 86.6 N

45

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 1

Example 8 :

F2 (30 N )

F1 (10 N )
45o
30o

20
O

F3 (40 N )
The figure above shows three forces F1, F2 and F3 acted on a particle O.
Calculate the magnitude and direction of the resultant force on particle
O.
46

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 1
y

Solution :

F3 x

20
30o

Fr

Fr

Fx

Fy

F3

F1

F1 y
O

F
3y

F2 y

F F1 F2 F3

Fx
Fy

F1 x F2 x F3 x

F1 y F2 y F3 y

45o

F1 x F2 x

F2

47

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 1

Solution :
Vector

x-component

F2

F3

F1 x F1 cos 20
F1 x 10 cos 20
F1 x 9.40 N
F2 x 30 cos 45
F2 x 21.2 N

F3 x 40 cos 30
F3 x 34.6 N

F3 y 40 sin 30
F3 y 20.0 N

9.40 21.2 34.6

4.00 N

F1 sin 20

10 sin 20
3.42 N
30 sin 45
21.2 N

F1 y
F1 y
F1 y
F2 y
F2 y

F1

Vector
sum

y-component

F 3.42 21.2 20.0

Fy 37.8 N
y

48

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 1

Solution :
The magnitude of the resultant force is

F F
2

Fr

4.00

Fr

37.8

Fr 38.0 N

and its direction is

tan

F
F

84.0

37.8
tan

4.00
1

Fx

264

Fy

Fr

84.0 or 264 from positive x - axis anticlockwise

49

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 1

Exercise1.3 :

1. Vector A has components Ax = 1.30 cm, Ay = 2.25 cm; vector B

has components Bx = 4.10 cm, By = -3.75
cm.Determine
A B ,
a) the components of the vector sum
b) the magnitude and direction ofA B ,
c) the components of the vector B A,
d) the magnitude and direction of B A . (Young & freedman,pg.35,no.1.42)
ANS. : 5.40 cm, -1.50 cm; 5.60 cm, 345 ; 2.80 cm, -6.00 cm;

6.62 cm, 295

A and B in figure 1.2, use the method of vector
2. For the vectors
themagnitude and direction of
resolution to determine
y
A

B
,
a) the vector sum

-1
B

B
18.0
m
s
b) the vector sum
,
A B ,
c) the vector difference
B A.
d) the vector difference
-1

(Young & freedman,pg.35,no.1.39)

A 12.0 m s

ANS. : 11.1 m s-1, 77.6 ; U think;

28.5 m s-1, 202 ; 28.5 m s-1, 22.2

37.0

0
Figure 1.2

x
50

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 1

1.2.6 Unit Vectors

a , b, c

notations

E.g. unit vector a a vector with a magnitude of 1 unit in the direction

of vector A.

A
a 1
A

Unit vectors are dimensionless.

Unit vector for 3 dimension axes :

a 1

x - axis i @ i (bold )
y - axis j @ j (bold )
z - axis k @ k (bold )

i j k 1
51

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 1

j
i

Vector can be written in term of unit vectors as :

r rx i ry j rz k

Magnitude of vector,

rx 2 ry 2 rz 2
52

PHYSICS

E.g. :

CHAPTER 1

s 4i 3 j 2k m

4 2 3 2 2 2

5.39 m

y/m
3 j

2k

4i

x/m

z/m
53

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 1

Example 9 :

Two vectors are given as: a 2i 4 j 5k m

b 7i 8 j k m

Calculate

a) the vector a
b and its magnitude,
b) the vector b a and its magnitude,

c) the vector 2a b and its magnitude.

Solution :

a) a b a b 2 7 5i

a b

a y by 4 8 4 j

a b z a z bz 5 1 6k

a b 5i 4 j 6k m

The magnitude, a b

5 2 4 2 6 2

8.78 m

54

PHYSICS
b)

CHAPTER 1

b a x bx a x 7 2 9i

b a y by a y 8 4 12 j

b a

4
k
z
z
z

b a 9i 12 j 4k m

The magnitude, b a
c)

9 2 12 2 4 2

15.5 m

2a b x 2a x bx 2 2 7 3i

2a b y 2a y b y 2 4 8 0 j

2a b z 2a z bz 2 5 1 11k

2 a b 3i 11k m

The magnitude, 2a b

3 2 11 2

11.4 m

55

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 1

1.2.7 Multiplication of Vectors

Scalar (dot) product
The physical meaning of
the scalar
product can be explained by
considering two vectors A and B as shown in figure 1.3a.

Figure 1.3a

Figure 1.3b
shows
the projection of vector B onto the direction
of
vector A . A B A component of B parallel to A

A
A
B cos

Figure 1.3b

Figure 1.3c

Acos B
B
Figure 1.3c
the projection of vector A onto the direction of
shows

B
vector . A B B component of A parallel to B 56

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 1

From the figure 1.3b, the scalar product can be defined as

A B A B cos

meanwhile from the figure 1.3c,

B A B A cos

where : angle between two vectors

The scalar product is a scalar quantity.
quantity
The angle ranges from 0 to 180 .

When 0 90
scalar product is positive

9 0 180
90

scalar product is negative

scalar product is zero

The scalar product obeys the commutative law of multiplication i.e.

A B B A

57

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 1

Example of scalar product is work done by a constant force where the

expression is givenby

W F s F s cos s F cos

The scalar product of the unit vectors are shown below :

2
i i i 2 cos 0 o 1 1 1
j j j 2 cos 0 o 1 2 1 1
2
k k k 2 cos 0 o 1 1 1

j
i

i i j j k k 1

z
i j 1 1 cos 90 o 0

j k 1 1 cos 90 o 0
i k 1 1 cos 90 o 0

i j j k i k 0
58

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 1

Example 10
:
Calculate the A B and the angle
following
problems.

a) A
i 2 j 3k

B 2i j 5k

Solution
:
a) A B

between vectors A and B for the

b)

A
4i 3 j k

B 2 j 3k

ANS.:-3; 99.4

1 2 i i 2 1 j j 3 5 k k

A B 2 2 15
A B 19

The magnitude of the vectors: A

The angle ,

1 2 3 14
2 2 1 2 5 2 30
2

A B AB cos
1 A B
1
cos
cos

AB

158

19
14 30

59

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 1

Vector (cross) product

Consider two vectors :

A xi yj zk

B pi qj rk

In general, the vector product

as
is defined

A B C

and its magnitude is given by

A B C A B sin AB sin

: angle between two vectors

The angle ranges from 0 to 180 so the vector product always
where

positive value.
Vector product is a vector
quantity
quantity.
The direction of vector C is determined by

RIGHT-HAND RULE
60

PHYSICS

CHAPTER 1
For example:
How to use right hand rule :
Point the 4 fingers to the direction of the 1st vector.
Swept the 4 fingers from the 1st vector towards the 2nd vector.
The thumb shows the direction of the vector product.

A B C

C
B A C

A B B A

but A B B A
Direction of the vector product always perpendicular to the
) .
plane containing the vectors (Cand

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The vector product of the unit vectors are shown below :

i j j i k
j k k j i

k i i k j

i i i 2 sin 0 o 0
i i j j k k 0

j j j 2 sin 0 o 0
k k k 2 sin 0 o 0

Example of vector product is a magnetic force on the straight

conductor carrying current places in magnetic field where the

expression is given by

F I l B
F IlB sin

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The vector product can also be expressed in determinant form as

A B x

j k
y

p q

1st method :

A B yr zq i xr zp j xq yp k

2nd method :

A B yr zq i zp xr j xq yp k

Note :
The angle between two vectors can only be determined by
using the scalar (dot) product.
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Example 11 :

2 j 4k
A

5
i

B i j 5k
Determine


a) A B and its magnitude
b) A B
c) the angle between vectors A and B .
Given two vectors :

Solution :
a)

A B 5 2 4
1 1 5

A B 2 5 4 1 i 5 5 4 1 j 51 2 1 k

A B 10 4 i 25 4 j 5 2 k
A B 14i 21 j 7k
2
2
2
A B 14 21 7
The magnitude,

A B 26.2
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b)

CHAPTER 1

A B 5i 2 j 4k i j 5k

A B 51 i i 2 1 j j 4 5 k k

A B 5 2 20
A B 23

c) The magnitude of vectors,

A
B

5 2 2 2 4 2
1 2 1 2 5 2

45
27

Using the scalar

(dot) product formula,

A B AB cos

A B
1

cos
cos

AB
48.7
1

23

45 27
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Exercise 1.4 :

a
j
1. If vector = 3i + 5

a) a b ,
ANS. : 2k; 26; 46
2.

+ 4 j , determine
and vector
b
=
2
i

b) a b ,
c) a b b .

Three vectors are given as follow :

a 3i 3 j 2k ; b i 4 j 2k and c 2i 2 j k

Calculate

a) a b c ,
b) a
ANS. : 21; 9; 5i 11 j 9k

b c

, c) a b c

3. If vector P 3i 2 j k and vector Q 2i 4

j 3k ,
determine

a) P Q

b) the angle between P and Q .

ANS. : 10i 7 j 16k ; 92.8

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THE END
Next Chapter
CHAPTER 2 :
Kinematics of Linear Motion

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