Complete Class 11 – Vectors Chapter
Summary
1. What is a Vector?
- A vector is a quantity that has both magnitude and direction.
- Example: Displacement, velocity, acceleration, force.
- Scalar vs Vector: Scalar has only magnitude (e.g., mass, temperature).
2. Types of Vectors
- Zero Vector: Magnitude = 0, direction undefined.
- Unit Vector: Magnitude = 1. Shows direction only.
- Position Vector: A vector representing position from origin to a point.
- Equal Vectors: Same magnitude and direction.
- Negative Vectors: Same magnitude, opposite direction.
- Co-initial Vectors: Vectors having same initial point.
- Collinear Vectors: Vectors along the same line or parallel.
- Coplanar Vectors: Vectors lying in the same plane.
- Polar Vectors: Represent linear quantities like force.
- Axial Vectors: Represent rotational effect like angular velocity.
3. Representation of Vectors
- Vectors are represented by arrows: length = magnitude, arrow = direction.
- In component form: A = Axi + Ayj + Azk (3D vector form).
- Graphical representation includes tail and head.
4. Vector Operations
- Addition: Triangle Law and Parallelogram Law of vector addition.
- Subtraction: A - B = A + (-B).
- Scalar Multiplication: kA → Multiplies magnitude by k, direction remains.
- Position Vector: From point A(x1,y1,z1) to B(x2,y2,z2) is (x2-x1)i + (y2-y1)j + (z2-z1)k.
5. Resolution of Vectors
- Any vector can be resolved into perpendicular components.
- Ax = A cosθ, Ay = A sinθ.
- In 3D: A = Axi + Ayj + Azk.
6. Important Formulas
- Magnitude of vector A: |A| = √(Ax² + Ay² + Az²).
- Unit Vector: Â = A / |A|.
- Dot Product: A · B = |A||B|cosθ = AxBx + AyBy + AzBz.
- Cross Product: A × B = |A||B|sinθ n̂ .
- Projection of vector A on B: (A · B̂ ).
- Angle between vectors: cosθ = (A · B) / (|A||B|).
7. Sample Questions
- Q1. Find the magnitude of A = 3i + 4j. Ans: 5.
- Q2. Find angle between A = i + j and B = i - j.
- Q3. If A = 2i + 3j - k and B = i - 2j + 4k, find A · B and A × B.
8. Quick Tricks
- Dot product gives scalar; cross product gives vector.
- Angle between vectors: use dot product.
- If A ⊥ B ⇒ A · B = 0; If A ∥ B ⇒ A × B = 0.
- To find unit vector, divide vector by its magnitude.
