MECHANICS (VECTOR GEOMETRY)

FURTHER MATHEMATICS SSS2 THIRD TERM

WEEK 4

MECHANICS (VECTOR GEOMETRY)

Content

SCALAR OR DOT PRODUCT OF TWO VECTORS

The scalar or dot product of two vectors a and b is written as a.b and pronounced as (a dot b). Therefore, a.b =|a| |b| cosƟ dot is defined as a.b =   a b cos Ɵ where Ɵ is the angle between vectors a and b

If a = a₁ I + a₂j and b = b₁ I b2j

Thus a .b = (a)1bi ii + ab2j I 1 + 2 bi I h +a2 b2 j

Recall that I and j are mutually perpendicular unit vector hence

i.i = |x| cos 0 =1

i.j =…