unit vector

(noun)

A vector with length 1.

Related Terms

  • electrostatic force
  • Lorentz force
  • scalar

(noun)

A vector of magnitude 1.

Related Terms

  • electrostatic force
  • Lorentz force
  • scalar

Examples of unit vector in the following topics:

  • Unit Vectors and Multiplication by a Scalar

    • In addition to adding vectors, vectors can also be multiplied by constants known as scalars.
    • A useful concept in the study of vectors and geometry is the concept of a unit vector.
    • A unit vector is a vector with a length or magnitude of one.
    • The unit vectors are different for different coordinates.
    • The unit vectors in Cartesian coordinates describe a circle known as the "unit circle" which has radius one.
  • Multiplying Vectors by a Scalar

    • Multiplying a vector by a scalar changes the magnitude of the vector but not the direction.
    • Similarly if you take the number 3 which is a pure and unit-less scalar and multiply it to a vector, you get a version of the original vector which is 3 times as long.
    • Most of the units used in vector quantities are intrinsically scalars multiplied by the vector.
    • For example, the unit of meters per second used in velocity, which is a vector, is made up of two scalars, which are magnitudes: the scalar of length in meters and the scalar of time in seconds.
    • In order to make this conversion from magnitudes to velocity, one must multiply the unit vector in a particular direction by these scalars.
  • Projecting Vectors Onto Other Vectors

    • Figure 3.1 illustrates the basic idea of projecting one vector onto another.
    • What we need to do is multiply $\|\mathbf{b}\| \cos \theta$ by a unit vector in the $\mathbf{a}$ direction.
    • Obviously a convenient unit vector in the $\mathbf{a}$ direction is $\mathbf{a}/\|\mathbf{a}\|$ , which equals
    • So a vector in the $\mathbf{a}$ with length $\|\mathbf{b}\| \cos \theta$ is given by
    • Let $\mathbf{a}$ and $\mathbf{b}$ be any two vectors.
  • Superposition of Forces

    • The superposition principle (superposition property) states that for all linear forces the total force is a vector sum of individual forces.
    • Therefore, the principle suggests that total force is a vector sum of individual forces.
    • The resulting force vector happens to be parallel to the electric field vector at that point, with that point charge removed.
    • where qi and ri are the magnitude and position vector of the i-th charge, respectively, and $\boldsymbol{\widehat{R_i}}$ is a unit vector in the direction of $\boldsymbol{R}_{i} = \boldsymbol{r} - \boldsymbol{r}_i$ (a vector pointing from charges qi to q. )
    • Total force, affecting the motion of the charge, will be the vector sum of the two forces.
  • Adding and Subtracting Vectors Using Components

    • Another way of adding vectors is to add the components.
    • For example, a vector with a length of 5 at a 36.9 degree angle to the horizontal axis will have a horizontal component of 4 units and a vertical component of 3 units.
    • This new line is the resultant vector.
    • The vector in this image has a magnitude of 10.3 units and a direction of 29.1 degrees above the x-axis.
    • Vector Addition Lesson 2 of 2: How to Add Vectors by Components
  • Matter Exists in Space and Time

    • Logically a beginning knowledge of vectors, vectors spaces and vector algebra is needed to understand his ideas.
    • Examples of this section relate to representation of space as an origin, coordinates and a unit vector basis.
    • Ladder Boom Rescue: Vector analysis is methodological.
    • Every vector has a component and a magnitude-direction form.
    • Newton used vectors and calculus because he needed that mathematics.
  • Position, Displacement, Velocity, and Acceleration as Vectors

    • Vectors can be used to represent physical quantities.
    • Vectors are a combination of magnitude and direction, and are drawn as arrows.
    • Because vectors are constructed this way, it is helpful to analyze physical quantities (with both size and direction) as vectors.
    • For example, when drawing a vector that represents a magnitude of 100, one may draw a line that is 5 units long at a scale of $\displaystyle \frac{1}{20}$.
    • In drawing the vector, the magnitude is only important as a way to compare two vectors of the same units.
  • Angular vs. Linear Quantities

    • Note that there are two vectors that are perpendicular to any plane.
    • The units of angular velocity are radians per second.
    • However, it's angular velocity is constant since it continually sweeps out a constant arc length per unit time.
    • A vector diagram illustrating circular motion.
    • The red vector is the angular velocity vector, pointing perpendicular to the plane of motion and with magnitude equal to the instantaneous velocity.
  • Components of a Vector

    • All vectors have a length, called the magnitude, which represents some quality of interest so that the vector may be compared to another vector.
    • Vectors, being arrows, also have a direction.
    • To visualize the process of decomposing a vector into its components, begin by drawing the vector from the origin of a set of coordinates.
    • This is the horizontal component of the vector.
    • He also uses a demonstration to show the importance of vectors and vector addition.
  • Adding and Subtracting Vectors Graphically

    • Draw a new vector from the origin to the head of the last vector.
    • Since vectors are graphical visualizations, addition and subtraction of vectors can be done graphically.
    • This new line is the vector result of adding those vectors together.
    • Then, to subtract a vector, proceed as if adding the opposite of that vector.
    • Draw a new vector from the origin to the head of the last vector.
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