Physics XI Content
UNIT VECTOR-FREE VECTOR-POSITION VECTOR-NULL VECTOR
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UNIT VECTOR
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| “A unit vector is defined as a vector in any specified direction whose magnitude is unity i.e. 1. A unit vector only specifies the direction of a given vector. “ |
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A unit vector is denoted by any small letter with a symbol of arrow hat ( ). |
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| A unit vector can be determined by dividing the vector by its magnitude. | |||
| For example unit vector of a vector A is given by: | |||
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In three-dimensional coordinate system unit vectors  having the direction of the positive X-axis, Y-axi and Z-axis are used as unit vectors. These unit vectors are mutually perpendicular to each other. |
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FREE VECTOR
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| A vector that can be displaced parallel to itself and applied at any point is known as a FREE VECTOR. | |||
| A free vector can be specified by giving its magnitude and any two of the angles between the vector and coordinate axes. | |||
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POSITION VECTOR
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| A vector that indicates the position of a point in a coordinate system is referred to as POSITION VECTOR. | |||
| Suppose we have a fixed reference point O, then we can specify the position of a given point P with respect to point O by means of a vector having magnitude and direction represented by a directed line segment OP. This vector is called POSITION VECTOR. | |||
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| In a three-dimensional coordinate system if O is at origin then, O(0,0,0) and P is any point say P(x, y,z) | |||
| in this situation position vector of point P will be: | |||
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NULL VECTOR
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A null vector is a vector having magnitude equal to zero. It is represented by. A null vector has no direction or it may have any direction. Generally a null vector is either equal to resultant of two equal vectors acting in opposite directions or multiple vectors in different directions. |
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