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 ![]() |
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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.![]() |
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