kapoor_kapoor said:If two physical quantities are being multiplied , is there any way to know that the result will be a scalar of vector.. Moreover if two vectors are being multiplied how can we know that we have to apply cross or dot product??
A vector is a mathematical quantity that has both magnitude and direction. It is often represented by an arrow pointing in the direction of the vector with a length proportional to its magnitude.
Vectors can be represented in several ways, including using Cartesian coordinates, polar coordinates, or using a column matrix. In physics, vectors are often represented using unit vectors in the x, y, and z directions.
A vector product, also known as a cross product, is a mathematical operation between two vectors that results in a third vector. It is used to find the direction and magnitude of a vector that is perpendicular to both of the original vectors.
The dot product of two vectors results in a scalar quantity, while the cross product results in a vector quantity. The dot product measures the projection of one vector onto another, while the cross product measures the perpendicular component of one vector to another.
Vector products have many applications in physics, engineering, and mathematics. They are used to calculate torque, magnetic fields, and forces in three-dimensional systems. In computer graphics, they are used to create realistic lighting and shading effects. In navigation, vector products are used to calculate the direction and speed of a moving object.