What is the Meaning of Tangential and Normal Components in Vector Analysis?

In summary, the tangential component of a vector is the derivative of each component with respect to the parameter in a parametric vector function, while the normal component is the cross product of the bi-normal unit vector with the normalized tangent vector. Vectors in any space have infinite decompositions, with the most obvious one being the axis (such as the x, y, z axis). More information is needed to clarify the specific context and meaning of tangential and normal components of a vector.
  • #1
saravanan13
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For an arbitrary vector, what is meant by tangential and normal component of the vector?
 
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  • #2
saravanan13 said:
For an arbitrary vector, what is meant by tangential and normal component of the vector?

A vector in general is just something that has a direction and a magnitude.

I don't know if this is right but if you are thinking a parametric vector function, then the tangential component is just the derivative of each component with respect to the parameter and the normal is the cross product of the bi-normal unit vector with the normalized tangent vector.

Also vectors in any space have infinite decompositions, the most obvious one are your axis (think x,y,z axis).

If I'm not answering your question, maybe you can give some more information to help clarify what you want.
 

What is a vector?

A vector is a mathematical quantity that has both magnitude (size) and direction. Vectors are commonly used in physics, engineering, and other scientific fields to describe various physical quantities such as velocity, force, and displacement.

What is a component of a vector?

A component of a vector is the projection of the vector onto a specific axis or direction. It is a scalar quantity, meaning it has only magnitude and no direction. The sum of all the components of a vector make up the vector itself.

How do you find the components of a vector?

To find the components of a vector, you can use trigonometric functions such as sine and cosine. The horizontal component (x) is found by multiplying the magnitude of the vector by the cosine of the angle it makes with the x-axis. The vertical component (y) is found by multiplying the magnitude of the vector by the sine of the angle it makes with the y-axis.

What is the relationship between a vector and its components?

The components of a vector are the parts that make up the vector and can be added or subtracted to obtain the original vector. The magnitude of the vector can be found using the Pythagorean theorem, where the sum of the squares of the components equals the square of the vector's magnitude.

What is the difference between a scalar and a vector?

A scalar is a quantity that has only magnitude, while a vector has both magnitude and direction. Examples of scalars include temperature, speed, and time. Examples of vectors include displacement, velocity, and force.

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