# When are unit vectors helpful?

1. Sep 1, 2009

### TbbZz

It seems to me that it is simply a way to rewrite a given vector component, but with an extra, redundant letter (i, j, k).

2. Sep 1, 2009

### Mapes

Just one example is the unit normal to a surface: a vector (generally with i, j, and k components) perpendicular to a surface, pointing outward by convention. If you want to know the exit flux of a vector field from a region, for example, you just integrate the dot product of the field and the unit normal.

3. Sep 1, 2009

### rock.freak667

When you have forces on an object in the cartesian plane. It makes finding the resultant force about some point easier than taking forces and the angles and using components. Makes torque easier to get with $\vec{r} \times \vec{F}$

4. Sep 1, 2009

### TbbZz

Thanks.

So, in other words, i, j, and k are simply labels given to values of Vx, Vy, and Vz to make it easier to keep track of them (i.e. not adding a Vx to a Vy) during calculations?

5. Sep 1, 2009

### rock.freak667

yes, basically you can think of it like that. Instead of dealing with horizontal and the vertical separately , you can do both without being confused.