Why it is not possible to have divisions of vectors?

  • Thread starter Thread starter wasi-uz-zaman
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Vectors
AI Thread Summary
Dividing vectors is not possible because vectors are not numbers and do not form a multiplicative group; they can only be added or scaled by scalars. The discussion emphasizes that vectors adhere to specific rules of addition and cannot be divided like real numbers. The vector product of two polar vectors results in an axial vector, but the definitions of axial and polar vectors need clarification. The conversation also touches on the distinction between operations like cross products and scalar multiplication. Understanding vectors as additive groups is crucial for grasping their properties and limitations.
wasi-uz-zaman
Messages
89
Reaction score
1
hi,please answer some question about vectors?
a) why it is not possible to have divisions of vectors?
b) is vector product of two polar vector is always axial vector?
c)what is vector product of one axial vector and polar vector?
thanks
wasi-uz-zaman
 
Physics news on Phys.org
If you believe the "geometric" intuition of vectors then it is kinda obvious why, not? but if you dive a little deeper into the construction of a vector all it is a function which must obey these rules
## + : E \times E \to E##
##+(x_1,x_2) \mapsto x_1+x_2## and the axiom of a group with only this operation
[1]associative law of addition
[2]commutative law of addition
[3] inverse.
Also, you can only multiply scalars to vectors (cross product is a completely different operation which falls into something called the determinant function. this function has an inverse, if that is what you are asking.)
Could you clarify what you mean why axial vector and polar vector? as in rectangular and polar coordinates?

Edit: I mean that if you understand that Vectors are only additive groups then it should be helpful to understand that they aren't multiplicative groups.
 
  • Like
Likes 1 person
a) a vector's not a number like we think of numbers, so you can't divide with them (although there are plenty of other operations in higher-level math)

don't know about b or c though...
 
  • Like
Likes 1 person
It's not clear what the OP means by an 'axial' and a 'polar' vector.
 
So I know that electrons are fundamental, there's no 'material' that makes them up, it's like talking about a colour itself rather than a car or a flower. Now protons and neutrons and quarks and whatever other stuff is there fundamentally, I want someone to kind of teach me these, I have a lot of questions that books might not give the answer in the way I understand. Thanks
Back
Top