4: Vector Analysis
A vector is a mathematical object that has both a scalar part (i.e., a magnitude and possibly a phase), as well as a direction. Many physical quantities are best described as vectors. For example, the rate of movement through space can be described as speed ; i.e., as a scalar having SI base units of m/s. However, this quantity is more completely described as velocity ; i.e., as a vector whose scalar part is speed and direction indicates the direction of movement. Similarly, force is a vector whose scalar part indicates magnitude (SI base units of N), and direction indicates the direction in which the force is applied. Electric and magnetic fields are also best described as vectors.
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- 4.1: Vector Arithmetic
- In mathematical notation, a real-valued vector A is said to have a magnitude A=|A| and direction a^ such that A=Aa^(4.1.1) where a^ is a unit vector (i.e., a real-valued vector having magnitude equal to one) having the same direction as A . If a vector is complex-valued, then A is similarly complex-valued
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- 4.2: Cartesian Coordinates
- Concepts described in that section – i.e., the dot product and cross product – are described in terms of the Cartesian system. In this section, we identify some additional features of this system that are useful in subsequent work and also set the stage for alternative systems; namely the cylindrical and spherical coordinate systems.
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- 4.3: Cylindrical Coordinates
- The cylindrical system is defined with respect to the Cartesian system. In lieu of x and y , the cylindrical system uses ρ , the distance measured from the closest point on the z axis,1 and ϕ , the angle measured in a plane of constant z , beginning at the +x axis ( ϕ=0 ) with ϕ increasing toward the +y direction.
Contributors and Attributions
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Ellingson, Steven W. (2018) Electromagnetics, Vol. 1. Blacksburg, VA: VT Publishing. https://doi.org/10.21061/electromagnetics-vol-1 Licensed with CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0 . Report adoption of this book here . If you are a professor reviewing, adopting, or adapting this textbook please help us understand a little more about your use by filling out this form.