Cross Product

Definition

The cross product, also known as the vector product, is a binary operation on two vectors that results in a third vector that is perpendicular to both of the original vectors. It is a fundamental concept in physics, particularly in the study of magnetic fields and the forces acting on charged particles within those fields.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The cross product of two vectors $\vec{a}$ and $\vec{b}$ is denoted as $\vec{a} \times \vec{b}$ and is defined as a vector whose magnitude is the product of the magnitudes of the two vectors and the sine of the angle between them.
2. The direction of the cross product is determined by the right-hand rule, where the thumb points in the direction of the resulting vector when the fingers of the right hand are curled from the first vector to the second vector.
3. The cross product is anticommutative, meaning that $\vec{a} \times \vec{b} = -\vec{b} \times \vec{a}$.
4. The cross product is used to calculate the magnetic force on a moving charge in a magnetic field, as described in Sections 22.4 and 22.5 of the course material.
5. The cross product is also used to calculate the torque acting on a rigid body and to determine the angular momentum of a system.

Review Questions

• Explain how the cross product is used to calculate the magnetic force on a moving charge in a magnetic field.
  • The magnetic force on a moving charge in a magnetic field is given by the cross product of the charge's velocity vector and the magnetic field vector. Specifically, the magnitude of the force is equal to the product of the charge, the velocity, the magnetic field strength, and the sine of the angle between the velocity and magnetic field vectors. The direction of the force is determined by the right-hand rule, where the thumb points in the direction of the force vector when the fingers are curled from the velocity vector to the magnetic field vector.
• Describe how the properties of the cross product, such as its anticommutative nature and the right-hand rule, are used to analyze the forces and torques acting on a rigid body in a magnetic field.
  • The anticommutative property of the cross product, where $\vec{a} \times \vec{b} = -\vec{b} \times \vec{a}$, is used to determine the direction of the torque acting on a rigid body in a magnetic field. The right-hand rule is then applied to find the direction of the resulting torque vector, which is crucial for understanding the rotational motion of the body. Additionally, the cross product is used to calculate the angular momentum of a system, which is a conserved quantity in the absence of external torques.
• Evaluate the importance of the cross product in the broader context of physics and its applications beyond the specific topics covered in Sections 22.4 and 22.5.
  • The cross product is a fundamental operation in vector calculus and linear algebra, with widespread applications throughout physics. Beyond its use in calculating magnetic forces and torques, the cross product is essential for determining the direction of angular velocity and angular acceleration vectors, as well as for defining the concept of circulation in fluid mechanics. It also plays a crucial role in the formulation of Maxwell's equations, which describe the fundamental relationships between electric and magnetic fields. The cross product is a powerful tool that allows for the concise and elegant representation of many physical phenomena, making it a cornerstone of classical and modern physics.

Related terms

Vector: A mathematical quantity that has both magnitude and direction, typically represented by an arrow.

Scalar: A mathematical quantity that has only magnitude, without a specific direction.

Right-Hand Rule: A mnemonic device used to determine the direction of the cross product of two vectors.