Applied mathematics is a key skill for practicing engineers and mathematical modelling is an ever-increasing field within engineering. This free course, Introducing vectors for engineering applications, covers one aspect of a Level 1 engineering module, the application of vectors and vector algebra, using examples inspired by engineering applications.
Overview
Syllabus
- Introduction
- Learning outcomes
- Background
- 1 Modelling with vectors
- 1 Modelling with vectors
- 1.1 Modelling motion with perpendicular vectors
- 1.2 Models of motion
- 1.3 Modelling motion with non-perpendicular vectors
- 2 Vectors in component form
- 2 Vectors in component form
- 2.1 Horizontal and vertical components
- 2.2 Cartesian unit vectors
- 2.3 Converting between vector forms
- 2.4 Position vectors
- 3 Vector algebra with components
- 3 Vector algebra with components
- 3.1 Vector addition in component form
- 3.2 Scalar multiplication of vectors in component form
- 3.3 Vector subtraction in component form
- 3.4 Combining vector operations
- 3.5 Vector algebra
- 4 Scalar product of vectors
- 4 Scalar product of vectors
- 4.1 Scalar product of a vector from components
- 4.2 Scalar product of a vector from magnitude and direction
- 4.3 Properties of the scalar product
- 4.4 Finding the angle between two vectors
- Conclusion
- Solutions to activities
- References
- Acknowledgements