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a unit vector is a vector which has exact same direction and has its length or magnitude equal to one

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Q: What are unit vectors?
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What are unit vectors used for in real life?

In real life unit vectors are used for directions, e.g east, north and up(zenith). The unit vector specifies the direction. Gyroscopes maintain a direction and keep things level. Whenever and where ever location is important, unit vectors are a part of real life. Whenever directions are important in your real life, then unit vectors are important. If everything was confined to move along a straight line, then unit vectors would not be important. If you can move in a plane, then unit vectors are important. Moving in space, unit vectors are more important. cars, ships and planes all move in space. Controlling and tracking these all involve unit vectors.


When do we use vector algebra in daily life?

In real life unit vectors are used for directions, e.g east, north and up. The unit vector specifies the direction. Gyroscopes maintain a direction and keep things level. Whenever and where ever location is important, unit vectors are a part of real life. Whenever directions are important in your real life, then unit vectors are important. If everything was confined to move along a straight line, then unit vectors would not be important. If you can move in a plane, then unit vectors are important. Moving in space, unit vectors are more important. cars, ships and planes all move in space. Controlling and tracking these all involve unit vectors.


Why a unit vector is aone type of vector but a vector is not a unit vector?

A unit vector is a vector whose magnitude is one. Vectors can have magnitudes that are bigger or smaller than one so they would not be unit vectors.


Can you add three unit vectors to get a unit vector does your answer change if two unit vectors are along the coordinate axes?

Yes., and their being along the coordinate axes does not change the answer.Consider the vectors: i, -i and j where i is the unit vector along the x axis and j along the y axis. The resultant of the three is j.


What is the difference between orthogonal and orthonormal vectors?

All vectors that are perpendicular (their dot product is zero) are orthogonal vectors.Orthonormal vectors are orthogonal unit vectors. Vectors are only orthonormal if they are both perpendicular have have a length of 1.