Question

Define vector 0 and give two examples.

Answer 1

A vector is represented by direction and magnitude. If we take the number 0, it has no magnitude, and it can be given any sign.

Similarly, null vector, also known as zero vector has no magnitude but can be given a direction.

Definition 1: A vector with zero magnitude but the certain direction is known as a null vector.

If $\overrightarrow{a}$ is a vector than $|\overrightarrow{a}|=0$. It means that the vector is pointing in a certain direction but is still there.

Direction of a Null Vector Back to Top

A vector may have any number of dimensions. A null vector is one which has all the components as zero. For a two-dimensional vector, the zero vector is (0, 0) while for three-dimensional vector the zero vector is (0, 0, 0). It goes on like this for any number of dimensions.

The direction of a null vector is undefined. It can be any direction. The direction of a null vector will be like getting the direction of a point. It is undefined mostly but can be defined in complex spaces.

Examples of Null Vector

Here have been given some examples of a null vector.

1. Two people pulling a rope in opposite directions with equal force.

2. Displacement of throwing an object upward and then again holding it at the same position.

3. The velocity of a train standing still on a platform.

4. Acceleration of a car going at a uniform speed.