Difference between scalar product ( dot product) and vector product.
Dot product or scalar product | Cross product or vector product |
If the product of two vectors is a scalar quantity, the product is called scalar product or dot product. | If the product of two vectors is a vector quantity then the product is called vector product or cross product. |
The dot product is defined by the relation: A . B = AB Cos θ | The cross product is defined by the relation: A × B = AB Sinθ u |
The scalar product obeys commutative law as A.B =B.A | The vector or cross product does not obey commutative law A×B ≠B×A |
If two vectors are perpendicular to each other then their scalar product is zero. A.B =0 | If two vectors are parallel to each other, their vector product is zero. A×B=0 |