Top Posters
Since Sunday
a
5
k
5
c
5
B
5
l
5
C
4
s
4
a
4
t
4
i
4
r
4
r
4
Home Q & A Board Science-Related Homework Help Physics
New Topic  
lesab1 lesab1
wrote...
Go to Answer
Posts: 13
Rep: 0 0
11 years ago
From what I know, the dot product results in a new magnitude of a new vector, resulted from the "dot" of two vectors. Cross product results in a new vector with direction and magnitude resulted from the "cross" of two vectors.

What I do not understand is why does the dot product produce a magnitude of a new vector but not a direction of that respective vector. If dot product does that, then how does that compare to cross product, where cross results in a magnitude AND direction.

Can someone clarify this?
Also, if dot results in magnitude, and cross results in magnitude and direction, then what is the point of doing dot product if cross product can do the same and also produce a direction? Or is this the wrong idea about dot and cross products?
Read 460 times
2 Replies
Replies
Answer accepted by topic starter
tonydungytonydungy
wrote...
#1
Posts: 16
Rep: 0 0
11 years ago
Sign in or Sign up in seconds to unlock everything for free
This verified answer contains over 110 words.
1

Related Topics

wrote...
#2
11 years ago
The dot product gives a result that is a scalar (a number.)
The cross product gives a result that is a vector.

They are completely different operations that have no fundamental connection to each other.
New Topic      
Quick Reply
Explore
Post your homework questions and get free online help from our incredible volunteers
  1147 People Browsing
Start New Topic Take the Tour CoursesNew Study Tools Topics Trending Browse by Textbook
Live Chat
Related Images
  
 409
  
 318
  
 700
Your Opinion
Who will win the 2024 president election?
Votes: 3
Closes: November 4
Previous poll results: Who's your favorite biologist?