VectorAnalysis`
VectorAnalysis`

DotProduct

As of Version 9.0, vector analysis functionality is built into the Wolfram Language »

DotProduct[v1,v2]

gives the dot product of the two 3-vectors v1, v2 in the default coordinate system.

DotProduct[v1,v2,coordsys]

gives the dot product of v1 and v2 in the coordinate system coordsys.

Details and Options

  • To use DotProduct, you first need to load the Vector Analysis Package using Needs["VectorAnalysis`"].
  • DotProduct[v1,v2,coordsys] is computed by converting v1 and v2 to Cartesian coordinates and then forming the dot product.

Examples

Basic Examples  (3)

Dot product of two Cartesian vectors:

Verify that a pair of vectors are orthogonal:

Dot product of vectors in cylindrical coordinates:

Compare with the result from conversion to Cartesian coordinates: