scalar/vector projection definition (1 Viewer)

[Masaken]

This analogy that explains what a scalar projection makes no sense to me, I know how to use the formulas to find the scalar/vector projections of two vectors (and also how to derive the formulas themselves) but I have no idea what it actually is, could anyone explain it in a more dumbed down version? Thanks in advance

 

[pikachu975]

View attachment 36442
View attachment 36443
This analogy that explains what a scalar projection makes no sense to me, I know how to use the formulas to find the scalar/vector projections of two vectors (and also how to derive the formulas themselves) but I have no idea what it actually is, could anyone explain it in a more dumbed down version? Thanks in advance

I think scalar projection is just the magnitude of the vector projection but haven't learnt it in a while so might be wrong.

 

[Masaken]

I think scalar projection is just the magnitude of the vector projection but haven't learnt it in a while so might be wrong.

that makes sense, thanks

do you also know what the vector projection itself is? (think i should have made it clearer that i didn't know either of them oops)

 

[cossine]

View attachment 36442
View attachment 36443
This analogy that explains what a scalar projection makes no sense to me, I know how to use the formulas to find the scalar/vector projections of two vectors (and also how to derive the formulas themselves) but I have no idea what it actually is, could anyone explain it in a more dumbed down version? Thanks in advance

scalar project is just length of vector c.

vector projection. I can't think of better way to explain it other than diagrams. It is just referring to vector c in this case.

 

[Masaken]

vector projection. I can't think of better way to explain it other than diagrams. It is just referring to vector c in this case.

i've spent the last few minutes staring at the diagram with that, i think i get it now...

so in the above diagram a1 would be the vector projection of a in respect to b right? (bc a1 is parallel to b)

 

[pikachu975]

i've spent the last few minutes staring at the diagram with that, i think i get it now...
View attachment 36444
so in the above diagram a1 would be the vector projection of a in respect to b right? (bc a1 is parallel to b)

Yep if you project vector a onto vector b you get vector a1