Zero Vector (Null Vector)

A zero vector is a special vector with the same starting and ending point and is usually represented by a point. In advanced mathematical language, a zero or a Null vector is a vector with zero magnitudes pointing toward no direction. To know more about Zero vectors, first, we have to know about vectors, their definition, their property, and their application, and then we will discuss Zero vector and why it is called so.

What is Vector

In Mathematics, we have many independent quantities for the calculation of different things, but certain quantities in mathematics can measure or calculate two or more independent properties at the same time; vectors are also categorized in this category because they can calculate direction as well as magnitude at the same time, vectors play a vital role in Geometrical mathematics, and if we talk about its importance in physics, then vectors are the roots of physics or the fundamental of physics.

Types of Vectors

A vector is a measuring quantity implemented in physics and at the geometrical portion of mathematics; further, the quantities are divided into scalar and vector quantities in physics.

• Vector Quantity: Vector quantities are like vectors that have both direction and magnitude, but at the same time, they don't show the position; these are represented by putting an arrow over that, and the head of the arrow shows the direction. A few examples of Vector quantities are Force (whenever we apply a force over an object, it is in a certain direction, and that Force applied is of a certain magnitude), displacement (displacement has both sufficient quantities, that is, direction and magnitude).
• Scalar Quantity: Scalar quantities have only a single quantity that is magnitude. The examples of Scalar quantities are density (the density of an object is a scalar quantity because it has only magnitude but has no direction), mass (mass is also a scalar quantity because mass has no direction and it has only mass), and time (time is also categorized under scalar quantity).

Application of Vectors

As we discussed above that, wherever we have to deal with the direction factor in mathematics then, vectors are the roots for it; moreover, in advanced mathematics and in geometrical mathematics, where we have to deal with dimensions problems, vectors are the key unit that time.

In the problem related to planes, vectors were a vital concept at that time; with vectors, we can easily solve the complex problems of multi-dimension. We use vectors in solving almost all concepts of physics. Vector is the spine of Kinematics topic which is one of the most important topics of physics that is responsible for describing the motion of a particle or an object; it helps in understanding the concept of trajectory, which is responsible for launching rockets, bombs and it is also considered at the time of flight take off. A few of the application of Vectors in real life is as follows:

• Vectors also have their application in the military. Whenever a soldier fires an artillery canon over their enemies, they fire it at a specific angle, degree, or trajectory so that it can hit the desired target.
• Vectors also have their application in sports. Whenever a basketball player releases the ball to pass through the net, they have to release it at a specific angle so that it smoothly passes through the net. The concept of the vector is also used while playing football also.
• Vectors also have their application in games. In games also, the developers store the position vector, velocity vector, and many more to calculate the time interval.
• Whenever a batsman hits a lob shot, there might be three possibilities: it will cross the boundary, the fielder will catch the ball, or fielder will drop the catch. If the batsman hits the ball with the equivalent Force, it will only cross the boundary; otherwise, the fielder will catch it.

Features of Zero Vector or Null Vector

• A zero or null vector is a special type often used or identified while solving mathematical geometric algebra.
• Unlike other vectors, a zero or null vector did not point toward a specific direction, and it has no length.
• The null or zero vector is treated as an additive identity in vector algebra.
• One more unique feature of zero or null vectors is that multiplying any other type of vector with this always returns a zero value.