This free Java simulation showcases the dot or scalar product of two vectors through interactive visualization, serving as a useful tool for learning vector calculus.
The applet represents the projection of vector A onto vector B in yellow, with the angle between the two displayed in orange. On the bottom of the screen, users can observe four bars that show the magnitude of four different quantities. These include the length of vector A in red, the length of vector B in blue, the length of the projection of A onto B in yellow and the dot product of A and B in green. Some of these quantities may be negative.
Users can modify a vector's position by clicking on its arrowhead and dragging it around. Moreover, the swap button enables users to swap vectors A and B; note that swapping these two does not change the dot product. With its user-friendly interface and informative visualizations, Dot Product proves to be an essential tool for students and researchers alike.