Vector Analysis

JEE MAINS & NEET

Introduction of Vector
Physical quantities having magnitude, direction and obeying laws of vector algebra are
called vectors.
Example: Displacement, velocity, acceleration, momentum, force, impulse, weight,
thrust, torque, angular momentum, angular velocity etc.
If a physical quantity has magnitude and direction both, then it does not always imply
that it is a vector. For it to be a vector the third condition of obeying laws of vector
algebra has to be satisfied.
Example: The physical quantity current has both magnitude and direction but is still a
scalar as it disobeys the laws of vector algebra.
Types of Vector
(1) Equal vectors : Two vectors A and B are said to be equal when they have equal
magnitudes and same direction.
(2) Parallel vector : Two vectors A and B are said to be parallel when
(i) Both have same direction.
(ii) One vector is scalar (positive) non-zero multiple of another vector.
(3) Anti-parallel vectors : Two vectors A and B are said to be anti-parallel when
(i) Both have opposite direction.
(ii) One vector is scalar non-zero negative multiple of another vector.
(4) Collinear vectors : When the vectors under consideration can share the same
support or have a common support then the considered vectors are collinear.
(5) Zero vector (0) : A vector having zero magnitude and arbitrary direction (not known
to us) is a zero vector.
(6) Unit vector : A vector divided by its magnitude is a unit vector. Unit vector for A is Â
(read as A cap / A hat).

Since, Aˆ  A ˆ .Thus,
 A  AA we can say that unit vector gives us the direction.
A
(7) Orthogonal unit vectors : ˆi , ˆj and k̂ are called orthogonal unit vectors. These
vectors must form a Right Handed Triad (It is a coordinate system such that when we
Curl the fingers of right hand from x to y then we must get the direction of z along
thumb). The y

ˆi  x , ˆj  y , kˆ  z  x  xˆi , y  yˆj , z  zkˆ ĵ

x y z x
k̂
î
z

(8) Polar vectors : These have starting point or point of application . Example
displacement and force etc.

Office: 85, Rani Ka Bagh, Near FCI Office, Amritsar. (O) 0183-5080005, (M) 98156-22256

Resi: 33-A/5, Opp. Shivaji Park, Rani Ka Bagh, Amritsar. Page |1

 Vector Analysis
(9) Axial Vectors : These represent rotational effects and are always along the axis of
rotation in accordance with right hand screw rule. Angular velocity, torque and angular
momentum, etc., are example of physical quantities of this type.
Axial vector Axis of rotation

Anticlock wise rotation Clock wise rotation

Axis of rotation Axial vector

(10) Coplanar vector : Three (or more) vectors are called coplanar vector if they lie in
the same plane. Two (free) vectors are always coplanar.
Practice Questions

01. If A  3ˆ
i ˆ ˆ, find the vector along A .
j k

02. Does A  ˆ
i ˆ ˆ represents unit vector?
j k

03. Find c , if A  0.2ˆ

i  0.3ˆ ˆrepresents unit vector.
j  ck

04. If B  2ˆ
i ˆ ˆ find unit vector along B .
j  3k

1ˆ 1 ˆ
05. If A  i j is this a unit vector?
2 2

Introduction to Vectors

01. Which of the following not a vector quantity?

(a) Weight (b) Velocity

(c) Momentum (d) Potential energy
02. The scalar quantity among the following is :

(a) Weight of body (b) Torque

(c) Elementary area (d) Electric potential
03. If vectors 5 k̂ and -a k̂ are equal vectors, then the value of a is :

(a) 5 (b) 2 (c) -3 (d) -5

04. A is a vector with magnitude A, then the unit vector  in the direction

of vector A is :
A
(a) AA (b) A  A (c) A  A (d)
A
05. Among the following, the vector quantity is :

(a) Pressure (b) Gravitation potential

(c) Stress (d) Impulse

Office: 85, Rani Ka Bagh, Near FCI Office, Amritsar. (O) 0183-508 0005, (M) 98156-22256

Resi: 33-A/5, Opp. Shivaji Park, Rani Ka Bagh, Amritsar Page |2

 Vector Analysis
06. A vector does not change if :

(a) It is rotated through an arbitrary angle.

(b) It is multiplied by an arbitrary scalar.
(c) It is cross-multiplied by a unit vector.
(d) It is slid parallel to itself.
07. Vectors A , B and C are shown in figure. The angle between :

(i) A and B (ii) A and C (iii) B and C

(a) 105o, 150o, 150o y
B A
45o
(b) 105o, 150o, 105o 30o
x
(c) 150 , 150 , 150 ,
o o o 60o
C
(d) 105 , 105 , 105
o o o

08. Two forces, each numerically equal to 5N, are acting as shown in the

figure. Find the angle between forces?

(a) 60o (b) 120o 5N
60
(c) 30o (d) 150o o
5N
09. Rain is falling vertically downwards with a speed 5 m/s. If unit vector

along upward is defined as ĵ then velocity of rain in vector form is :

(a) 5 ˆj (b) 5kˆ (c) 5 ˆj (d) 5kˆ
10. If a is a vector and x is a non-zero scalar, then :

(a) x a is a vector in the direction of a

(b) x a is a vector collinear to a
(c) x a and a have independent directions
(d) None of the above
11. Torque and angular momentum are :

(a) Scalar (b) Polar vector

(c) Axial vector (d) Tensor
12. Which of the following is a vector?

(a) Pressure (b) Surface energy

(c) Current (d) Tension in the string
13. Which of the following is a scalar quantity?

(a) Magnetic field (b) Electric field

(c) Acceleration (d) Time
14. A vector multiplied by the number 0, results into :

(a) 0 (b) A (c) 0 (d) Â

Office: 85, Rani Ka Bagh, Near FCI Office, Amritsar. (O) 0183-508 0005, (M) 98156-22256

Resi: 33-A/5, Opp. Shivaji Park, Rani Ka Bagh, Amritsar Page |3

 Vector Analysis
15. Which of the following represents a unit vector?

A A A A
(a) (b) (c) (d)
A A A A

16. Unit vector does not have any specified :

(a) Direction (b) Magnitude (c) Unit (d) All of these

17. What happens, when we multiply a vector by (-2)?

(a) Direction reverses and unit changes.

(b) Direction reverses and magnitude is doubled.
(c) Direction remains unchanged and unit changes.
(d) None of the above
18. Which one of the following statements is true?

(a) A scalar quantity is the one that is conserved in a process.

(b) A scalar quantity is the one that can never take negative values.
(c) A scalar quantity is the one that does not vary from one point to
another in space.
(d) A scalar quantity has the same value for observers with different
orientation of the axes.
19. If angle between a and b is /3 then angle between a and 2b is :

(a) /4 (b) 2/3 (c)  (d) /3

20. If angle between a and b is /3 then angle between -3 a and -2 b is :

(a) /3 (b) 2/3 (c) /2 (d) 

Office: 85, Rani Ka Bagh, Near FCI Office, Amritsar. (O) 0183-508 0005, (M) 98156-22256

Resi: 33-A/5, Opp. Shivaji Park, Rani Ka Bagh, Amritsar Page |4

 Vector Analysis

Answer Key
Vectors

01 D 11 C

02 D 12 D

03 D 13 D

04 D 14 C

05 D 15 B

06 D 16 C

07 B 17 B

08 B 18 D

09 C 19 B

10 B 20 A

Office: 85, Rani Ka Bagh, Near FCI Office, Amritsar. (O) 0183-508 0005, (M) 98156-22256

Resi: 33-A/5, Opp. Shivaji Park, Rani Ka Bagh, Amritsar Page |5

 Vector Analysis
Triangle Law of Vector Addition of Two Vectors
If two non zero vectors are represented by the two sides of a triangle taken in same order
then the resultant is given by the closing side of triangle in opposite order. i.e. R  A  B

 OB  OA  AB B

R  AB
(1) Magnitude of resultant vector
B

In  ABN cos  AN  AN  B cos O

A
A
B

BN
sin   BN  B sin
B

In OBN, we have OB2  ON 2  BN 2 B

R
B sin
 R 2  ( A  B cos )2  (B sin )2 B
 
O A A N
 R 2  A2  B2 cos2   2ABcos  B2 sin2  B cos

 R 2  A 2  B 2 (cos2   sin2  )  2 ABcos

 R 2  A2  B2  2ABcos

 R A2  B2  2ABcos

(2) Direction of resultant vectors : If  is angle between A and B, then

| A  B| A2  B2  2ABcos

If R makes an angle  with A, then in OBN, then

BN BN
tan  
ON OA  AN

B sin
tan 
A  B cos

Parallelogram Law of Vector Addition of Two Vectors

If two non zero vector are represented by the two adjacent sides of a parallelogram then
the resultant is given by the diagonal of the parallelogram passing through the point of
intersection of the two vectors.

(1) Magnitude B C

Since, R2  ON2  CN2 R  AB

B B sin
2 2 2 B
 R  (OA  AN)  CN 
 
O N
 R 2  A2  B2  2ABcos
A
A B cos

 R | R|| A  B| A2  B2  2ABcos

Special cases : R  A  B when  = 0o

R  A  B when  = 180o

Office: 85, Rani Ka Bagh, Near FCI Office, Amritsar. (O) 0183-508 0005, (M) 98156-22256

Resi: 33-A/5, Opp. Shivaji Park, Rani Ka Bagh, Amritsar Page |6

 Vector Analysis
R  A2  B2 when  = 90o
(2) Direction
CN B sin
tan   
ON A  B cos

Polygon Law of Vector Addition

If a number of non zero vectors are represented by the (n – 1) sides of an n-sided
polygon then the resultant is given by the closing side or the nth side of the polygon taken
D D C
in opposite order. So,
E C
R  A BC D E
E B
OA  AB  BC  CD  DE  OE
R B

O A
A
Note :  Resultant of two unequal vectors can not be zero.
 Resultant of three co-planar vectors may or may not be zero
 Resultant of three non co- planar vectors can not be zero.
Subtraction of Vectors

Since, A  B  A  (B) and | A  B| A2  B2  2ABcos

Rsum  A  B

 | A  B| A2  B2  2ABcos(180o   ) B

1
Since, cos(180   )   cos 
2 A
180 – 
B
 | A  B| A2  B2  2ABcos

B sin
tan1  R diff  A  (B)
A  B cos
B sin(180   )
and tan 2 
A  B cos(180   )

But sin(180   )  sin and cos(180  )   cos

B sin
 tan 2 
A  B cos

Important Tips:
Regarding Vector Addition and Vector Subtraction:
(a) Scalars are added or subtracted algebraically, whereas vectors are added or
subtracted geometrically.
(b) Only those vectors can be added which represent same physical quantity. For
example, force vector can be added subtracted with force vector only and their
resultant represents another force.
(c) Minimum number of collinear vector whose resultant is zero is two.

Office: 85, Rani Ka Bagh, Near FCI Office, Amritsar. (O) 0183-508 0005, (M) 98156-22256

Resi: 33-A/5, Opp. Shivaji Park, Rani Ka Bagh, Amritsar Page |7

 Vector Analysis
(d) Minimum number of coplanar vector of different magnitude whose resultant is
three.
(e) Minimum number of non-coplanar vectors of different magnitude whose resultant
is zero is four.

 
(f) When angle between two vectors () is 90o   then magnitude of their vector
2
addition and subtraction is same i.e., | A  B || A  B | A2  B2 As cos 90o = 0.

(g) Let two vectors of same magnitude x are inclined at angle ‘’ then magnitude of
their vector addition and vector subtraction are

   
| RA || A  B | 2x cos   and | RS || A  B | 2x sin   .
 2  2
Following are the few results based upon the value of .

   
 | RA || A  B | 2x cos   | RS || A  B | 2x sin  
 2  2

0o 2x 0

60o 3x x

90o 2x 2x

120o x 3x

180o 0 2x

Office: 85, Rani Ka Bagh, Near FCI Office, Amritsar. (O) 0183-508 0005, (M) 98156-22256

Resi: 33-A/5, Opp. Shivaji Park, Rani Ka Bagh, Amritsar Page |8

 Vector Analysis
Practice Questions
01. Add a velocity of 30 m/s eastwards to a velocity of 40 m/s northwards and
calculate the magnitude and direction of the resultant with east.
[Ans: 50 m/s, 53o745 north of east ]
02. Two forces of 5 kg wt and 10 kg wt are acting at an inclination of 120o between
them. Find the magnitude and direction of the resultant force.
Ans: 5 3 kg wt making an angle of 90o with 5 kg wt force]
03. Resultant of two equal forces at right angles to each other is 1414 dyne. Find the
magnitude of each force. [Ans: 1000 dyne]
04. Two equal velocities have a resultant equal to 3/2 times the value of either
velocity. Find the angle between them. [Ans: 82o49’]
05. Two equal forces have their resultant equal to either. At what angle are they
inclined to each other? [Ans: 120o]
06. Two forces acting on a particle in opposite direction have a resultant of 10 kg wt.
If they act at right angles to each other, the resultant is 50 kg wt. Find the two
forces. [Ans: 40 kg wt, 30 kg wt]
07. Two vectors A and B are represented by the two sides of a parallelogram drawn
from the same point ‘O’. Show that the length of diagonal not passing through
‘O’ is given by the magnitude of A  B .
08. The resultant of two vectors A and B is perpendicular to A and its magnitude is
B/2. Find the angle between A and B . [Ans: 150o]
09. At what angle must the two forces (A + B) and (A – B) act so that the resultant
may be A2  B2 ? 
[Ans: cos1  A2  B2  / 2  B2  A2  ] 
10. At what angle the two force (P + Q) and (P – Q) act so that the resultant
is 3P2  Q2 ? [Ans : 60o]

11. The sum of the magnitudes of two forces acting at a point is 18 and their resultant
is 12. If the resultant makes an angle of 90o with the force of smaller magnitude,
what are the magnitudes of the forces? [Ans: 5 & 13]
12. The resultant vector of P and Q is R . On reversing the direction of Q , the resultant
vector becomes S . Show that : R2 + S2 = 2(P2 + Q2)
13. The greatest and the least resultant of two forces acting at a point are 29 N and 5
N respectively. If each force is increased by 3 N, find the resultant of two new
forces acting at right angle to each other. [Ans : 25 N, 36o52’]

Office: 85, Rani Ka Bagh, Near FCI Office, Amritsar. (O) 0183-508 0005, (M) 98156-22256

Resi: 33-A/5, Opp. Shivaji Park, Rani Ka Bagh, Amritsar Page |9

 Vector Analysis
14. Given C  B  A and  is the angle between A and B ,
show that C2 = A2 + B2 – 2AB cos.
2 2 2
15. Given two vectors A and B , show that A  B  A  B if and only if A and B are

orthogonal.
16. If a and b are unit vectors and  is the angle between them, show that
1 
a  b  sin .
2 2

Office: 85, Rani Ka Bagh, Near FCI Office, Amritsar. (O) 0183-508 0005, (M) 98156-22256

Resi: 33-A/5, Opp. Shivaji Park, Rani Ka Bagh, Amritsar P a g e | 10

 Vector Analysis
Addition and Subtraction of Vectors
01. Two equal vectors have a resultant equal to either of the two. The angle between
them is:
(a) 90o (b) 60o (c) 120o (d) 0o
02. The square of resultant of two equal forces is three times their product. Angle
between the force is:
  
(a)  (b) (c) (d)
2 4 3
03. At what angle must be the two forces (x + y) and (x – y) act, so that the resultant

may be  
x2  y2 ?

  x2  y2    2  x2  y2  
(a) cos 
1
 (b) cos  1

 2  x2  y2    x2  y2 

  x2  y2     x2  y2  
(c) cos  2
1
 (d) cos  2 1

  x  y2     x  y2  

04. Two forces of 12N and 8N act upon a body. The resultant force on the body has a
maximum value of:
(a) 4N (b) zero (c) 20N (d) 8N
05. If the resultant of n forces of different magnitudes acting at a point is zero, then
the minimum value of n is:
(a) 1 (b) 2 (c) 3 (d) 4
06. Minimum numbers of unequal vectors which can give zero resultant are:
(a) two (b) three (c) four (d) More than four
07. If two forces of equal magnitudes act simultaneously on a body in the east and
the north directions then:
(a) the body will displace in the north direction.
(b) the body will displace in the east direction.
(c) the body will displace in the north-east direction.
(d) the body will remain at the rest.
08. Two vectors having equal magnitudes of x units acting at an angle of 45o have

resultant  2  2  units. The value of x is:

(a) 0 (b) 1 (c) 2 (d) 2 2
09. Can the resultant of 2 vectors be zero:
(a) Yes, when the 2 vectors are same in magnitude and direction
(b) No
(c) Yes, when the 2 vectors are same in magnitude but opposite in sense
2
(d) Yes, when the 2 vectors are same in magnitude making an angle of with
3
each other

Office: 85, Rani Ka Bagh, Near FCI Office, Amritsar. (O) 0183-508 0005, (M) 98156-22256

Resi: 33-A/5, Opp. Shivaji Park, Rani Ka Bagh, Amritsar P a g e | 11

 Vector Analysis
10. If the sum of two unit vectors is a unit vector, then magnitude of difference is:
(a) 2 (b) 3 (c) 1/ 2 (d) 5
11. Two forces of 12N and 8N act upon a body. The resultant force on the body has
maximum value of:
(a) 4N (b) 0N (c) 20N (d) 8N

12. Two vectors a and b , add up to a vector c . When vector a is made 3 times as

long and vector b is doubled in length, without changing their directions, then it
is found that vector c is also doubled in length without change in direction.
Then which of the following is true?
(a) All three vectors must be parallel

(b) b and c must be parallel to each other, but a need not be parallel to b and c .

(c) a and b must be perpendicular to each other.

(d) It is impossible for three non-zero vectors a , b and c to have the property
stated above.
13. Two equal forces are acting at a point with an angle of 60o between them. If the
resultant force is equal to 40 3N , the magnitude of each force is:
(a) 40N (b) 20N (c) 80N (d) 30N
14. The sum of the magnitudes of two forces acting at point is 18 and the magnitude
of their resultant is 12. If the resultant is at 90o with the force of smaller
magnitude, what are the magnitudes of forces?
(a) 12, 5 (b) 14, 4 (c) 5, 13 (d) 10, 8

15. Six vectors, a through f have magnitudes and direction as indicated in the
figure. Which of the following statements is true?
b
a c

f
d e

(a) b  e  f (b) b  c  f (c) d  c  f (d) d  e  f

16. The resultant of two vectors P and Q is R if the magnitude of Q is doubled, the

new resultant becomes perpendicular to P . Then the magnitude of R is :

PQ
(a) P + Q (b) Q (c) P (d)
2
17. If the magnitude of sum of two vectors is equal to the magnitude of difference of
the two vectors, the angle between these vectors is :
(a) 0o (b) 90o (c) 45o (d) 180o

18. A vector A which has magnitude of 6 is added to a vector B which is along x-

axis. The resultant of two vectors A and B lies along y-axis and has magnitude

twice that of the magnitude of B . The magnitude of B is :

Office: 85, Rani Ka Bagh, Near FCI Office, Amritsar. (O) 0183-508 0005, (M) 98156-22256

Resi: 33-A/5, Opp. Shivaji Park, Rani Ka Bagh, Amritsar P a g e | 12

 Vector Analysis
2 6 3
(a) (b) (c) (d) 8
6 5 6
19. The sum and difference of two perpendicular vectors of equal lengths are :
(a) Also perpendicular and of equal length
(b) Also perpendicular and of different lengths
(c) Of equal length and have an obtuse angle between them
(d) Of equal length and have an acute angle between them
20. Out of the following set of forces, the resultant of which cannot be zero :
(a) 10, 10, 10 (b) 10, 10, 20 (c) 10, 20, 20 (d) 10, 20, 40
21. Two forces, each equal to F, act as shown in figure. Their resultant is :
(a) F/2
(b) F F

(c) 3 F 60
o

F
(d) 5 F
22. What is the angle between two vector forces of equal magnitude such that the
resultant is one-third as much as either of the original forces?
 17  1
(a) cos-1    (b) cos-1   (c) 45o (d) 120o
 18   3
23. 50 coplanar forces each equal to 10N act on a body. Each force makes angle 2/50
with the preceding force. What is the resultant of the forces :
(a) 1000 N (b) 500 N (c) 250 N (d) Zero
24. Two forces F1 = 1N and F2 = 2N act along the lines x = 0 and y = 0 respectively.
Then the resultant of forces would be :
(a) iˆ  2 ˆj (b) iˆ  ˆj (c) 3iˆ  2 ˆj (d) 2iˆ  ˆj

25. If the angle between vectors a and b is an acute angle, then the difference a  b
is :
(a) The major diagonal of the parallelogram
(b) The minor diagonal of the parallelogram
(c) Any of the above (d) None of the above

26. If a parallelogram is formed with two sides represented by vectors a and b , then

a  b represents the :
(a) Major diagonal when the angle between vectors is acute
(b) Minor diagonal when the angle between vectors is obtuse
(c) Both of the above (d) None of the above
27. The resultant of A and B makes an angle  with A and  with B,
(a)  <  if A > B (b)  <  if A < B (c)  =  if A < B (d)  <  if A = B
28. Five equal forces of 10N each are applied at one point and all are lying in one
plane. If the angles between them are equal, the resultant force will be :
(a) Zero (b) 10N (c) 20N (d) 10 2 N

Office: 85, Rani Ka Bagh, Near FCI Office, Amritsar. (O) 0183-508 0005, (M) 98156-22256

Resi: 33-A/5, Opp. Shivaji Park, Rani Ka Bagh, Amritsar P a g e | 13

 Vector Analysis
29. A vector of magnitude 30 and direction eastwards is added with another vector of
magnitude 40 and direction northwards. The magnitude and direction of resultant
with the east :
(a) 50, 53o (b) 70, 90o (c) 50, 37o (d) 70, 45o

30. Find magnitude and direction of F2  F1 if F1 = 500 N due east and F2 = 250 N due

north :
(a) 250, along east (b) 250 5 , at tan-1(2)N of W

(c) 250 5 , at tan-1(2) N of E (d) 750, along north

31. Two vectors a and b inclined at an angle  w.r.t. each other have a resultant c

which makes an angle  with a . If the directions of a and b are interchanged,

then the resultant will have the same :
(a) Magnitude (b) Direction
(c) Magnitude as well as direction (d) Neither magnitude nor direction

32. Two vectors A and B lie in a plane. Another vector C lies outside this plane. The

resultant A  B  C of these three vectors :

(a) Can be zero (b) Cannot be zero

(c) Lies in the plane of A  B (d) Lies in the plane of A  B

33. The vector sum of the forces of 10 N and 6 N can be :
(a) 2N (b) 8N (c) 18N (d) 20N
34. A set of vectors taken in a given order gives a closed polygon. Then the resultant
of these vectors is a :
(a) Scalar quantity (b) Pseudo vector
(c) Unit vector (d) Null vector
35. A particle is moving on a circular path of radius r with uniform velocity . The
change in velocity when the particle moves from P to Q is : (POQ = 40o)
(a) 2 cos 40o P
(b) 2 sin 40o
r
(c) 2 sin 20o o
(d) 2 cos 20o
O 40 

Q


Office: 85, Rani Ka Bagh, Near FCI Office, Amritsar. (O) 0183-508 0005, (M) 98156-22256

Resi: 33-A/5, Opp. Shivaji Park, Rani Ka Bagh, Amritsar P a g e | 14

 Vector Analysis

Answer Key
Addition and Subtraction of Vectors

01 C 11 C 21 B 31 A

02 D 12 D 22 A 32 B

03 A 13 A 23 D 33 B

04 C 14 C 24 D 34 D

05 C 15 D 25 B 35 C

06 B 16 B 26 C

07 C 17 B 27 A

08 B 18 B 28 A

09 C 19 A 29 A

10 B 20 D 30 B

Office: 85, Rani Ka Bagh, Near FCI Office, Amritsar. (O) 0183-508 0005, (M) 98156-22256

Resi: 33-A/5, Opp. Shivaji Park, Rani Ka Bagh, Amritsar P a g e | 15

 Vector Analysis
Crossing the river : Suppose, the river is flowing with velocity  r . A man
can swim in still water with velocity m . He is standing on one bank of the
river and wants to cross the river Two cases arise.

(i) To cross the river over shortest distance: That is to cross the river
straight, the man should swim making angle  with the upstream as

shown. A vr B


 vr
w  v
vm


Upstreem O Downstreem

   
Here OAB is the triangle of vectors, in which OA  vm, AB  r . Their resultant
 
is given by OB   . The direction of swimming makes angle  with
upstream. From the triangle OBA, we find,
r r
cos   Also sin 
m m
where  is the angle made by the direction of swimming with the shortest
distance (OB) across the river.
Time taken to cross the river : If w be the width of the river, then time
taken to cross the river will be given by
w w
t1  
  – r2
2
m

(ii) To cross the river in shortest possible time: The man should swim
perpendicular to the bank.

The time taken to cross the river will be:

w 
t2  A vr B
m

 vr
w vm

Upstreem O Downstreem

In this case, the man will touch the opposite bank at a distance AB
downstream. This distance will be given by:
w r
AB  r t 2 r or AB  w
m m

Office: 85, Rani Ka Bagh, Near FCI Office, Amritsar. (O) 0183-508 0005, (M) 98156-22256

Resi: 33-A/5, Opp. Shivaji Park, Rani Ka Bagh, Amritsar P a g e | 16

 Vector Analysis
Resolution of Vector into Components
Consider a vector R in x-y plane as shown in fig. If we draw orthogonal vectors R x and
R y along x and y axes respectively, by law of vector addition, R  Rx  R y
Now as for any vector A  A nˆ so, Rx  ˆ
iRx and Ry  ˆ
jRy y

so R ˆ
iRx  ˆ
jRy .....(i) Ry R

But from fig Rx  R cos .....(ii) 

x
Rx
and Ry  R sin .....(iii)
Since R and  are usually known, Equation (ii) and (iii) give the magnitude of the
components of R along x and y-axes respectively.
Here it is worthy to note once a vector is resolved into its components, the components
themselves can be used to specify the vector as –
(1) The magnitude of the vector R is obtained by squaring and adding equation (ii) and
(iii), i.e.
R  Rx2  Ry2
(2) The direction of the vector R is obtained by dividing equation (iii) by (ii), i.e.
tan  (Ry / Rx ) or   tan1(Ry / Rx )
Rectangular Components of 3-D Vector
R  Rx  Ry  Rz or R  Rxˆ
i  Ry ˆ ˆ
j  Rzk
If R makes an angle  with x axis,  with y axis and  with z axis, then

 cos  Rx  Rx l Y
R Rx2  Ry2  Rz2
Ry Ry R
 cos    m Ry
Rx
R Rx2  Ry2  Rz2
Rz
X

cos  Rz  Rz n
Z

R Rx2  Ry2  Rz2
where l, m, n are called Direction Cosines of the vector R
Rx2  Ry2  Rz2
l2  m2  n2  cos2   cos2   cos2   1
Rx2  Ry2  Rz2
Note :  When a point P have coordinate (x, y, z) then its position vector
ˆ
OP  xiˆ yjˆ zk
 When a particle moves from point (x1, y1, z1) to (x2, y2, z2) then its
displacement vector

r  (x2  x1)ˆ j  (z2  z1)kˆ
i  (y2  y1)ˆ

Sample problem based on representation and resolution of vector

Office: 85, Rani Ka Bagh, Near FCI Office, Amritsar. (O) 0183-508 0005, (M) 98156-22256

Resi: 33-A/5, Opp. Shivaji Park, Rani Ka Bagh, Amritsar P a g e | 17

 Vector Analysis
Problem. If a particle moves 5 m in +x- direction. The displacement of the particle will be
(a) 5 j (b) 5 i (c) – 5 j (d) 5 k
Solution: (b) Magnitude of vector = 5 y

Unit vector in +x direction is ˆ

i 5î
x
O

So displacement = 5 ˆ
i
Problem. Position of a particle in a rectangular-co-ordinate system is (3, 2, 5). Then its
position vector will be
(a) 3ˆ
i  5ˆ ˆ
j  2k (b) 3ˆ j  5kˆ
i  2ˆ (c) 5ˆ j  2kˆ
i  3ˆ (d) None of these
Solution: (b) If a point have coordinate (x, y, z) then its position vector
OP  xiˆ yjˆ zkˆ.
Problem. If a particle moves from point P (2,3,5) to point Q (3,4,5). Its displacement
vector be
(a) ˆ j 10kˆ
i ˆ (b) ˆ
i ˆ ˆ
j  5k (c) ˆ
i ˆ
j (d) 2ˆ
i  4ˆ ˆ
j  6k
Solution: ˆ  (3 2)ˆ
(c) Displacement vector r  xiˆ yjˆ zk j  (55)kˆ
i  (4  3)ˆ
ˆ
i ˆ
j
Problem. A force of 5 N acts on a particle along a direction making an angle of 60° with
vertical. Its vertical component be
(a) 10 N (b) 3 N (c) 4 N (d) 5.2 N
Solution: (d) The component of force in vertical direction will be F cos  F cos 60

 5 1  2.5N
y
F
2
F cos 60o

60o

x
F sin 60o

Problem. If A  3ˆ
i  4ˆ
j and B  7ˆ
i  24ˆ
j, the vector having the same magnitude as
B and parallel to A is
(a) 5ˆ
i  20ˆ
j (b) 15ˆ
i 10ˆ
j (c) 20ˆ
i 15ˆ
j (d) 15ˆ
i  20ˆ
j
Solution: (d) | B |  72  (24)2  625  25

ˆ
Unit vector in the direction of A will be A
3ˆ
i  4ˆ
j
5
 3ˆ
i  4ˆj 
So required vector = 25  15ˆ
i  20ˆ
j
 5 
 

Problem. Vector A makes equal angles with x, y and z axis. Value of its components
(in terms of magnitude of A ) will be

(a)
A (b)
A (c) 3A (d)
3
3 2 A

Office: 85, Rani Ka Bagh, Near FCI Office, Amritsar. (O) 0183-508 0005, (M) 98156-22256

Resi: 33-A/5, Opp. Shivaji Park, Rani Ka Bagh, Amritsar P a g e | 18

 Vector Analysis
Solution: (a) Let the components of A makes angles ,  and  with x, y and z axis
respectively then     

cos2  cos2   cos2  1  3cos2 1  cos  1

3
 Ax  Ay  Az  A cos  A
3
Problem. If A  2ˆ
i  4ˆ ˆ the direction of cosines of the vector
j 5k A are

(a)
2 , 4 and 5 (b)
1 , 2 and 3
45 45 45 45 45 45
(c)
4 ,0and 4 (d)
3 , 2 and 5
45 45 45 45 45
Solution: (a) | A |  (2)2  (4)2  (5)2  45

 cos 
2 , cos   4 , cos  5
45 45 45
Problem. The vector that must be added to the vector ˆi  3ˆj  2kˆ and 3ˆi  6ˆj  7kˆ so that
the resultant vector is a unit vector along the y-axis is
(a) 4ˆ
i  2ˆ ˆ
j 5k (b) 4ˆ j  5kˆ (c) 3ˆ
i  2ˆ i  4ˆ ˆ (d) Null vector
j 5k
Solution: (b) Unit vector along y  ĵ so the
axis required vector
ˆ
j  [(ˆ
i  3ˆ ˆ)  (3ˆ
j  2k i  6ˆ ˆ)]   4ˆ
j 7k i 2ˆ ˆ
j 5k

Office: 85, Rani Ka Bagh, Near FCI Office, Amritsar. (O) 0183-508 0005, (M) 98156-22256

Resi: 33-A/5, Opp. Shivaji Park, Rani Ka Bagh, Amritsar P a g e | 19

 Vector Analysis
Questions on Resolution of Vectors

01. Find tension in the horizontal portion of the string

30

T1
T2

mg

02. If W1 300N, find tensions in the ropes 1, 2 and 3 Also find W2.

P Q
3 1

53 B 2 A 37

W2 W1

03. Find tensions T1 and T2 04. Find tensions T1 and T2

50 5
10
T2 T1 T2
T1

90N
600 N

07. Find tension T and angle. 08. If W3 = 200 N find W1 and W2

A

50 35

B W3
W2

W1
M1
M2

Office: 85, Rani Ka Bagh, Near FCI Office, Amritsar. (O) 0183-508 0005, (M) 98156-22256

Resi: 33-A/5, Opp. Shivaji Park, Rani Ka Bagh, Amritsar P a g e | 20

 Vector Analysis

Resolutions of Vectors
01. A car travels 6 km towards north at an angle of 45o to the east and then travels
distance of 4 km towards north at an angle 135o to east. How far is the point from
the starting point? What angle does the straight line joining its initial and final
position makes with the east?

(a) 50 km and tan-1(5) (b) 10 km and tan-1  5

(c) 52 km and tan-1 (5) (d) 52 km and tan  5  -1

02. A particle starting from the origin (0, 0) moves in a straight line in the (x, y) plane.

Its coordinates at a later time are  

3, 3 . The path of the particle makes with the

x-axis an angle of :
(a) 30o (b) 45o (c) 60o (d) 0o
03. The X and Y components of a force F acting at 30o to x-axis are respectively :
F F 3 3 1 F
(a) ,F (b) , F (c) F, F (d) F ,
2 2 2 2 2 2
04. A certain vector in the xy-plane has an x-component of 12 m and a y-
component of 8m. It is then rotated in the xy-plane so that its x-component is
halved. Then its new y-component is approximately :
(a) 14 m (b) 13.11 m (c) 10 m (d) 2.0 m
05. y-component of velocity is 20 and x-component of velocity is 10. The direction of
motion of the body with the horizontal at this instant is:
(a) tan-1 (2) (b) tan-1 (1/2) (c) 45o (d) 0o

06. Two vectors A and B have components Ax, Ay, Az and Bx, By, Bz respectively. If

A  B = 0, then :
(a) Ax = Bx, Ay = -By, Az = -Bz (b) Ax = Bx, Ay = By, Az = -Bz
(c) Ax = Bx, Ay = By, Az = Bz (d) Ax = -Bx, Ay = -By, Az = -Bz
07. The components of the sum of two vectors 2iˆ  3 ˆj and 2 ˆj  3kˆ along x and y
directions respectively are :
(a) 2 and 5 (b) 4 and 6 (c) 2 and 6 (d) 4 and 3
08. With respect to a rectangular cartesian coordinate system, three vectors are

expressed as a  4iˆ  ˆj , b  3iˆ  2 ˆj and c  kˆ where iˆ , ˆj , kˆ are unit vectors along

the x, y and z-axis respectively. The unit vectors r̂ along the direction of sum of
these vector is :

(a) rˆ 
3

1 ˆ ˆ ˆ
i  j k  (b) rˆ 
2

1 ˆ ˆ ˆ
i  j k 
(c) rˆ 
3

1 ˆ ˆ ˆ
i  jk  (d) rˆ 
2

1 ˆ ˆ ˆ
i  jk 

Office: 85, Rani Ka Bagh, Near FCI Office, Amritsar. (O) 0183-508 0005, (M) 98156-22256

Resi: 33-A/5, Opp. Shivaji Park, Rani Ka Bagh, Amritsar P a g e | 21

 Vector Analysis
09. The unit vector parallel to the resultant of the vectors A  4iˆ  3 ˆj  6kˆ and

B  iˆ  3 ˆj  8kˆ :

(a)
7

1 ˆ ˆ
3i  6 j  2kˆ  (b)
7

1 ˆ ˆ
3i  6 j  2kˆ 
(c)
1 ˆ ˆ
49

3i  6 j  2kˆ  (d)
1 ˆ ˆ
49

3i  6 j  2kˆ 
10. If a vector P make angles ,  and  respectively with the x, y and z-axis. Then
sin2 + sin2 + sin2 =
(a) 0 (b) 1 (c) 2 (d) 3
11. iˆ and ĵ are unit vectors along x-axis and y-axis respectively. What is the

magnitude and direction of vectors iˆ  ˆj and iˆ  ˆj ?

(a) 2,45o ; 2, 45o (b) 0,45o ; 2,45o

(c) 2,45o ; 2,45o (d) 2,45o ; 2,135o

12. The angle which the vector A  2iˆ  3 ˆj makes with y-axis, where iˆ and ĵ are unit
vectors along x- and y-axes, respectively, is :
(a) cos-1 (3/5) (b) cos-1 (2/3) (c) tan-1 (2/3) (d) sin-1 (2/3)
13. Position of a particle in a rectangular coordinate system is (3, 2, 5). Then its
position vector will be :
(a) 3iˆ  5 ˆj  2kˆ (b) 3iˆ  2 ˆj  5kˆ (c) 5iˆ  3 ˆj  2kˆ (d) None of these
14. If a particle moves from point P(2, 3, 5) to point Q(3, 4, 5). Its displacement vector
be :
(a) iˆ  ˆj  10kˆ (b) iˆ  ˆj  5kˆ (c) iˆ  ˆj (d) 2iˆ  4 ˆj  6kˆ
15. A force of 50N acts on a particle along a direction making an angle of 37 o with
vertical. Its vertical component be :
(a) 10N (b) 3N (c) 4N (d) 40N

16. Vector A makes equal angles with x, y and z axis. Value of its components (in

terms of magnitude of A ) will be

A A 3
(a) (b) (c) 3A (d)
3 2 A

17. If A  2iˆ  4 ˆj  5kˆ the direction of cosines of the vector A are :

2 4 5 1 2 3
(a) , and (b) , and
45 45 45 45 45 45
4 4 3 2 5
(c) , 0 and (d) , and
45 45 45 45 45
18. The magnitude of a given vector with end points (4, -2, 2) and (-2, -2, -2) must be :
(a) 25 (b) 5 12 (c) 52 (d) 2 13

Office: 85, Rani Ka Bagh, Near FCI Office, Amritsar. (O) 0183-508 0005, (M) 98156-22256

Resi: 33-A/5, Opp. Shivaji Park, Rani Ka Bagh, Amritsar P a g e | 22

 Vector Analysis
 1 ˆ 1 ˆ 1 ˆ
19. The expression  i j k  is a :
 3 3 3 
(a) Unit vector (b) Null vector
(c) Vector of magnitude 3 (d) Scalar
20. The unit vector along iˆ  kˆ is :

3iˆ  3kˆ 5iˆ  5kˆ iˆ  kˆ

(a) (b) (c) (d) All of these
18 50 2
21. The unit vector along iˆ  ˆj is :

iˆ  kˆ ˆj  kˆ iˆ  ˆj
(a) (b) (c) (d) All of these
2 2 2
22. The vector joining the points A(1, 1, -1) and B(2, -3, 4) and pointing from A to B is:
(a) iˆ  4 ˆj  5kˆ (b) iˆ  4 ˆj  5kˆ (c) iˆ  4 ˆj  5kˆ (d) iˆ  4 ˆj  5kˆ

23. If A  3iˆ  4 ˆj then A is :

3iˆ  4 ˆj
(a) iˆ  4 ˆj (b) iˆ  ˆj (c) (d) 1
5
24. The x and y components of a 25 m displacement at an angle of 210 o with the x-
axis (clockwise) is :
(a) -12.5 3 m, 12.5 m (b) 12.5 m, 12.5 3 m

(c) -12.5 m, -12.5 3 m (d) 12.5 3 m, -12.5 m

25. The rectangular components of a vector are (2, 2). The corresponding rectangular

 
components of another vector are 1, 3 . The angle between the two vectors is :

(a) 30o (b) 45o (c) 60o (d) 15o

26. The x and y components of a force are 2N and 3N. The force is :
(a) 2iˆ  3 ˆj (b) 2iˆ  3 ˆj (c) 2iˆ  3 ˆj (d) 3iˆ  2 ˆj
27. A man moves towards 3m north then 4m towards east and finally 5m towards 37 o
south of west. His displacement from origin is :
(a) 5 2 m (b) 0 m (c) 1 m (d) 12 m
28. A man rows a boat with a speed of 18 km/hr in northwest direction. The shoreline
makes an angle of 15o south of west. Obtain the component of the velocity of the
boat along the shoreline :
3
(a) 9 km/hr (b) 18 km/hr (c) 18 cos 15o km/hr (d) 18 cos 75o km/hr
2
29. A bird moves from point (1, -2, 3) to (4, 2, 3). If the speed of the bird is 10 m/sec,
then the velocity vector of the bird is :


(a) 5 iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ  
(b) 5 4iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ  (c) 0.6iˆ  0.8 ˆj (d) 6iˆ  8 ˆj

30. What displacement must be added to the displacement 25iˆ  6 ˆj m to give a

displacement of 7.0 m pointing in the x-direction?
(a) 18iˆ  6 ˆj (b) 32iˆ  13 ˆj (c) 18iˆ  6 ˆj (d) 25iˆ  13 ˆj

Office: 85, Rani Ka Bagh, Near FCI Office, Amritsar. (O) 0183-508 0005, (M) 98156-22256

Resi: 33-A/5, Opp. Shivaji Park, Rani Ka Bagh, Amritsar P a g e | 23

 Vector Analysis
31. Any vector in an arbitrary direction can always be replaced by two (or three) :
(a) Parallel vectors which have the original vector as their resultant.
(b) Mutually perpendicular vectors which have the original vector as their
resultant.
(c) Arbitrary vectors which have the original vector as their resultant.
(d) It is not possible to resolve a vector.

32. If A  iˆ is rotated by 45o anticlockwise in x – y plane then new vector formed is :

1 ˆ 1 ˆ 1 ˆ 1 ˆ 1 ˆ 1 ˆ 1 ˆ 1 ˆ
(a) B  i j (b) B  i j (c) B  i j (d) B  i j
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
33. If A  4iˆ  3 ˆj and B  6iˆ  8 ˆj then magnitude and direction of A  B will be :

(a) 5, tan-1 (3/4) (b) 5 5 , tan-1 (1/2) (c) 10, tan-1 (5) (d) 25, tan-1 (3/4)

34. A  2iˆ  ˆj , B  3 ˆj  kˆ and C  6 ˆj  2kˆ Value of A  2B  3C would be :

(a) 20iˆ  5 ˆj  4kˆ (b) 20iˆ  5 ˆj  4kˆ (c) 4iˆ  5 ˆj  20kˆ (d) 5iˆ  4 ˆj  10kˆ
35. The component of a vector r along x-axis will have maximum value if :
(a) r is along positive y-axis (b) r is along positive x-axis
(c) r makes an angle of 45o with the x-axis
(d) r is along negative y-axis

Office: 85, Rani Ka Bagh, Near FCI Office, Amritsar. (O) 0183-508 0005, (M) 98156-22256

Resi: 33-A/5, Opp. Shivaji Park, Rani Ka Bagh, Amritsar P a g e | 24

 Vector Analysis

Answer Key

Resolutions of Vectors, Applications of Vectors

01 C 11 A 21 C 31 C

02 C 12 C 22 C 32 A

03 C 13 B 23 C 33 B

04 B 14 C 24 A 34 B

05 A 15 D 25 D 35 B

06 D 16 A 26 A

07 A 17 A 27 B

08 A 18 D 28 A

09 A 19 A 29 D

10 C 20 D 30 C

Office: 85, Rani Ka Bagh, Near FCI Office, Amritsar. (O) 0183-508 0005, (M) 98156-22256

Resi: 33-A/5, Opp. Shivaji Park, Rani Ka Bagh, Amritsar P a g e | 25

 Vector Analysis
Scalar Product or Dot Product of Two Vectors
(1) Definition: The scalar product (or dot product) of two vectors is defined as the
product of the magnitude of two vectors with cosine of angle between them.
Thus if there are two vectors A and B having angle  between them, then their scalar
product written as A.B is defined as A.B  AB cos
(2) Properties : (i) It is always a scalar which is positive if angle between the vectors is
acute (i.e., < 90°) and negative if angle between them is obtuse (i.e. 90°< < 180°).
(ii) It is commutative, i.e. A.B B .A
B

(iii) It is distributive, i.e. A.(B  C)  A.B  A.C 

(iv) As by definition A.B  AB cos

A
 A.B 
The angle between the vectors   cos1  
 AB 

(v) Scalar product of two vectors will be maximum when cos  max  1, i.e.
  0o , i.e., vectors are parallel
(A.B)max  AB
(vi) Scalar product of two vectors will be minimum when |cos |  min  0, i.e.
  90o (A.B)min  0
i.e., if the scalar product of two nonzero vectors vanishes the vectors are orthogonal.
(vii) The scalar product of a vector by itself is termed as self dot product and is given
by (A)2  A.A  AAcos  A2

i.e., A  A. A
(viii) In case of unit vector n̂
ˆ ˆ
ˆ.n
ˆ  11 cos0  1 so n
ˆ.n
n i .ˆ
i ˆ j  kˆ.kˆ 1
j .ˆ
(ix) In case of orthogonal unit vectors ˆ j and kˆ, ˆ
i ,ˆ i .ˆ j .kˆ kˆ.ˆ
jˆ i  11cos90  0
(x) In terms of components A.B (iAx  jAy  kAz ).(iBx  jBy  kBz )
 [AxBx  AyBy  AZBz ]

(3) Example : (i) Work W : In physics for constant force work is defined as, W  Fs cos
.......(i)
But by definition of scalar product of two vectors, F. s  Fs cos
.......(ii)
So from eqn (i) and (ii) W  F.s i.e. work is the scalar product of force with
displacement.
(ii) Power P :
dW ds
As W  F .s or F. [As F is constant]
dt dt

Office: 85, Rani Ka Bagh, Near FCI Office, Amritsar. (O) 0183-508 0005, (M) 98156-22256

Resi: 33-A/5, Opp. Shivaji Park, Rani Ka Bagh, Amritsar P a g e | 26

 Vector Analysis
or P  F .v i.e., power is the scalar product of force with velocity.
 dW ds 
As  P and  v 
 dt dt 
(iii) Magnetic Flux  : 
ds 
B
Magnetic flux through an area is given by d  B ds cos ......(i)

But by definition of scalar product B . d s  Bds cos ......(ii)
O
So from eqn (i) and (ii) we have
d  B .ds or    B .ds
(iv) Potential energy of a dipole U : If an electric dipole of moment p is situated in
an electric field E or a magnetic dipole of moment M in a field of induction B, the
potential energy of the dipole is given by :
UE  p .E and UB  M .B
Sample problems based on dot product
Problem. A  2ˆ i  4ˆ ˆ and B  4ˆ
j  4k i  2ˆ ˆ are two vectors. The angle between
j  4k
them will be
(a) 0° (b) 45° (c) 60° (d) 90°
.B a b  a b  a b 2 4  4 2  4  4
Solution: (d) cos   1 1 2 2 3 3 0
| |.|B | | |.| B | | A |.| B |
   cos1(0)    90
Problem. If two vectors 2ˆ
i  3ˆj  kˆ and 4ˆ
i  6ˆ
j  kˆ are parallel to each other then
value of  be
(a) 0 (b) 2 (c) 3 (d) 4
Solution : (c) Let A  2ˆ j  kˆ and B  4ˆ
i  3ˆ j  kˆ
i  6ˆ
a1 a2 a3
A and B are parallel to each other   i.e.
b1 b2 b3
2 3 1
     2.
4 6 
Problem. In above example if vectors are perpendicular to each other then value of 
be
(a) 25 (b) 26 (c) – 26 (d) – 25
Solution: (c) If A and B are perpendicular to each other then A. B  0
 a1b1  a2b2  a3b3  0
So, 2(4)  3(6)  (1)()  0    26
Problem. If   2ˆ j  kˆ and B  ˆ
i  3ˆ j  4kˆ then projection of A on B will be
i  3ˆ

(a)
3
(b)
3
(c)
3 (d)
3
13 26 26 13
Solution: (b) |  |  22  32  (1)2  4  9 1  14
| B |  (1)2  32  42  1  9 16  26

Office: 85, Rani Ka Bagh, Near FCI Office, Amritsar. (O) 0183-508 0005, (M) 98156-22256

Resi: 33-A/5, Opp. Shivaji Park, Rani Ka Bagh, Amritsar P a g e | 27

 Vector Analysis
A.B 2(1)  33 (1)(4)  3
A .B 3
The projection of A on B  
|B | 26
Problem. A body, acted upon by a force of 50 N is displaced through a distance 10
meter in a direction making an angle of 60° with the force. The work done
by the force be
(a) 200 J (b) 100 J (c) 300 (d) 250 J
1
Solution: (d) W  F .S  FS cos  50 10  cos60  5010   250 J .
2
Problem. A particle moves from position 3ˆi  2ˆj  6kˆ to 14ˆi  13ˆj  9kˆ due to a uniform
force of 4ˆ
i ˆ ˆ . If the displacement in meters then work done will be
j  3kN
(a) 100 J (b) 200 J (c) 300 J (d) 250 J
Solution: (a) S  r2  r1

W  F .S  (4ˆ
i ˆ ˆ).(11ˆ
j  3k j 15kˆ)  (411111 315) 100 J.
i 11ˆ
Problem. If for two vector A and B, sum ( A  B) is perpendicular to the difference
(A  B) . The ratio of their magnitude is
(a) 1 (b) 2 (c) 3 (d) None of these
Solution: (a) (A  B) is perpendicular to (A  B) . Thus
(A  B) . (A  B) = 0 or A2  B .A  A.B  B2  0
Because of commutative property of dot product A.B  B.A
A
2
 B2  0 or A  B
Thus the ratio of magnitudes A/B = 1
Problem. A force F  K(yiˆ xjˆ) (where K is a positive constant) acts on a particle
moving in the x-y plane. Starting from the origin, the particle is taken along
the positive x- axis to the point (a, 0) and then parallel to the y-axis to the
point (a, a). The total work done by the forces F on the particle is
(a) 2Ka2 (b) 2Ka2 (c) Ka2 (d) Ka2
Solution: (c) For motion of the particle form (0, 0) to (a, 0)
F  K(0ˆ
i a ˆ
j )  F  Kajˆ
Displacement r  (aiˆ 0 ˆ
j )  (0ˆ
i  0ˆ
j)  aiˆ
So work done from (0, 0) to (a, 0) is given by W  F .r  Kajˆ.aiˆ  0
For motion (a, 0) to (a, a)
F  K(aiˆ ajˆ) and displacement r  (aiˆ ajˆ)  (aiˆ 0ˆ
j )  ajˆ
So work done from (a, 0) to (a, a) W  F .r  K(aiˆ ajˆ).ajˆ  Ka2
So total work done  Ka2

Office: 85, Rani Ka Bagh, Near FCI Office, Amritsar. (O) 0183-508 0005, (M) 98156-22256

Resi: 33-A/5, Opp. Shivaji Park, Rani Ka Bagh, Amritsar P a g e | 28

 Vector Analysis
Practice Questions
1. Find the angle between the vectors A  iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ and B  iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ .
2. Prove that the vectors A  iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ and B  2iˆ  ˆj are perpendicular to
each other.
3. Find the value of  so that the vectors A  2iˆ   ˆj  kˆ and B  4iˆ  2 ˆj  2kˆ
are perpendicular to each other.
4. If an magnitudes of two vectors are 3 and 4 and their scalar product is 6,
then find the angle between the two vectors.
5. A body acted upon by a force of 50 N is displaced through a distance of
10 m in a direction making an angle of 60o with the force. Calculate the
work done by the force.
6. A body constrained to move along the z-axis of a co-ordinate system is
subjected to a constant force F given F  iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ newton, where iˆ, ˆj
and k̂ represent unit vectors x-, y- and z-axis of the system respectively.
Calculate the work done by the force in displacing the body through a
distance of 4m along the z-axis.
7. A force of 7iˆ  6kˆ newton makes a body move on a rough plane with a
velocity of 3 ˆj  4kˆ ms-1. Calculate the power in watt.
8. Three vectors A, B and C are such that A  B  C and their magnitudes
are 5, 4 and 3 respectively. Find the angle between A and C .
9. If A B  A B , find the angle between A and B .

10. If vectors P, Q and R have magnitudes 5, 12 and 13 units and P  Q  R ,

find the angle between Q and R .
11. Determine the angles which the vector A  5iˆ  0 ˆj  5kˆ makes with X-, Y-
and Z-axis.
12. If iˆ and ĵ are unit vectors along X- and Y-axis respectively, then what is
the magnitude and direction of iˆ  ˆj and iˆ  ˆj ?
13. Find the components of a  2iˆ  3 ˆj along the directions of vectors iˆ  ˆj and
iˆ  ˆj .
14. If unit vectors â and b̂ are inclined at angle , then prove that
a  b  2sin  .
2
15. If A  B  C and A2 + B2 = C2, then prove that A and B are
perpendicular to each other.

Office: 85, Rani Ka Bagh, Near FCI Office, Amritsar. (O) 0183-508 0005, (M) 98156-22256

Resi: 33-A/5, Opp. Shivaji Park, Rani Ka Bagh, Amritsar P a g e | 29

 Vector Analysis
01. The angle  between the vector p  iˆ  ˆj  kˆ and unit vector along x-axis is :

 1   1   3  1
(a) cos1   (b) cos1   (c) cos1   (d) cos1  
 3  2  2   2

02. Given two vectors A  3iˆ  4 ˆj and B  iˆ  ˆj  is the angle between A and B . Which
of the following statements is/are correct?
 iˆ  ˆj 
(a) A cos   is the component of A along B .
 2 
 iˆ  ˆj 
(b) A sin   is the component of A perpendicular to B .
 2 
 iˆ  ˆj 
(c) A cos   is the component of A along B .
 2 
 iˆ  ˆj 
(d) A sin   is the component of A perpendicular to B .
 2 
03. If a  2iˆ  3 ˆj  kˆ and b  3iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ , then cosine of angle  between them is equal to:

5 1 3 1
(a) (b) (c) (d)
14 7 14 14
04. Given, A  2iˆ  3 ˆj and B  iˆ  ˆj . The component of vector A along vector B is :

1 3 5 7
(a) (b) (c) (d)
2 2 2 2
05. Given, two vectors A  4iˆ  4 ˆj  2kˆ and B  2iˆ  ˆj  kˆ . The angle made by (A + B)

with iˆ  2 ˆj  4kˆ is :
(a) 30o (b) 45o (c) 60o (d) 90o

06. The condition under which vectors a  b   and  a  b  should be at right angles to
each other is :

(a) a  b (b) a  b  0 (c) a  b (d) a  b  1


07. Vector which is perpendicular to a cos iˆ  b sin ˆj is : 
1 1
(a) b sin iˆ  a cos ˆj (b) sin iˆ  cos ˆj
a b
(c) 5kˆ (d) All of these

08. If A  2iˆ  3 ˆj  kˆ and B  iˆ  3 ˆj  4kˆ , then projection of A on B will be :

3 3 3 3
(a) (b) (c) (d)
13 26 26 13

09. Given two vectors A  iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ , B  4iˆ  2 ˆj  6kˆ . The angle made by (A + B) with X-
axis :
(a) 30o (b) 45o (c) 60o (d) 90o

Office: 85, Rani Ka Bagh, Near FCI Office, Amritsar. (O) 0183-508 0005, (M) 98156-22256

Resi: 33-A/5, Opp. Shivaji Park, Rani Ka Bagh, Amritsar P a g e | 30

 Vector Analysis
10. If a vector 2iˆ  3 ˆj  8kˆ is perpendicular to the vector 4 ˆj  4iˆ   kˆ , then the value of

 is :
1 1
(a) -1 (b) (c)  (d) 1
2 2
11. Angle (in radian) made by the vector 3iˆ  ˆj with the x-axis is :
   
(a) (b) (c) (d)
6 4 3 2

 
12. If vectors P  aiˆ  ajˆ  3kˆ and Q  aiˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ are perpendicular to each other, then

the positive value of a is :

(a) Zero (b) 1 (c) 2 (d) 3
13. The vector sum of two forces is perpendicular to their vector differences. In that
case, the forces :
(a) Cannot be predicted (b) Are equal to each other
(c) Are equal to each other in magnitude
(d) Are not equal to each other in magnitude

14. The angle between the two vectors A  3iˆ  4 ˆj  5kˆ and B  3iˆ  4 ˆj  5kˆ will be :
(a) Zero (b) 45o (c) 90o (d) 180o
t t ˆ
15. If vectors A  cos t iˆ  sin t ˆj and B  cos iˆ  sin j are functions of time, then
2 2
the value of t at which they are orthogonal to each other is :
  
(a) t = 0 (b) t  (c) t  (d) t 
4 2 
16. The position vector of a particle is r   a cos t  iˆ   a sint  ˆj . The velocity vector of

the particle is :
(a) Parallel to position vector (b) Perpendicular to position vector
(c) Directed towards the origin (d) Directed away from the origin
17. A vector perpendicular to iˆ  ˆj  kˆ is :

(a) iˆ  ˆj  kˆ (b) iˆ  ˆj  kˆ (c) iˆ  ˆj  kˆ (d) 3iˆ  2 ˆj  5kˆ

18. The projection of a vector r  3iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ on the xy-plane has magnitude :

(a) 3 (b) 4 (c) 14 (d) 10

19. The vector projection of a vector 3iˆ  4kˆ on y-axis is :
(a) 5 (b) 4 (c) 3 (d) Zero
20. If A  3iˆ  4 ˆj and B  7iˆ  24 ˆj , the vector having the same magnitude as B and
parallel to A is :
(a) 5iˆ  20 ˆj (b) 15iˆ  10 ˆj (c) 20iˆ  15 ˆj (d) 15iˆ  20 ˆj

21. a1iˆ  a2 ˆj is a unit vector perpendicular to 4iˆ  3 ˆj if :

(a) a1 = 0.6, a2 = 0.8 (b) a1 = 3, a2 = 4 (c) a1 = 8, a2 = 6 (d) a1 = 4, a2 = 3

Office: 85, Rani Ka Bagh, Near FCI Office, Amritsar. (O) 0183-508 0005, (M) 98156-22256

Resi: 33-A/5, Opp. Shivaji Park, Rani Ka Bagh, Amritsar P a g e | 31

 Vector Analysis
22. A particle moves in the X – Y plane under the influence of a force such that its

linear momentum is P  t   A iˆ cos  kt   ˆj sin  kt  , where A and k are constants. The

angle between the force and the momentum is :

(a) 0o (b) 30o (c) 45o (d) 90o
23. A particle moves with a velocity 6iˆ  4 ˆj  3kˆ m/s under the influence of a constant

force F  20iˆ  15 ˆj  5kN

ˆ . The instantaneous power applied to the particle is :

(a) 35 J/s (b) 45 J/s (c) 25 J/s (d) 195 J/s

24. If P  Q  PQ then angle between P and Q is :

(a) 0o (b) 30o (c) 45o (d) 60o

25. If A  i  j , then which of the following vectors are perpendicular to it?

(i) iˆ  ˆj (ii) iˆ  ˆj (iii) k̂ (iv) ˆj  kˆ

(a) (i), (ii) and (iii) (b) (i) and (iii)
(c) Only (iii) (d) (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv)

26. Let A  5iˆ  6 ˆj , B  10iˆ  8 ˆj and a third vector C lies in xy-plane. If C is

perpendicular to A and scalar product of C with B is 100. The C is :

(a) 6iˆ  5 ˆj (b) 12iˆ  10 ˆj (c) 6iˆ  5 ˆj (d) 5iˆ  6 ˆj

27. Choose the correct statement.
(a) Scalar product of two vectors can never be negative.
(b) Scalar product of two unit vectors is always one.
(c) Scalar product of orthogonal vectors is zero.
(d) Scalar product of parallel vectors is zero.

28. If A  3iˆ  4 ˆj  5kˆ and B  2 ˆj  3iˆ  4kˆ then A  B is :

(a) 38 (b) 37 (c) 36 (d) 35

29. If A  3iˆ  4kˆ and B  (3 ˆj  4kˆ ) then A  B is :

(a) 13 (b) 9 (c) 5 (d) 4
30. If vector sum of two unit vectors is another unit vector then the dot product of
these two unit vectors is
1 1
(a) 1 (b) (c) (d) 0
2 2

Office: 85, Rani Ka Bagh, Near FCI Office, Amritsar. (O) 0183-508 0005, (M) 98156-22256

Resi: 33-A/5, Opp. Shivaji Park, Rani Ka Bagh, Amritsar P a g e | 32

 Vector Analysis

Answer Key

Dot Product of Scalar Product of Two Vectors

01 C 11 A 21 A

02 A, B 12 D 22 B

03 D 13 C 23 B

04 C 14 C 24 A

05 D 15 D 25 A

06 C 16 B 26 A

07 D 17 D 27 C

08 B 18 D 28 B

09 B 19 D 29 D

10 C 20 D 30 C

Office: 85, Rani Ka Bagh, Near FCI Office, Amritsar. (O) 0183-508 0005, (M) 98156-22256

Resi: 33-A/5, Opp. Shivaji Park, Rani Ka Bagh, Amritsar P a g e | 33

 Vector Analysis
Cross Product of Two Vectors or Vector Product of Two Vector
(1) Definition: The vector product or cross product of two
vectors is defined as a vector having a magnitude equal to
the product of the magnitudes of two vectors with the sine of
angle between them, and direction perpendicular to the
plane containing the two vectors in accordance with right
hand screw rule. C  A  B Thus, if A and B are two vectors,
then their vector product written as A B is a vector C defined by C  A  B  ABsin nˆ
The direction of A B, i.e. C is perpendicular to the plane containing vectors A and B
and in the sense of advance of a right handed screw rotated from A (first vector) to B
(second vector) through the smaller angle between them. Thus, if a right handed screw
whose axis is perpendicular to the plane framed by A and B is rotated from A to B
through the smaller angle between them, then the direction of advancement of the screw
gives the direction of A B i.e. C
(2) Properties :
(i) Vector product of any two vectors is always a vector perpendicular to the plane
containing these two vectors, i.e., orthogonal to both the vectors A and B, though the
vectors A and B may or may not be orthogonal.
(ii) Vector product of two vectors is not commutative, i.e., A  B  B  A [but  B A]
Here it is worthy to note that
| A  B|| B  A| AB sin

i.e., in case of vector A B and B A magnitudes are equal but directions are opposite.
(iii) The vector product is distributive when the order of the vectors is strictly maintained,
i.e.
A  (B  C)  A  B  A  C
(iv) As by definition of vector product of two vectors A  B  ABsin nˆ
| A  B | 
So | A  B| ABsin i.e.,   sin1  
| A|| B|
(v) The vector product of two vectors will be maximum when sin  max  1, i.e.,
  90o
ˆ
[ A  B]max  AB n
i.e., vector product is maximum if the vectors are orthogonal.
(vi) The vector product of two non- zero vectors will be minimum when | sin | minimum = 0,
i.e.,   0o or 180o [ A  B]min  0
i.e. if the vector product of two non-zero vectors vanishes, the vectors are collinear.
(vii) The self-cross product, i.e., product of a vector by itself vanishes, i.e., is null vector
ˆ0
A  A  AAsin0o n
(viii) In case of unit vector nˆ nˆ  0 so that ˆi  ˆi  ˆj  ˆj  kˆ  kˆ  0
(ix) In case of orthogonal unit vectors, ˆi , ˆj, kˆ in accordance with right hand screw rule :

Office: 85, Rani Ka Bagh, Near FCI Office, Amritsar. (O) 0183-508 0005, (M) 98156-22256

Resi: 33-A/5, Opp. Shivaji Park, Rani Ka Bagh, Amritsar P a g e | 34

 Vector Analysis
ĵ ĵ

k̂
î î

k̂

ˆi  ˆj  kˆ, ˆj  kˆ  ˆi and kˆ  ˆi  ˆj
And as cross product is not commutative,
ˆj  ˆi  kˆ kˆ  ˆj  ˆi and ˆi  kˆ  ˆj
ˆ
i ˆj kˆ
(x) In terms of components A  B  Ax Ay Az
Bx By Bz

ˆ j (AzBx  AxBz )  kˆ(AxBy  Ay Bx )

i (Ay Bz  AzBy )  ˆ

(3) Example : Since vector product of two vectors is a vector, vector physical quantities
(particularly representing rotational effects) like torque, angular momentum, velocity and
force on a moving charge in a magnetic field and can be expressed as the vector product
of two vectors. It is well – established in physics that :

(i) Torque   r  F (ii) Angular momentum L  r  p (iii) Velocity v    r

(iv) Force on a charged particle q moving with velocity v in a magnetic field B is

given by F  q(v  B)

(v) Torque on a dipole in a field  E  p  E and  B  M  B

Office: 85, Rani Ka Bagh, Near FCI Office, Amritsar. (O) 0183-508 0005, (M) 98156-22256

Resi: 33-A/5, Opp. Shivaji Park, Rani Ka Bagh, Amritsar P a g e | 35

 Vector Analysis

Based on Vector or Cross Product of Two Vectors

1. Prove that the vectors A  2iˆ  3 ˆj  kˆ and B  6iˆ  9 ˆj  3kˆ are parallel.
2. Calculate the area of the parallelogram whose two adjacent sides are formed by the
vectors A  3iˆ  4 ˆj and B  3iˆ  7 ˆj .
3. If A and B denote the sides of a parallelogram and its area is AB/2, find the angle
between A and B .
4. Determine a unit vector perpendicular to both A  2iˆ  ˆj  kˆ and Bˆ  iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ .
5. Find a vector whose length is 7 and which is perpendicular to each of the vectors.
A  2ˆ
i  3ˆ ˆ and B  ˆ
j  6k i ˆ ˆ
j k

6. Determine the sine of the angle between the vectors 3iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ and 2iˆ  2 ˆj  4kˆ .
7. Show that ( A  B)  ( A  B)  2( A B) .

8. For any three vectors A, B and C , prove that A  B  C   B  C  A  C   A  B   O .

For any two vectors A and B , prove that  A B  A2 B2   A.B

2 2
9.

10. Find A B if A  10, B  2 and A. B  12 .

11. Find A. B if A  2, B  5 and A B  8 .

12. Find the moment about the point (1, -1, -1) of the forces 3iˆ  4 ˆj  5kˆ acting at the
point (1, 0, -2).
13. The diagonals of a parallelogram are given by the vectors 3ˆ
i ˆ ˆ and 3iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ .
j  2k

Find the area of the parallelogram.

14. If a, b , c are three vectors such that a.b  a.c , a  b  a  c , a  o then prove that b  c .

15. If a  ˆ
i  2ˆ ˆ,b  2ˆ
j  3k i ˆ ˆ andc  iˆ 3ˆ
j k j  2kˆ, then find a  (b  c) .

Office: 85, Rani Ka Bagh, Near FCI Office, Amritsar. (O) 0183-508 0005, (M) 98156-22256

Resi: 33-A/5, Opp. Shivaji Park, Rani Ka Bagh, Amritsar P a g e | 36

 Vector Analysis
Cross Product of Two Vectors
01. If a  b  a  b , then the angle  between a and b will be :

(a) 60o (b) 45o (c) 75o (d) 90o

02. For any two vectors A and B , if A  B  A  B , the magnitude of C = A + B is equal

to :
AB
(a) A2  B2 (b) A + B (c) A2  B2  (d) A2  B2  2 AB
2

03. If the angle between the vectors A and B is , the value of the product B  A  A  
is equal to :
(a) BA2 cos  (b) BA2 sin  (c) BA2 sin  cos  (d) Zero

04. If A  B  3 A  B , then the value of A  B is :

 
1/ 2
 AB  1/ 2
(a) (A + B + AB)
2 2 1/2
(b)  A2  B2   (c) A + B (d) A2  B2  3 AB
 3

05. The vectors from origin to the points A and B are A  3iˆ  6 ˆj  2kˆ and B  2iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ ,

respectively. The area of the OAB is:

5 2 3 5
(a) 17 (b) 17 (c) 17 (d) 17
2 5 5 3
06. Which of the following is incorrect?

 
(a) a  b  c  b  a  a  c   
(b) a  b  c   a  c   a  b 
(c) a   b  c    a  b    a  c   
(d) b  c a  a c  b  
07. The sides of a parallelogram are represented by vectors p  5iˆ  4 ˆj  3kˆ and

q  3iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ . Then the area of the parallelogram is:

(a) 684 sq units (b) 72 sq units (c) 171 sq units (d) 72 sq units

08. If A  iˆ  2 ˆj  k and B  2iˆ  3 ˆj  4k , then the vector perpendicular to both the

vectors A and B is:

(a) 11iˆ  6 ˆj  kˆ (b) 11iˆ  6 ˆj  kˆ (c) 11iˆ  6 ˆj  kˆ (d) 11iˆ  6 ˆj  kˆ

09. If A is perpendicular to B , then:

(a) A B  0 (b) A   A  B   A2 (c) A  B  AB (d) A   A  B  A2  AB

10. If A  2iˆ  ˆj  kˆ and B  iˆ  ˆj  kˆ are two vectors, then choose the wrong statement.
The unit vector:

  ˆj  kˆ 
(a) perpendicular to A is   (b) parallel to A is
 2iˆ  ˆj  kˆ 
 2  6

  ˆj  kˆ  iˆ  ˆj  kˆ
(c) perpendicular to B is   (d) parallel to A is
 2  3

Office: 85, Rani Ka Bagh, Near FCI Office, Amritsar. (O) 0183-508 0005, (M) 98156-22256

Resi: 33-A/5, Opp. Shivaji Park, Rani Ka Bagh, Amritsar P a g e | 37

 Vector Analysis
11. The magnitude of scalar product of two vectors is 8 and that of vector product is
8 3 . The angle between them is:
(a) 30o (b) 60o (c) 120o (d) 150o

12. If a vector A is parallel to another vector B then the resultant of the vector A  B
will be equal to:

(a) A (b) A (c) zero vector (d) zero

13. What is the value of linear velocity, if   3iˆ  4 ˆj  kˆ and r  5iˆ  6 ˆj  6kˆ ?

(a) 6iˆ  2 ˆj  3kˆ (b) 6iˆ  2 ˆj  8kˆ (c) 4iˆ  13 ˆj  6kˆ (d) 18iˆ  13 ˆj  2kˆ

14. The position vectors of radius are 2iˆ  ˆj  kˆ and 2iˆ  3 ˆj  kˆ while those of linear

momentum are 2iˆ  3 ˆj  kˆ . Then the angular momentum is:

(a) 2iˆ  4kˆ (b) 4iˆ  8kˆ (c) 2iˆ  4 ˆj  2kˆ (d) 4iˆ  8kˆ

15. Find the torque of a force F  3iˆ  ˆj  5kˆ acting at the point r  7iˆ  3 ˆj  kˆ .

(a) 14iˆ  38 ˆj  16kˆ (b) 4iˆ  4 ˆj  6kˆ (c) 21iˆ  4 ˆj  4kˆ (d) 14iˆ  34 ˆj  16kˆ


16. The value of A  B  A  B is:  
(a) 0 (b) A2 – B2 (c) B  A 
(d) 2 B  A 
17. What is the unit vector perpendicular to the following vectors 2iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ and

6iˆ  3 ˆj  2kˆ ?

iˆ  10 ˆj  18kˆ iˆ  10 ˆj  18kˆ iˆ  10 ˆj  18kˆ iˆ  10 ˆj  18kˆ

(a) (d) (c) (d)
5 17 5 17 5 17 5 17
18. Two vectors A and B have magnitude A = 2 and B = 2. If their vector product

 
A  B   3kˆ  iˆ then angle between them is:

(a) 30o (b) 45o (c) 60o (d) 90o

19. Which of the following algebraic operations can give rise to new physical
quantity?
(a) Addition of two vectors (b) Subtraction of two vectors
(c) Cross product of two vectors (d) Addition of two scalars

20. If A  3iˆ  4 ˆj and B  6iˆ  8 ˆj then which of the following is correct?

(a) A B  0 (b) A  B  14

A 2
(c)  (d) A and B are parallel
B 1

Office: 85, Rani Ka Bagh, Near FCI Office, Amritsar. (O) 0183-508 0005, (M) 98156-22256

Resi: 33-A/5, Opp. Shivaji Park, Rani Ka Bagh, Amritsar P a g e | 38

 Vector Analysis

Answer Key

Cross Product or Vector Product of Two Vectors

01 B 11 B

02 D 12 C

03 D 13 D

04 A 14 B

05 A 15 A

06 C 16 D

07 A 17 C

08 A 18 A

09 B 19 C

10 D 20 A

Office: 85, Rani Ka Bagh, Near FCI Office, Amritsar. (O) 0183-508 0005, (M) 98156-22256

Resi: 33-A/5, Opp. Shivaji Park, Rani Ka Bagh, Amritsar P a g e | 39

 Vector Analysis

Mathematical Operations Linked With Vectors

Given that three vectors A , B , C A  2iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ B  iˆ  2 ˆj  2kˆ C  2iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ .
01. Find length of A or | A | or Find length of B
02. Find unit vector along A or Find unit vector along B
03. Find A + B or Find A - B
04. Find Length of A + B or Find Length of A - B
05. Find Unit vector along A + B or Find Unit vector along A - B
06. Find Direction cosine of A or Find Direction cosines of B
07. Find Angles of A with (X, Y, Z axis) or Find Angles of B with (X, Y, Z axis)
08. Find A . B
09. Find A × B
10. Find angle b/w A & B
11. Find Scalar projection of A on B or Find Scalar projection of B on A
12. Find Vector projection of A on B or Find Vector projection of B on A
13. To check A & B are  or not.
14. To check A & B are parallel or not.
15. Find unit vector || to both A and B
16. Find unit vector  to both A and B .
17. If A and B represent the sides of a  , Find the area of that 
18. If A and B represent the sides of a ||gm , Find the area of that ||gm .
19. If A & B represent the diagonals of ||gm , Find the area.
20. If A , B & C are 3 vectors, Find the scalar triple product of three. (STP)
21. If A , B , C are sides of a cuboid, then Find the volume of cuboid.
22. If A , B & C are three vectors, check they are co-planar or not.
23. If A , B , C are sides of  , check whether they can form right angled  or not?
24. If A  B  0 and A . B = 0, does it imply that one of the vector A or B must be a
null vector?
25. If A  B  B  C ,show that A  B  C  0 .
26. Evaluate each of the following :
(i) k . k (ii) (2i  j). (3i  k) (iii) j . (2i  3 j  k)
[Ans. (i) 1 (ii) 6 (iii) -3]
27. Given the vector: A 2i  4 j  6 k and B  i  3 j  2 k.

Office: 85, Rani Ka Bagh, Near FCI Office, Amritsar. (O) 0183-508 0005, (M) 98156-22256

Resi: 33-A/5, Opp. Shivaji Park, Rani Ka Bagh, Amritsar P a g e | 40

 Vector Analysis
Compute the scalar and the vector products, i.e., A. B and A B
[Ans: (i)2 (ii)26i  2 j 10 k ]

28. Find the value of m such that A  m i  2 j  k and B  2mi  m j  4k are

perpendicular. [Ans: 2 or - 1]
29. Find the angle  between the vectors, A  2i  4 j  6 k and B  i  3 j  2k .
[Ans.  = 85o 54’]

30. Show that the vectors A  2i  3 j  k and B  i  2 k are perpendicular.

31. A force of 7 i  6 k Newton makes a body move on a rough plane with a velocity of

(3 j  4 k) m/s. Calculate the power in watt. [Ans: 24 W ]

32. Find the work down in moving a particle along a vector s  4i  j  7 k if the

applied force is F  i  2 j  k [Ans : 9 units of work ]

33. A force F  i  5 j  7 k acts on a particle and displaces it through s  6i  9 k .

Calculate the work done if the force is in Newton and the displacement in metre.
[Ans. 69 J ]
34. Show that the vectros A 3i  2 j  k and B  i  3 j  5k and C  2i  j  4 k from a right
angled triangle.
35. Show that the vectors A  2i  3 j  k and B  6i  9 j  3k are parallel.
36. Show that the vector A  B is perpendicular to both A and B .

37. If A  4i  j  3k and B  2i  j  2k , find a unit vector which is perpendicular to

both A and B .
1 2 2 i 2 2 
[Ans.   j  k or   j  k  ]
 3 3 3 3 3 3 

38. Find a unit vector which is perpendicular to both are vectors

2iˆ  j  k and 3i  4 j  k.

 3 1 5 3 1 5 
 Ans. 35 i  35 j  35 k or  35 i  35 j  35 k 
 
39. Find the area of a parallelogram determined by the vectors
A  3 i  2 j and B  2 i  4 k

[Ans. 224 units of area]

40. Find the area of a triangle determined by the vectors

A   i  2 j  k and B  3 i  2 j  4k .
1
[Ans. 165 units of area]
2

Office: 85, Rani Ka Bagh, Near FCI Office, Amritsar. (O) 0183-508 0005, (M) 98156-22256

Resi: 33-A/5, Opp. Shivaji Park, Rani Ka Bagh, Amritsar P a g e | 41

 Vector Analysis
Concept of Relative Velocity

Introduction: When we consider the motion of a particle, we assume a fixed point

relative to which the given particle is in motion. For example, if we say that water is
flowing or wind is blowing or a person is running with a speed v, we mean that these all
are relative to the earth (which we have assumed to be fixed).

General Formula : The relative velocity of a particle P1 moving with velocity v1 with
   
respect to another particle P2 moving with velocity v2 is given by, v r = v1 – v2 12

(i) If both the particles are moving in the same direction then : v1
v2
r12  1 –  2
P2

(ii) If the two particles are moving in the opposite direction, then : P1
r12  1   2

(iii) If the two particles are moving in the mutually perpendicular directions, then:
 r12  12   22

(iv) If the angle between 1 and  2 be , then r  12   22 – 21 2 cos 

  1/ 2
12
.
 Relative velocity of satellite : If a satellite is moving in equatorial plane with
 
velocity vs and a point on the surface of earth with ve relative to the centre of earth, the
  
velocity of satellite relative to the surface of earth vse  vs  v e
So if the satellite moves form west to east (in the direction of rotation of earth on its
axis) its velocity relative to earth's surface will be vse  vs  ve
And if the satellite moves from east to west, i.e., opposite to the motion of earth,
vse  vs  (ve )  vs  ve

Relative velocity of rain : If rain is falling vertically with a velocity v R and an

observer is moving horizontally with speed v M the velocity of rain relative to observer
  
will be vRM  vR  vM which by law of vector addition has magnitude
vRM  vR2  vM
2


direction   tan1(vM / vR ) with the vertical as shown in fig. 
vR
– vM
vR
– vR 
 
vM vM


 Relative velocity of swimmer : If a man can swim relative to water with velocity v

and water is flowing relative to ground with velocity v R velocity of man relative to
      
ground vM will be given by: v  vM  vR , i.e., vM  v  vR
So if the swimming is in the direction of flow of water, vM  v  vR
And if the swimming is opposite to the flow of water, vM  v  vR

Office: 85, Rani Ka Bagh, Near FCI Office, Amritsar. (O) 0183-508 0005, (M) 98156-22256

Resi: 33-A/5, Opp. Shivaji Park, Rani Ka Bagh, Amritsar P a g e | 42

 Vector Analysis
Minimum distance between two cars to avoid collision: If two cars A and B are
moving in same direction with velocity vA and vB (vA> vB) when A is behind B at a
distance d, driver in car A applies brake which cause retardation a in car A, then
(vA  vB )2 (vA  vB )2
minimum value of d to avoid collision is i.e. d> .
2a 2a
Relative motion on a moving train: If a boy running with speed vBT on a train
velocity vT relative to ground, the speed of the body relative to ground vB will be given
by: vBT  vB  vT or vB  vBT  vT
So, if the boy is running in the direction of train
vB = u  v
and if the boy is running on the train in a direction opposite to the motion of
train : vB = u  v
Relative motion in river flow: If a man can swim relative to water with velocity vmR
and water is following relative to ground with velocity vR , velocity of man relative to
ground vm will be given by:
vmR  vm  vR
or vm  vmR  vR
so, if the swimmer is in the direction of flow of water;
vm= vmR + vR

and if the swimmer is opposite to the flow of water, vm = vmR  vR

Motion of a train moving on equator: If a train is moving at equator on the

earth’s surface with a velocity vTE relative to earth’s surface and a point on the surface of
earth with velocity vE relative to its centre, then
vTE  vT  vE or vT  vTE  vE

Office: 85, Rani Ka Bagh, Near FCI Office, Amritsar. (O) 0183-508 0005, (M) 98156-22256

Resi: 33-A/5, Opp. Shivaji Park, Rani Ka Bagh, Amritsar P a g e | 43

 Vector Analysis
Objective problems based on relative velocity
Problem 1.Two trains along the same straight rails moving with constant speed 60
km/hr & 30km/hr respectively toward each other. If at time t  0 , the
distance between them is 90 km, the time when they collide is
(a) 1 hr (b) 2 hr (c) 3 hr (d) 4 hr
Solution : (a)The relative velocity vrel.  60  (30)  90km/ hr.
Problem 2.Two cars are moving in the same direction with the same speed 30 km/hr.
They are separated by a distance of 5 km, the speed of a car moving in the
opposite direction if it meets these two cars at an interval of 4 minutes, will
be
(a) 40 km/hr (b) 45 km/hr (c) 30 km/hr (d) 15 km/hr
Solution : (b)The two car (say A and B) are moving with same velocity, the relative velocity of
one (say B) with respect to the other A, vBA  v B  vA  v  v  0
So the relative separation between them (= 5 km) always remains the same.
Now if the velocity of car (say C) moving in opposite direction to A and B, is v C
relative to ground then the velocity of car C relative to A and B will be v rel.  v C  v
But as v is opposite to vC so vrel  vc  (30)  (vC  30)km/ hr.
Problem 3.A steam boat goes across a lake and comes back (a) On a quite day when
the water is still and (b) On a rough day when there is uniform current so as
to help the journey onward and to impede the journey back. If the speed of
the launch on both days was same, in which case it will complete the
journey in lesser time
(a) Case (a) (b) Case (b)
(c) Same in both (d) Nothing can be predicted
Solution : (b)If the breadth of the lake is l and velocity of boat is vb. Time in going and coming
back on a quite day
l l 2l
tQ    .....(i)
vb v b v b

Now if va is the velocity of air- current then time taken in going across the lake,
l
t1  [as current helps the motion]
vb  v a
l
and time taken in coming back t 2  [as current opposes the motion]
vb  v a
2l
So t R  t1  t2  .....(ii)
vb [1  (va / vb )2 ]
tR 1 va2
From equation (i) and (ii)   1 [as 1   1] i.e. t R  tQ
t Q [1  (va / vb )2 ] vb2

Problem 4.A man standing on a road hold his umbrella at 30° with the vertical to keep
the rain away. He throws the umbrella and starts running at 10 km/hr. He
finds that raindrops are hitting his head vertically, the speed of raindrops
with respect to the road will be
(a) 10 km/hr (b) 20 km/hr (c) 30 km/hr (d) 40 km/hr

Office: 85, Rani Ka Bagh, Near FCI Office, Amritsar. (O) 0183-508 0005, (M) 98156-22256

Resi: 33-A/5, Opp. Shivaji Park, Rani Ka Bagh, Amritsar P a g e | 44

 Vector Analysis
Solution : (b)When the man is at rest w.r.t. the ground, the rain comes to him at an angle 30°
with the vertical. This is the direction of the velocity of raindrops with respect to
the ground.
Here v rg  velocity of rain with respect to the ground 
v mg
vmg  velocity of the man with respect to the ground.
30o
and vrm  velocity of the rain with respect to the man,  
v rg
v rm
We have vr g  vr m  vmg ......(i)
Taking horizontal components equation (i) gives vr g sin 30  vm g  10 km / hr

or vr g  10  20km / hr
sin 30

Problem 5.In the above problem, the speed of raindrops w.r.t. the moving man, will be
(a) 10/ 2 km/ h (b) 5 km/h (c) 10 3 km/ h (d) 5 / 3 km/ h

Solution : (c) Taking vertical components equation (i) gives vrg cos 30  vrm  20 3  10 3 km / hr
2
Problem 6.To a person, going eastward in a car with a velocity of 25 km/hr, a train
appears to move towards north with a velocity of 25 3 km/hr. The actual
velocity of the train will be
(a) 25 km/hr (b) 50 km/hr (c) 5 km/hr (d) 5 3 km/hr
2
Solution : (a) vT  vTC
2
 vC2 = (25 3)  (25)2 = 1875  625 = 2500 = 25 km/hr
Problem 7. A boat is moving with a velocity 3i + 4j with respect to ground. The
water in the river is moving with a velocity – 3i – 4j with respect to ground.
The relative velocity of the boat with respect to water is
(a) 8j (b) – 6i – 8j (c) 6i +8j (d) 5 2

Solution : (c) Relative velocity = (3i + 4j) – (– 3i – 4j) = 6i + 8j

Subjective problems based on relative velocity

01. Two parallel rail tracks run north south. Train A moves north with a speed of 54

kmh-1 and train B moves south with a speed of 90 kmh-1. What is the (i) Relative

velocity of B with respect to A? (ii) Relative velocity of ground with respect to B? (iii)

velocity of a monkey running on the roof of the train A against its motion (with a

velocity of 18 km h-1 with respect to the train A) as observed by a man standing on

the ground? {Ans 40 ms-1, 25 ms-1, 10ms-1}

02. Two towns A and B are connected by a regular bus service with a bus leaving in

either direction every T min. A man cycling with a speed of 20 kmh-1 in the

direction A to B notices that a bus goes past him every 18 min in the direction of his

motion and every 6 min in the opposite direction. What is the period T of the bus

Office: 85, Rani Ka Bagh, Near FCI Office, Amritsar. (O) 0183-508 0005, (M) 98156-22256

Resi: 33-A/5, Opp. Shivaji Park, Rani Ka Bagh, Amritsar P a g e | 45

 Vector Analysis
service and with what speed (assumed constant) do the buses ply on the road?

{Ans 40 kmh-1, 9 min}

03. A boat covers certain distance between two spots on a river taking 4 hours

downstream and 6 hours going upstream. What time will be taken by the boat to

cover same distance in still water? {Ans 4.8 h}

04. A train A moves with a uniform velocity of 60 kmh-1. Another train B moves in the

same direction with a uniform velocity of 80 kmh-1. (a) What is the relative velocity

of A with respect to B? (b) What is the relative velocity of B with respect to A?

{Ans -20 kmh-1, 20kmh-1}

05. A car A is moving with a speed of 60 kmh-1 and car B is moving a speed of 75

kmh-1, along parallel straight paths, starting from the same point. What is the

position of car A w.r.t B after 20 minutes? {Ans 5 km behind}

06. Two buses start simultaneously towards each other from towns A and B which are

480 km apart. The first bus takes 8 hours to travel from A to B while the second

bus takes 12 hours to travel from B to A. determine when and where the buses will

meet? {Ans 4.8 h, 288 km from A}

07. Two trains A and B each of length 100 m, are running on parallel tracks. One

overtakes the other in20 s and one crosses the other in 10s. Calculate the velocities

of each train. {Ans 15 ms-1 , 5 ms-1}

08. A man swims in a river with and against water at the rate of 15 kmh -1 and 5kmh-1.

Find the man’s speed in still water and the speed of the river.

{Ans 10 kmh-1, 5 kmh-1}

Office: 85, Rani Ka Bagh, Near FCI Office, Amritsar. (O) 0183-508 0005, (M) 98156-22256

Resi: 33-A/5, Opp. Shivaji Park, Rani Ka Bagh, Amritsar P a g e | 46