VECTORS AND SCALARS

Many physical quantities can be completely described only by a numerical

value with proper units. For example you measure your height and say that
you are 1.6 meter tall. Here the physical quantity height (length) has been
described by a number 1.6 along with unit metre. To express your height
you do not need any extra term.

Certain physical quantities need an extra term ‘direction’ besides a nu-

merical value along with proper units to get described. For example if you
want to explain the velocity of a particle, you will have to mention the direc-
tion of motion of the particle apart from its speed. All those physical
quantities that need direction besides a numerical value (the nu-
merical value often being called magnitude) along with specified units
to get explained and obey the law of vector addition are known as
vector quantities. Displacement, velocity (speed in particular direction),
acceleration, etc are vector quantities.

The scalar quantities among themselves are added and multiplied

according to simple algebraic rules, where as vector quantities are
added and multiplied among themselves according to special rules.

REPRESENTATION OF A VECTOR
N
To represent a vector quantity we use a straight line with arrow at one end
‘’. The length of the line is directly proportional to the magnitude of the W E
physical quantity and arrow gives the direction. Symbol r means vector
 
r and simply r or | r | means length (magnitude) of r .
S
r
Consider the figure : 1.1(a) A B


Here | r | r  3 cm. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
 Centimeter scale
Suppose 1 cm is equal to 20 km/h, what can be said about vector AB(  r ) ?
The r means 60 km/h due east. Figure 1:1

IDENTICAL VECTORS

Two vectors are said to be identical, if and only if their magnitudes and
directions, both are same. If a vector does not describe a particular point in
the space, it can be taken anywhere keeping its magnitude and direction
constant. At the new place vector will be the same one as it was earlier.

NEGATIVE OF A VECTOR

If two vectors are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction then one is
a
the negative of the other. See the figure: 1.1(b)
a
ADDITION OF VECTORS, GEOMETRICAL METHOD Figure 1.1 (b)

 
Consider the two vectors a and b shown in the figure 1 : 2. To find the
    
a  b , put the initial point of b on the terminal point of a , as shown in the a

figure 1 : 3. The vector joining the initial point of a to the terminal point of
   
vector b is the sum of a and b ie. a  b .
Note : Only like vectors are added together, for example, a dis- b
placement vector can be added to another displacement vector. A
velocity vector can be added to another velocity vector. A displace- Figure 1:2
ment vector can not be added to a velocity vector.
ab
TRIANGLE LAW OF VECTOR ADDITION b

“If two vectors are represented by the two adjacent sides of triangle in the a
same sense, then their sum is represented by the third side of same triangle Figure 1:3
but in the opposite sense. This rule is known as triangle rule”
b
a
SUBTRACTION OF VECTORS
   
a  b  a  ( b) consider the figure 1 : 4
a b b

Figure 1 : 4
a
PROPERTIES OF VECTOR ADDITION
ba
b
    b
a  b  b  a (commutative law) consider the figure 1 : 5(a) a b

a
Figure 1 :5(a)

a  ( b  c) c
      b  c
a  ( b  c )  (a  b)  c (associative law) consider the fig. 1 : 5(b)
ab
b
a
Figure 1:5(b)
PARALLELOGRAM LAW OF VECTOR ADDITION
C a B
Now we have to know many things about vectors. In fact parallelogram
law is not different form triangle law. Consider the figure 1 : 6(a) a b
If two vectors are represented by the two sides of a parallelogram with b
b
same initial point, then their resultant i.e. sum is represented by that di-
agonal of the parallelogram whose initial point coincide with the initial
point of the vectors. O a A
Figure 1:6(a)
MAGNITUDE AND DIRECTION OF THE RESULTANT
VECTOR B

 
Consider the figure 1 : 6(b)Suppose magnitude of the a is a and that of b is a b
 b

b. The angle between the a and the b is  . In right angle triangle
 
ABD , BD  b sin  and AD = b cos  In right angle triangle ODB O a A D
OD = a + b cos  and BD = b sin  Figure 1:6(b)
 OB  OD 2  BD 2  (a  b cos ) 2  ( b sin ) 2

 a 2  b 2  2ab cos 


Thus the magnitude of a  b ie.
 
a  b  a 2  b 2  2ab cos 
 
ab  a  b when   Oº
max
 
ab  a  b when   180 º
min

Note: In simple geometry, we know that sum of the lengths of two

sides of a triangle is greater than the length of the third side.
In vector triangle, magnitude of the sum of two vectors may
be less than the magnitude of either vectors.

In triangle OBD Figure 1 : 6(b)

BD b sin 
tan   
OD a  b cos 

1  b sin  
Thus   tan   where  is the angle made by the resultant
 a  b cos  

vector with a .

Illustration :
If

and

then the find the value of | | and | |

Solution:

A + B = 12 ...(i)

Case I :
A-B>0
...(ii)
Solving (i) and (ii)
A = 10
B=2
Case II:
A - B < 0 then | A - B | = B - A
B-A=8 ...(iii)
Solving (i) and (iii) we get A = 2
and B = 10.
RESOLUTION OF A VECTOR

The geometrical method of adding the vectors are not very useful, particu-
y
larly for the vectors in three dimensions. The most useful method of adding
the vectors is analytical method. To use the analytical method we select a
coordinate system, consisting of (i) a fixed reference point called origin (ii)
a set of specified axes (iii) instructions how to describe the position of a
r ry
point. the most common co-ordinate system is the Cartesian co-ordinate
system that consists of a origin and three mutually perpendicular axes named 
x, y and z. The most important operation is to resolve a vector into its O x
rx
components along the axes of the co-ordinate system. For the sake of con- Figure 1:7 (a)
venience let us discuss the two dimensional case first. Consider the figure 1
:7(a) and 1 : 7(b).
y
In figure 1 : 7(a) tail of the r coincides with origin while in the figure (b) it
does not. But in both the figures r is making an angle  with the x-axis. r
Draw the perpendiculars to the axes from the tail and head of the vector. ry
The intercept on the x-axis is the x component of r and denoted by rx , rx

similarly intercept on the y-axis is the y component of r and denoted by ry . O x
Figure 1:7 (b)
From the figure 1 :7(a) and 1:7(b)
rx  r cos  …(i)
ry  r sin  …(ii)
We have seen that if magnitude(r) and direction (  ) are known, its compo-
nents can be found. Similarly if components are known then the magnitude
and direction of a vector can also be found.
from equation (i) & (ii)
r 2  rx2  ry2

ry
and r  rx2  ry2 tan  
rx
A vector can be expressed completely in term of its components.

Illustration :
A force of 20 N acts on a particle along a direction making an angle
of 600 with the vertical. Find the component of the force in the
vertical and horizontal direction.
Solution :
In vertical direction
Fy = 20 cos 600 y
1 Fx = 20 sin 60º
= 20  N = 10 N F = 20N
2
In Horizontal direction
F y=20 cos 60º
Fx = 20 sin 600 60º

3 O x
= 20  N = 17.1 N
2
UNIT VECTOR

Now we are going to introduce a term unit vector. A vector of unit length
(magnitude) is known as unit vector. To represent a unit vector we put a
sign on the alphabet. For example â means unit vector in the direction of

 a
a . Mathematically, â  | a | .

Let a  a 1î  a 2 ĵ  a 3 k̂

| a | a 12  a 22  a 32

a 1î  a 2 ĵ  a 3 k̂
â 
 a 12  a 22  a 32

Note: î, ˆj, k̂ are the unit vectors along x, y and z axes respectively..
| î || ˆj || k̂ | 1 .
When a vector quantity is multiplied by a positive number, only its magni-
tude changes its direction remains the same.

Note : When a positive number is multiplied by a unit vector it be-

comes a vector of magnitude equal to the magnitude of the
number in the direction of the given unit vector. While when
a negative number is multiplied by unit vector it becomes a
vector of magnitude equal to the magnitude of the number
but in the opposite direction of given unit vector.

ZERO VECTOR OR NULL VECTOR

A vector whose initial and terminal points are coincident is called the zero
vector. The length of the zero vector is zero and its direction is indetermi-
nate.

The zero vector is denoted by O . It has many properties similar to those of
the number zero.

It is used to explain and justify the vector operations.

Illustration :

(i) If A  3î
   
B  3î A  B  3î  3î  O

(ii) If A  3î

B  4î
  
A  B  3î  4 î  12( î  î )  O .
REPRESENTATION OF A VECTOR IN TERMS OF ITS RECTANGULAR COMPONENTS

Let us assume that î and ĵ are the unit vectors along positive x-axis and Y
positive y-axis respectively. The r can be written as r
 
r  rx î  ry ĵ
 

i.e., r  r cos  î  r sin  ĵ O X

For example, in illustration 2 : force can be expressed as F  (10 î  17.1 ĵ) N
Z Figure 1:8
Now we are in a position to discuss the three dimensional case too. X-Y
and Z are three mutually perpendicular axis with origin ‘O’. A vector r is
inclined such that it makes an angle  with the x-axis,  with the y-axis
and  with the z-axis as shown in the figure. Inclination of the vector with O

X
each axis individually shown in the figure 1.8a, 1.8b & 1.8c . The x compo- Figure 1: 8(a)
nent of r is rx  r cos  The y component of r is ry  r cos  And the z

component of r is rz  r cos  Let us assume that î, ĵ and k̂ are the unit
vectors in the positive direction of x , y and z axis respectively. Now the

vector r can be written as O Y
Figure 1: 8(b)

r  rx î  ry ĵ  rz k̂

co-efficient of î, ĵ and k̂ are the x, y and z components of a vector..


r  r cos î  r cos ĵ  r cos k̂ 
O Z

| r | rx2  ry2  rz2 Figure 1: 8(c)

Note : In two dimension angles made by the vector with the axes
are complementary angles hence if rx  r cos  , then ry be-
comes r sin  .

Illustration:

The x, y and z components of a vector A are 2, 3 and 4 respec-
tively.

(i) Write the vector A in the form of its components

(ii) Find the components of a unit vector in the direction A .
Solution:

(i) Let A  A x î  A y ĵ  A z k̂
from question, we have
A x  2, A y  3, A z  4

Hence, A  2î  3 ĵ  4k̂
(ii) We know that

Unit vector of A in the direction of A is

A
  
|A|
 
A  2 î  3ˆj  4 k̂

| A | ( 2) 2  (3) 2  (4) 2  29

2î  3 ĵ  4k̂
 
29
2 3 ˆ 4
  î  j k̂
29 29 29
2 3 4
Components of unit vector  are , , .
29 29 29

ADDITION OF VECTORS ANALYTICAL METHOD

To add the vectors analytically, write them in the form of rectangular com- Y
ponents. The x component of their resultant (sum) is the simple algebraic
sum of the co-efficient of the î of each vector. Same operation is done to a b
find the y and z components of the resultant vector.  
  X
Two vectors a and b in X  Y plane, are shown in the figure 1:9, they are O

inclined at an angle  and  with the x-axis respectively. Now Figure 1.9
 
a  a cos î  a sin ĵ , and b  b cos  î  b sin  ĵ ,
 
a  b  (a cos   b cos )î  (a sin   b sin ) ĵ . If angle is measured in
anticlockwise sense with the positive x-axis, then it is considered
as positive angle.

MULTIPLICATION (PRODUCT) OF VECTORS

When we add two like vectors we get the resultant vector of same kind, but
representing different physical quantities the multiplication operation is dif-
ferent from addition operation. Vectors can be multiplied by one another to
get quantities of new physical dimensions.
Multiplication of vectors undergoes three different kinds of operation.
(1) multiplication of a vector by a scalar
(2) multiplication of a vector by a vector to get a scalar quantity. Such
operations is known as dot product or scalar products.
(3) multiplication of a vector by a vector to get a vector quantity. Such
operation is known as cross product, or vector product.

1. When a vector quantity is multiplied by a positive scalar quan-

tity, only its magnitude changes.
2. SCALAR PRODUCT (DOT PRODUCT)

 
The scalar product of two vectors are written as a . b and is defined as,
  
a.b  ab cos  where  is the angle between the a and b , and a and b are
their magnitude respectively. Dot product of two vectors is commuta-
   
tive that is a . b  b . a .
SCALAR PRODUCT OF ORTHOGONAL UNIT VECTOR
î.î  ˆj.ˆj  k̂.k̂  1 ( θ = 0)

î. ĵ  î.k̂  ĵ.î  ĵ.k̂  k̂.î  k̂. ĵ  0 ( θ = 900)

GEOMETRICAL MEANING OF DOT PRODUCT



s
As

co
a.b  ab cos 

b
 a ( b cos ) a
 (a cos )b 
 
Consider the figure 1: 10 a cos  is the projection of a on the b and b cos  a cos b
   Figure 1:10
is the projection of b on a . The dot product of a and b is equal to the
  
product of a and projection and b on a or product of b and projection of a

on b .

PROPERTIES OF SCALAR PRODUCT OR DOT PRODUCT

(i) Dot product is commutative A.B  B.A

(ii) Dot product is distributive over the addition of vectors.

A.( B  C)  A.B  A.C

SOME OF THE EXAMPLES OF PHYSICAL QUANTITIES GIVEN BY DOT PRODUCT

(i) Work (W)


W = F.r where F = Force applied on the body
 = displacement of the body
r
(ii) Power (P)

P = F.v where v = velocity of the body

Illustration :
Find the projection of A  î  ĵ  k̂ along the vector B  2î  ˆj  k̂
Solution:
The projection of vector A in the direction of vector B is given by
 
P = | A |cos θ , ... (i) where θ = angle between the A and B
we know that, A . B = | A | | B | cos θ

A.B
| A | cos θ =
|B|
Equation (i) becomes

A.B
P=
|B|
 ( î  ĵ  k̂ ).(2î  ˆj  k̂ )
P=
2 2  12  12
(2  1  1) 2
P=  .
6 6

Illustration :
A force F = 3î  ĵ  2 k̂ displace a particle from point A(2, 3, 4) to
B(3, 4, 5). Find the work done by the force.
Solution:

Displacement, r  AB  (3î  4 ĵ  5k̂ )  (2î  3ˆj  4k̂ )

= ( î  ĵ  k̂ )

Given, F  3î  ˆj  2k̂

work done = F.r

= (3î  ˆj  2k̂ ).( î  ĵ  k̂ )

= (3 + 1+ 2) = 6 Units.

3. VECTOR PRODUCT (CROSS PRODUCT)

 
The vector product of two vectors (a and b) are written as
   
a  b  ab sin n̂ , where a and b are the magnitudes of the a and the b
respectively and  is the angle between them, value of which lies between
0º    180º and n̂ is the unit vector perpendicular to the plane containing
the vectors.

RIGHT HANDED SCREW RULE

Now we discuss to specify the direction of n̂ . Consider the figure, Take a Z

right handed screw fitted with a nut, keep the plane of the nut parallel to the
 
plane containing the vectors. Now rotate the screw from a to b . The
 Y
n̂ ( k̂ )
direction in which screw moves is the direction of n̂ . In the figure 1:11, a
  
and b lie in X – Y plane b  a is directed along negative Z axes. Let X
       b
a
C1  b  a and C 2  a  b . From the rule C1 is directed along negative z- Figure 1:11
  
axis and C 2 is directed along positive z-axis. Since direction of b  a is
   
opposite to the direction of a  b Hence a  b  b  a .

CROSS PRODUCT OF ORTHOGONAL UNIT VECTOR

î  ĵ  k̂ ĵ î   k̂
ĵ k̂  î k̂  ˆj   î
k̂  î  ĵ î  k̂   ĵ

î  î  ĵ  ˆj  k̂  k̂  0
PROPERTIES OF VECTOR PRODUCT OR CROSS PRODUCT

1. Cross product of two vectors does not obey the commutative law.
A B  B A
2. Cross product of two vectors is distributive over vector addition

A  (B  C)  A  B  A  C

SOME OF THE EXAMPLES OF PHYSICAL QUANTITIES GIVEN BY CROSS PRODUCT OF TWO VECTORS

(i) Velocity

v   r where  = angular velocity
r = radius vector
(ii) Angular momentum
L  rp where r = position vector

p = linear momentum

(iii) Torque where F = force

  rF

Illustration :

A = 3î  4ˆj  5k̂ and B  î  ˆj  k̂ , find A  B .

Solution:
A  B  (3î  4ˆj  5k̂ )  (î  ĵ  k̂ )
= 3î  î  3î  ˆj  3î  k̂  4ˆj  î  4ˆj  ĵ + 4 ĵ  k̂  5k̂  î  5 k̂  ĵ  5k̂  k̂
  
= 3. 0 + 3 k̂  3(  ˆj)  4 (  k̂ )  4 .0 + 4î  5ˆj  5(  î )  5 . 0

A  B =  î  2ˆj  k̂
 SOLVED EXAMPLES
Example 1:
  
There are three non zero vectors a , b and c . They are related as
    
a  b  c and a + b = c. How a is related to b .
Solution:
 
 a  b  a 2  b 2  2ab cos  , where  is the angle
 
between a and b .

 | c | a 2  b 2 2ab cos  also a  b  c

 a  b  a 2  b 2 2ab cos 
 (a  b) 2  a 2  b 2  2ab cos 
 a 2  b 2  2ab  a 2  b 2  2ab cos 
 2ab(cos   1)  0
 cos   1  0
 cos   1
Thus   0º
 
Now we can conclude that a and b are parallel.

Example 2:
   
Angle between two coplanar vectors r1 and r2 is  and r1  r2 .
 
What is the inclination of their resultant with the vectors r1 and r2 .
Solution:
Consider the figure in which vectors and their resultant are shown
r2 sin  r1
tan  
(r1  r2 cos )
 
Let r1  r2  r r2 r2 r2 sin
r sin  sin  
tan    
r (1  cos ) 2
2 cos  / 2
r1 r2cos
2 sin  / 2 cos  / 2 sin  / 2
 
2 cos 2  / 2 cos  / 2
tan   tan  / 2    / 2
Note :- We can conclude that resultant of two vectors of
same magnitude bisects the angle between them.

Example 3:
 
Two vectors a and b of magnitude 10 unit and 20 unit respectively Y
are shown in the figure. (a) write the components of each vec-
tor. (b) Write the vector in the form of their components. (c)
b
  
Write the components of a  b and find a  b . Also find the
30º

  a
 
angle made by the a  b with the x-axis.
O
30º X
Solution:
Consider the figure
Y
3
(a) a x  a cos 30º  10 5 3
2
1 b
a y  a sin 30º  10 5 30º
2
1 a X
30º 60º
b x  b cos 60º  20  10 O
2
3
b y  b sin 60º  20  10 3 .
2
 
(b) a  5 3 î  5 ĵ , b  10î  10 3 ĵ , where î and ĵ have usual mean-
ing
  
(c) r  (a  b)  5 3 î  5 ĵ  10î  10 3 ĵ

 (5 3  10)î  (5  10 3 ) ĵ

Thus rx  (5 3  10) and ry  (5  10 3 )


| r | rx2  ry2

 (5 3  10)   (5  10 3 ) 2

 75  100  100 3  25  300  100 3 y

 500  200 3  10 5  2 3
r ab
Let  be the angle made by the vector r with the x-axis.
ry
ry
Hence tan   
rx rx x

5  10 3 5(1  2 3 )
 
5 3  10 5( 3  2)

1  2 3 
  tan 1  
 3  2 .
 

Example 4:
A boy is standing on a flat elevated ground near a pole mark. First
he moves 200 meter due east, then 300 meter in the direction of
north, where he finds a cliff of height 200 3 meter. He takes a
coin from his pocket and drops it. Write the position vector of the
z
point where coin lands, in the form of components. Take foot of the
N
pole mark as a origin, x-axis due east, y-axis due north and z-axis
vertically up. Also find the distance of that point from origin.
Solution:
Let distance moved along the axes are x, y and z respectively. 90º
E
From question, given that x

x = 200 m
r
y = 300 m
Landing point
 z = –200 3 (vertically downward)
Hence position vector of point where coin lands

r  200 î  300ˆj  200 3k̂
Distance of this point from origin

| r | x 2  y 2  z 2

 (200) 2  (300) 2  ( 200 3 ) 2 m

 40000  90000  120000m

 250000m
= 500 m

Example 5:

If moment of a force F passing through a point with position vector
 about origin is given by   . Then find the moment about point
r rF
whose co-ordinate is (1, 2, 3) of a force represented by 2î  2ˆj  2k̂
acting at the point (–2, 3, 1).
Solution: F
Let force acts at point P.
Position vector of O = î  2 ĵ  3k̂

Position vector of P =  2î  3 ĵ  k̂ P

Then OP  p.v. of P  p.v. of O O


 r  3î  ĵ  2k̂
   
Let M be the vector moment of F acting at P about point O. Then M  r  F

î ĵ k̂
  3 1  2  6î  2 ĵ  8k̂
.
2 2 2

Example 6:
A particle acted upon by constant force 2î  5 ĵ  6k̂ and

 î  2 ĵ  k̂ is displaced from the point 4î  3 ĵ  2k̂ to the point

6î  ĵ  3k̂ . Find the total work done by the forces.

Solution:
 
Let F be the resultant of the given forces and d be the displacement.

Then, F  ( 2î  5ˆj  6 k̂ )  ( î  2ˆj  k̂ )  î  3ˆj  5k̂

And, d  (6î  ĵ  3k̂ )  (4î  3 ĵ  2k̂ )  2î  4 ĵ  k̂
 
 The total work done  F . d  (î  3 ĵ  5k̂ ) . (2î  4 ĵ  k̂ )  9 units.

Example 7:
The resultant of 2 forces 3p and 2p is R. If the first force is doubled
keeping same direction, then the resultant is also doubled. Find the
angle between two forces.
Solution :
Let θ be the angle between two forces. We know resultant of two
forces F1 and F2 inclined at an angle θ is given by

R  F12  F22  2 F1 F2 cos θ

or R 2  F12  F22  2 F1F2 cos θ . . . . . (i)
Here F1 = 3p and F2 = 2p
 R 2  (3p) 2  (2p) 2  2  3p  2p cos θ z
or R2 = 9p2 + 4p2 + 12p2 cos θ
= 13p2 + 12p2 cos θ . . . . .(ii)
Now F1 = 2  3p = 6p and R = 2R, but F2 = 2p
 from equation (i)
(2R)2 = (6p)2 + (2p)2 + 2  6p  2p cos θ
4R2 = 36p2 + 4p2 + 24p2 cos θ
= 40 p2 + 24p2 cos θ
or R2 = 10p2 + 6p2 cos θ . . . . .(iii)
Equating equations (ii) and (iii), we get
13p2 + 12p2cos θ = 10 p2 + 6p2 cos θ
or 3p2 = -6 p2 cos θ or cos θ = -1/2
 1
- 
 θ = cos-1  2  = 1200
Examples 8:
F1 acts due east and F2 acts 600 north of east. Both have equal
magnitude 40N each. What is the magnitude and direction of

F1  F2 ?
Solution:
Angle between F1 and F2 = θ = 600

| F1 | = | F2 | = 40 N

| F1 + F2 | = F12  F22  2F1 F 2 cos θ

= 40 2  40 2  2  40 2 cos 600
E
= 40 3 N

and if the angle between F1 + F2 and east direction  then

F2 sin θ 40 sin 60 0
tan    0
 tan 30 0
F1  F2 cos θ 40  40 cos 60
Thus,  = 300. The resultant vector is 300 north of east.

Examples 9:
Prove that (A  B).(2A  3B) = 2A2 - AB cos θ - 3B2

where θ is the angle between A and B

Solution:
= (A.2A)  (A.3B)  (B.2A ) - (B.3B)

= 2(A.A)  3(A.B)  2(B.A ) - 3 ( B .B )

= 2A2 - 3AB cos θ + 2AB cos θ - 3B2
= 2A2 - AB cos θ - 3B2

Examples 10:
Displacement due to a applied force of magnitude 10N in the direc
tion of force is 10m. Calculate the work done by the force.
Solution:
Using Formula
Work done W = F.r
= F.r cos θ
= (10 N)(10 m) cos00
= 100 Joule
 SOLVED OBJECTIVE
   
1. The angle between a and b is 0º then angle between 2a and – 3b is
(a)  / 3 (b) 
(c)  / 6 (d) none of these.
Solution:
(b)
 
Direction of vector  3b is in opposite to the direction of b .

2. If  be the angle between the vectors î  ĵ and 2 ĵ  2k̂ , then  is

(a) 0 (b)  / 4
(c)  / 2 (d)  / 3 .
Solution:
(d)
 
a  î  ĵ , b  2 ĵ  2k̂
|a|  2 |b|  2 2
 
a . b  | a | | b | cos 

(î  ĵ) .(2 ĵ  2k̂ )  2.2 2 cos 

 2  2.2 cos 
1 
cos   
2 3

3. Projection of the vector 2î  3ˆj  2k̂ on the vector î  2 ĵ  3k̂ is

2 1
(a) (b)
14 14
3 3
(c) (d) .
17 14
Solution:
(a)

A  2î  3 ĵ  2 k̂  | A | 17

B  î  2 ĵ  3k̂  | B |  14
 
Projection of A on B
 
A. B 2
P   .
|B| 14

     
4. If (A  B) is perpendicular to B and (A  2B) is perpendicular to A , then
(a) A  2B (c) A  2B
(c) 2A  B (d) A  B .
Solution:
     
(a) (A  B).B  0 ( A  B)  B
  
A . B | B | 2  0 ...(i)
     
( A  2B ) . A  0 ( A  2B)  B
 
| A | 2  2B . A  0 ...(ii)
Using (i) and (ii)
| A | 2  2 | B |2
A  2B .

   
5. (a  b)  (a  b) is equal to

(a) 0 (b) a  b
 
(c) 2(a  b) (d) | a | 2  | b | 2 .
Solution:
(c)
   
( a  b)  ( a  b )
     
 a  (a  b)  b  (a  b)
       
 a a  a b  ba  b b
   
 ab ab
 
 2( a  b ) .

  
6. The vector a  (b  a ) is :

(a) perpendicular to a

(b) perpendicular to b
(c) null vector
 
(d) perpendicular to both a and b .
Solution:
(a)
Let   
c  ba
    
Direction of c  (b  a ) is the perpendicular to vector b and a
   
 Direction of a  c is the perpendicular to a and c

  
7. A.(A  B) is
(a) = 0 (b) > 0
(c) < 0 (d) none of these.
Solution:
(a)
  
Let C  AB
  
Direction of c is perpendicualr to A and B , therefore
     
A . (A  B) | A | | A  B | cos 90º = 0

   
8. A vector A points vertically downward and B points towards norths. The vector product A  B is
(a) along west (b) along east
(c) zero (d) vertically upward.
Solution:
(b)
 
From right hand screw rule, direction of vector product A  B is along east.

9. A vector is not changed if

(a) it is slid parallel to itself
(b) it is crass multiplied by a unit vector
(c) it is rotated through an arbitrary angle
(d) it is multiplied by a scalar.
Solution:
(a)
In this case, both direction as well as magnitude remain constant.


10. A force F  3 ĵ acts on the rod at a point P(1, 0, 0) . Here centre of rod is taken as origin. Then the
torque about O is
(a) 3k̂ (b)  3k̂

k̂ k̂
(c) (d)  .
3 3
Solution:
(a)
OP  î

F  3 ĵ
 
  OP  F
 î  3 ĵ

  3k̂ .
 OBJECTIVE - I
1. One of the following is not a vector :
(a) displacement (b) work
(c) force (d) gravitational field.

2. Which one of the following is not a scalar :

(a) time (b) Length
(c) mass (d) weight.

3. Direction of zero vector

(a) does not exist (b) towards origin
(c) indeterminate (d) away the origin.


4. If a be an unit vector, then

(a) direction of a is constant

(b) magnitude of a is constant
(c) both (a) and (b)
(d) any one of direction or magnitude is constant.

5. If a is a vector and x is a non-zero scalar, then

(a) xa is a vector in the direction of a
(b) xa is a vector collinear to a
(c) xa and a have independent directions
(d) none of these.


6. A vector that is perpendicular to both the vectos a  î  2ˆj  k̂ and

b  î  ˆj  k̂ is
(a) îk̂ (b)  î  2ˆj  k̂

(c) î  2ˆj  k̂ (d) î  k̂ .

  
7. If a is perpendicular to b and c , then
     
(a) a  ( b  c )  1 (b) a  (b  c)  0
  
(c) a  ( b  c )  1 (d) None of these.

    
8. If a b  a c , a  0, then
 
(a) b  c  a (b) c  a  b

(c) a  b  c (d) None of these.

    
9. If a . b  a . c and a  b  a  c , then
  
(a) either a = 0 or b  c
 
(b) a is parallel to ( b  c )
 
(c) a is perpendicular to ( b  c )
(d) none of these.
      
10. If θ is the angle between vectors a and b , and | a  b | = | a . b |,
then θ is equal to
(a) 00 (b) 1800
0
(c) 135 (d) 450.

OBJECTIVE - II
1. If a 1 and a 2 are two non-collinear unit vectors and if
  
| a 1  a 2 | 3 , then the value of (a1  a 2 ).a 1 is
(a) 2 (b) 3/2
(c) 1/2 (d) 1.

2. The two vectors A and B are drawn from a common point and

C = A  B, then angle between A and B is

(a) 900 if C2  A2 + B2
(b) greater than 900 if C2 < A2 + B2
(c) greater than 900 if C2 > A2 + B2
(d) None of these


3. If a, b, c are three non-zero vectors such that a  b  c  0 the
 
value of a.b  b.c  c.a is
(a) Less than zero (b) equal to zero
(c) greater than zero (d) 3.

4. a 1î  a 2 ˆj is a unit vector perpendicular to 4î  3ˆj if

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

     
5. If a = 2î  3ˆj , b = 2ˆj  3k̂ , then ( a + b ).( a – b ) =
(a) 0 (b) -8
(c) 9 (d) -10.

 
6. The vector b , which is collinear with the vector a = (2, 1, –1) and
satisfies the condition a . b = 3, is
(a) (1, 1/2, – 1/2) (b) (2/3, 1/3, –1/3)
(c) (1/2, 1/4, –1/4) (d) (1, 1, 0).

7. If 3î  2ˆj  8k̂ and 2î  xˆj  k̂ and at right angles then x =
(a) 7 (b) – 7
(c) 5 (d) – 4.
8. A unit vector in xy-plane that makes an angle of 450 with the vector
î  ĵ and an angle of 600 with the vector 3î  4 ĵ is

î  ˆj
(a) î (b)
2

î  ĵ
(c) (d) None of these.
2

9. Let α , β , γ be distinct real numbers. The points with position

vectors  î  ˆj  k̂ ,  î  ĵ  k̂ ,  î   ĵ  k̂
(a) are collinear (b) form an equilateral triangle
(c) form an isosceles triangle (d) form a right angled triangle.
    
10. If (A  B) is perpendicular to B and (A  2B) is perpendicular to
A, then
(a) A = 2 B (b) A = 2B
(c) 2A = B (d) A = B.

LEVEL - I (C.B.S.E.)
(REVIEW YOUR CONCEPTS)

1. Pick out the two scalar quantities in the following list:

Force, angular momentum, work, current, linear momentum, elec-
tric fields, average velocity, magnetic moment, reaction as per
Newton’s third law, relative velocity.

2. Pick out the only vector quantity in the following list:

Temperature, pressure, impulse, time, power, total path length, en-
ergy, gravitational potential, coefficient of friction, charge.

3. State with reasons, whether the following algebraic operations with

scalar and vector physical quantities are meaningful :
(a) adding any two scalars,
(b) adding a scalar to a vector of the same dimensions
(c) multiplying any vector by any scalar,
(d) multiplying any two scalars,
(e) adding any two vectors,
(f) adding a component of a vector to the same vector.

4. Read each statement below carefully and state with reasons, if it is

true or false:
(a) The magnitude of a vector is always a scalar,
(b) each component of a vector is always a scalar,
(c) the total path length is always equal to the magnitude of the
displacement vector of a particle.
(d) the average speed of a particle (defined as total path length
divided by the time taken to cover the path) is either greater or
equal to the magnitude of average velocity of the particle over
the same interval of time.
(e) Three vectors not lying in a plane can never add up to give a
null vector.
5. î and ĵ are unit vectors along x – and y- axis respectively. What is
the magnitude and direction of the vectors î  ĵ , and î  ĵ ? What

are the components of a vector A  2î  3ˆj along the directions of

î  ĵ and î  ĵ ?

LEVEL - II
(BRUSH UP YOUR CONCEPTS)


1. Find the value of p for which the vectors a  3î  2 ĵ  9k̂ and

b  î  pĵ  3k̂ are (i) perpendicular (ii) parallel.

   
2. Verify that b  a  (a  b) where:
 
(i) a  î  ĵ and b  3î  ĵ  k̂
 
(ii) a  î  ĵ  3k̂ and b  5î  ĵ  k̂

3. Prove that the three vectors 6î  2ˆj  4 k̂ , î  5ˆj  4 k̂ and

2î  2 ĵ  2k̂ are at right angles to one another..

4. Two forces of magnitude of 10 N and 20 N are acting at 120º.

What is the angle between their resultant and the smaller force.

5. A 50 kg block is placed on an inclined plane with an angle of 30º.

Then find the components of the weight (i) perpendicular (ii) paral-
lel to the inclined plane.

6. Find the magnitude of resultant of following three forces acting on

a particle.

F1  20 N in eastward direction

F2  20 N due north east and

F3  20 N in southward direction

7. Find the lengths of the following vectors 3î  2ˆj  k̂ and 5î  4 ĵ  2k̂ :

8. Find the unit vector perpendicular to the pair of vectors

î  ˆj  k̂ , î  2ˆj  k̂
  
9. Given that a  î  ˆj  k̂ ;  b  î  ˆj  k̂; c  î  ˆj  k̂ , evaluate A
60º
C
60º
  
(i) (a.b)  ( b.c)  ( c.a )
   
(ii) (a.c) c  ( c.b)a .
60º
B
10. Determine the tension on the ropes AB and BC if M weighs 40 3 .
M
 LEVEL - III
(CHECK YOUR SKILLS)

         
1. If a  b  | a  b | , then show that , (a  b) . (a  b) | a | 2  | b | 2 .

2. Find the moment about the point î  2 ĵ  k̂ of a force represented

by î  2 ĵ  k̂ acting at the point 2î  3 ĵ  k̂ .

3. There are two displacement vectors, one of magnitude 4m and

other of 3m. How should the two vector be added so that the re-
sultant vector be : (a) 7 m (b) 5m (c) 1m.

   
4. Given that A  B  C  0 . Out of three vectors two are equal in
magnitude and the magnitude of third vector is 2 times that of
either of the two having equal magnitude. Find the angle between
vectors.

5. Five equal forces of 10N are applied at one point and all are lying in
one plane. If the angles between them are equal, then find the
resultant of these forces.

6. The position vector of two points A and B are 2î  3 ĵ  4k̂ and

3î  4 ĵ  k̂ , then find a unit vector in direction of AB, and also find
the direction cosines of AB, make with the three axes.

7. If the sum of two unit vector is a unit vector, then find the magni-
tude of their difference

8. Find the area of a parallelogram formed from the vectors

 
A  î  2ˆj  3k̂ and B  3î  2ˆj  k̂ as adjacenet sides.

      
9. Given that a.b  a.c, a  b  a  c and a is a non-zero vector. Show

that b  c .

10. Find the component of vector r in the direction


(i) Along another vector a ,
 
(ii) Perpendiculr to a in the plane of a and r .
 OBJECTIVE – I
1. (b)
2. (d)
3. (c)
4. (c)
5. (b)
6. (a)
7. (b)
8. (a)
9. (a)
10. (d)

OBJECTIVE – II
1. (c)
2. (b)
3. (a)
4. (a)
5. (a)
6. (a)
7. (b)
8. (d)
9. (b)
10. (a)

C.B.S.E. LEVEL
1. Work, current
2. Impulse
3. Only (c) and (d) are permissible
4. (a) T (b) F
(c) F (d) T
(e) T.
5. 2 , 45º with the x -axis ;  
2 , – 45º with the x-axis, 5 / 2 ,  1 / 2 .

LEVEL II
1. (i)  15, (ii )2 / 3

4. 90º

5. (i) 250 3 N
(ii) 250 N

6. 20 3 N
7. 14 , 45 .

1 2 ˆ 3 ˆ
8.  î  j k
14 14 14

9. (i) 1
(ii) 2 ( î  ˆj)

10. 40N

LEVEL III
2.  3î  ĵ  k̂

3. (a) Parallel
(b) at 90o
(c) anti parallel

4. 90°, 135°, 135°


5. Fnet  0

î ĵ 5k
6. Unit vector   
27 27 27
1 1 5
Direction cosines are, , ,
27 27 27

7. 3

8. 4 6
 
( r .a )a
10. (i) 
| a |2
  
a  ( r  a)
(ii)  .
| a |2