3

Chapter
Vectors

REVIEW OF BASIC CONCEPTS If the two vectors are represented in magnitude and
direction by the two adjacent sides of a parallelogram
3.1 EQUAL VECTORS drawn from a point, then their resultant is represented
in magnitude and direction by the diagonal of the
Two vectors A and B of the same physical quantity are
parallelogram passing through that point.
equal, if and only if they have the same magnitude and
the same direction. We can test the equality by shifting B
parallel to itself until its tail coincides with the tail of A.
If the tips of the two vectors also coincide, the vectors are
equal. (Remember, the vector shifted parallel to itself is
equal to the original vector since the magnitude and the
direction of the vector do not change when it is shifted
parallel to itself).
Fig. 3.1
3.2 UNIT VECTOR
Figure 3.1 show two vectors A and B of magnitudes
A vector having a unit modulus is called unit vector. If A
A and B inclined at an angle . The magnitude R of the
is a vector, then unit vector A along the direction of A resultant vector R is given by

A A R= A2 B2 2 AB cos
A =
|A| A The angle which the resultant vector R subtends with
vector A is given by
Conventionally, unit vectors along x, y and z directions
B sin
are denoted by i , j and k respectively. tan =
A B cos
3.3 NULL VECTOR B sin
or sin =
If two vectors A and B are equal, their difference (A – B) R
zero or null vector and is represented In vector notation the resultant vector is written as R =
by the symbol 0. It has zero magnitude A + B.
direction. A vector which is not null is called a proper
vector. Thus, if Special Cases
A= B (i) When the two vectors are in the same direction, i.e.
then A – B= 0
= 0°, then R = A2 B 2 2 AB cos 0 = A + B.
3.4 ADDITION OF VECTORS Therefore, the magnitude of the resultant is equal to
the sum of the magnitudes of the two vectors. Also
vectors is known as the parallelogram law of vector tan = 0 or = 0, i.e. the direction of the resultant
addition and may be stated as follows. is the same as that of either vector.
3.2 Comprehensive Physics—JEE Advanced

(ii) When the two vectors are in opposite directions, If the two vectors are represented in magnitude and
i.e., = 180°, then R = A B 2 2
2 AB cos180 direction by the two sides of a triangle taken in the same
= A – B. Also = 0 order, then their resultant is represented in magnitude
and direction by the third side of the triangle taken in the
(iii) When the two vectors are at right angles to each opposite order.
other, i.e. = 90°, then
R A2 B 2 2 AB cos 90 = A2 B 2 . Also 3.6 SUBTRACTION OF VECTORS
B Suppose we wish to subtract a vector B from a vector A.
tan = .
A Since
Note: Rmax = A + B and Rmin = A – B A – B = A + (– B)
the subtraction of vector B from vector A is equivalent
3.1 to the addition of vector – B to vector A. Hence the
The following pairs of forces act on a particle at an A – B) is as follows:
angle which can have any value
(a) 2 N and 3 N (b) 3 N and 3 N
(c) 2 N and 6 N and (d) 3 N and 8 N
The resultant of which pair cannot have a magnitude
of 4 N?

SOLUTION
For pair (a) : Rmin = A – B = 3 – 2 = 1 N and Fig. 3.2
Rmax = A + B = 3 + 2 = 5 N Choose a convenient scale and draw the vectors A and
For pair (b) : Rmin = 0, Rmax = 6 N B as shown in Fig. 3.2 (a). If B is to be subtracted from A,
For pair (c) : Rmin = 4 N, Rmax = 8 N draw the vector negative of B, i.e. draw the vector – B [see
For pair (d) : Rmin = 5 N, Rmax = 11 N Fig. 3.2 (b)]. Now shift the vector – B parallel to itself so
that the tail of– B is at the head of A. Vector C is the sum
Hence the correct answer is (d). of vectors A and – B, i.e. [see Fig. 3.2 (c)]
3.2 C = A + (– B) = A – B
The magnitude of the resultant of two vectors of the
same magnitude is equal to the magnitude of either RESOLUTION OF A VECTOR INTO
3.7 RECTANGULAR COMPONENTS
vector. Find the angle between the two vectors.
Consider a vector A in the x–y plane making an angle
SOLUTION
with the x-axis. The x and y components of A are Ax and
Given A = B and R = A or B. Ay. The magnitudes of Ax and Ay are (Fig. 3.3)
R= A2 B2 2 AB cos
A= A2 A2 2 A2 cos

= 2 A2 1 cos
1
A2 = 2A2(1 + cos ) cos =
2
= 120°

Fig. 3.3
3.5 TRIANGLE LAW OF VECTOR ADDITION
Ax = A cos , along x-direction
The parallelogram law of vector addition yields the triangle
and Ay = A sin , along y-direction
law of vector addition. In Fig. 3.1, vector QP = vector OS
= B. In triangle OQP, vector OP = R. Hence, the triangle
Thus Ax = Ax i = (A cos ) i
law of vector addition may be stated as follows:
 Vectors 3.3

NOTE
and Ay = Ay j = (A sin ) j
The magnitude of a component along + x direction or +
From parallelogram law y direction is taken to be positive while the magnitude of
a component along – x direction or – y direction is taken
A = Ax + Ay = (A cos ) i + (A sin ) j to be negative.
The magnitude of A in terms of the magnitudes of its
rectangular components is ADDITION OF VECTORS USING
3.8 COMPONENTS
A= Ax2 Ay2
Two or more vectors are added by using components as
Ay
Also tan = follows:
Ax (a) Resolve each vector into its rectangular compo-
3.3 nents.
(b) Add the magnitudes of all the x-components taking
Resolve A into x and y components. The magnitude into account their signs.
of A is 4 units.
Rx = sum of x-components of all the vectors
(c) Similarly Ry = sum of y-components of all the
vectors
(d) Magnitude of resultant is
R= Rx2 Ry2
(e) The angle which the resultant subtends with the
x-axis is given by
Ry
Fig. 3.4 tan =
Rx

SOLUTION 3.4
Find the resultant of two vectors A = 4 units and B =
3 units shown in Fig. 3.6 by using
(a) parallelogram law and
(b) components method.

Fig. 3.5

In Fig. 3.5(a):
1
Ax = – A cos 60° = – 4 = – 2 units
2 Fig. 3.6
3
Ay = + A sin 60° = + 4 = + 2 3 units SOLUTION
2
In Fig. 3.5(b): (a) Angle between the two vectors is (Fig. 3.7)
3 = 90°
Ax = + A cos 30° = + 4 = 2 3 units
2 R= A2 B2 2 AB cos
1 2 2
Ay = – A sin 30° = – 4 = – 2 units = 4 3 2 4 3 cos 90
2
= 5 units
3.4 Comprehensive Physics—JEE Advanced

3
= 2 3 along + y direction
2
2 2
3 3 3
R2 = Rx2 Ry2 2 3 2
(180° – )
2 2
= 25
R = 5 units
60° 30° The angle subtended by the resultant with the
x-axis is given by
Fig. 3.7
3 3
2
R B Ry 2 4.6
= tan = 2.347
sin 180 sin Rx 3 1.96
2 3
B sin 3 sin 90 3 2
sin =
R 5 5 giving 67° above the x-axis. Therefore, the an-
gle which the resultant subtends with A is 67° – 30°
3
= sin 1 37° = 37°.
5
(b) The x and y components of A and B are [see Fig. NOTE
3.8] The components method is more useful if more than two
vectors have to be added.

3.9 SCALAR OR DOT PRODUCT

The scalar (or dot) product of two vectors A and B is
A and B and
the cosine of the angle between them, i.e.
A B = AB cos
The scalar product is represented by putting a dot
between the two vectors. The scalar product of two vectors
Fig. 3.8
is a scalar quantity.
3 Properties of the Scalar Product
Ax = A cos 30° = 4
2 (i) The scalar product is commutative, i.e. A B = B A
= 2 3 units along + x direction (ii) A A = A2 or A = A A . This is true because in
this case = 0°.
1
Ay = A sin 30° = 4 (iii) If two vectors A and B are perpendicular to each
2 other, then = 90° and A B = AB cos 90° = 0.
= 2 units along + y direction Note that A B can be zero when neither A nor B
1 is zero.
and Bx = B cos 60° = – 3
2 (iv) For unit vectors i , j and k along the three rect-
= – 3/2 units along – x direction angular axes x, y and z, we have
and By = B sin 60°
i i = j j = k k =1
3
= 3 units along + y direction
2 and i j = j k = k i =0
Rx = Ax + Bx
(v) A B = (Ax i + Ay j + Az k ) (Bx i + By j
= 2 3 3/ 2 along + x direction
+ Bz k )
Ry = Ay + By = Ax Bx + Ay By + Az Bz
 Vectors 3.5

Some Examples of Scalar Product

i j = – j i = k,
(i) Work done is W = F s where F is the force vector
and s is the displacement vector. j k = – k j = i
(ii) Power consumed is P = F v where F is the force
vector and v is the velocity vector. k i = – i k = j,
(iii) Electric current is I = J A where J is the current
density vector and A is the area vector. i i = j j = k k =0
= B A where B is the magnetic
induction vector and A is the area vector.
i j k
3.10 VECTOR OR CROSS PRODUCT (vii) (A B) = Ax Ay Az
Bx By Bz
If the smaller angle between two vectors A and B is ,
then the vector or cross product of vectors A and B is
= i (AyBz – AzBy) + j (AzBx – AxBz)

A B = (AB sin ) n + k (AxBy – AyBx)

where A and B are the magnitudes of vectors A and B and
Some Examples of Vector Product
n is a unit vector perpendicular to the plane containing A
and B. The vector product of two vectors A and B is equal (i) Torque = r F, where r is the position vector and
to a vector C, i.e. F is the force vector.
A B =C (ii) Linear velocity = r where is the angular fre-
The magnitude of vector C is given by quency vector and r is the position vector.
C = AB sin (iii) Angular momentum = r p where r is the position
vector and p is the linear momentum vector.
The direction of C is perpendicular to the plane formed
by A and B and is given by the right hand screw rule. 3.5
Properties of a Vector Product Find the angle between vectors A = i + j and
(i) Vector product is anticommutative, i.e. B= i – j.
(A B) = – (B A)
(ii) A A = 0, i.e. the vector product of a vector SOLUTION
by itself is zero. This is because, in this case,
A B = AB cos
= 0, and hence sin = 0.
Therefore A A = AA sin = 0 Magnitude of A is A = 12 12 = 2
Hence, the condition for two vectors to be parallel
( = 0°) or antiparallel ( = 180°) is that their vector Magnitude of B is B = 12 12 = 2
product should be zero.
If A B = 0, it means either (i) A is zero or, (ii) B = 0 (i j) ( i j) = 2 2 cos
or (iii) the angle between them is 0° or 180°.
(iii) The distributive law holds for both scalar and vec- i i j j = 2 cos ( i j j i 0)
tor products, i.e.
1 – 1 = 2 cos gives cos = 0 or = 90°
A (B + C) = A B + A C
A (B + C) = A B + A C
3.6
(iv) ( A) B = A ( B) = (A B); a real number. Two vectors A and B are inclined at an angle . Using
(v) |A B|2 = |A|2 |B|2 – (A B)2.
of the resultant of vectors A and B is given by
(vi) i , j and k are the three mutually perpendicular
unit vectors at the origin O and along OX, OY and R= A2 B2 2 AB cos
OZ respectively; the right-hand rule gives:
3.6 Comprehensive Physics—JEE Advanced

SOLUTION SOLUTION
R = A + B. Therefore,
(A B) = (2 i 3 j) (5 i 4 j)
R R = (A + B) (A + B)
=A A+A B+B A+B B = 10 i i 8i j 15 j i 12 j j
2 2 2
R =A + 2 A B+B
( i i j j 0 and j i k)
2 2
= A + B + 2 AB cos
= 0 8 k 15 k 0
R= A2 B2 2 AB cos
= 23 k
3.7
Thus the magnitude of (A B) is 23 units and its
Given A = 2 i 3 j and B = 5 i 4 j . Find the mag- direction is along + z axis.
nitude and direction of (A B).

Multiple Choice Questions with Only One Choice Correct

1. The unit vector parallel to the resultant of vectors 5. The magnitude of the resultant of two equal vectors
is equal to the magnitude of either vector. The angle
A= i 2j 3 k and B = 2 i j k is
between the two vectors is
1 1 (a) 60° (b) 90°
(a) (3 i j 2k) (b) (2 i j 2k)
14 3 (c) 120° (d) 150°
1 1 6. Given P = A + B and Q = A – B. If the magnitudes
(c) (3 i 2j 2 k ) (d) (3 i j 2k) of P and Q are equal, the angle between vectors
17 14
A and B is
2. The value of n so that vectors A = 4 i nj k and (a) zero (b) 45°
(c) 90° (d) 180°
B = 2i 3j 2 k are perpendicular to each other
is 7. A vector C when added to vectors A = 3 i 5j k
(a) – 1 (b) – 2 and B = 2 i 3 j 4 k gives a unit vector along the
(c) – 3 (d) – 4 y-axis as their resultant. Then C is
3. The angle between vectors A = i 5 j and
B = 2 i 10 j is (a) 5i 3j 3k (b) 5 i 3j 3k
(a) 0° (b) 90°
(c) 5i 2j 3k (d) 5 i 2j 3k
(c) 120° (d) 150°
4. The angle between vectors A and B is 60°. The ratio 8. If the sum A + B of two vectors A and B equals the
A B difference A – B between them, then
is (a) A is a null vector
|A B|
(b) B is a null vector
1
(a) (b) 2 (c) both A and B are null vectors
2 (d) neither A nor B is a null vector
1 9. Given A B 0 and A C = 0. What is the angle
(c) (d) 3
3 between B and C?
 Vectors 3.7

(a) 45° (b) 90°

(c) 3 (d) 2
(c) 135° (d) 180°
10. The resultant of two vectors A and B subtends an 19. In Q.18, the angle subtended by vector i + j with
angle of 45° with either of them. The magnitude of the x-axis is
the resultant is (a) 30° (b) 45°
(a) zero (b) 2 A (c) 60° (d) 75°
(c) A (d) 2 A 20. If i , j and k are unit vectors along x, y and
11. A and B are two vectors in a plane at an angle of 60° z-axes respectively, the angle between the vector
with each other. C is another vector perpendicular
to the plane containing vectors A and B. Which of i + j + k and vector i is given by
the following relations is possible? 1 1
(a) = cos–1 (b) = sin –1
(a) A + B = C (b) A + C = B 3 3
(c) A B = C (d) A C = B 3 3
12. Vector C is the sum of two vectors A and B and (c) = cos –1 (d) = sin–1
2 2
vector D is the cross product of vectors A and B.
What is the angle between vectors C and D? 21. Given that 0.2 i + 0.6 j + a k is a unit vector.
(a) zero (b) 60° What is the value of a?
(c) 90° (d) 180° (a) 0.3 (b) 0.4
13. The resultant of two vectors of magnitudes 3 units (c) 0.6 (d) 0.8
and 4 units is 1 unit. What is the value of their dot
product? 22. Given A = i + j and B = i + k . What is the value
(a) – 12 units (b) – 7 units of the scalar product of A and B?
(c) – 1 unit (d) zero (a) 1 (b) 2
14. The resultant of two vectors of magnitudes 3 units (c) 3 (d) 2
and 4 units is 1 unit. What is the magnitude of their 23. The cross product of vectors A and B in Q. 22 is
cross product?
(a) i + j + k (b) i – j + k
(a) 12 units (b) 7 units
(c) 1 unit (d) zero (c) i + j – k (d) i – j – k
15. Three vectors A, B and C are related as A + C = B. 24. Given A = 2 i + 3 j and B = i + j . The component
If vector C is perpendicular to vector A and the of vector A along vector B is
magnitude of C is equal to the magnitude of A, 1 3
what will be the angle between vectors A and B? (a) i j (b) i j
2 2
(a) 45° (b) 90°
5 7
(c) 135° (d) 180° (c) i j (d) i j
2 2
16. The magnitude of the resultant of (A + B) and
(A – B) is 25. In Q.24, above, what is the component of vector A
perpendicular to vector B and in the same plane as B?
(a) 2A (b) 2B
1 3
(a) j i (b) j i
(c) A2 B2 (d) A2 B2 2 2
17. In Q.16, what is the angle between the resultant 5 7
vector and vector A? (c) j i (d) j i
2 2
A
(a) zero (b) cos–1 26. The magnitudes of vectors A, B and C are respec-
B
tively 12, 5 and 13 units and A + B = C. The angle
B A B between A and B is
(c) cos–1 (d) cos–1
A A B (a) zero (b)
18. If i and j are unit vectors along x-axis and y-axis (c) (d)
2 4
respectively, the magnitude of vector i + j will be 27. The sum of two forces acting at a point is 16 N. If
(a) 1 (b) 2 the resultant force is 8 N and its direction is perpen-
3.8 Comprehensive Physics—JEE Advanced

dicular to the smaller force, then the forces are

(a) 6 N and 10 N (b) 8 N and 8 N F = (4 i + j + 6 k )
(c) 4 N and 12 N (d) 2 N and 14 N newton. The work done by the force is
28. Vector A of magnitude 4 units is directed along the (a) 60 J (b) 59 J
positive x-axis. Another vector B of magnitude 3 (c) 58 J (d) 57 J
units lies in the x-y plane and is directed along 30º 33. A vector A is along the positive z-axis and its vector
with the positive x-axis is as shown in Fig. 3.9. product with another vector B is zero, then vector B
The A B is could be
(a) 6 units (b) 6 2 units (a) i + j (b) 4 i
(c) 6 3 units (d) 12 units
y
(c) j + k (d) 7k
34. A body, initially at rest, is acted upon by four forces
B
^
F1 = i + k , F2 = 2 j + 3 k , F3 = 3 i and F4 = 3 j 4 i .
j
In which plane will the body move?
30° (a) x – y plane (b) x – z plane
x
O x^ A (c) y – z plane (b) none of these
Fig. 3.9
35. A is a vector which when added to the resultant of

29. In Q. 28, the magnitude of A B is vectors (2 i 3 j + 4 k ) and ( i + 5 j + 2 k ) yields a

unit vector along the y-axis. Then vector A is
(a) 6 units (b) 6 2 units
(c) 6 3 units (d) 12 units (a) 3i j 6k (b) 3 i + j 6k

30. The angle between vectors A = i + 2 j + 3 k and (c) 3 i j + 6k (d) 3 i + j 6k

B= i 2 j + 3 k is given by 36. The angle between two vectors A and B is . Vector
R is the resultant of the two vectors. If R makes an
3 2
(a) cos = (b) cos = angle with A, then
7 7 2
1 B
(c) cos = (d) zero (a) A = 2B (b) A =
7 2
31. Two vectors C = A + B and D = A – B are perpen- (c) A = B (d) AB = 1
dicular to each other. Then
(a) A is parallel to B 37. What is the torque of a force F = (2 i 3 j + 4k)
(b) A is perpendicular to B newton acting at a point r = (3 i + 2 j + 3 k ) metre
(c) B is a null vector
about the origin?
(d) A and B have equal magnitudes.
(a) 6 i 6 j + 12 k (b) 17 i 6 j 13 k
32. A body moves from a position r1 = (2 i 3j 4k)
metre to a position r2 = (3 i 4 j + 5 k ) metre under (c) 6 i + 6 j 12 k (d) 17 i + 6 j + 13 k

ANSWERS

1. (d) 2. (b) 3. (a) 4. (c) 5. (c) 6. (c)

7. (a) 8. (b) 9. (b) 10. (b) 11. (c) 12. (c)
13. (a) 14. (d) 15. (a) 16. (a) 17. (a) 18. (b)
19. (b) 20. (a) 21. (c) 22. (a) 23. (d) 24. (c)
25. (a) 26. (c) 27. (a) 28. (c) 29. (a) 30. (a)
31. (d) 32. (d) 33. (d) 34. (c) 35. (a) 36. (c)
37. (b)
 Vectors 3.9

SOLUTIONS
1. The resultant of A and B is 10. As shown in Fig. 3.10, the angle between vectors
A and B is 90°. Also A = B. Therefore, the magni-
R = A + B = (i 2j 3 k ) + (2 i j k) tude of the resultant is given by
R2 = A2 + B2 + 2 AB cos
= (3 i j 2k) = A2 + A2 + 2A2 cos 90° = 2A2
or R = 2 A.
Magnitude of R is R = 32 12 ( 2)2 = 14
R 1
R = = (3 i j 2 k )
R 14
So the correct choice is (d).
2. A and B will be perpendicular to each other if A B
= 0, i.e.

(4 i nj k ) (2 i 3j 2k) = 0
Fig. 3.10
8 + 3n – 2 = 0 n=–2
Hence the correct choice is (b).
3. B = 2 ( i 5 j ) = 2 A. Hence the magnitude of B is 11. Since C is perpendicular to both A and B, the sum
twice that of A and the direction of B is the same of any two cannot yield the third vector. Hence
as that of A. So the correct choice is (a). choices (a) and (b) are not possible. Choice (d) is
A B AB cos also not possible because B is not perpendicular to
4. = = cot . A. Choice (c) is possible.
| A B | AB sin
12. Vector C lies in the plane containing vectors A and
= cot 60° ( = 60°)
B, and vector D is perpendicular to both A and B.
1 Hence D must be perpendicular to C. Hence the
=
3 correct choice is (c).
2 2 2
5. R = A + B + 2AB cos . It is given that R = A = B. 13. Let be the angle between the two vectors. The
Thus, we have resultant is given by
A2 = A2 + A2 + 2A2 cos R2 = A2 + B2 + 2AB cos
1 Putting the values of R, A and B we get
cos = – = 120° (1)2 = (3)2 + (4)2 + 2 3 4 cos
2
6. If is the angle between A and B, the magnitudes or cos = – 1 or = 180°
of P and Q are given by Now A · B = AB cos = 3 4 cos 180°
= – 12
P = A2 B2 2 AB cos Hence the correct choice is (a).
14. The magnitude of A B = AB sin = 3 4
and Q = A2 B2 2 AB cos sin 180° = 0. Hence the correct choice is (d).
Given P = Q. If follows that cos = 0 or = 90°. 15. Since A + C = B, vector B is the resultant of vectors
A and C. Using the triangle law of vector addition
7. j = C + A + B = C + (3 i 5 j k ) (2 i 3 j 4 k ) (see Fig. 3.11), we have = 45° ( A = C)

= C +5i 2 j 3k

C= 5i 3 j 3k
8. Given A + B = A – B which gives B = – B. This
is possible only if B is a null vector. Hence the
correct choice is (b).
9. Since A · B = 0, it follows that A is perpendicular
to B. Also A C = 0. Therefore A is parallel to C.
Fig. 3.11
Hence B is perpendicular to C. Therefore, the cor-
rect choice is (b). Thus the correct choice is (a).
3.10 Comprehensive Physics—JEE Advanced

16. The resultant R of vectors (A + B) and (A – B) is

R = (A + B) + (A – B) = 2A (A · B) = 2 i 3j i j
The magnitude of the resultant = 2A. Hence the
correct choice is (a)
=2 i i 2i j 3j i 3 j j
17. Since R = 2A, R is parallel to A. Hence the correct
choice is (a). =2+0+0+3=5

18. Let i and j represent the magnitudes of vectors i B i j

Also B =
B
and j respectively. Since i and j are unit vectors, i j

i = 1 and j = 1. Therefore, the magnitude of vector

i j 1
= i j
2 2 2 2
2
1 1 2 2
i +j = i + j 1 1 2.
Thus the correct choice is (b). 5
Thus the answer is i j which is choice (c).
19. The angle subtended by vector i + j with the 2
x-axis is given by
i 1 25. Since i j i j 0 , vector i j is per-
tan = =1
1
j
pendicular to vector i j . Let i j = C. Now
or = 45° which is choice (b).

i j k .i (A · C) = 2 i + 3 j i j
i i j i k i
20. cos = 1/ 2
2 2 2
1 1 1 1/2 1 The required component is
i j k i
C i j
(A · C) = 2i 3j i j
=1 0 0 1 C
i j
3 3

( j i k i 0 and i i 1) 1 1
= i j j i
Hence the correct choice is (a). 2 2
21. Here (0.2)2 + (0.6)2 + a2 = 1 or a2 = 1 – 0.04 – 0.36,
i – j = 1 1 = 2 and (2 i 3 j) ( i j)
= 0.6 or a = 0.6 . So the correct choice is (c).
= –1
Thus the correct choice is (a).
22. A · B = i j i k i i i k j i jk
26. Since A + B = C, vector C is the resultant of vec-
=1+0+0+0=1 tors A and B. If the angle between A and B is , the
Thus the correct choice is (a). magnitude of the resultant is given by
C 2 = A2 + B2 + 2AB cos
23. A B= i j i k
or (13)2 = (12)2 + (5)2 + 2 12 5 cos
which gives cos = 0 or = /2. Hence the correct
= i i i k j i j k
choice is (c).
27. F is the resultant of F1 and
=0 j k + i which is choice (d). F2 and F1 is the smaller force. Now
24. The component of vector A along vector B = (A · B) B F 22 = F 21 + F 2 = F 21 + (8)2 (i)
B
where B = where B is the magnitude of vector and F1 + F2 = 16 or F2 = 16 – F1 (ii)
B
B. Now
 Vectors 3.11

31. Since C and D are at right angles to each other,

C D = 0 or (A + B) (A – B) = 0
or A2 – A B + B A – B2 = 0
or A = B ( A B = B A)
32. Displacement r = r2 – r1

= (3 i 4 j + 5 k ) – (2 i 3j 4k )

= i j 9k metre
Fig. 3.12
Work done W = F r
Using (ii) in (i) we have (16 – F1)2 = F 21 + 64,
which gives F1 = 6 N. = (4 i + j + 6 k ) (i j + 9 k ) newton metre
Therefore F2 = 16 – 6 = 10 N. Hence the correct
choice is (a). = (4 – 1 + 54) = 57 newton metre or 57 J.
33. The vector product of two non-zero vectors is zero
28. Let i and j be the unit vectors along positive x and if they are in the same direction. Hence, vector B
y-axes respectively. Then must be parallel to vector A, i.e. along ± z-axis.
A = 4 i and B = 3 cos 30º i + 3 sin 30º j 34. Resultant force = F1 + F2 + F3 + F4

3 3 3 = ( i + k ) + (2 j + 3 k ) + 3 i + (3 j – 4 i )
= i+ j
2 2
= 5 j + 4k
3 3 3
A B=4i i+ j =6 3
2 2 35. Given A + (2 i – 3 j + 4 k ) + ( i + 5 j + 2 k ) = 1 j
36. The angle which the resultant R makes with A is
( i i = 1; i j = 0) given by
B sin
tan
3 3 3 A B cos
29. A B=4i i+ j = 0 + 6k
2 2
given . Hence
2
( i i = 0; i j =k )
B sin
tan =
= 6k 2 A B cos
Hence the correct choice is (a).
30. Angle between vectors A and B is given by sin 2 B sin cos
A B 2 2 2
or =
cos = A B cos
AB cos
2
A B = ( i + 2 j + 3k ) ( i – 2 j + 3k ) which gives A = B.
= (1)2 + 2 – 2 + (3)2
=1–4+9=6 i j k
A = {(1)2 + (2)2 + (3)2]1/2 37. Torque = r F= 3 2 3
2 3 4
= (1 + 4 + 9)1/2 = 14
1/ 2
B = (1)2 ( 2) 2 (3) 2 14
= i [8 – (– 9)] – j (12 – 6) + k (– 9 – 4)
6 6 3
cos = = 17 i – 6 j – 13 k
14 14 14 7
3.12 Comprehensive Physics—JEE Advanced

II

Multiple Choice Questions with One or More Choices Correct

1. Two vectors of the same physical quantity are un- (c) 1 cm, 5 cm (d) 1 cm, 7 cm
equal if 5. The dot product of two vectors A and B is zero if
(a) they have the same magnitude and the same (a) A is a null vector and B a proper vector
direction (b) A is a proper vector and B is a null vector
(b) they have different magnitudes but the same (c) A and B are both null vectors
direction (d) A and B are proper vectors perpendicular to
(c) they have the same magnitude but different each other.
directions 6. The cross product of two vectors A and B is zero if
(d) they have different magnitudes and different (a) A is a null vector and B is a proper vector
directions. (b) A is a proper vector and B is a null vector
2. Given A = – B. This means that vectors A and B (c) A and B are both null vectors
(a) have equal magnitudes (d) A and B are proper vectors parallel to each
other.
(b) have unequal magnitudes
7. If A B = C, which of the following statements is/
(c) are in opposite directions
are correct?
(d) are in the same direction. (a) C is perpendicular to A
3. Which of the following is a null vector? (b) C is perpendicular to B
(a) Velocity vector of a body moving in a circle (c) C is perpendicular to both A and B
with a uniform speed (d) C is parallel to both A and B
(b) Velocity vector of a body moving in a straight 8. Which of the following vector identities is/are
line with a uniform speed false?
(c) Position vector of the origin of a rectangular (a) A B = B A (b) A B = – B A
coordinate system (c) A B = B A (d) A B = – B A
(d) Displacement vector of a stationary object 9. A and B are two perpendicular vectors in a plane.
4. The magnitudes of four pairs of displacement C is another vector perpendicular to the plane con-
vectors are given. Which pairs of displacement vec- taining vectors A and B. Which of the following
tors cannot be added to give a resultant vector of relations is/are possible?
magnitude 4 cm? (a) A + B = C (b) A + C = B
(a) 1 cm, 1 cm (b) 1 cm, 3 cm (c) A B = C (d) A C = B

ANSWERS AND SOLUTIONS

1. The correct choices are (b), (c) and (d). or Rmax = A + B

2. Given A = – B, i.e. A + B = 0. Two vectors add
up to zero only if they have equal magnitudes and
opposite directions. Hence the correct choices are
(a) and (c).
3. The correct choices are (c) and (d)
4. The magnitude R of the resultant of two vectors A
and B depends upon the magnitudes of A and B and
the angle between them and is given by
R2 = A2 + B2 + 2AB cos
When = 0, R is maximum given by
R2max = A2 + B2 + 2AB
When = 180°, R is minimum given by
R2min = A2 + B2 – 2AB
or Rmin = A – B
Thus, the magnitude of resultant will lie between
A – B and A + B. Hence the correct choices are (a)
and (d).
5. A · B = AB cos = 0 if A = 0 or B = 0 or = 90°.
Hence all the four choices are correct.
6. A B = AB sin = 0 if A = 0 or B = 0 or = 0°.
Hence all the four choices are correct.
7. The correct choices are (a), (b) and (c).
 Vectors 3.13

8. The scalar product is commulative, i.e. A · B = B · A.
Vector product is anti–commutative, i.e. A B
= – B A. Hence choices (b) and (c) are false.
9. Since C is perpendicular to both A and B, the sum
of any two cannot yield the third vector. Hence
choices (a) and (b) are not possible. Since A is
perpendicular to B, the three vectors are mutu-
ally perpendicular. Hence choices (c) and (d) are
possible.

III

Matching
1. Match the following.
Column I Column II
(a) A · B = B · A. (p) False
(b) A B = B A (q) A and B are perpendicular to each other
(c) A · B = 0 (r) A and B are parallel to each other
(d) A B = 0 (s) True
ANSWER
1. (a) (s) (b) (p)
(c) (q) (d) (r)