Vectors and Phasors

1. Calculate the resultant and direction of the force vectors shown in Figure 1, correct to 2
decimal places.

Figure 1

The vector diagram is shown in the diagram.

Resultant, R = 52 + 7 2 = 8.602

7
and angle,
= θ tan −1 = 54.46°
5

Hence, the resultant force is 8.602 N at an angle of – 54.46° to the 5 N force.

2. Four coplanar forces act at a point as shown in Figure 2. Determine the value and direction of

the resultant force by (a) drawing (b) by calculation, using components.

Figure 2
(a) From the diagram below, by drawing, resultant, R = 8.7 N and θ = 230°.

(b) By calculation:

Total horizontal component,

H = 4 cos 90° + 5 cos 180° + 8 cos 225° + 7 cos 315° = - 5.7071
Total vertical component,
V = 4 sin 90° + 5 sin 180° + 8 sin 225° + 7 sin 315° = - 6.6066

( −5.7071) + ( −6.6066 )
2 2
Hence, resultant, R = = 8.73 N

V  −6.6066 
and θ = tan −1 = tan −1   = 229.18°
H  −5.7071 

3. The voltage drop across two components when connected in series across an a.c. supply are
𝜋𝜋
𝑣𝑣1 = 200 sin(314.2𝑡𝑡) and 𝑣𝑣2 = 120 sin(314.2𝑡𝑡 − 5 ) volts respectively.
Determine: The voltage of the supply given by 𝑣𝑣1 + 𝑣𝑣2 in the form 𝐴𝐴 sin(𝜔𝜔𝜔𝜔 ± 𝛼𝛼) and Frequency
of the supply.

Several ways to solve this

To solve using equation we can either solve using components methods or sine/cosine rules as
demonstrated below
At t = 0; the horizontal and vertical components of phasors are:
𝑣𝑣1𝑥𝑥 = 200 cos�314.2(0)� = 200
𝑣𝑣1𝑦𝑦 = 200 sin(314.2(0)) = 0
𝜋𝜋
And 𝑣𝑣2𝑥𝑥 = 120 cos �314.2(0) − 5 � = 97.08
𝜋𝜋
𝑣𝑣2𝑦𝑦 = 120 sin �314.2(0) − 5 � = −70.53
Total Horizontal component,
𝐻𝐻 = 𝑣𝑣1𝑥𝑥 + 𝑣𝑣2𝑥𝑥 = 200 + 97.08 = 297.08 𝑣𝑣
Total vertical component =
 𝑉𝑉 = 𝑣𝑣1𝑦𝑦 + 𝑣𝑣2𝑦𝑦 = 0 + (−70.53) = −70.53 𝑣𝑣
At time t = 0, the phasors v1 and v 2 are shown in the phasor diagram below.

Resultant R, 𝑣𝑣1 + 𝑣𝑣2 = �297.082 + (−70.53)2 = 305.34 volts

𝑣𝑣1 = 200𝑉𝑉 𝑣𝑣1𝑥𝑥 𝑣𝑣2𝑥𝑥

𝜋𝜋
𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 36° =∅
5 𝑣𝑣2
𝑣𝑣2𝑦𝑦
𝑹𝑹
𝑣𝑣2 = 120𝑉𝑉

−70.53
Direction of v1 + v 2 = 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡−1 297.08 = −13.36°𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 − 0.233 𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟.

Hence, 𝒗𝒗𝟏𝟏 + 𝒗𝒗𝟐𝟐 = 𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑. 𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑 𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔(𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑. 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐 − 𝟎𝟎. 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐) 𝒗𝒗𝒗𝒗𝒗𝒗𝒗𝒗𝒗𝒗

Period Time = 360/314.2 = 1.146o =0.01997 rad

𝜔𝜔 314.2
Frequency = 2𝜋𝜋 = 2𝜋𝜋
= 50 𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻 (note frequency = 1/Periodic Time in rad)
Amplitude = 305.34
0.233
Lagging angle from 200sin(314.2t) =314.2 =0.0007
If we use graphical method then following will suffice (take at least 3 points to draw this for v1
𝜋𝜋 𝜋𝜋
(i.e. at t= 0 (for 0 amplitude), at t = 2∗314.2 (for max amplitude) and then t=314.2) (for going back
𝜋𝜋 𝜋𝜋
to 0 amplitude) and then take at least 3 points for v2 (i.e. at t= 5 , (for 0 amplitude) at t = 2∗314.2 +
𝜋𝜋 𝜋𝜋 𝜋𝜋
5∗314.2
(for max amplitude) and then t=314.2 + 5∗314.2 (for going back to 0 amplitude) The curve
of v should be obtained by adding the ordinates of these two functions at these 6 points.
𝜋𝜋
Lagging angle: 𝑣𝑣1 = 200 sin(314.2𝑡𝑡) lags 𝑣𝑣2 = 120 sin �314.2𝑡𝑡 − 5 �
𝜋𝜋
𝜋𝜋
by 5
= 5∗314.2 = 0.002 𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 = 0.115°
314.2

The graph is shown on next page

4. The instantaneous values of two alternating voltages are given by:
 π  π
=v1 150sin  ωt +  volts and =
v 2 90sin  ωt −  volts
 3  6
π
Plot the two voltages on the same axes to scales of 1 cm = 50 volts and 1 cm = rad. Obtain a
6
sinusoidal expression for the resultant v1 + v 2 in the form R sin(ωt + α): (a) by adding ordinates
at intervals and (b) by calculation.

(a) From below, by adding ordinates at intervals, the waveform of v1 + v 2 is seen

π
to have a maximum value of 175 V and is leading by 30° or rad i.e. 0.52 rad.
6
Hence, + v 2 175sin ( ωt + 0.52 ) volts
v1=

Graph is shown on next page

(b) By calculation:

At time t = 0, the phasors v1 and v 2 are shown in the phasor diagram below.

Total horizontal component, H = 150 cos 60° + 90 cos(- 30°) = 152.942

Total vertical component, V = 150 sin 60° + 90 sin(- 30°) = 84.904

Resultant, v1 + v 2 = 152.9422 + 84.9042 = 174.93 volts

84.904
Direction of v1 + v 2 = tan −1 = 29.04° or 0.507 rad.
152.942
v1 + v 2 174.93sin ( ωt + 0.507 ) volts
Hence, =

5. Two cars, P and Q, are travelling towards the junction of two roads which are at right angles to
one another. Car P has a velocity of 45 km/h due east and car Q a velocity of 55 km/h due south.
Calculate
(a) the velocity of car relative to car Q
(b) the velocity of car P Q relative to car P.
 Ref: Solution Problem 13 (page 317) in Bird’s Higher Engineering Mathematics. 8th ed.,
Routledge, 2017 (Access through reading list on course resources).

6. Given a = - 3i + 3j + 5k, b = 2i - 5j + 7k and c = 3i + 6j - 4k, determine the following:

(i) - 4b (ii) a + b - c (iii) 5b - 3c

(i) - 4b = - 4(2i - 5j + 7k) = - 8i + 20j - 28k

(ii) a + b - c = (- 3i + 3j + 5k) + (2i - 5j + 7k) – (3i + 6j - 4k) = - 4i - 8j + 16k

(iii) 5b - 3c = 5(2i - 5j + 7k) – 3(3i + 6j - 4k)

= 10i - 25j + 35k - 9i - 18j + 12k = i - 43j + 47k

7. If a = 2i + 4j – 5k and b = 3i – 2j + 6k determine:

(i) 𝐚𝐚 ∙ 𝐛𝐛 (ii) a + b (iii) a × b (iv) the angle between a and b

 (i) 𝐚𝐚 ∙ 𝐛𝐛 = (2)(3) + (4)(- 2) + (- 5)(6) = 6 – 8 – 30 = - 32

(ii) a + b = 5i + 2 j + k = 52 + 22 + 12 = 30 or 5.477

i j k
(iii) a × b = 2 4 −5 = i (24 – 10) – j (12 + 15) + k (- 4 –12) = 14i – 27j – 16k
3 −2 6

a b −32 −32
(iv) =
cos θ = = = - 0.68147
a b 2 2
2 + 4 + (−5) 2
3 + (−2) + 62
2 2
45 49

Hence, θ = cos −1 (- 0.68147) = 132.96

8. Determine the work done by a force of F newtons acting at a point A on a body, when A is

displaced to point B, the co-ordinates of A and B being (2, 5, - 3) and (1, - 3, 0) metres

respectively, and when F = 2i – 5j + 4k newtons.

Work done = 𝐅𝐅 ∙ 𝐝𝐝, where d = (i – 3j) – (2i + 5j – 3k) = - i – 8j + 3k

Hence, work done = (2)(- 1) + (- 5)(- 8) + (4)(3) = - 2 + 40 + 12 = 50 Nm or 50J

9. A force F = 3i – 4j + k newtons act on a line passing through a point P. Determine moment M

and its magnitude of the force F about a point Q when P has co-ordinates (4, - 1, 5) metres and Q

has co-ordinates (4, 0, - 3) metres.

Moment, M = r × F where r = (4i – j + 5k) – (4i – 3k) = - j + 8k

Hence, moment M = (- j + 8k) × (3i – 4j + k)

i j k
= 0 −1 8 = i(- 1 + 32) – j(- 24) + k(3) = 31i + 24j + 3k Nm
3 −4 1

Magnitude of M, M= r × F = �(𝐫𝐫 ∙ 𝐫𝐫)(𝐅𝐅 ∙ 𝐅𝐅) − (𝐫𝐫 ∙ 𝐅𝐅)2

where 𝐫𝐫 ∙ 𝐫𝐫 = (0)(0) + (- 1)(- 1) + (8)(8) = 65

 𝐅𝐅 ∙ 𝐅𝐅 = (3)(3) + (- 4)(- 4) + (1)(1) = 26

𝐫𝐫 ∙ 𝐅𝐅 = (0)(3) + (- 1)(- 4) + (8)(1) = 12

( 65)( 26 ) − (12 )
2
Hence, M = 1546 = 39.32 Nm
=

10. A force 𝑭𝑭 = 7𝑖𝑖 + 3𝑗𝑗 − 𝑘𝑘 acts on a body and displaces it. The displacement vector of the body
is 𝒓𝒓 = 2𝑖𝑖 + 6𝑗𝑗 + 5𝑘𝑘

Find the work done by force 𝐹𝐹 on 𝑟𝑟

Find the angle between 𝐹𝐹 and 𝑟𝑟

To find the work done, we need to find the scalar product

F ⋅ r for the given vectors

F ⋅ r = (7𝐢𝐢 + 3𝐣𝐣 − 𝐤𝐤 ) ⋅ ( 2𝐢𝐢 + 6𝐣𝐣 + 5𝐤𝐤 )

= (7× 2) + ( 3× 6) + (−1×5) = 27 J (J = Joule)
Let the angle between F and r be θ . To find θ , we use the equation
𝐅𝐅 ∙ 𝐫𝐫
cos 𝜃𝜃 =
|𝐅𝐅||𝐫𝐫|

|𝐅𝐅| = |7𝐢𝐢 + 3𝐣𝐣 − 𝐤𝐤| = �72 + 32 + (−1)2 = √59

|𝐫𝐫| = |2𝐢𝐢 + 6𝐣𝐣 + 5𝐤𝐤| = �22 + 62 + 52 = √65

𝐅𝐅 ∙ 𝐫𝐫 27
cos 𝜃𝜃 = =
|𝐅𝐅||𝐫𝐫| √59√65
27
𝜃𝜃 = cos −1 � �
√59√65

𝜃𝜃 = cos −1 (0.436))
𝜃𝜃 = 64.15°