EdExcel Mechanics 1

Vectors
Chapter assessment
1. The unit vectors i and j are in the directions east and north in a horizontal plane, as shown in the diagram below.
north

east

(i) Show that ki + kj, where k is a positive constant, is a vector of magnitude k 2 in the direction north-east. [2] The vector V = (5i j) + q(i + 4j) is in the direction north-east. (ii) Find the constant q and also the magnitude of V. [6]

(iii)Another vector a has magnitude 5 and is in the direction with bearing 140. Write vector a in the form ci + dj, giving the values of c and d correct to 3 significant figures. [4]

2. The position of a boat is given in terms of its bearing and its distance from an origin O. Unit vectors i and j are east and north respectively. Initially, the boat is at A which is 2000 m from O on a bearing of 090. After 500 seconds, the boat is at B which is 3000 m from O on a bearing of 150 (see diagram below). north j i
150

east

B JJJ G (i) Show that AB = -500i 2598j, correct to four significant figures. (ii) Hence calculate the distance AB and the bearing of B from A.

[3] [5]

MEI, 30/10/06

1/2

EdExcel Mechanics 1
3. (i) A particle has position vector (3i 5j) m. The particle moves with constant velocity (-5i + 2j) ms-1. Find its position vector after (a) 1 second (b) 3 seconds (c) t seconds. [6] (ii) A particle moves with constant acceleration. Initially the particle is moving with velocity (i + j) ms-1. After 2 seconds the velocity of the particle is (3i 2j) ms-1. Find the acceleration of the particle in vector form. [3]

4. Two windsurfers are on a lake. At time t = 0, the position vector of windsurfer A relative to the jetty is (50i + 20j) m, and the position vector of windsurfer B relative to the jetty is (-30i + 40j) m. Windsurfer A has a constant velocity of (-8i 10j) ms-1, and windsurfer B has a constant velocity of 8i 14j ms-1. (i) Find expressions for the position vector of each windsurfer at time t, and the distance between them after 1 second. [4] (ii) Show that the windsurfers will collide if they continue at their current velocities, and find the time at which they will collide.

[3]

(iii)After 2 seconds, windsurfer B changes course and heads straight for the jetty at a constant speed of 10 ms-1. Find the new velocity of the windsurfer, and the time at which it reaches the jetty. [4]

Total 40 marks

MEI, 30/10/06

2/2