IIT FOUNDATION MATERIAL VECTORS

called the origin and Q is called the terminus of the

vector.
VECTORS
DIFFERENT KINDS OF VECTORS

SYNOPSIS - 1 1. Parallel vectors: If two or more vectors are

Introduction
The modern scientific concepts find an easy and
clear expression in the language of vectors. ‘Vector’
is an inevitable tool for the present - day scientist and
engineer for clear understanding of the science of mea-
surements
Scalar: A physical quantity which has only magnitude
is called scalar.
Example: Mass, time, speed, work, energy, volume,
density etc., are scalars.
Vector: A physical quantity which has magnitude and
specific direction and which follows vector law of
addition is called vector.
Example: Displacement, velocity, momentum, force
etc., are vectors
parallel to the same line, they are said to be parallel
   
vectors. In fig (a), the vectors P, Q, R & S are
 
parallel vectors. Further, P and R are like vectors
 
or Q and R are unlike vectors.
2. Equal vectors : “If two or more vectors have
equal magnitude and acting in the same direction,
they are said to be equal vectors.” In the fig (b),
the two arrows have equal length and same
orientation.

GRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION
A vector is represented by an arrow. The length
of the arrow is proportional to the magnitude of the
vector and its orientation gives the direction of the
 
vector. Hence they represent two equal vectors  A & B 
even though they start at different initial points
and end at different terminus
 
3. Negative of a vector: If two vectors Aand B
For example, a velocity of 50 ms 1 from west to
are such that they have equal magnitude but
east can be represented by an arrow PQ of length 5
opposite directions, each vector is negative of the
cm drawn along the west east direction with the arrow
other
head pointing towards the east. Analytically the above    
 Thus A  B or B   A
vector may be represented by PQ or by a single letter
 
V . (In print, sometimes V is represented by the bold Note: If a vector is given, its negative can be
faced letter V). The magnitude of a vector is called obtained by just reversing the direction

modulus of the vector. The modulus of the vector PQ
4. Null vector: “A vetor of zero magnitude is called

is represented by PQ and it is always positive P is zero vector or null vector”.

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 
It is represented by O . The initial point and If a vector r  xi  yj  zk then its magnitude is
terminus of the null vector coincide. Its direction 
r  x 2  y 2  z2 .
is indeterminate
5. Unit vector: “A vector of unit magnitude is called Displacement
unit vector”. The unit vector in the direction of Displacement is a shortest distance between two
given vector is obtained by dividing the given points. It is a vector quantity.
vector with its magnitude. It is conventional to
Displacement vector
denote unit vector with a “cap” instead of “bar”

over the symbol. Thus if A is a given vector, the

unit vector in the direction of A is written as

A
ˆ 
A
A (where  is read as A cap or A hat)

Note: In the right handed cartesian coordinate

system, i , j and k are choosen as unit vectors
along, the X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis respectively
6. POSITION VECTOR
“The vector used to specify the position of a point
with respect to some fixed point (say origin ‘O’)
 
is called position vector”. It is denoted as r .
The position of the point Q with reference to the

origin is represented by the position vector r2 .
Let the coordinates of the point Q are  x2 , y2 

Similarly OP represent by a position vector r1 ,
let the coordinates of the point P are  x1 , y1 
As the displacement vector is the difference of
two poistion vectors
 
r1  x 1 iˆ  y 1 ˆj and r2  x 2 iˆ  y 2 ˆj , where iˆ , ˆj are
unit vectors along X ,Y axis respectively..
Thus, the displacement vector
  
r  r2  r1   x2  x1  iˆ   y 2  y1  ˆj

Consider a point ‘A’ with coordinates x , y , z in CRD - I (A)

the Cartesian coordinate system. Thus the position
of ‘A’ can be expressed in the vector form as
 
OA  r  xi  yj  zk . Here i , j and k are unit
vectors along the X , Y and Z axes respectively..
The distance of ‘A’ from the origin eventually
 opposite directions, then each vector is
becomes the magntidue of r .
1. Choose the false statement from the
following
1) If two vectors have same magnitude and
direction they are said to be equal vectors
2) If two vectors have equal magnitude but
negative vector of the others

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3) A vector of zero magnitude is called zero 7. Assertion: A physical quantity cannot be called
vector or null vector as a vector if its magnitude is zero.
4) None of these
Reason: A vector has both, magnitude and
2. Find the odd one out from the following direction.
1) distance 2) force
1) Assertion is true, and reason is true and the
3) speed 4) time reason is correct explanation of assertion.
3. Assertion: A vector is represented by a directed 2) Assertion is true and reason is true but the
line segment
reason is not correct explanation of the
Reason: Length of that line segment is assertion.
proportional to the magnitude of the vector and
3) Assertion is true but reason is false
direction of that denotes the direction of vector:
1) Assertion is true, and reason is true and the 4) Assertion is false but reason is true
reason is correct explanation of assertion 8. Assertion: Two vectors are said to be like vectors
2) Assertion is true and reason is true but the if they have same dir ection but different
reason is not correct explanation of the magnitude.
assertion
Reason: Vector quantities do not have specific
3) Assertion is true but reason is false direction.
4) Assertion is false but reason is true
1) Assertion is true, and reason is true and the
4. The addition of one vector to the other result reason is correct explanation of assertion.
a null vector. Then
2) Assertion is true and reason is true but the
1) First vector is the negative vector of the
reason is not correct explanation of the
second only
assertion.
2) Second vector is the negative vector of the
3) Assertion is true but reason is false
first only
3) One is negative vector of the other 4) Assertion is false but reason is true

4) Neither is negative vector of the other 9. Assertion: A vector is not changed if it slides
5. Which of the following statement is/are parallel to itself.
false? Reason: Two parallel vectors of same magnitude
1) Mass, speed are scalar quantities and same direction are said to be equal vectors.
2) Force is a vector quantity 1) Assertion is true, and reason is true and the
3) Distance is a scalar quantity reason is correct explanation of assertion.

4) A vector has only magnitude, where as a 2) Assertion is true and reason is true but the
scalar has both magnitude and direction reason is not correct explanation of the
6. The magnitude of a vector cannot be assertion.
1) unity 2) positive 3) Assertion is true but reason is false
3) negative 4) zero 4) Assertion is false but reason is true

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10. Assertion: The sum of two vectors can be zero. 5. The set containing only scalar quantities is
a) Temperature gradient, specific heat and
Reason: The vectors cancel each other; when
latent heat
they are equal and opposite
b) Electric intensity, Electric potential and
1) Assertion is true, and reason is true and the
Electric capacity
reason is correct explanation of assertion.
c) Polestrength, permeability and permittivity
2) Assertion is true and reason is true but the
d) Torque, Angular acceleration and linear
reason is not correct explanation of the
momentum
assertion.
6. The set containing only vector qauntities is
3) Assertion is true but reason is false
a) Thermal capacity, Magnetic susceptibility
4) Assertion is false but reason is true and Electric charge
b) Magnetic moment, Electric intensity and
HOME WORK SHEET-1
Torque
1. Area is
c) Magnetic flux, Electric potential and Force
a) scalar d) Magnetic induction, Electric capacity and
b) a vector Impulse
c) a vector when it is taken in field, otherwise 7. A vector is not changed if
it is a scalar a) it is rotated through an arbitary angle
d) none of the above b) it is multiplied by an arbitary scalar
2. Volume is c) it is cross multiplied by a unit vector
a) scalar b) vector d) it is slide parallel to itself
c) both d) tensor 8. Pseudo vector is
3. Choose the correct statement a) linear momentum
a) temperature is a scalar but temperature b) Angular momentum
gradient is a vector c) Force
b) velocity of a body is a vector but velocity of d) all the above
light is a scalar 9. Polar vector is
c) Electric intensity and Electric current density a) Acceleration
are vectors b) Moment of inertia
d) all the above c) Angular displacement
4. Which one of the following is a null vector ? d) Velocity of light
a) Net displacement of a particle moving once 10. The pair containing a scalar quantity and
around, a circle vector quantity having same units (or)
dimensions is
b) velocity of a body projected vertically up,
when the body is at the highest point a) Work and Torque
c) acceleration of a particle executing S.H.M. b) Impulse and angular momentum
at a mean position c) Electric power and Energy
d) all the above d) Mass and weight

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CRD - 1 (B) 7. Additional Q. If 0.2 iˆ  0.3 ˆj  zkˆ is unit vector

1 1  then z 2 
1. If i  j  ck is a unit vector; then the
2 2 1) 0.27 2) 0.4
value of ‘c’ is
3) 0.87 4) none of these
1) 1 2 2) 1
8. By the application of force a particle moves
3) 1 2 4) 1 2    
from 2 iˆ  3 ˆj  5kˆ m to iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ m . Then
its displacement is
2. Magnitude of vector 3iˆ  12 ˆj  4 kˆ
1) iˆ  5 ˆj  4 kˆ 2) iˆ  5 ˆj  4 kˆ
1) 13 2) 13
3) iˆ  5 ˆj  4 kˆ 4) none of these
3) 19 4) None
 
3. If A  4 iˆ  3 ˆj and B  6iˆ  5 ˆj . Then unit 9. If 2 iˆ  yjˆ  3kˆ  5 , then y 
 
vector parallel to B  A is
1) 6 2) 12
2iˆ  2 ˆj iˆ  ˆj 3) 15 4) none of these
1) 2)
2 2
10. If the position of a particle changes

iˆ  ˆj from  1, 2,3  m to  5, 4,2  m , then

iˆ  ˆj
3) 4) displacement vector is
2 2
  1) 4 iˆ  2 ˆj  kˆ 2) iˆ  5 ˆj  4 kˆ
4. If A  2 iˆ  ˆj and B B  ˆj  kˆ then magnitude
  3) iˆ  5 ˆj  4 kˆ 4) none of these
of 2 A  3B is
 
1) 10 2) 5 11. If A  B , then
ˆ  Bˆ
1) A  Band A ˆ  Bˆ
2) A  B and A
3) 5 2 4) 20
ˆ  Bˆ
3) A  B, A ˆ  Bˆ
4) A  B, A
5. A vector PQ has the initial point P  1,2, 1 
and terminal point Q  3, 2,2  . Write the SYNOPSIS - 2
displacement vector of PQ and its magnitude
    ADDITION OF VECTORS
1) 3 i  2 j ; 13 2) 2 i  3k ; 13
Scalars can be added or subtracted following the
    simple rules of algebra or arithmetic. But vectors do
3) 6 i  5 j ; 20 4) 3i  3k ; 26
not follow the same simple rules, because while adding
or subtracting vectors, their direction also has to be
6. Length of 2 iˆ  3 ˆj  4 kˆ in the XY plane is
considered.
1) 13 2) 20 For example, when a mass of 5 kg is added to
another mass of 5 kg, the result is exactly 10 kg. But
3) 5 4) Zero when a vector of magnitude 5 units is added to another
vector of magnitude 5 units (of course of same physical
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IIT FOUNDATION MATERIAL
quantity), the result may have magnitude from zero to
a maximum of 10 units, depending on relative
orientations of the two vectors. The vector sum is also
called resultant.
ADDITION OF TWO VECTORS IN SAME
DIRECTION
If two vectors are in the same direction, their
resultant (sum) is obtained by adding their vector lengths
as shown in the figure (a). The direction of resultant is
same as the individual vectors. Fig (a) - Addition of
vectors in same direction.
ADDITION OF TWO VECTORS IN OPPOSITE
DIRECTION
If the vectors are mutually opposite, their resultant
is obtained by subtracting the length of smaller vector.
Addition of vectors in opposite from that of larger
vector as shown in figure. The direction of resultant is
same as that of larger vector. (Triangle law)
ADDITION OF TWO VECTORS IN ANY
ORBITRARY DIRECTION
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CLASS : 8
VECTORS
Remember two simple rules to add two vectors.
1. Head of the 1st vector should be joined to the tail
of the 2nd vector
2. Tail of the 1st vector should be joined to the head
of the 2nd vector.
Ex :
TRIANGLE LAW OF VECTORS
If two vectors are represented in magnitude and
direction by the two sides of a triangle taken in order,
the third side of the triangle taken in reverse order
represents their resultant in magnitude and direction.
PARALLELOGRAM LAW OF VECTORS:
Two vector quantities (say, velocity, acceleration,
force, etc) can be added using parallelogram law. This
law is useful to find both magnitude and direction of
resultant.
Statement: If two vectors are represented in
magnitude and direction by the adjacent sides of a
parallelogram drawn from a point, the diagonal passing
through that point represents their resultant both in
magnitude and direction.
PHYSICS
IIT FOUNDATION MATERIAL VECTORS

Direction of the resultant: The resultant makes


angle ' ' with A (say)
EC EC
From triangle CAE :tan   
AE AB  BE
Q sin 
 tan  
P  Q cos 
 
Explanation: P andQ are two vectors represented  Q sin  
   tan 1    4
   P  Q cos  
by AB and AD . Both vectors act at the common point
A and mutually inclined at angle ' ' as shown in fig The expression (3) and (4) gives the magnitude
 
(d). If the parallelogram ABCD is completed taking and direction of the resultant of P andQ .

AB and AD as adjacent sides, then the diagonal AC
 SPECIAL CASES :
 
represents their resultant R both in magnitude and
 
direction. 1) If P andQ are in same direction, then   O ,

Magnitude of the resultant: The line of action of P and cos   1
is extended. The perpendicular drawn from ‘C’ meets
 From equation (3) and (4), R  P  Q and
the extension of AB at E.
 0
  
From the figure, it is obvious that BC  AD  Q Hence the magnitude of resultant is sum of the
and CBE   magnitude of individual vectors. The direction of
 resultant is same as that of individual vectors.
 Length of AB  magnitude of P  P
  
Length of BC  magnitude of Q  Q 2) If P andQ are opposite, then   180 and
 cos   1
Length of AC  magnitude of R  R
R  P  Q ie R  P  Q
BE
From triangle CBE ,cos  , BE  BC cos
or Q  P and   O or 180 .
BC
 BE  Q cos  ......... 1 Thus the magnitude of resultant is equal to
EC difference of magnitudes of individual vectors and
From the triangle CBE and  sin  and
BC the direction of resultant is same as that of the
EC  Q sin  ........... 2  vector of larger magnitude
2 2 2
 
 AC    AE    EC  3) If P andQ are perpendicular,,

2 2 2
then   90 & cos  0
  AC    AB  BE    EC 
2 2 2 2 R  P 2  Q 2 and   Tan 1  Q P 
  AC    AB    BE   2 AB.BE   EC 
 
 R 2  P 2  Q 2 cos 2   2 PQ cos   Q 2 sin 2  4) If P  Q , then R  2 P cos and    2
 R 2  P 2  Q 2  2 PQ cos 
If the vectors have equal magnitude, then the
 R  P 2  Q 2  2 PQ cos    3 
resultant will bisect the angle between them. If

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three vectors can keep an object in equilibrium,  

3. If two vectors P andQ making an angle
then the sum of magnitude of any two vectors
betweem them, then the magnitude of the
must be greater than the third resultant R of vectors is _________
Ex:
1) R  P 2  Q 2  2 PQ sin 
1) 5N, 4N, 8N

2) 6N, 7N, 8N 2) R  P 2  Q 2  2 PQ cos 

The following set of vectors can’t keep in 3) R  P 2  Q 2  6 PQ cos

equilibrium

Ex : 4) R  P 2  Q 2  6 PQ sin 
 
1) 6N, 7N, 14N 4. If P  Q and if   120 between them, then
2) 1N, 2N, 5N select the true answer from the following

1) P  Q  R 2) P  Q  R
CRD - 2
3) Both (1) & (2) 4) None of these
1. Arrange the vector addition so that their
 
magnitude in increasing order are 5. Let P andQ are two vectors, if the resultant
  of these two vectors makes an angle  with
a) Two vectors A and B are parallel 
P (say), then choose the correct one from
 
b) Two vectors A and B are antiparallel the following
  Cos
c) Two vectors A and B making an angle 60 1) tan  
P  sin 
 
d)Two vectors A and B making an angle 120
Q Tan 
2) tan  
1) b, d, c, a 2) a, b, d, c P  Q cos
3) c, d, b, a 4) c, d, a, b
Q sin 
2. Choose the false one from the following 3) tan  
P  Q sin 
1) If two vectors are in the same direction, then
the direction of resultant is same as the Q sin 
4) tan  
individual vectors. P  Q cos
 
2) If the two vectors are mutually opposite, the 6. If the two vectors P andQ are perpendicular
direction of the resultant is same as that of to each other; then the magnitude of the
larger vector resultant R  _____
3) If the two vectors are mutually opposite the
1) P 2  Q 2 2) P2  Q2
direction of the resultant is same as that of
smaller vector
3) P  Q 2 4) P2  Q2
4) none of these

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  4. The addition of two vectors will be maximum,

7. If P  Q , and if angle between them is  ,
if they are
then magnitude of resultant R is __________
a) Non coplanar vectors
2 
[Note: 1  cos  2 cos ] b) parallel vectors
2
c) orthogonal vectors
 
1) 2 P cos 2) 4 P cos d) coplanar vectors
2 2
5. If A  B  C and the angle between A and B
 
3) P cos 4) Q cos is 120 , then the magnitude of C
2 2
 
8. If P  Q , and if angle between them is  , a) must be equal to A  B
then the direction of resultant  b) must be less than A  B
  
[Note : 1  cos  2 cos 2 ,sin   2 sin cos ] c) must be greater than A  B
2 2 2
 d) may be equal to A  B
1)   Tan 2)   Tan 
2
6. Choose the correct statement
 
3)   4)   a) If A  B  A  B , then B is a null vector
2 4
b) If A  B  A  B , then A and B are
HOME WORK SHEET - 2 perpendicular vectors
1. If P  Q  R c) both of the above

a) R is always greater than P d) none of the above

7. Three concurrent forces of the same
b) R is always equal to P+Q
magnitude are in equilibrium. What is the
c) R is never equal to P+Q angle between the forces.
d) R may be less than P or Q a) 60 b) 120
 
2. If the Resultant of P andQ makes an angle c) 30 d) 45
  8. Following sets of three forces act on a body,
 1 with P and  2 with Q . Then
whose resultant cannot be zero
a)  1   2 b)  1   2 if P  Q
a) 10, 10, 10 b) 10, 10, 20
c)  1   2 if P  Q d)  1   2 if P  Q c) 10, 20, 23 d) 10, 20, 40
9. From the figure,
3. If P  Q  P  Q , then the vectors P andQ
are
a) parallel to each other
b) inclined at 45 to each other
     
c) perpendicular to each other a) A  B  C b) B  C  A
      
d) inclined at 60 to each other c) C  A  B d) A  B  C  O

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 
10. Two vectors A and B lie in a plane, another a point can be represented in magnitude and direction
 by the sides of a polygon taken in order the point is in
vector C lie outside the plane, then the
resultant of these three vectors i.e., equilibrium i.e., the vectors have zero resultant.
  
A BC . This is because the last vector represented by
a) can be zero the last side of polygon is equal in magnitude but opposite
in direction to the resultant of all the remaining vectors.
b) cannot be zero
 
c) lies in the plane containing A  B CRD - 3

d) lies in the plane containing C 1. A and B are two unit vectors and  is the
angle between them. Then A  B is a unit
SYNOPSIS - 3 vector if,

POLYGON LAW 1)    3 2)    4

The polygon law is useful to find the resultant of 3)    2 4)   2  3

a number of vectors graphically. 2. At what angle should the two forces 2P and
Statement : If a number of vectors are represened in 2P act so that the resultant force is
magnitude and direction by all but one, sides of a polygon
10P ?
taken in order, their resultant is represented in magnitude
and direction by the closing side of the polygon taken 1) 45 2) 60
in reverse order. 3) 90 4) 120
3. Two forces 4N and F act at 120 with each
other: If their resultant is at right angles to
4N, the value of F is
1) 4N 2) 6N
3) 8N 4) 12N

Explanation : 4. The resultant of two forces of equal

     magnitude is 1414N, when they are mutually
V1 ,V2 ,V3 ,V4 & V5 are a number of vectors of perpendicular
different magnitudes and acting in different orientations
1) 1000 N 2) 1000 3N
as shown in the figure.
The five vectors are represented in magnitude 3) 500 3N 4) 500 N
and direction by five sides of a hexagon taken in 5. The greatest and least resultant of two forces
anticlock wise order. The last side (closing side) of the at a point are 29N and 5N respectively. If
hexagon drawn from the tail of 1st vector to the head each force is increased by 3N and applied at
of ‘5’ (last) vector represents the resultant of the right angles on a particle, the new resultant
vectors in magnitude and direction. force is
Note : If a number of vectors simultaneously acting at 1) 35 N 2) 25 N

3) 433 N 4) 423 N
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      
6. If three vectors A , B andC are 12, 5 and 13
  
 
i.e., A  B  A  B
in magnitude such that C  A  B then the
 
angle between A and B is

1) 60 2) 90
3) 120 4) None of these

7. The resultant of two vectors  P  Q and


The vector B is reversed to get negative vector
P  Q when they at right angles to each  
of B . Then reversed vector  B is shifted parallel to
other is  
itself such that tail of  B coincides with head of A .
1) 2 P 2  Q 2 2) 2CP 2  Q2 
The directed line segment PR represents the
 
subtraction of B from A .
3) P2  Q2 4) P 2
 Q2   2
Vector subtraction does not obey commutative
8. The resultant of two forces at right angles is law.
5 N. When the angle between them is 120 ,    
i.e., A  B  B  A
the resultant is 13N . Then magnitudes of Note: This concept is very useful in solving relative
those two forces are velocity problems
1) 10N , 15N 2) 2 N ,3N CHANGE OF VELOCITY

3) 10 N , 20N 4) 3N , 4N (i) Consider a body moving with velocity V1 due east.

9.  N  1 identical forces act simultaneously After a time interval ‘t’ its final velocity is V2 due
2 north.
on a particle each making an angle of
N
with the preceding one, the resultant is
1) F 2) 2 F
3) F/2 4) Zero
10. 12 forces each equal to P act on a body. If
each force make an angle of 30 with the
next one, the resultant of all the forces is (ii) The change of velocity is obtained by vector
1) 12 P 2) 6 P 
subtraction method. The initial velocity V1 is  
3) 3 P 4) Zero  
reversed to get V1 and added to V2 following
SYNOPSIS - 4 the usual procedure for vector addition. i.e., the
 
tail of V1 coincides with head of V2 .
SUBTRACTION OF VECTORS
 
 (iii) The vector drawn from tail of V2 to the head of
The subtraction of vector B from the vector A ,
   
 
is same as addition of B to A as shown in figure. V1 represents change of velocity V both in

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 
magnitude and direction. V1 andV2 are mutually 5. A particle is moving on a circular path with a
perpendicular as per their directions mentioned. constant speed V. Then change in its velocity
(iv) Magnitude of change of velocity after it has moved through an angle of 120
  is
V  V2  V1  V12  V22  2V1V2 cos90
1) zero 2) 2V
 V  V12  V22 3) 3V 4) 3V
6. A particle is moving in a circle of radius
CRD - 4
centred at O with constant speed v. The
1. A particle moves along a circle with a change in velocity moving from A to B
1
constant speed 10 ms from A to B in anti  AOB  40  is
clockwise direction which are the ends of its
(Note: 1  cos 2  2 sin 2  )
diameter. Then change in its velocity is
1) 2 v cos 40 2) 2 v sin 40
1) 10 ms1 2) 20ms 1
3) 2 v cos 20 4) 2 v sin 20
1
3) 10 2 ms 4) zero
7. A particle is moving eastward with a velocity
2. A particle moves along a circle with uniform of 5ms1 . In 10 seconds, the velocity
speed V. When it has moved through an angle changes to 5ms1 northwords. What is the
60 , change in its velocity is average acceleration in this time?

1) zero 2) 3V [Note: Whenever velocity changes we use

3) 3V 4) V the term acceleration]

3. A car runs long horizontal path at a speed of Mathematically Acceleration

20 3 ms 1 . The driver observes the rain Change in velocity
=
hitting his car at 60 to the vertical. If the Time

rain is actually falling vertically the speed of 1

1) ms 2 , north-west
the rain drop is nearly 2
2
1) 34.6 ms 1 2) 11.55 ms 1 2) ms 2 , north-west
2
3) 20 ms1 4) 10 ms 1 1
3) ms 2 , east-north
2
4. A particle moves along a circle with constant
speed 2 ms 1 . If it completes 1 4th of 2
4) ms 2 , east-north
rotation, change in its velocity is 2

1) 2 ms 1 2) 2 ms 1 8. A car is moving on a straight road due north

with a uniform speed of 50 km h 1 when it
1 1
3) 1 2 ms 4) 2 2ms
turns left through 90 . If the speed remains

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unchanged after turning, the change in the Ax

cos  or Ax  A cos     1 
velocity of the car in the turning process is A
1) zero Ay
1
sin   or Ay  A sin      2 
2) 50 2 km h in S-W direction A
(iv) Squaring and adding (1) and (2), we get
3) 50 2 km h 1 in N-W direction

4) 50 kmh 1 due to west Ax2  Ay2  A2 cos 2   A 2 sin 2 

or 
Ax2  Ay2  A2 cos 2   sin 2  
SYNOPSIS - 5
 Ax2  Ay2  A2
RESOLUTION OF A VECTOR  cos 2   sin 2   1
A. INTO TWO RECTANGULAR COMPONENTS
or A  Ax2  Ay2     3 
(i) The process of splitting a vector is called resolution
B. INTO THREE RECTANGULAR COMPONENTS
of a vector. The parts obtained after resolution
are known as components of the given vector (I) Consider a right handed three dimensional
 
(ii) If the components of a given vector are  
coordinate system. Let A  OP be a vector
perpendicular to each other, the they are called drawn through the origin O. The three rectangular
rectangular components. These are the most 
components of A can be determined as follows :
important components of a vector.

 
Let, Ax and Ay are the rectangular components (ii) Draw PP1 perpenidcular from P upon X-Z plane.
 From P1 , draw P1 P2 and P1 P3 perpenidculars to
of A .
X-axis and Z-axis respectively.
Applying triangle law of vectors to the vector   
triangle ONP, we get (iii) OP2 , P1 P and OP 3 are known as the x-
   component, y-component and the z-component,
Ax  Ay  A 
respectively, of A . These components are
    
(iii) This equation confirms that Ax and Ay are the denoted by Ax , Ay and Az respectively, such

components of A . that
   
In right angled triangle ONP, Ax  Ax iˆ , Ay  Ay ˆj and Az  Az kˆ

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   3. If one of the rectangular components of a

(iv) In OP1 P3 , Az  Ax  OP 1     1 
3P
    force P is , the other component is
(v) In OP1 P , OP 1  P1 P  OP  A 5
    1) 4P/5 2) P/5
 
 Az  Ax  Ay  A
    3) 3P/5 4) P
or A  Ax  Ay  Az
4. The components of a force of 100 N acting
   
or A  Ax iˆ  Ay ˆj  Az kˆ     2 at an angle of 30 with the X-axis
respectively are
(vi) According to the Pythagoras theorem in three
dimensions, 1) 70.72 N, 70.72 N 2) 50 N, 50 N

A 2  Ax2  Ay2  Az2 or 3) 50 N, 50 3 N 4) 50 3 N , 50 N

5. Horizontal and vertical components of a

A  Ax2  Ay2  Az2     3
vector are equal. Then angle made by the
 vector to the vertical is
This gives the magnitudes of vector A .
(vii) So, the magnitude of any vector is equal to the 1) 30 2) 45
square root of the sum of the square of the 3) 60 4) 90
magnitudes of its three rectangular components
6. One of the two rectangular components of a

  A force is 25 N and it makes an angle of 60
(viii) Again, A = unit vector in the direction of A  
A with the horizontal (force). The magnitude
of the other component is
 
(ix) Substituting for A and A from equations (2)
1) 25 N 2) 50 3 N
and (3), we get

ˆ ˆ ˆ 3) 25 3 N 4) 25 2 N
ˆ  Ax i  Ay j  Az k
A 7. If a vector is along the horizontal, its vertical
Ax2  Ay2  Az2
component is
1) maximum 2) minimum
CRD - 5
3) zero 4) none
1. The rectangular components of a force 17
newton can be 8. If the component of one vector along the
direction of the other vector is zero, the
1) 10 N, 7 N 2) 8 N, 15 N
angle between the two vectors is
3) 9 N, 8 N 4) 8 N, 25 N
1) 0 2) 45
2. The maximum and minimum resultants of two
3) 60 4) 90
forces are in the ratio 7 : 3. The ratio of the
  
forces is 9. Three vectors A , B andC are of magnitudes
1) 5 : 2 2) 7: 3 10 units, 5 unit and 10 unit respectively. If
3) 49 : 9 4) 4 : 1 they make angles 30 ,120 and 300 with X-

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axis (and all lie along the X-Y plane), then 5. If component of one vector in the direction
of another vector is zero, then those two
determine the magnitude of the resultant vectors
1) 5 3 2) 5 5 a) are parallel to each other
b) are perpendicular to each other
3) 10 3 4) 10 5
c) are opposite to each other
10. Find the rectangular components (along X d) are coplanar vectors

and Y axis) of a velocity vector 10 3 m/s,

SYNOPSIS - 6
making an angle of 60 to the X-axis
LAMI’S THEOREM
1) 5 3 ,15 2) 5 3 , 20 i. When a body does not change its state of rest or
3) 10 3 ,20 4) 10 3 ,15 of uniform motion on the applicaton of one or more
external forces, the body is said to be in equilibrium
HOME WORK SHEET - 5 ii. A single force acting on a body or point cannot
1. The maximum number of components a keep the body in equilibrium
vector can be split are? iii. The minimum number of forces which can keep
a point in equilibrium is 2. These two forces are
a) 2 b) 3
equal in magnitude and opposite in direction.
c) 4 d) infinite
If three vectors, simultaneously acting at a point,
2. What are the maximum number of have zero resultant, then these three vectors can
rectangular components of a vector can be be represented in magnitude and direction by the
split in space and in plane respectively three sides of a triangle taken in order.
a) 3, 2 b) 3, 3 Explanation:
  
c) 2, 2 d)  ,  (i) P , Q and R are three forces (vectors) which
3. The component of a vector is simultaneously act at the point ‘O’ and keep it in
equilibrium. Hence they are represented, in
a) always less than its magnitude magnitude and direction, by the sides AB, BC and
b) always greater than its magnitude CA of the triangle ABC taken in order.

c) always equal to its magnitude

d) less than or equal to its magnitude

4. The horizontal component of the weight of a

body of mass m is

mg
a) mg b)
2   
(ii) The magnitude of P , Q and R are proportional
c) zero d) Infinity
to the lengths of AB, BC, CA respectively.

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  
P Q R 3. If P , Q and R are three forces (vectors)
i.e.,    K  constant 
AB BC CA
which simultaneously act at the point ‘O’ and
  
(iii) The orientation of P , Q and R are parallel to the keep it in equilibrium. Choose the correct
sides AB, BC and CA. relation from the figure shown

Whenever a triangle is formed to represent three

forces keeping a body in equilibrium, then the
lengths of each side of the triangle is proportional
to the Sine of the angle opposite to it.

AB BC CA
i.e.,  
sin ACB sin BAC sin ABC

P P P
   P Q R
sin  sin  sin  1)  
sin  sin  sin 
CRD - 6 P Q R
2)  
sin  sin  sin 
1. The minimum number of forces which can
keep a point in equilibrium is _______ which Q P R
3)  
are equal in magnitude and opposite in sin  sin  sin 
direction. P R Q
4)  
1) 4 2) 3 sin  sin  sin 

3) 2 4) 1 4. Three forces start acting simultaneously on

   
a particle moving with velocity V . The
2. If P , Q and R are three forces (vectors)
which simultaneously act at the point ‘O’ and forces are represented in magnitude and
keep it in equilibrium. Choose the correct direction by the three sides of a triangle ABC
relation from the figure shown (as shown). The particle will now move with
velocity

P Q R P Q R
1)   K 2)   K
BC AB CA AB BC CA
 
P R Q 1) Less than V 2) Greater than V
3)    K 4) none of these 
BC AB CA 3) V 4) V remaining unchanged

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5. A body of 10 kg is suspended by a rope and 4. A man of 80 Kg is supported by two cables

it is pulled to a side by means of 60 with as shown in the figure. Then tensions T1 and
vertical. Find the horizontal force in the T2 respectively are
thread is [Note: If mass of a body is ‘m’ kg
then its weight is ‘m’ kg-wt]

1) 10 3 kg  wt 2) 35 3 kg  wt

3) 40 3 kg  wt 4) 20 3 kg  wt
6. In the above problem the tension in the rope
is
[Note: Tension is a force which will always
1) 40 3 Kg  wt , 40 Kg  wt
pull the body]
1) 20 kg-wt 2) 10 kg-wt 2) 40 Kg  wt , 40 Kg  wt

3) 30 kg-wt 4) 10 3 kg-wt 3) 40 3 Kg  wt , 40 3 Kg  wt

4) 40 Kg  wt , 40 3 Kg  wt
HOME WORK SHEET - 6
5. A body of mass 2 Kg is suspended from a
1. A body of 10 kg is supended by a rope 50 cm
rigid support. The body is held at 60 with
long and is pulled to a side through a
the rest position by applying force (F). If T
horizontal distance of 30 cm by means of a
F
horizontal force. Then that horizontal force is the tension in the string, then is
T
is
1) 1 : 3 2) 3 :2
1) 7.5 kg - wt 2) 15 kg - wt
3) 20 kg - wt 4) 30 kg - wt 3) 1 : 2 4) 3 :1

2. A body of mass 3 kg is suspended by a 6. A weight W is suspended from the midpoint

string from roof. It is pulled horizontal with of a rope with its ends at the same level. As
a force until the string makes an angle of 60 a result the rope is no longer horizontal. The
with the vertical. Then that horizontal force minimum tension required to completely
is make the rope straight is

1) 9 kg - wt 2) 3 kg - wt W W
1) 2)
2 4
3) 3 kg - wt 4) 6 kg - wt
3) zero 4) infinity
3. A body of 10 Kg is suspended by a rope and
is pulled to a side by means of a horizontal
7. A body of weight 3 N suspend vertically
using a rope is pulled horizontally such that
force 10 3 kg wt. Then the angle made by
rope makes an angle 30 to the vertical.
the rope to the vertical is Then tension in that rope is
1) 30 2) 45 1) 1 N 2) 3 N
o
3) 60 4) 90 3) 2 N 4) 4 N

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8. Forces F1 , F2 and F3 act at O as shown. If

F2  5 3 N and 'O ' is in equilibrium, value of

F1 and F3 are

1) 5N, 20 N 2) 5N, 10 N
3) 5N, 15 N 4) 10N,15 N
9. The minimum number of non coplanar forces
that can keep a particle in equilibrium is
1) 1 2) 2
3) 3 4) 4
10. The minimum number of forces of equal
magnitude in a plane that can keep a particle
in equilibrium is
1) 4 2) 2
3) 3 4) 5
11. The minimum number of unequal forces in a
plane that can keep a particle in equilibrium
is
1) 4 2) 2
3) 3 4) 6

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