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3
PHYSICS VECTORS

VECTORS
PHYSICAL QUANTITY
The quantities which can be measured are called physical quantities.

(A) Scalar Quantities

Quantities which require only the magnitude with their units for their complete specification are known
as scalar quantities. For example: mass, distance, speed, volume, energy etc.

(B) Vector Quantities

Vector quantities are the quantities which require magnitude as well as direction for their complete
specifications and also follow the laws of vector algebra. For example: displacement, velocity,
acceleration, force, linear momentum etc.

(C) Tensor Quantities

The quantities which behave neither as scalar nor as vector and having different values in different
directions are known as tensors. For example: moment of inertia, stress, strain etc.

VECTOR
If a physical quantity in addition to magnitude
(i) has a specified direction
(ii) obeys the law of parallelogram of addition
(iii) its addition is commutative i.e. A + B = B + A
then and only then it is said to be a vector. If any of the above conditions in not satisfied the physical
quantity cannot be a vector.

Regarding vector, it is worth noting that

(i) If a physical quantity is a vector it has a direction, but the converse may or may not be true, i.e. if a
physical quantity has a direction, it may or may not be a vector e.g. surface tension or electric current
etc., have direction but are not vectors. Velocity, force, weight, momentum, impulse, torque, electric field
are examples of some physical quantities which are vectors.

(ii) In Physics certain physical quantities such as area (more precisely surface element), dipole-moment and
current density are defined as vectors with specific direction, e.g. the assigned direction of area is
outward normal to the surface while in case of dipole-moment it is along the line joining the charges
from negative to positive charge.
(iii) If a vector is displaced parallel to itself is does not change.

4
VECTORS PHYSICS

(iv) If a vector is rotated through an angle other than multiple of (or 360o) it changes.
(v) Vectors have their own algebra which is different from ordinary algebra. Addition, subtraction and
multiplication are legal operations in vector algebra, but two vectors cannot be divided.

REPRESENTATION OF A VECTOR
A vector is represented both in magnitude and direction by an arrow head such that length of the arrow head
gives the magnitude of the vector quantity and its direction is the direction of that vector quantity. For
example, a displacement of 1000m due east may be represented with a 10 cm long arrow head due east such
that 1 cm length represents 100 m.

DIFFERENT TYPE OF VECTORS

(1) Equal vectors

Two vectors are said to be equal if they possess the same magnitude & same direction.

(2) Negative vectors

A vector is said to be a negative vector of another one if it is represented by a line having same length as
that of the second and is directed in opposite direction. They must be of same nature.

(3) Like vectors or parallel vectors

Vectors having the same sense of direction are known as like vectors.

(4) Unlike vectors or antiparallel vectors

Vectors having the opposite sense of direction are called unlike vectors.

5
PHYSICS VECTORS

(5) Coinitial vectors

A number of vectors having a common initial point are called co–initial vectors

(6) Co-terminus vectors

A number of vectors having a common end point are called co-terminus vectors

(7) Co–planar vectors

Vectors situated in one plane irrespective of their directions are known as coplanar vectors.

(8) Collinear vectors

Two vectors acting along same straight line or along parallel straight lines in same direction or in
opposite direction. Angle between collinear vectors is always zero or 180o.

(9) Null Vector or Zero Vector

A vector whose modulus is zero and direction is indeterminate is called a zero vector or null vector. It is
denoted by 0. 0 differs from ordinary zero in the sense that ordinary zero has no direction but it has a
direction which becomes indeterminate by virtue of its zero magnitude.
( )
(i) Multiplying a vector by zero. i.e. 0 A = 0

(ii) By adding a negative vector to the given vector. A + − A = 0 ( )

(iii) A  0 = A
(10) Proper vectors
Any non zero vector is called a proper vector.
(11) Polar Vectors
These have starting point (as in case of displacement) or point of application (as in case of force). These
vectors produce or tend to produce effect in their own direction.
A
t
en
c em
is pla
O  D
Starting
point

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VECTORS PHYSICS

(12) Axial Vectors

These represent rotational effects and are always along the axis of rotation in accordance with right hand
screw rule. Angular velocity, torque and angular momentum, etc., are examples of physical quantities of
this type. These vectors never produce effect in their own direction.

(13) Position vector

Position vector is a vector whose magnitude is equal to the distance of the point from the origin and
whose direction is towards the point. It is represented by r .

(14) Unit Vector

Unit vector is a vector which has a unit magnitude and points in a particular direction.

Any vector ( A ) can be written as the product of unit vector ( Â ) in that direction and magnitude of the
given vector.
ˆ or  = A
A = AA
A
A unit vector has no dimensions and unit. Unit vectors along the positive x-, y- and z-axis of a
rectangular coordinate system are denoted by iˆ , ĵ and kˆ respectively such that iˆ = ˆj = kˆ = 1 .

(15) Localised and free vectors

When the origin or initial point of a vector can be chosen at any arbitrary point in space it is said to be a
free vector but when origin or initial point is specified it is called a localised vector.

(16) Resultant Vector

A vector which gives the effect of two or more vectors is called resultant vector.
Example 1: Give an example of physical quantity which-
(a) has neither unit nor direction (b) has direction but not a vector
(c) can be either a scalar or a vector (d) is neither a scalar nor a vector

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PHYSICS VECTORS

Solution:
(a) refractive index; strain
(b) current
(c) angular displacement
(d) moment of inertia
Example 2: Does it make sense to call a quantity vector when its magnitude is zero. What such vectors are
called and why needed?
Solution: Consider a vector A whose length is reduced to zero by coinciding the initial and terminal points.
Hence modulus of the vector is zero and its direction is indeterminate. It may possess any
direction such vectors are called zero or null vectors. It is needed because, the sum of two equal
and opposite vectors is a null vector or area of sphere in vector form is a null vector.
Example 3: We can order events in time and there is a sense of time, distinguishing past, present and future.
Is therefore, time a vector?
Solution: Time always flow from past to present and then the future, so a direction can be assigned to time.
However, as the direction is unique, it is not to be stated i.e. specified. Hence it is not a vector
quantity.

ANGLE BETWEEN TWO VECTORS

Angle between two vectors means smaller of the two angles between the vectors when they are placed tail to
tail by displacing either of the vectors parallel to itself (i.e. 0     ).

ADDITION OF VECTORS
Following methods are generally adopted for addition of vectors.
(i) Parallelogram Law of vector addition.
(ii) Triangle Law of vector addition.
(iii) Polygon Law of vector addition.
(iv) Component method of vector addition.

Parallelogram Law of Vector Addition:

It states that if two vectors acting simultaneously at a point are represented in magnitude and direction by the
two sides of parallelogram drawn from a point, their resultant is given in magnitude and direction by the
diagonal of the parallelogram passing through that point.

Triangle law of vector addition:

It states that if two vectors are represented both in magnitude and direction by the two sides of a triangle
taken in order, the resultant is represented, both in magnitude and direction by the third side of the triangle
taken in the opposite order

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VECTORS PHYSICS
C
B C
B

O A O A A

OC = OA + AC  R = C = A + B
The rule for adding vectors is illustrated in (fig.) To add B to A shift any of the two vectors parallel to itself
until the tail of B is at the head A . The sum A + B is a vector R = C drawn from the tail of A to the head
of B , i.e. A + B = R = C
As the figure formed is a triangle, this method is also called ‘triangle method’ of addition of vectors.

Analytical method of vector addition using parallelogram law

Let us consider two vectors P and Q inclined to each other at an angle  be represented both in magnitude
and direction by the adjacent sides AB and AD of the parallelogram OPSQ. Then, according to the
parallelogram law of vector addition, the resultant of P and Q is represented both in magnitude and
direction by diagonal AC of the parallelogram.

In case of addition of two vectors by parallelogram method in the light of fig, the magnitude of resultant will
be given by
( AC )2 = ( AE)2 + ( EC)2
or R2 = ( P + Q cos )2 + (Q sin  )2
or R = P 2 + Q 2 + 2 PQ cos  ...(a)
The direction of resultant will be given by
CE Q sin 
tan  = =
AE P + Q cos 
 Q sin  
i.e.  = tan −1   ...(b)
 P + Q cos  
(a)  = 0  P || Q then Rmax = P + Q
o

(b)  = 180º  P and Q are antiparallel then Rmin = P − Q

Q
(c)  = 90º  P ⊥ Q ; R = P 2 + Q 2 here tan  =  
P
(d) If | P | = | Q | = P , then
R = P 2 + P 2 + 2 P.P cos 

= 2P2 + 2P2 cos = 2P 1 + cos 

 
= 2 P  2 cos 2  
2

| R | = 2 P cos
2

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PHYSICS VECTORS


and tan  = tan
2

 =
2
(e) If | P | = | Q | = P and
(i)  = 60º, then R = 3P
(ii)  = 90º, then R = 2 P
(iii)  = 120º, then R = P

APPLICATIONS OF VECTORS ADDITION

Flight of a bird:

When a bird flies, it pushes the air with forces F1 and F2 in the downward direction
with its wings W1 and W2. The lines of action of these two forces meet at point O. In
accordance with Newton’s third law of motion, the air exerts equal and opposite
reactions R1 and R2. According to the parallelogram law, the resultant R of the
reactions R1 and R2 acts on the bird in the upward direction and helps the bird to fly
upward.

Working of a sling:

A sling consists of a Y-shaped wooden or metallic frame, to which a rubber

band is attached, as shown in figure. When a stone held at the point O on the
rubber band is pulled, the tensions T1 and T2 are produced along OA and OB
in the two segments of the rubber band. According to the parallelogram law
of forces, the resultant T of the tensions T1 and T2 acts on the stone along
OC. As the stone is released, it moves under the action of the resultant
tension T in forward with a high speed.
Example 4: There are two displacement vectors, one of magnitude 3m and other of 4m. How should the two
vectors be added so that the resultant vector be: (a) 7m (b) 1m (c) 5m.
Solution:
(a) For 7m both the vector should be parallel i.e. angle between them should be zero
(b) For 1m both the vectors should be anti parallel i.e. angle between them should be 180º
(c) For 5m both the vectors should be perpendicular to each other i.e. angle between them should be 90º
Example 5: Two forces of equal magnitude 5 units have an angle 60° between them. Find the magnitude and
direction of resultant force.
Solution: R2 = P2 + Q2 + 2PQcos = 52 + 52 +2[5][5] cos60°
= 25 + 25 + 25 = 75 R = 5 3 unit
Q sin  5sin 60 5 3/2 5 3 1
tan  = = = = =
P + Q cos  5 + 5cos 60 5 + 5(1/ 2) 15 3
  = 30°
Example 6: Two vectors of 10 units & 5 units make an angle of 120° with each other. Find the magnitude &
angle of resultant with vector of 10 unit magnitude.

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VECTORS PHYSICS

Solution: | a + b | = a 2 + b2 + 2ab cos 

= 100 + 25 + 2 10  5(−1/ 2) = 125 − 50 = 75 = 5 3
5sin120 5 3 5 3 1
tan  = = = =
10 + 5cos120 20 − 5 5  3 3
  = 30°
Example 7: The resultant of two forces 3p and 2p is R. If the first force is doubled keeping the same
direction, then the resultant is also doubled. Find the angle between two forces.
Solution: Let  be the angle between two forces. We know resultant of two forces F1 and F2 inclined at an
angle is given by
R = F12 + F22 + 2F1F2 cos
or R 2 = F12 + F22 + 2 F1F2 cos  …(i)
Here F1 = 3p and F2 = 2p
 R2 = (3 p)2 + (2 p)2 + 2  3 p  2 p cos 
or R2 = 9p2 + 4p2 + 12p2 cos
= 13p2 + 12p2 cos  …(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
4R2 = 36p2 + 4p2 + 24p2 cos = 40 p2 + 24p2 cos
or R2 = 10p2 + 6p2 cos …(iii)
Equating equations (ii) and (iii), we get
13p2 + 12p2cos  = 10 p2 + 6p2 cos 
or 3p2 = –6 p2 cos 
or cos  = –1/2
  1
 = cos −1  −  = 120o
 2
Example 8: Find the resultant of two forces each having magnitude F0, and angle between them is .
Solution:
2
FResultant = F02 + F02 + 2 F02 cos 
= 2F02 (1 + cos )
2  
= 2 F0  2cos
2
(as 1 + cos  = 2cos 2   )
2 2

FResultant = 2 F0 cos
2
Example 9: Two non zero vectors A and B are such that A + B = A − B . Find angle between A and B ?

Solution: A+B = A−B

 A2 + B2 + 2AB cos  = A2 + B2 – 2AB cos 
 4AB cos  = 0  cos  = 0 (as A  0 and B  0)

 =
2

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PHYSICS VECTORS

Example 10: The resultant of two velocity vectors A and B is perpendicular to A . Magnitude of Resultant
R is equal to half magnitude of B . Find the angle between A and B ?
Solution: Since R is perpendicular to A . Figure shows the three vectors A , B and R .
angle between A and B is  – 
R B 1
sin  = = =
B 2B 2
  = 30º
 angle between A and B is 150º.

Example 11: The resultant of two vectors P and Q is perpendicular to P. Find angle between P and Q .
Solution: If the resultant makes an angle  with the vector P , then
Q sin 
tan  =
P + Q cos 

As,  = , tan  = 
2
 P + Q cos  = 0
P
or cos  = −
Q
 P
  = cos−1  − 
 Q
Example 12: The sum of the magnitudes of two forces acting at a point is 18 and the magnitude of their resultant is
12. If the resultant is at 90º with the force of smaller magnitude, what are the magnitudes of forces?
Solution: Let P be the smaller force then it is given that
P + Q = 18 ...(1)

R = P 2 + Q2 + 2PQ cos  = 12 ...(2)

Qsin 
= tan 90 = 
P + Q cos 
 P + Q cos  = 0 ...(3)
Substituting the value of P
Q (1 – cos  ) = 18 ...(4)
and subtracting square of equation (2) from (1)
2PQ [1 – cos ] = 182 – 122 = 180 ...(5)
Dividing equation (5) by (4)
2P = 10 i.e. P = 5, so Q = 13
so the magnitude of forces are 5 and 13
Example 13: The concurrent forces 8N, 6N and 15N are acting on an object. Is it possible to arrange the
direction of forces in such a way that the object remain in equilibrium?
Solution: Consider 8N and 6N as, say F1 and F2 forces. Then
Fmax = F1 + F2 = 14N
Fmin = F1 – F2 = 2N
For equilibrium, magnitude of the third force should satisfy, thus,

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VECTORS PHYSICS

14  F3  2
which the F3 = 15 newton does not satisfy, Therefore, equilibrium under 8N, 6N, 15 N forces is
not possible
Polygon law of vector addition
If a number of vectors which can be represented (both in magnitude and direction) by adjacent sides of a
polygon are taken in same order then their resultant is completely represented (both in magnitude and
direction) by the closing side of the polygon taken in opposite order.
This law is used for adding more than two vectors. This is extension of triangle law of addition. We keep
on arranging vectors such that tail of next vector lies on head of former. When we connect the tail of first
vector to head of last we get resultant of all the vectors.

It is worth noting regarding Vector Addition

Addition of vectors follow the following two laws:
(a) Commutative law: According commutative law i.e. R = A + B = B + A

( )
(b) Associative law: Polygon law follows associative law i.e. R = A + B + C = A + B + C ( )

(a) (b)

Note:
(i) To a vector only a vector of same type can be added and the resultant is a vector of
the same type. For example, force can be added to a force and not velocity can be
added and the resultant will be not any other physical quantity except force.
(ii) Vector addition is commutative i.e. P + Q = Q + P
(iii) Vector addition is associative, i.e. P + (Q + R) = ( P + Q) + R
(iv) As Rmin = P − Q so if P  Q  Rmin  0
i.e. resultant of two vectors of unequal magnitude can never be zero.
(v) Minimum number of unequal vectors whose sum can be zero is three.
Let P + Q + R = 0 i.e. R = − ( P + Q)
This in turn implies that is case of these vectors the resultant may be zero and it
will be only when one resultant is equal to the negative of the sum of the remaining
two vectors i.e. vectors are coplanar.
(vi) From the above, it is also clear that the resultant of 3 non-coplanar vectors can
never be zero or minimum number of non-coplanar vectors whose sum can be zero
is four.
(vii) The magnitude of resultant of two vectors A & B lies between (A – B) & (A +
B).
i.e. (A–B)  R  (A + B)
If Rmax and Rmin are the maximum & minimum values of the resultants of two

vectors & , then &

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PHYSICS VECTORS

LAMI’S THEOREM
If three forces acting at a point are in equilibrium then each force is proportional to sine of the angle between
the other two. If A + B + C = 0

A B C
or = =
sin  sin  sin 
VECTOR SUBTRACTION

Subtraction of a vector from another vectors is the addition of negative vector i.e. P − Q = P + (– Q)

(a) R = [( P)2 + (Q)2 + 2PQ cos(1800 −  )]1/2

i.e., R = P 2 + Q 2 − 2 PQ cos  [as cos (1800 –  ) = – cos ]

(b) Subtraction is not commutative, i.e. P − Q  Q − P [but = – (Q − P ) ]

(c) Change in a vector physical quantity means subtraction of initial from the final vector.
Example 14: If the sum of two unit vectors is also a unit vector. Find the magnitude of their difference?
Solution: Let A and B are the given unit vectors and R is their resultant then
R = A+B

1 = | A |2 + | B |2 +2 | A || B | cos 
1
1 = 1 + 1 + 2 cos   cos  = −
2
 1
A − B = | A |2 + | B |2 –2 | A || B | cos  = 1 + 1 – 2 11 –  = 3
 2
Example 15: A body is moving with uniform speed v in a horizontal circle in anticlockwise direction starting from
A as shown in Fig. What is the change in velocity in (a) half revolution (b) first quarter revolution?

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VECTORS PHYSICS

Solution: Change in velocity means v = v f – vi .

(a) As shown in Fig (B) for half revolution: if v3 = v and v1 = –v

so V = v3 − v1 = v – (– v) i.e. ΔV = 2v
i.e. ΔV = 2v directed south
(b) As shown in Fig (c) for quarter revolution: ΔV = v2 − v1 and  = 900

V = v 2 + v 2 = ( 2)v and  = tan −1   = 45

v
so
v
 V = ( 2)v south-west

Note: If the resultant of v1 and v 2 is to be calculated V = v1 + v2 i.e. V = 2v (N-W) (try it) so, in
case of two orthogonal vectors of equal magnitudes, magnitudes of sum and different are
equal but their directions are different.

Example 16: A rope is stretched between two poles. A 50 N boy hangs from it, as shown in fig. Find the
tensions in the two parts of the rope.
Solution: In fig.  = 90º + 15º = 105º
 = 90º + 30º = 120º A B
30º 15º
and  = 180º – (30º + 15º) = 135º 
T1 T2
T1 T W
Using Lami’s Theorem, we have, = 2 =  
sin  sin  sin 
sin  sin105º
 T1 = W  = 50 
sin  sin135º W

sin 75º 50  0.9659

= 50  = = 68.3 N
sin 45º 0.7071
W sin  50  sin120º 50  sin 60º
T2 = = =
sin  sin135º sin 45º
50  0.8660
= = 61.24 N
0.7071
Example 17: Three forces, 3N, 4N, 5N are acting on a body together and the body is in equilibrium. If the
angle between 3N and 4N forces is 90º, then what is the angle between 3N and 5N forces?
Solution: The forces are shown in fig. Then according to Lami’s theorem 4N

4 5
=
sin( −  ) sin( − 90º ) 90º
3N
4 
Thus sin ( −  ) =
5 5N
4
 −  = sin −1   = 53o (Remember the 3, 4, 5 as right angle triangle)
5
Thus  = 180 – 53º = 127º

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PHYSICS VECTORS

RESOLUTION OF A VECTOR INTO COMPONENTS

The process of splitting a vector into two or more components is called resolution of vector. These
components of a vector may act in different directions.
If a and b be any two nonzero vectors in a plane with different directions and A be another vector in the
same plane. A can be expressed as a sum of two vectors - one obtained by multiplying a by a real number
and the other obtained by multiplying b by another real number.
A =  a +  b (where  and  are real numbers)
We say that A has been resolved into two component vectors namely  a and  b

 a and  b along a and b respectively. Hence one can resolve a given vector into two component
vectors along a set of two vectors - all the three (vector and its components) lie in the same plane.
We can resolve a vector into a number of components. Generally there are two or three rectangular
components of a vector.

Resolution along rectangular component:

It is convenient to resolve a general vector along axes of a rectangular

coordinate system using vectors of unit magnitude, which we call as unit
vectors. iˆ, ˆj , kˆ are unit vector along x, y and z-axis as shown in figure.
Consider a vector R in x–y plane as shown in fig. If we draw orthogonal
vectors R x and R y along x and y axes respectively, by law of vector
addition, R = R x + R y

Now as for any vector A = An

so R x = iRx and R y = jRy
so R = iRx + jRy ...(1)
But from fig.
R x = R cos ...(2)
and R y = R sin  ...(3)

Since R and are usually known eqns. (2) and (3) gives the magnitude of the components of R along x
and y – axes respectively.

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VECTORS PHYSICS

Note: Once a vector is resolved into its components, the components themselves can be used
to specify the vector as:
1. The magnitude of the vector R is obtained by squaring and adding eqns. (2) and (3)
i.e. R = Rx2 + Ry2 …(a)
2. The direction of the vector is obtained by dividing eqn. (3) by (2), i.e.,
tan  = ( Ry / Rx ) or  = tan −1 ( Ry / Rx ) …(b)
Importance of resolution of vector into component lies in the fact that according to it the x-
component of resultant will be equal to the algebraic sum of x– components of all vectors (and
same for y - component) and so we can calculate easily R and using eqns. (a) and (b).

Resolution in three dimensions.

A vector A in components along x-, y- and z-axis can be written as:

OP = OB + BP = OC + CB + BP
 A = Az + Ax + A y = Ax + A y + Az
= Ax i + A y j + Az k

A = A 2x + A 2y + A 2z
Ax = A cos , Ay = A cos , Az = A cos 
where cos  , cos  and cos  are termed as Direction Cosines of a given vector .
cos2  + cos2  + cos2  = 1

Note: If a particle is displaced from positions, r = x1 i + y1 j + z1 k to r2 = x2 i + y2 j + z2 k then

r 2 – r1 is the displacement of the particle.

r2 − r1 = ( x 2 − x1 ) i + ( y2 − y 2 ) j + ( z2 − z1 ) k
r = r2 − r1 = ( x 2 − x1 ) 2 + ( y2 − y 2 ) 2 + ( z2 − z1 ) 2

Example 18: What vector must be added to the vector i − 3 j + 2k and 3i + 6 j − 7k so that the resultant
vector is a unit vector along the y-axis.
Solution: Let the vector added to the summation of (i − 3 j + 2k ) + (3i + 6 j − 7k ) be xi + y j + zk

 (4i + 3 j − 5k ) + ( xi + y j + zk ) = j
(4 + x) i + (3 + y) j + (−5 + z) k = j
Comparing both the sides
4+x=0 ;3 +y=1;–5+z=0
x = –4 ; y = 1 – 3 = –2 ; z = 5
 vector is: – 4i − 2 j + 5k

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PHYSICS VECTORS

Example 19: If vector A = iˆ + ˆj − kˆ , then what is value of unit vector in the direction of A ?
→
Solution: Value of unit vector in the direction of A is
A
A= here A = i + j − k
|A|
| A |= (1) 2 + (1) 2 + (−1) 2 = 3
i+ j −k
 Value of unit vector in the direction of A =
3
Example 20: A particle is displaced from position P1 (2, 1, 2) m to position P2 (4, 2, 4) m. Find the
displacement of the particle and distance covered.
Solution: The initial position vector r1 = (2i + j + 2k ) m

The final position vector r2 = (4i + 2 j + 4k ) m

Displacement
Distance covered d =  r = [(2)2 + (1)2 + (2)2]1/2 = 3 m

Example 21: A mass of 2 kg lies on an inclined plane as shown in figure. Resolve its weight along and
perpendicular to the plane. (Assume g = 10 m/s2)

Solution: Component along the plane = 20 sin 30o = 10 N

component perpendicular to the plane = 20 cos 30o = 10 3 N

Example 22: A vector makes an angle of 30º with the horizontal. If horizontal component of the vector is 250.
Find magnitude of vector and its vertical component?

Solution: Let vector is A

A 3 500
Ax = A cos30o = 250 = A=
2 3
500 1 250
Ay = A sin30o  =
3 2 3

18
VECTORS PHYSICS

Example 23: A = i + 2 j − 3k , when a vector B is added to A , we get a unit vector along x-axis. Find the
value of B ? Also find its magnitude
Solution: A+B=i
( )
B = i − A = i − i + 2 j − 3k = −2 j + 3k

B = (2) 2 + (3) 2 = 13

Example 24: Vector A, B and C have magnitude 5, 5 2 and 5 respectively, direction of A, B and C are

towards east, North-East and North respectively. If i and j are unit vectors along East and North

respectively. Express the sum A + B + C in terms of i , j . Also Find magnitude and direction of
the resultant.
Solution: A = 5 i, C = 5 j and

B = 5 2 cos 45 i + 5 2 sin 45 j = 5 i + 5 j
( ) ( ) ( )
A + B + C = 5 i + 5 i + 5 j + 5 j = 10 i + 10 j
10
(10 ) + (10 ) = 10 2 , tan  =
2 2
A+ B+C = =1
10
  = 45o (i.e. North East)
Example 25: The x and y components of vector A are 4 and 6 m respectively. The x and y components of
vector A + B are 10 and 9 m respectively. Calculate for the vector B the following (a) its x and
y components, (b) its length, and (c) the angle it makes with x-axis.
Solution: ( ) (
In terms of components A + B = iA x + jA y + i Bx + j B y )
i.e. A + B = i (A x + B x ) + j (A y + B z )
According to given problem,
Ax + Bx = 10 and Ay + By = 9
and Ax = 4 and Ay = 6
(a) Bx = 10 – 4 = 6 m and By = 9 – 6 = 3 m
(b) B = Bx2 + By2 = 62 + 32 = 45m = 3 5m

B  3 1 1
(c)  = tan −1  y  = tan −1   = tan −1   = 26.6 [as tan 26.6 =
o
]
 Bx  6 2 2

Example 26: Let AB be a vector in two dimensional plane with magnitude 4 units, and making an angle of 60º
with x-axis and lying in first quadrant. Find the components of AB along x-axis and y-axis. Hence
represent AB in terms of unit vectors i and j . Also verify that calculation of components is
correct.

19
PHYSICS VECTORS

Solution: Taken A is origin from the figure, we see that component on x-axis is AC
D B
1
= 4cos 60º = 4  = 2 and
2
4sin60º
3
component along y-axis is AD = 4sin 60o = 4 =2 3 60º
2 A
4cos60º C
Hence AB = 2iˆ + 2 3 ˆj
Verification: (2)2 + (2 3)2 = 4

Example 27: A particle of mass 3 kg moves under a force of  4iˆ + 8 ˆj + 10kˆ  newton. Calculate the
acceleration (as vector) to which the particle is subjected. If the particle starts from rest and was
at the origin initially, what are its new co-ordinates after 3s?
F
Solution: We know that according to Newton’s laws of motion F = ma i.e. a =
m
But as here F = 4iˆ + 8 ˆj + 10kˆ and m = 3 kg
1
a =    4iˆ + 8 ˆj + 10kˆ  m/s 2
3
Further according to the equation of motion
1
s = ut +   at 2
2
 1  1 
s = 0  3 +    [4iˆ + ˆj + 10kˆ]  32
 2  3 
i.e. s =  6i + 12 ˆj + 15kˆ 

ˆ

so the co-ordinates of the particle after 3 s are [6, 12, 15].

Example 28: If A = 3iˆ + 4 ˆj and B = 7iˆ + 24 ˆj , then find vector having the same magnitude as B and parallel to A .
Solution: ˆ as magnitude of C is B and direction is  .
C can be represented by C = B A
A 3iˆ + 4 ˆj 3iˆ + 4 ˆj
 = = =
A 3 +4
2 2 5

B = 7 2 + 242 = 25
3iˆ + 4 ˆj
 C = 25  = 15iˆ + 20 ˆj
5
RELATIVE VELOCITY IN TWO DIMENSIONS
Relative velocity:

The relative velocity of an object A with respect to object B, when both are in motion, is the rate of change of
position of object A with respect to object B.
Suppose two objects A and B are moving with velocities v A and v B , with respect to ground or the earth. Then
Relative velocity of object A w.r.t. object B,
v AB = v A − v B
Relative velocity of object B w.r.t. object A,

20
VECTORS PHYSICS

v BA = v B − v A
Clearly, v AB = −v BA and v AB = −v BA

Now, ( )
Relative velocity of object A = v A + −v B = Velocity vector of A + Negative velocity vector of B
Hence, the relative velocity of object A with respect to object B is equal to the vector addition of velocity
vector of A and the negative velocity vector of B.

Rain and Man:

The man experiences the velocity of rain relative to himself. To protect himself
from the rain, the man should hold umbrella in the direction of relative velocity
of rain w.r.t. the man.
As shown in figure, consider a man moving due east with velocity vM .
Suppose the rain falls vertically with velocity vR . The relative velocity of rain
w.r.t. the man is
vRM = vR − vM = vR + ( −vM ) = OB + OC = OD
If OD makes angle  with the vertical, then
DB vM
tan  = =
OB vR
So, the man can protect himself from rain by holding his umbrella at an angle  with the vertical in the
direction of his motion.

Rowing of a boat across a river along the shortest path

The boat should be rowed upstream, making an angle  with the

shortest path AB such that its resultant velocity v is along AB. If vb is
the velocity of the boat in still water and vr that of river flow, then
vr
sin  = and v = vb − vr
2 2

vb
s s
Time taken to cross the river, t = =
v vb − vr 2
2

Rowing of a boat across a river in the shortest time

The boat should be rowed at right angle to the flow of river, i.e., along AB if it is to cross the river the in the
vr
shortest time, Clearly, tan  =
vb
s
Time taken to cross the river, t ' =
vb
Clearly, t < t
It is to be noted that the body reaches the other bank of the river
(with velocity v after covering a distance BC along downstream
vr s
where BC = vr t  =
vb

21
PHYSICS VECTORS

MULTIPLICATION OF A VECTOR WITH SCALAR

If a vector multiplied by a scalar quantity, then we get a new vector in the same direction but having new
magnitude = scalar quantity magnitude of the vector quantity as shown in the figure
3  a = 3a
a

a
=
a 3a
a

Example 29: A physical quantity (m = 3kg) is multiplied by a vector a such that F = ma . Find the magnitude
and direction of F if
(i) a = 3m/s2 East wards (ii) a = –4m/s North wards
Solution: (i) F = ma = 3 × 3 ms–2 East wards = 9 N East wards
(ii) F = ma = 3 × (–4) N North wards = – 12N North wards = 12 N South wards
Scalar Product (Dot Product)
The scalar (or dot product) of two vectors is defined as the product of the magnitude of two vectors with
cosine of angle between them.
Thus, if there are two vectors A and B having angle  between them, then their
scalar product written as A.B is defined as
A.B = AB cos  ...(1)
Physical meaning of scalar product

A.B = A (B cos ) = B (A cos )

Geometrically, B cos  is the projection of B onto A and A cos  is the projection of A onto B as
shown. So A.B is the product of the magnitude of A and the component of B along A and vice versa.

A.B
Component of B along A = Bcos  = = Â.B
A
A.B ˆ
Component of A along B = A cos  = = A.B
B
PROPERTIES
(i) It is always a scalar which is positive if angle between the vectors is acute (i.e. < 90 o) and negative if
angle between then is obtuse (i.e. 90o <  <180o).
(ii) It is commutative i.e. A.B = B.A
(iii) It is distributive, i.e. A.(B + C) = A.B + A.C
 A.B 
(iv) As by definition A.B = AB cos  and the angle between the vectors  = cos 
−1

 AB 

22
VECTORS PHYSICS

(v) Scalar product of two vectors will be maximum when cos  = max = 1, i.e.  = 0o i.e. vectors are
parallel, and (A.B)max = AB
Ax Ay Az
Two vectors A & B are parallel if, = =
Bx By Bz
(vi) Scalar product of two vectors will be minimum when |cos  | = minimum = 0, i.e.  = 900.
(A.B) min = 0

Two vectors A & B are ⊥ to each other then, Ax Bx + Ay By + Az Bz = 0.

(vii) The scalar product of two vector by itself is termed as self dot product and is given by

(A)
2
= A.A = A A cos 00 = A 2 i.e. A = A.A

(viii) In case of unit vector n̂ then nˆ . nˆ = 11 cos 0o = 1 so nˆ. nˆ = iˆ. iˆ = ˆj. ˆj = kˆ . kˆ = 1

(ix) In case of orthogonal unit vectors i , j and k , i . j = j. k = k. i = 11cos90 = 0

o

(x) In terms of components

i.e., A.B = [A x Bx + A y B y + A z Bz ]

 A x Bx + A y B y + A z Bz 
so,  = cos  
−1

 A2x + A2 y + A2z B x + B y + B z 
2 2 2

(xi) Resolved parts of a vector R along and perpendicular to the direction of A
 A.R 
1. Vector component of R along A =  2 
A
 A 
→ →
A.R →
2. Length of projection of R along A =
A
→ → A→ →
.R →

3. Vector component of R ⊥ to A =  R − 2 .A 
 A 
 

EXAMPLES OF SCALAR PRODUCT

Work (W)
In Physics for constant force work is defined as W = Fs cos  ...(1)
But by definition of scalar product of two vectors F . s = Fs cos  ...(2)
So from Eqns. (1) and (2) W = F. s

Power (P)

As W = F. s
dW ds →  dW ds 
= F. = F. v [as F is constant] as = P and = v
dt dt  dt dt 
i.e. work is the scalar product of force with velocity.

23
PHYSICS VECTORS

Magnetic Flux (  )

Magnetic flux through an area a given by d  = B ds cos  ...(1)

But by definition of scalar product B. ds = Bds cos  ...(2)
So from Eqns. (1) and (2), we have d  = B. ds or  = B. ds 

Current (I)


Current is defined as scalar product of current density J with area, i.e. I = J . ds

Potential–energy of dipole (U)

If an electric dipole of moment P is situated in electric field E or a magnitude dipole of moment M in a

magnitude field of induction B , the potential energy of the dipole is given by:
UE = − P.E and UB = − M.B

Note: From the above it is clear that physical quantities work, power, flux (electric or magnetic) and
current can be expressed as scalar product of two vectors. Now as by definition, scalar
product of two vectors is always a scalar, so these physical quantities are scalar.

Example 30: If A = i + 2 j + 2k & B = i + 3 j + 6k . Then find their

(i) Dot product (ii) Angle between them
Solution:
(i) A = (1) 2 + (2) 2 + (2) 2 = 3 ; B = (1) 2 + (3) 2 + (6) 2 = 46
A.B = (i + 2 j + 2k ).(i + 3 j + 6k ) = 1 × 1 + 2 × 3 + 2 × 6 = 19
A.B
(ii) Angle between them, A.B = AB cos   cos  =
AB
19  19 
cos  =   = cos −1  
3 46  3 46 

Example 31: A particle, under constant force i + j − 2k gets displaced from point A (2,–1,3) to B (4,3,2) .
Find the work done by the force -
Solution: Force = i + j − 2k

Displacement AB = (4i + 3 j + 2k ) − (2i − j + 3k ) = (2i + 4 j − k )

work done = F. d = (iˆ + ˆj − 2kˆ) . (2iˆ + 4 ˆj − kˆ)
= 1  2 + 1  4 + (–2)  (–1) = 2 + 4 + 2 = 8 units

24
VECTORS PHYSICS

Example 32: Show that the vectors a = 3i − 2 j + k , b = i − 3 j + 5k , c = 2i + j − 4k form a right angled

triangle.
Solution: We have b + c = (i − 3 j + 5k ) + (2i + j − 4k ) = 3i − 2 j + k = a
 a , b , c are coplanar
Since no two of these vectors are parallel, therefore, the given vectors form a triangle.
a. c = (3i − 2 j + k ) . (2i + j − 4k ) = 3  2 – 2  1 – 4  1 = 0
Hence the given vectors form a right angled triangle.

Example 33: Find the value of  so that the two vectors 2iˆ + 3 ˆj − kˆ and −4iˆ − 6 ˆj −  kˆ are (i) parallel (ii)
perpendicular to each other
Solution: Let a = 2i + 3 j − k and −4i − 6 j −  k

(i) a and b are parallel to each other

a1 a2 a3 2 3 −1
 = = i.e. if = = or  = –2
b1 b2 b3 −4 −6 −

(ii) a and b are perpendicular to each other if a . b = 0

i.e. if 2(–4) + 3(–6) + (–1) (l) = 0
 = –8 – 18 = –26

Example 34: If the Vectors P = a i + a j + 3 k and Q = a i – 2 j – k are perpendicular to each other, find the
value of a?
Solution: If vectors P and Q are perpendicular
 P.Q = 0  (a i + a j + 3k ) . ( a i – 2 j – k ) = 0
 a2 – 2a – 3 = 0  a2 – 3a + a – 3 = 0
 a(a – 3) + 1(a – 3) = 0  a = –1, 3

Example 35: Find the magnitude of component of 3 iˆ + 4 ˆj along iˆ + ˆj ?

A.B
Solution: Component of A along B is given by .
B

Hence required component =

(3i + 4 j )  (i + j ) = 7
2 2

Example 36: Find angle between A = 3 i + 4 j and B = 12 i + 5 j ?

Solution: We have cos  =

A.B
=
(3i + 4 j )  ( 2i + 5 j )
AB 32 + 42 122 + 52
36 + 20 56
cos  = =
5 13 65
−1 56
 = cos
65

25
PHYSICS VECTORS

Example 37: ( )
A force F = 3i + 2 j + k N acts on a particle. As a result the particle moves with a constant

velocity v = ( 2i + j ) m/s. Find power applied by the force. Given P = F.v .

Solution: Power P = F.v

( )( )
= 3i + 2 j + k . 2i + j = (3 × 2 + 2 × 1 + 1 × 0) = 8 W

Example 38: A particle moves in the x-y plane under the action of a force F such that the value of its linear
momentum p at any time t is px = 2 cos t and py = 2 sin t. What is the angle  between F and
p at a given time t?
Solution: As p = ipx + j py = i (2cos t ) + j (2sin t )

| p | = [(2 cos t ) 2 + (2sin t 2 )] = 2

dp d 
Now as F = ,F= i (2 cos t ) + j (2sin t ) 
dt dt  
So F = i (−2sin t ) + j (2cos t )
with | F | = [(−2sin t ) 2 + (2 cos t ) 2 ] = 2
Now as F . p = Fx px + Fy p y = (–2 sin t)(2 cos t) + (2 cos t)(2 sin t) = 0

 F. p  −1  0 
 = cos −1   = cos   = cos −1 (0)
 Fp  2 2
i.e.,  = 90o i.e., F and p are orthogonal.

VECTOR PRODUCT (CROSS PRODUCT)

The vector product or cross product of two vectors is defined as a vector having a magnitude equal to the
product of the magnitudes of two vectors with the sine of angle between them, and direction is perpendicular
to the plane containing the two vectors in accordance with right hand screw rule.

Thus, if A and B are two vectors, then their vector product is written as, A  B is a vector C defined by
C = A  B ABsin  n̂

The direction of A  B i.e. C is perpendicular to the plane containing vectors A and B in the sense of
advance of a right handed screw rotated from A (first vector) to B (second vector) through the smaller angle
between them. Thus, if a right handed screw whose axis is perpendicular to the plane framed by A and B is
rotated from A and B through the smaller angle between them, then the direction of advancement of the
screw gives the direction of A  B i.e. C

26
VECTORS PHYSICS

V=A×B

RIGHT-HAND-THUMB RULE:

To find the direction of n , draw the two vectors A and B with both the tails coinciding. Now place your
stretched right palm perpendicular to the plane of A and B in such a way that the fingers are along the vector
A and when the fingers are closed they go towards B . The direction of the thumb gives the direction of n .
PROPERTIES
(i) Vector product of two vectors is always a vector perpendicular to the plane containing the two vectors, i.e.
orthogonal to both the vectors A and B , though the vectors A and B may or may not be orthogonal.
(ii) Vector product of two vectors is not commutative i.e.
A  B  B A
A  B = |B  A| = ABsin θ

i.e., in case of vectors A  B and B  A magnitudes are equal but directions opposite.

(iii) The vector product is distributive when the order of the vectors is strictly maintained, i.e.,
A  (B + C) = A  B + A  C
(iv) As by definition of vector product of two vectors, A  B = AB sin  n so A  B = AB sin 

AB 
i.e.  = sin −1  
 AB 
 
(v) The vector product of two non-zero vectors will be maximum when sin  = max = 1,
i.e.,  = 900.
 A  B = AB n̂
  max
i.e. if the vector product is maximum the vectors are orthogonal.
(vi) The vector product of two non– zero vectors will be minimum when |sin | = minimum = 0
i.e.  = 00 or 1800
and A  B =0
min

i.e. if the vector product of two non–zero vectors vanishes, the vectors are collinear.
(vii) The self cross product, i.e., product of a vector by itself vanishes, i.e. is a null vector
i.e. A  B = AA sin 0 n = 0
0

27
PHYSICS VECTORS

(viii) In sense of unit vector n from point (vii) nˆ  nˆ = 0

so that i  i = j  j = k  k = 0
(ix) In case of orthogonal unit vectors, in accordance with right hand screw rule:

i  j = k , k  j = −i and k  i = j
And as cross product is not commutative, j  i = −k , k  j = −i and i  k = − j

i j k
(x) In terms of components A  B = A x A y A z
Bx B y Bz

A  B = i ( Ay Bz − Az By ) + j ( Az Bx − Ax Bz ) + k ( Ax By − Ay Bx )

(xii) (a) Area of a parallelogram with adjacent sides represented by vectors a and b is a  b .

(b) The vector area of a parallelogram whose adjacent sides are a and b is a  b .
1
(c) Area of a triangle whose two adjacent sides are represented by the vectors a and b is ab .
2
(d) Vector area of a triangle whose adjacent sides are represented by a and b is
1
2
( )
ab .
EXAMPLES:
Since vector product of two vectors is a vector, many vector physical quantities like torque angular
momentum, velocity and force on a moving charge in a magnetic field can be expressed as the vector
product of two vectors. It is well- established in Physics that:
(a) Torque  = r  F
(b) Angular momentum L = r  p
(c) Velocity v =   r

Example 39: The vector from origin to the points A and B are a = 3iˆ − 6 ˆj + 2kˆ and b = 2iˆ + ˆj − 2kˆ
respectively. Find the area of
(i) the triangle OAB (ii) the parallelogram formed by OA and OB as adjacent sides.
Solution: Given OA = a = 3iˆ − 6 ˆj + 2kˆ and OB = b = 2iˆ + ˆj − 2kˆ
i j k
(a b ) = 3 −6 2 = (12 − 2 ) i − ( −6 − 4 ) j + ( 3 + 12 ) k
2 1 −2

= 10 iˆ + 10 ˆj + 15 kˆ

28
VECTORS PHYSICS

 a  b = 102 + 102 + 152 = 425 = 5 17

1 5 17
(i) Area of OAB = a b = sq. units
2 2
(ii) Area of parallelogram formed by OA and OB as adjacent sides = a  b = 5 17 sq. units.

Example 40: Find a  b and b  a if (i) a = 3kˆ + 4 ˆj, b = iˆ + ˆj − kˆ (ii) a = (2, –1, 1) ; b = (3, 4, –1)
Solution:
i j k
(i) a  b = 0 4 3 = −7i + 3 j − 4k
1 1 −3

i j k
b  a = 1 1 −1 = 7i − 3 j + 4k
0 4 3

i j k
(ii) a  b = 2 −1 1 = −3 i + 5 j + 11 k
3 4 −1

i j k
b  a = 3 4 −1 = 3 i − 5 j − 11 k
2 −1 1

Example 41: A is East wards and B is downwards. Find the direction of A  B ?

Solution: Applying right hand thumb rule we find that A  B is along North.

Example 42: If A.B = A  B , find angle A between B .

Solution: A.B = A  B AB cos  = AB sin  tan  = 1

  = 45º

Example 43: Two vectors A and B are inclined to each other at an angle . Find a unit vector which is
perpendicular to both A and B .
Solution: A  B = ABsin  nˆ
AB
n=
ABsin 
Here n is perpendicular to both A and B .

Example 44: Considering two vectors, F = (4 i − 10 j ) newton and r = (−5 i − 3 j ) meter. Compute ( r  F )
and state what physical quantity it represents.

29
PHYSICS VECTORS

Solution: As F = (4i − 10 j + 0k ) and r = (−5i − 3 j + 0k )

iˆ ˆj kˆ iˆ ˆj kˆ
rF = x y z = −5 −3 0
Fx Fy Fz 4 − 10 0
The given physical quantity r  F = kˆ(50 + 12) = 62kˆ represents torque i.e., moment of force.

SCALAR TRIPLE PRODUCT

( )
A . B  C is scalar and so is called scalar triple product.

From the diagram,

B  C = BC sin 
Now ( )
A. B  C = A cos  ( BCsin  ) = volume of parallelpiped
Regarding scalar triple product, it is worth noting that:
(i) It represents the volume of parallelpiped represented by edges A, B and C .

( )
(ii) A. B  C = 0 implies that vectors are coplanar.
(iii) In scalar triple product, dot and cross can be interchanged provided that their cyclic order is maintained.
Ax A y Az
( )
(iv) In component form, A. B  C = B x B y B z
Cx C y C Z

(
(v) Four points A, B, C and D are coplanar if AB. BC  CD = 0 )
MIND BOOSTERS
1. A vector remains unchanged if it is displaced parallel to itself.
2. A + B = A − B only if A and B are orthogonal.
3. Scalar quantities are quantities with magnitudes only. Examples are distance, speed, mass and
temperature.
4. Addition and subtraction of vectors is possible with vectors of the same kind.
5. A + B = A − B only if B is a null vector.
6. Vector quantities are quantities with magnitude and direction both. Examples are displacement, velocity
and acceleration. They obey special rules of vector algebra.
7. Multiplication of vectors is possible whether vectors are of the same kind or are of different kinds.

30
VECTORS PHYSICS

8. The resultant of any number of vectors which can be represented by the sides of a closed polygon taken
in the same order is zero. (Polygon law of vectors)
9. A vector (or a scalar) cannot be divided by a vector, though a scalar can be divided by a scalar.
10. A vector A multiplied by a real number l is also a vector, whose magnitude is l times the magnitude of
the vector A and whose direction is the same or opposite depending upon whether l is positive or
negative.
11. The magnitude of the resultant of two vectors and can have any value between (P – Q) and (P + Q),
depending upon the angle between them.
12. The magnitude of the resultant of two equal vectors inclined to each other at an angle of 120 o is equal to
the magnitude of either of the two vectors.
13. Two vectors A and B may be added graphically using head to tail method or parallelogram method.
14. A vector can be resolved into any number of pairs of rectangular components. For example, if AC and
CB are the two rectangular components of AB , then ABC is a right angled triangle at C.
15. (a) i. i = j. j = k . k = 1 (b) i  i = j  j = k  k = 0

16. Vector addition is commutative: A + B = B + A

( )
It also obeys the associative law: A + B + C = A + B + C ( )
17. A vector can be resolved into any number of component vectors. But we usually resolve a vector into two
rectangular components in a plane and into three rectangular components in space.
18. (a) i. j = j. k = k . i = 0 (b) i  j = k , j  k = i , k  i = j
19. A null or zero vector is a vector with zero magnitude. Since the magnitude is zero, we don’t have to
specify its direction. It has the properties:
(i) A + 0 = A
(ii) 0 = 0
(iii) 0 A = 0
20. The component of a vector perpendicular to the vector is always zero, i.e., a vector has no component
(and as such no effect) in a direction perpendicular to it.
21. (a) Dot product of two vectors A and B varies from –AB to +AB.
(b) The magnitude of cross-product of two vectors A and B varies from 0 to AB.
22. The subtraction of vector B from A is defined as the sum of A and – B :
A − B = A + −B ( )
23. Two vectors at right angles to each other are independent of each other. This is due to the reason that the
component of each in the direction of the other is zero.
24. The position vector of an object in x – y plane is given by r = xi + y j and the displacement from
position r to position r is given by
r = r  − r = ( x − x) i + ( y − y) j =  xi +  y j
25. If A  B = B  C = C  A , then A + B + C = 0 .
26. A vector A can be resolved into component along two given vectors a and b lying in the same plane:
A =  a + b
where  and  are real numbers.

31
PHYSICS VECTORS

1. Find the resultant of two forces, one 6 N due east and other 8N due north.
2. Two vectors both equal in magnitude, have their resultant equal in magnitude of the either. Find the angle
between the two vectors.
3. The resultant of two vectors P and Q is R . On reversing Q , the resultant vector becomes S . Show
2 2 2
(
that R + S = 2 P + Q
2
)
4. The greatest and least resultant of two forces acting at a point are 29 N and 5 N respectively. If each force
is increased by 3 N, find the resultant of new forces acting at right angle to each other.
5. Two forces equal to P and 2P newton act on a particle. If first is doubled and the second be increased by
20 newton, the direction of resultant is unaltered, find the value of P.
6. The sum of the magnitudes of two forces acting at a point is 18 N and the magnitude of their resultant is
12 N. If the resultant makes an angle of 90o with the force of smaller magnitude, what are the magnitude
of two forces?
7. Two buses A and B start moving from a point with velocities 30 kmh– 1 and 10 kmh– 1 respectively along
two roads inclined at an angle of 60o. Find the separation between the buses after 12 minute from start.
8. In the figure ABCDEF is a regular hexagon prove that AB + AC + AD + AE + AF = 6 AO

9. ABCD is a parallelogram and AC and BD are its diagonals. Prove that

(i) AC + BD = 2 BC (ii) AC − BD = 2 AB
10. Establish the following vector inequalities:
(i) a − b  a + b (ii) a − b  a − b

11. The greatest resultant of two vectors P and Q is n times their least resultant. If P  Q and  is the

angle between the two vectors, their resultant is half the sum of magnitude of two vectors. Show that
− ( n2 + 2 )
cos  =
2 ( n2 − 1)
.

12. A car is moving on a straight line with a speed of 10 kmph. When it passes by a person standing on the
roadside, driver throws a parcel with a speed of 10 2 kmph , so that the parcel reaches the person
directly. What is the direction of throw of parcel with respect to the motion of the car?

32
VECTORS PHYSICS

13. Find the resultant of the vectors shown in the figure.

14. A body of weight 5 kgwt is hanging vertically from a point as shown. A horizontal force of 25 N is applied
and the body comes to rest when the string makes an angle  with due vertical find:
(i) Tension T in the string (ii) Angle 

15. A man of mass 70 kg is hanging with the help of two ropes as shown. Calculate tension in each string.

16. A car moving due east at 10 ms–1 takes 10 second to turn due north but still moving at 10 ms–1. Find the
average acceleration on the car during this time interval.
17. A car moving due east at 10 ms–1 takes 10 second to turn due north and finally moving at 20 ms –1. Find
the average acceleration on the car during this time interval.
18. A vector is rotated through a certain angle . What is the magnitude of change in vector?
19. A force of 20 N is acting at an angle of 30o with the x-axis. Write its rectangular form.
20. One of the rectangular components of a velocity of 80 kmh– 1 is 40 kmh– 1. Find the other component.
21. A plane leaves the surface of earth at 250 kmh– 1 at angle of 30o with the horizontal. Find the horizontal
and vertical components of velocity of the plane.
22. A particle is moving at 4 ms– 1 at an angle of 60o with x-axis. Calculate the time taken to cover 10 m
along x-axis? What is the actual distance covered in same time?
23. Two billiard balls are rolling on a flat table. One has velocity components vx = 2ms−1 , vy = 2ms−1 and

other has components vx = 1 ms −1 and vy = 3 ms−1 . If both the balls start moving from the same
point, what is the angle between their paths?
24. For a particle moving in xy plane, the x and y coordinates change with time as x = 4t ; y = 3t calculate
2 2

the distance travelled by particle in 3s and explain the trajectory.

25. Add the vectors r1 = 2iˆ + 8 ˆj and r2 = 6iˆ + ˆj to get resultant vector.
26. Calculate the resultant of the following forces acting at a point making use of resolution process.
(i) 100 2 dyne NE
(ii) 980 2 dyne NW
(iii) 1960 dyne due south

33
PHYSICS VECTORS

27. A bird moves with velocity 20 ms–1 in a direction making an angle of 60o with the eastern line and 60o
with vertical upward. Represent the velocity vector in rectangular form.

28. A particle P is moving along a straight line with a velocity of 3 ms–1 and another particle Q has a velocity
of 4 ms– 1 at an angle of 30o to the path of P. Find the speed of Q relative to P.
29. Rain is falling vertically with a speed of 30 ms–1. A woman rides a bicycle with a speed of 10 ms–1 in the
north to south direction. What is the relative velocity of rain with respect to woman? In what direction
she should hold umbrella to protect herself from rain?
30. To a person moving eastwards with a velocity of 4.8 kmh–1, rain appears to fall vertically down wards a
speed of 6.4 kmh–1. Find the actual speed and direction of the rain.
31. A ship is streaming towards east with a speed of 12 ms–1. A man runs across the deck at 5 ms– 1 in a
direction at right angle to the motion of ship. Find the speed of man relative to sea?
32. To a person moving due to East at 2 kmph, rain appears to fall vertically downwards. He doubles his
speed and rain appears to come at an angle of 45o from front. What is the actual velocity of rain?
33. In a harbour, wind is blowing at the speed of 72 kmh–1 and the flag on the mast of a boat anchored in the
harbor flutters along the N-E direction. If the boat starts moving at a speed of 51 kmh– 1 to the north, what
is the direction of the flag on the mast of the boat?
34. Four persons A, B, C and D are at the corners of a square of side d. They start moving simultaneously
each with speed v such that A always moves towards B, B always moves towards C, C towards D and D
towards A. Find the time after which they meet.

35. Find the value of  so that the vectors A = 2iˆ +  ˆj + kˆ and B = 4iˆ − 2 ˆj − 2kˆ are perpendicular to each other.

36. A body constrained to move along the z-axis of a co-ordinate system is subjected to a constant force F
given by F = −iˆ + 2 ˆj + 3kˆ newton where iˆ, ˆj and kˆ represent unit vectors along x, - y- and z-axis of
the system respectively. Calculate the work done by the force in displacing the body through a distance
of 4 m along the z-axis.
37. If A + B = A − B , find the angle between A and B .
  
38. If unit vectors â and b̂ are inclined at angle , the prove that a− b = 2sin .
2
39. Calculate the angle between the vectors: A = iˆ + ˆj + 2kˆ, B = 2iˆ − ˆj + kˆ .
40. Calculate the component of A = 2iˆ + 3 ˆj on B = iˆ + ˆj .
41. Find a vector perpendicular to A = 3iˆ + 4 ˆj .
42. Find the component of A = 2iˆ + 3 ˆj perpendicular to B = iˆ + ˆj .
43. A point P lies in the x-y plane. Its position can be specified by its x, y coordinates or by a radially directed

( )
vector r = xiˆ + yjˆ , making an angle  with the x-axis. Find a vector iˆr of unit magnitude, in the direction

of vector r and vector iˆ of unit magnitude normal to the vector iˆr and lying in the x-y plane.

34
VECTORS PHYSICS

44. Prove that the vectors A = 2iˆ − 3 ˆj − kˆ and B = −6iˆ + 9 ˆj + 3kˆ are antiparallel to each other.
45. Calculate the area of the parallelogram whose two adjacent sides are formed by the vectors A = 3iˆ + 4 ˆj
and B = 3iˆ + 7 ˆj.
46. Determine a unit vector perpendicular to both A = 2iˆ + ˆj + kˆ and B = iˆ − ˆj + 2kˆ.

47. Find a vector whose length is 7 and which is perpendicular to each of the vectors :
A = 2iˆ − 3 ˆj + 6kˆ and B = iˆ + ˆj − kˆ

( )
2 2
48. For any two vectors A and B , prove that A  B = A2 B 2 − A.B

49. The diagonals of a parallelogram are given by the vectors 3iˆ + ˆj + 2kˆ and iˆ − 3 ˆj + 4kˆ. Find the area of
the parallelogram.
50. For three vectors a , b and c satisfying a + b + c = 0, where A, B, and C are the angles between
a b c
vectors, prove that = = .
sin A sin B sin C
51. Find the area of the triangle formed by the tips of the vectors a = iˆ − ˆj − 3kˆ, b = 4iˆ − 3 ˆj + kˆ and
c = 3iˆ − ˆj + 2kˆ.

35
PHYSICS VECTORS

1. A vector has both magnitude and direction.

Does it mean that anything that has magnitude and direction is necessarily a vector? The rotation of a
body can be specified by the direction of the axis of rotation and the angle of rotation about the axis.
Does that make any rotation a vector?
2. State for each of the following physical quantities, if it is a scalar or a vector: volume, mass speed,
acceleration, density, number of moles, velocity, angular frequency, displacement, angular velocity.
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. Three girls skating on a circular ice ground of radius 200 m start from a point P on the edge of the ground and
reach a point Q diametrically opposite to P following different paths as shown in figure. What is the
magnitude of the displacement vector for each? For which girl is this equal to the actual length of path skated?

5. Give two conditions necessary for a given quantity to be a vector.

6. A vector has magnitude and direction. Does it have a location in space? Can it vary with time? Will two
equal vectors a and b at different locations in space necessarily have identical physical effects? Give
examples in support of your answer.
7. A vector has both magnitude and direction. Does it mean that anything that has magnitude and direction
is necessarily a vector? The rotation of a body can be specified by the direction of the axis of rotation,
and the angle of rotation about the axis. Does that make any rotation a vector?
8. Can you associate vectors with (a) the length of a wire bent into a loop, (b) a plane area, (c) a sphere?
Explain.

9. Consider the quantities, pressure, power, energy, impulse, gravitational potential, electrical charge,
temperature, acceleration. Out of these, the only vector quantities are
(A) Impulse, pressure and acceleration (B) Impulse and acceleration
(C) acceleration and gravitational potential (D) impulse and pressure
10. In Latin, the word vector means
(A) magnitude (B) direction
(C) carrier (D) cap

36
VECTORS PHYSICS

11. A vector is not changed if

(A) It is displaced parallel to itself (B) It is rotated through an arbitrary angl
(C) It is cross-multiplied by a unit vector. (D) It is multiplied by an arbitrary scalar.
12. A physical quantity which has a direction:
(A) Must be a vector (B) May be a vector
(C) May be both scalar and vector (D) None of these
13. Which of the following physical quantities are represented by axial vectors?
(A) Displacement (B) Force
(C) Velocity (D) Torque
14. Which of the following physical quantities are represented by polar vectors?
(A) Displacement (B) Angular velocity
(C) Angular momentum (D) Torque
15. Which of the following is a vector quantity?
(A) Temperature (B) Surface tension
(C) Calorie (D) Force
16. Which of the following quantities is a vector?
(A) Mass of a radium nucleus (B) Charge on a proton
(C) Wind velocity (D) Energy of a thermal neutron
17. A vector may change if :
(A) Frame of reference is translated (B) Frame of reference is rotated
(C) Vector is translated parallel to itself (D) Vector is rotated
18. Which of the following relations are wrong?
(i) A + B = C (ii) A + B = C
(iii) A + B = C (iv) A + B = C
(A) (ii) (iv) (B) (i), (ii) (iv)
(C) (i), (iii) (D) (ii), (iii), (iv)

19. Which of the following will not depend on orientation of frame of reference?
(i) A scalar (ii) A vector
(iii) The magnitude of a vector (iv) Component of a vector
(A) (i), (iii) (B) (ii), (iv)
(C) (i), (ii), (iii) (D) (i), (iv)
20. Which of the following physical quantities are represented by axial vectors?
(A) Displacement (B) Force
(C) Velocity (D) Torque
21. Which of the following operations make no sense in case of scalars and vectors?
(A) Multiplying any vector by a scalar
(B) Addition a component of vector to the same vector
(C) Multiplying any two scalars
(D) Adding a scalar to a vector of the same dimensions

37
PHYSICS VECTORS

22. Find the unit vector of the vector A = −3iˆ + ˆj + 2kˆ

23. If a vector A has magnitude A and n̂ is unit vector in the direction of A, then which of the following
are correct?
A A A
(i) A = (ii) nˆ = (iii) 1 = (iv) A = Anˆ
nˆ A A
(A) (i), (iii) (B) (i) (iv)
(C) (ii), (iii), (iv) (D) (i), (ii), (iv)

24. What is the essential condition for the addition of two vectors?
25. Determine the vector which added to the resultant of A = 2iˆ − 4 ˆj − 6kˆ and B = 4iˆ + 3 ˆj + 3kˆ gives the
unit vector along z -axis
26. State and prove triangle law of vector addition.
27. State parallelogram law of vector addition. Derive an expression for the resultant of two vectors A and B
inclined at an angle .
28. Given a + b + c + d = 0 , which of the following statements are correct :

(a) a, b, c and d must each be a null vector,

( )
(b) The magnitude of a + c equals the magnitude of b + d ( )
(c) The magnitude of a can never be greater than the sum of the magnitudes of b, c and d .
(d) b + c must lie in the plane of a and d if a and d are not collinear, and in the line of a and d , if
they are collinear?
29. What should be the angle  between two vectors A and B for their resultant R to be maximum?
30. What should be the angle  between two vectors A and B for their resultant R to be minimum?
31. Can we apply the commutative and associative laws to vector subtraction also?
32. What is the effect on the magnitude of the resultant of two vectors when the angle  between them is
increased from 0o to 180o?
33. Can three vectors not in one plane give a zero resultant? Can four vectors do so?
34. What is the vector sum of n coplanar forces, each of magnitude F, if each force makes an angle of 2/n
with the proceeding force?

38
VECTORS PHYSICS

35. Two forces each numerically equal to 10 dyne are acting as shown in the adjoining figure, then the
resultant is :

(A) 10 dyne (B) 20 dyne

(C) 10 3 dyne (D) 5 dyne
36. For the Figure

(A) A + B = C (B) B + C = A
(C) C + A = B (D) A + B + C = 0
37. If A = B + C and the magnitude of A, B and C are 5, 4 and 3 units respectively, the angle between A and
C is :
−1 3 −1 4
(A) cos   (B) cos  
5 5
 −1  3 
(C) (D) sin  
2 4
38. When two vectors A and B of magnitude a and b are added, the magnitude of the resultant vector is :
(A) equal to ( a + b) (B) less than ( a + b)
(C) greater than ( a + b ) (D) not greater than ( a + b )
39. For the resultant of two vectors to be maximum, what must be the angle between them?
(A) 0o (B) 60o
o
(C) 90 (D) 180o
40. Two vectors A and B lie in a plane, a third vector C lies outside this plane, then the sum of these
vectors A + B + C :
(A) Can be zero (B) Can never be zero
(C) Lies in a plane containing A + B (D) Lies in a plane containing A − B
41. Two forces of 4 dyne and 3 dyne act upon a body. The resultant force on the body can only be :
(A) More than 3 dyne (B) More than 4 dyne
(C) Between 3 and 4 dyne (D) Between 1 and 7 dyne
42. Out of the following the resultant of which cannot be 4 newton?
(A) 2 N and 2 N (B) 2 N and 4 N
(C) 2 N and 6 N (D) 2 N and 8 N
43. The angle between two vectors of magnitude 12 and 18 units, when their resultant is 24 unit, will be:
1 3
(A) cos −1   (B) cos −1  
8 4
1 1
(C) cos −1   (D) cos −1  
4 2

39
PHYSICS VECTORS

44. Two vectors A and B are such that A + B = C and A + B = C . If  is the angle between positive
2 2 2

directions of A and B , then mark the correct alternative:


(A)  = 0 (B)  =
o

2
2
(C)  = (D)  = 
3
45. If two numerically equal forces P and P acting at a point produce a resultant force of magnitude P itself,
then the angle between the two original forces is :
(A) 0o (B) 60o
o
(C) 90 (D) 120o
46. The sum of two forces acting at a point is 16 N. If the resultant force is 8 N and its direction is
perpendicular to minimum force, then the forces are:
(A) 6 N and 10 N (B) 8 N and 8 N
(C) 4 N and 12 N (D) 2 N and 14 N
47. Two forces in the ratio 1 : 2 act simultaneously on a particle. The resultant of these forces is three times
the first force. The angle between them is :
(A) 0o (B) 60o
(C) 90o (D) 45o
48. If A + B = C and A + B = C , then the angle between A and B is:

(A) 0o (B)
4

(C) (D) 
2
49. Resultant of two vectors A and B is inclined at 45o to either of them. What is the magnitude of
resultant?
(A) A + B (B) A − B
(C) A2 + B 2 (D) A2 − B 2
50. If C = A + B, then which of the following relations is necessarily valid?
(A) A  B (B) A  B
(C) A = B (D) None of these
51. Which of the following is not essential for the three vectors to produce zero resultant?
(A) The resultant of any two vector should be equal and opposite to the third vector
(B) They should lie in the same plane
(C) They should act along the sides of a parallelogram
(D) It should be possible to represent them by the three sides of triangle taken in order
52. The minimum number of vectors of equal magnitude required to produce a zero resultant is:
(A) 2 (B) 3
(C) 4 (D) more than 4
53. The minimum number of vectors of unequal magnitude required to produce a zero resultant is :
(A) 2 (B) 3
(C) 4 (D) more than 4
54. When the following three forces of 50 dynes, 30 dynes and 15 dynes act on a body, then the body is:
(A) At rest (B) Moving with uniform velocity
(C) In equilibrium (D) Moving with an acceleration
55. The points with position vectors a + b , a − b and a + kb are collinear for all real values of k.
(A) true (B) false
(C) nothing can be said (D) none of these

40
VECTORS PHYSICS

56. Given that A + B + C = 0. Which of the following options is correct?

(A) A + B = C (B) A + B = C

(C) A − B = C (D) A − B = C

( ) (
57. What is the angle between A and the resultant of A + B and A − B ? )
 A
(A) 0o (B) tan −1  
B
B  A− B 
(C) tan −1   (D) tan −1  
 A  A+ B 
58. Given that C = A + B and C makes an angle  with A and  with B . Which of the following options
is correct?
(A)  cannot be less than  (B)    , if A  B
(C)    , if A  B (D)    , if A = B

59. Can the increment  a in the magnitude of vector a be greater than the modulus of the increment of the
vector, that is,  a ? Can they be equal?

60. The direction of vector a is reversed. Find  a,  a and a .

61. If a and  a are directed opposite each other, what is the relation between  a and  a ?

62. A vector a is turned through a small angle d without a change in its length. What are  a and  a ?

63. Do a + b and a − b lie in the same plane? Give reason.

64. Is a + b greater than or less than a + b ? Give reason.

65. Is a − b greater than or less than a + b ?

66. The sum and difference of two vectors are perpendicular to each other. Prove that the vectors are equal in
magnitude.

67. If A + B = 0, then A and B:

(i) have equal magnitude (ii) have unequal magnitude
(iii) are in same direction (iv) are in opposite direction
(A) (i), (ii) (B) (i), (ii), (iv)
(C) (i), (iv) (D) (ii), (iii)
68. The direction of a vector A is reversed. What are the values of  A and  A ?
(A) +2 A, 0 (B) + A, 0
(C) −2 A, 0 (D) − A, 0

41
PHYSICS VECTORS

69. A vector of length l is turned through the angle  about its tail. What is the change in the position vector
of its head?
(A) l cos ( /2) (B) 2l sin ( /2)
(C) 2l cos ( /2 ) (D) l sin ( /2 )

70. Explain using resolution of vectors why pulling is easier than pushing?
71. What is meant by resolution of a vector? Prove that a vector can be resolved along two given directions
in one and only one way.
72. Can a vector be zero when one of the components is not zero while all the other components are zero?
73. Two persons are pulling the ends of a string in such a way that the string is stretched horizontally. When
a weight of 10 kg is suspended in the middle of the string, the string does not remain horizontal. Can the
persons make it horizontal again by putting it with a greater force?

74. The flight of a bird can be an example of :

(A) Dot product of vectors (B) Cross product of vectors
(C) Composition of vectors (D) Triangle law of vector addition
75. The component of a vector is :
(A) Always less than its magnitude (B) Always greater than its magnitude
(C) Always equal to its magnitude (D) None of the above
76. What is the maximum number of component into which a vector can be split?
(A) 2 (B) 3
(C) 4 (D) Infinite
77. What is the maximum number of rectangular components into which a vector can be split in space?
(A) 2 (B) 3
(C) 4 (D) Infinite
78. What is the maximum number of rectangular components into which a vector can be split in its own plane?
(A) 2 (B) 3
(C) 4 (D) Infinite
79. A force vector applied on a mass is represented as F = 6iˆ − 8 ˆj + 10kˆ and the mass accelerates with
1 m/s2. What will be the mass of the body?
(A) 10 2 kg (B) 2 10 kg
(C) 10kg (D) 20 kg
80. Which of the following does not depend on the choice of the co-ordinate system?
(A) P + Q + R (B) ( Px + Qx + Rx ) iˆ
(C) Pxiˆ + Qy ˆj + Rz kˆ (D) None of these
81. The units vector along iˆ + ˆj is :
(A) kˆ (B) iˆ + ˆj
iˆ + ˆj iˆ + ˆj
(C) (D)
2 2

42
VECTORS PHYSICS

82. Two vectors are given by A = iˆ + 2 ˆj + 2kˆ and B = 3iˆ + 6 ˆj + 2kˆ. Another vector C has the same

magnitude as B but has the same direction as A. Then which of the following vectors represents C ?
(A)
3
(
7 ˆ
i + 2 ˆj + 2kˆ ) (B)
7
(
3 ˆ
i − 2 ˆj + 2kˆ )
(C)
9
(
7 ˆ
i − 2 ˆj + 2kˆ ) (D)
7
(
9 ˆ
i + 2 ˆj + 2kˆ )
83. Two vectors A and B have components Ax , Ay , Az and Bx , By , Bz respectively. If A + B = 0, then:
(A) Ax = Bx , Ay = − By , Az = − Bz (B) Ax = Bx , Ay = By , Az = − Bz
(C) Ax = Bx , Ay = By , Az = Bz (D) Ax = − Bx , Ay = − By , Az = − Bz

84. Rain is falling vertically downwards with a speed of 25 m/s. A cyclist is going at a speed of 10 m/s North
to South. What is the apparent speed & direction of the rain?
85. In a harbor, wind is blowing at 72 km/h and the flag on the mast of the boat anchored in the harbor
flutters along the N-E direction. It the boat starts moving at 51 km/h to the north, what is the direction of
flag on the mast of the boat?
86. Derive an expression for the relative velocity of body A with respect to body B. such that the angle
between their velocity vectors is . When will be the relative velocity between them a) maximum and b)
minimum?

87. A river is flowing from west to east at a speed of 5 metres per minute. A man on the south bank of the
river, capable of swimming at 10 metres per minute in still water, wants to swim across the river in the
shortest time. He should swim in a direction:
(A) Due north (B) 30o east of north
o
(C) 30 west of north (D) 60o east of north
88. A boat which has a speed of 5 km per hour in still water crosses a river of width 1 km along the shortest
possible path in fifteen minutes. The velocity of the river water (in km per hour) is :
(A) 1 (B) 2
(C) 3 (D) 41
89. A man standing on a road hold his umbrella at 30° with the vertical to keep the rain away. He throws the
umbrella and starts running at 10 km/hr. He finds that raindrops are hitting his head vertically, the speed
of raindrops with respect to the road will be
(A) 10 km/hr (B) 20 km/hr
(C) 30 km/hr (D) 40 km/hr
90. A boat is moving with a velocity 3i + 4j with respect to ground. The water in the river is moving with a
velocity – 3i – 4j with respect to ground. The relative velocity of the boat with respect to water is
(A) 8j (B) – 6i – 8j
(C) 6i +8j (D) 5 2

43
PHYSICS VECTORS

91. A swimmer can swim in still water with speed v and the river is flowing with velocity v/2. To cross the
river in shortest distance, he should swim making angle  with the upstream. What is the ratio of the
time taken to swim across the shortest time to that in swimming across over shortest distance
(A) cos  (B) sin 
(C) tan  (D) cot 
92. A person aiming to reach the exactly opposite point on the bank of a stream is swimming with a speed of
0.5 m/s at an angle of 1200 with the direction of flow of water. The speed of water in the stream is
(A) 1 m/s (B) 0.5 m/s
(C) 0.25 m/s (D) 0.433 m/s
93. A man crosses a 320 m wide river perpendicular to the current in 4 minutes. If in still water he can swim
with a speed 5/3 times that of the current, then the speed of the current, in m/min is
(A) 30 (B) 40
(C) 50 (D) 60

94. Can the scalar product of two vectors be negative?

95. What is the dot product of two perpendicular vectors A and B ?
96. If A, B and C are non-zero vectors and A.B = 0 and B.C = 0 , then find out the value of A .C .

97. Under what conditions does the equality: A + B = A − B hold good?

   
98. The vectors A and B are such that A + B = A − B then the angle between the two vectors A and B will be:
(A) 00 (B) 600
(C) 900 (D) 1800
99. What is the component of 3iˆ + 4 ˆj along iˆ + ˆj ?

(A)
1
2
(iˆ + ˆj ) (B)
3
2
(iˆ + ˆj )
(C)
5
2
(iˆ + ˆj ) (D)
7
2
(iˆ + ˆj )
ˆ cos  + ˆjA sin  , be any vector. Another vector B which is normal to
100. Let A = iA A is :
ˆ cos  + ˆjB sin 
(A) iB ˆ sin  + ˆjB cos 
(B) iB
ˆ sin  − ˆjB cos 
(C) iB ˆ cos  − ˆjA sin 
(D) iA
101. The angle between two vectors 2iˆ + 3 ˆj + kˆ and −3iˆ + 6kˆ is:
(A) 0o (B) 45o
(C) 60o (D) 90o
102. If the vector P = aiˆ + ajˆ + 3kˆ and Q = aiˆ − 2 ˆj − kˆ are perpendicular to each other, then the positive
value of a is :
(A) 3 (B) 2
(C) 1 (D) 0

44
VECTORS PHYSICS

103. If the two vectors A = 2iˆ + 3 ˆj + 4kˆ and B = iˆ + 2 ˆj − nkˆ are perpendicular, then the value of n is
(A) 1 (B) 2
(C) 3 (D) 4
( )
104. The angle between the vectors iˆ + ˆj and ĵ + kˆ is : ( )
(A) 90o (B) 60o
(C) 30o (D) 45o
105. A and B are two vectors given A = 2iˆ + 3 ˆj and B = iˆ + ˆj. The magnitude of the component of A
along B is :
5 3
(A) (B)
2 2
7 1
(C) (D)
2 2
106. The magnitude of component of vector
A = ax iˆ + a y ˆj + az kˆ along the direction of iˆ − ˆj is :
(A) ax − a y + az (B) ax − a y

(
(C) ax − a y / 2 ) (
(D) ax + a y + az )
107. Component of 3iˆ + 4 ˆj perpendicular to iˆ + ˆj and in the same plane as that of 3iˆ + 4 ˆj is :

(A)
1 ˆ ˆ
2
j −i( ) (B)
3 ˆ ˆ
2
j −i( )
(C)
5 ˆ ˆ
2
j −i( ) (D)
7 ˆ ˆ
2
j −i( )

108. Calculate the area of parallelogram whose adjacent sides are given by the vectors i + 2 j + 3k and
2i − 3 j + k.
109. Show that cross product of two vectors represent area of parallelogram formed by two adjacent sides as
the given vectors.
ˆ ˆ ˆ ˆ ˆ ˆ
110. Given two vectors 3i + 2k + 3 j and 3i + 4 j − 4k . Find a vector which has the magnitude equal to the
later and the lies in a plane perpendicular to the two vectors.
ˆ ˆ ˆ ˆ ˆ ˆ
111. Determine a unit vector perpendicular to both A = 2i + j + k and B = i − j + 2k .
112. If A  B = C  B , show that C need not be equal to A ?
113. Under what condition will be equality: A  B = A.B hold good?

(
114. What is the angle between A + B and A  B ? ) ( )

45
PHYSICS VECTORS

115. If A  B = A  B , then angle  between vectors A and B is:

(A) 0 (B) 
4

(C) (D) 
2
116. Find the torque of a force F = −3iˆ + ˆj + 5kˆ acting at the point r = 7iˆ + 3 ˆj + kˆ :
(A) 14iˆ − 38 ˆj + 16kˆ (B) 4iˆ + 4 ˆj + 6kˆ
(C) −14iˆ + 38 ˆj − 16kˆ (D) 21iˆ + 3 ˆj + 5kˆ
117. What is the angle between A + B and A  B ?

(A) 0 (B)
4

(C) (D) 
2
118. Given that both A and B are greater than 1. The magnitude of A  B cannot be?
(A) Equal to AB (B) Less than AB
(C) More than AB (D) Equal to A/B
119. The diagonals of a parallelogram are 2iˆ and 2 ˆj . What is the area of the parallelogram?
(A) 0.5 unit (B) 1 unit
(C) 2 unit (D) 4 unit
120. Two vectors A and B are inclined to each other at an angle . Which of the following is the unit vector
perpendicular to both A and B ?
A B Aˆ  Bˆ
(A) (B)
A B sin 
A  Bˆ Aˆ  B
(C) (D)
AB sin  AB sin 
121. If A  B = 3 A . B, then the value of A + B is :
1
 AB  2
1

(
(A) A + B + AB
2 2
) 2 (B)  A2 + B 2 + 
 3

( )
1
(C) ( A + B ) (D) A2 + B2 + 3 AB 2

46
VECTORS PHYSICS

122. Read each statement below carefully and state, with reasons and examples, if it is true or false : A scalar
quantity is one that
(a) is conserved in a process
(b) can never take negative values
(c) must be dimensionless
(d) does not vary from one point to another in space.
(e) has the same value for observers with different orientations of axes.
123. 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.

47
PHYSICS VECTORS

48
VECTORS PHYSICS

1. 0.4iˆ + 0.8 ˆj + ckˆ represents a unit vector when c is

(A) 0.2 (B) 0.2
(C) 0.8 (D) 0
2. The angles which a vector iˆ + ˆj + 2 kˆ makes with X, Y and Z axes respectively are
(A) 60°, 60°, 60° (B) 45°, 45°, 45°
(C) 60°, 60°, 45° (D) 45°, 45°, 60°
3. The value of a unit vector in the direction of vector A = 5iˆ − 12 ˆj , is

(A) iˆ (B) ĵ
(C) (iˆ + ˆj ) /13 (D) (5iˆ − 12 ˆj ) /13
4. Which of the following is independent of the choice of co-ordinate system
(A) P + Q + R (B) ( Px + Qx + Rx )iˆ

(C) Pxiˆ + Qy ˆj + Rz kˆ (D) None of these

5. A car travels 6 km towards north at an angle of 45° to the east and then travels distance of 4 km towards
north at an angle of 135° to the east. How far is the point from the starting point. What angle does the
straight line joining its initial and final position makes with the east?
−1
(A) 50 km and tan (5) (B) 10 km and tan −1 ( 5)
−1
(C) 52 km and tan (5) (D) 52 km and tan −1 ( 5)
6. 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. Then the angles between vectors are
given by
(A) 30°, 60°, 90° (B) 45°, 45°, 90°
(C) 45°, 60°, 90° (D) 90°, 135°, 135°
7. Two forces F1 = 1N and F2 = 2 N act along the lines x = 0 and y = 0 respectively. Then the resultant of
forces would be
(A) iˆ + 2 ˆj (B) iˆ + ˆj
(C) 3iˆ + 2 ˆj (D) 2iˆ + ˆj
8. At what angle must the two forces (x + y) and (x – y) act so that the resultant may be ( x2 + y2 )

−1 x2 + y 2   2( x 2 − y 2 ) 
−1
(A) cos  − 2 
(B) cos  − 2 
 2( x − y )  x + y2 
2

−1  x2 + y2  −1  x2 − y 2 
(C) cos  − 2 2 
(D) cos  − 2 2 
 x −y   x +y 
9. Following forces start acting on a particle at rest at the origin of the co-ordinate system simultaneously
F 1 = −4iˆ − 5 ˆj + 5kˆ , F 2 = 5iˆ + 8 ˆj + 6kˆ , F 3 = −3iˆ + 4 ˆj − 7kˆ and F 4 = 2iˆ − 3 ˆj − 2kˆ then the particle
will move
(A) In x – y plane (B) In y – z plane
(C) In x – z plane (D) Along x -axis

49
PHYSICS VECTORS

10. The resultant of A + B is R1. On reversing the vector B , the resultant becomes R 2 . What is the value of
R12 + R22
(A) A2 + B2 (B) A2 − B2
(C) 2( A + B ) (D) 2( A − B )
2 2 2 2

11. Figure below shows a body of mass M moving with the uniform speed on a circular path of radius, R.
What is the change in acceleration in going from P1 to P2
P2
v

P1
R

2
(A) Zero (B) v / 2 R
v2
 2
2
(C) 2v / R (D)
R
12. A particle is moving on a circular path of radius r with uniform velocity v. The change in velocity when
the particle moves from P to Q is (POQ = 40)
P
r
O 40o v

Q
v

(A) 2v cos 40 (B) 2v sin 40

(C) 2v sin 20 (D) 2v cos 20
13. A = 2iˆ + 4 ˆj + 4kˆ and B = 4iˆ + 2 ˆj − 4kˆ are two vectors. The angle between them will be
(A) 0° (B) 45°
(C) 60° (D) 90°
14. If  = 2iˆ + 3 ˆj − kˆ and B = −iˆ + 3 ˆj + 4kˆ then projection of A on B will be
3 3
(A) (B)
13 26
3 3
(C) (D)
26 13
15. In above question, a unit vector perpendicular to both A and B will be
1 ˆ ˆ ˆ 1 ˆ ˆ ˆ
(A) + (i − j − k ) (B) − (i − j − k )
3 3
(C) Both (A) and (B) (D) None of these
16. Two constant forces F1 = 2iˆ − 3 ˆj + 3kˆ (N) and F2 = iˆ + ˆj − 2kˆ (N) act on a body and displace it from
the position r1 = iˆ + 2 ˆj − 2kˆ (m) to the position r2 = 7iˆ + 10 ˆj + 5kˆ (m). What is the work done
(A) 9 J (B) 41 J
(C) –3 J (D) None of these

50
VECTORS PHYSICS

17. For any two vectors A and B , if A . B = | A  B |, then the magnitude of C = A + B is equal to
(A) A2 + B 2 (B) A + B
AB
(C) A2 + B 2 + (D) A2 + B 2 + 2  AB
2
18. Two vectors P = 2iˆ + bjˆ + 2kˆ and Q = iˆ + ˆj + kˆ will be parallel if
(A) b = 0 (B) b = 1
(C) b = 2 (D) b= – 4
19. Which of the following is not true? If A = 3iˆ + 4 ˆj and B = 6iˆ + 8 ˆj where A and B are the magnitudes
of A and B
A 1
(A) A  B = 0 (B) =
B 2
(C) A . B = 50 (D) A = 5
20. The area of the triangle formed by 2iˆ + ˆj − kˆ and iˆ + ˆj + kˆ is
(A) 3 sq.unit (B) 2 3 sq. unit
14
(C) 2 14 sq. unit (D) sq. unit
2
21. Position of a particle in a rectangular-co-ordinate system is (3, 2, 5). Then its position vector will be
(A) 3iˆ + 5 ˆj + 2kˆ (B) 3iˆ + 2 ˆj + 5kˆ
(C) 5iˆ + 3 ˆj + 2kˆ (D) None of these

22. 100 coplanar forces each equal to 10 N act on a body. Each force makes angle with the preceding
50
force. What is the resultant of the forces
(A) 1000 N (B) 500 N
(C) 250 N (D) Zero
23. How many minimum number of coplanar vectors having different magnitudes can be added to give zero
resultant
(A) 2 (B) 3
(C) 4 (D) 5
24. Any vector in an arbitrary direction can always be replaced by two (or three)
(A) Parallel vectors which have the original vector as their resultant
(B) Mutually perpendicular vectors which have the original vector as their resultant
(C) Arbitrary vectors which have the original vector as their resultant
(D) It is not possible to resolve a vector
25. Surface area is
(A) Scalar (B) Vector
(C) Neither scalar nor vector (D) Both scalar and vector
26. There are two force vectors, one of 5 N and other of 12 N at what angle the two vectors be added to get
resultant vector of 17 N, 7 N and 13 N respectively
(A) 0°, 180° and 90° (B) 0°, 90° and 180°
(C) 0°, 90° and 90° (D) 180°, 0° and 90°

51
PHYSICS VECTORS

27. If the sum of two unit vectors is a unit vector, then magnitude of difference is
(A) 2 (B) 3
1
(C) (D) 5
2
28. The three vectors A = 3iˆ − 2 ˆj + kˆ, B = iˆ − 3 ˆj + 5kˆ and C = 2iˆ + ˆj − 4kˆ form
(A) An equilateral triangle (B) Isosceles triangle
(C) A right angled triangle (D) No triangle
29. The resultant of P and Q is perpendicular to P . What is the angle between P and Q
−1 −1
(A) cos ( P / Q) (B) cos (− P / Q)
−1 −1
(C) sin ( P / Q) (D) sin (− P / Q)
30. Given that A + B = C and that C is ⊥ to A . Further if | A | = | C |, then what is the angle between A and
B
 
(A) radian (B) radian
4 2
3
(C) radian (D)  radian
4
31. If vectors P, Q and R have magnitude 5, 12 and 13 units and P + Q = R, the angle between Q and R is
−15 5
−1
(A) cos (B) cos
12 13
−1 12 −1 7
(C) cos (D) cos
13 13
32. What vector must be added to the two vectors iˆ − 2 ˆj + 2kˆ and 2iˆ + ˆj − kˆ, so that the resultant may be a
unit vector along x-axis
(A) 2iˆ + ˆj − kˆ (B) −2iˆ + ˆj − kˆ
(C) 2iˆ − ˆj + kˆ (D) −2iˆ − ˆj − kˆ
33. Which pair of the following forces will never give resultant force of 2 N
(A) 2 N and 2 N (B) 1 N and 1 N
(C) 1 N and 3 N (D) 1 N and 4 N
34. The torque of the force F = (2iˆ − 3 ˆj + 4kˆ )N acting at the point r = (3iˆ + 2 ˆj + 3kˆ) m about the origin
be
(A) 6iˆ − 6 ˆj + 12kˆ (B) 17iˆ − 6 ˆj − 13kˆ
(C) −6iˆ + 6 ˆj − 12kˆ (D) −17iˆ + 6 ˆj + 13kˆ
35. Consider two vectors F 1 = 2iˆ + 5kˆ and F 2 = 3 ˆj + 4kˆ. The magnitude of the scalar product of these
vectors is
(A) 20 (B) 23
(C) 5 33 (D) 26

52
VECTORS PHYSICS

36. Consider a vector F = 4iˆ − 3 ˆj. A vector that is perpendicular to F is

(A) 4iˆ + 3 ˆj (B) 6iˆ
(C) 7kˆ (D) 3iˆ − 4 ˆj
37. If for two vector A and B , sum ( A + B ) is perpendicular to the difference ( A − B ) . The ratio of their
magnitude is
(A) 1 (B) 2
(C) 3 (D) None of these
38. If | V 1 + V 2 | = | V 1 − V 2 | and V2 is finite, then
(A) V1 is parallel to V2 (B) V 1 = V 2
(C) V1 and V2 are mutually perpendicular (D) | V 1 | = | V 2 |

39. If for two vectors A and B, A  B = 0, the vectors

(A) Are perpendicular to each other (B) Are parallel to each other
(C) Act at an angle of 60° (D) Act at an angle of 30°
40. Let A = iAˆ cos  + ˆjA sin  be any vector. Another vector B which is normal to A is
(A) iˆ B cos  + j B sin  (B) iˆ B sin  + j B cos 
(C) iˆ B sin  − j B cos  (D) iˆ B cos  − j B sin 
41. A particle moves in the x-y plane under the action of a force F such that the value of its linear
momentum ( P) at anytime t is Px = 2 cos t , p y = 2sin t. The angle  between F and P at a given time
t. will be
(A)  = 0 (B)  = 30
(C)  = 90 (D)  = 180
42. In an clockwise system
(A) ˆj  kˆ = iˆ (B) iˆ. iˆ = 0
(C) ˆj  ˆj = 1 (D) kˆ . ˆj = 1
43. Three vectors a, b and c satisfy the relation a . b = 0 and a . c = 0. The vector a is parallel to
(A) b (B) c
(C) b . c (D) b  c
44. A body is in equilibrium under the action of three coplanar forces P, Q and R as shown in the figure.
Select the correct statement

Q 
P
 
R

P Q R P Q R
(A) = = (B) = =
sin  sin  sin  cos  cos  cos 
P Q R P Q R
(C) = = (D) = =
tan  tan  tan  sin  sin  sin 

53
PHYSICS VECTORS

45. If a body is in equilibrium under a set of non-collinear forces, then the minimum number of forces has to be
(A) Four (B) Three
(C) Two (D) Five
46. As shown in figure the tension in the horizontal cord is 30 N. The weight W and tension in the string OA
in Newton are
A
30o
30 N
O
W

(A) 30 3, 30 (B) 30 3, 60
(C) 60 3, 30 (D) None of these
47. If a vector P making angles , , and  respectively with the X, Y and Z axes respectively.
Then sin
2
 + sin 2  + sin 2  =
(A) 0 (B) 1
(C) 2 (D) 3
48. Figure shows ABCDEF as a regular hexagon. What is the value of AB + AC + AD + AE + AF
E D

F C
O

A B

(A) AO (B) 2 AO
(C) 4 AO (D) 6 AO
49. The sum of the magnitudes of two forces acting at point is 18 and the magnitude of their resultant is 12.
If the resultant is at 90° with the force of smaller magnitude, what are the, magnitudes of forces
(A) 12, 5 (B) 14, 4
(C) 5, 13 (D) 10, 8
50. Find the resultant of three vectors OA, OB and OC shown in the following figure. Radius of the circle is R.
C
B
45o
45o
A
O

(A) 2R (B) R (1 + 2)
(C) R 2 (D) R ( 2 − 1)
51. Vector Laws
(A) vary if scale is changed
(B) vary if rotation of axes is performed
(C) vary if translation of coordinates is performed
(D) are invariant under translation of coordinates is performed

54
VECTORS PHYSICS

52. If A + B + C = 0 then which of the following is correct?

(A) A  B = B  C (B) B  A = B  C
(C) A  B = C  B (D) Both (B) and (C)
53. A vector 𝑎⃗ is rotated through an angle , what is the magnitude of change in the vector?
(A) 2a cos (/2) (B) 2a sin (/2)
(C) 2a cos (D) 2a sin
54. Two velocities of 200 m/s and 120 m/s are acting at an angle of 600. The resultant velocity is :
(A) 40 m/s (B) 80 m/s
(C) 280 m/s (D) 320 m/s
55. An aeroplane moves 400m towards the north, 300 m towards the west and then 1200 m vertically
upwards. Its displacement from the initial position is :
(A) 1300 m (B) 1400 m
(C) 1500 m (D) 1600 m
56. What are the direction cosines of iˆ + ˆj + kˆ ?
(A) 1,1,1 (B) 2,2,2
1
(C) , 1 1 (D) 1 , 1 , 1
,
2 2 2 2 3 3 3
57. Three vectors 𝐴, 𝐵 and 𝐶 are such that 𝐴 ∙ 𝐵 = 0 and 𝐴. 𝐶 = 0. The vector 𝐴⃗ is parallel to
⃗ ⃗⃗ ⃗ ⃗ ⃗⃗ ⃗ ⃗
⃗⃗
(A) 𝐵 (B) 𝐶⃗
(C) 𝐵 ⃗⃗. 𝐶⃗ (D) 𝐵⃗⃗ × 𝐶⃗
58. 𝑎⃗, 𝑏⃗⃗, 𝑐⃗ are three mutually perpendicular vectors then 𝑐⃗ × (𝑎⃗ × 𝑏⃗⃗) is :
(A) a b c (B) c a b sin2
(C) zero (D) none of these
̂
59. The angle made by 𝑖̂ + 𝑗̂ + 𝑘 with X –axis is :
−1  −1 
(A) 300 (B) cos  
 3
−1  2  −1  1 
(C) cos   (D) cos  
 3  3
60. If A  B = 3 A.B , then the value of A + B is
1/ 2
 2 AB 
(A)  A + B + 
2
(B) A + B
 3
(
(C) A2 + B 2 + 3AB ) 1/ 2
(
(D) A + B + AB
2 2
) 1/2

61. A steam boat goes across a lake and comes back (A) On a quite day when the water is still and (B) On a
rough day when there is uniform air current so as to help the journey onward and to impede the journey
back. If the speed of the launch on both days was same, in which case it will complete the journey in
lesser time
(A) Case (B) Case
(C) Same in both (D) Nothing can be predicted

55
PHYSICS VECTORS

62. A boat can travel at a speed of 8 km/hr in still water. If the stream speed is 3 km/hr, how fast can the boat
move past a tree on the shore in travelling (a) upstream (b) downstream?
(A) 5 km/hr and 11 km/hr (B) 11 km/hr and 5 km/hr
(C) 8 km/hr and 8 km/hr (D) 5 km /hr and 5 km/hr
63. Rain is falling vertically downwards with a velocity of 4 km/h. A man walks in the rain with a velocity of
3 km/h. The raindrops will fall on the man with a velocity of
(A) 1 km/h (B) 3 km/h
(C) 4 km/h (D) 5 km/h
64. To the passenger sitting in a train moving with velocity v, the relative velocity of the train is
(A) v (B) –v
(C) 2v (D) None of the above
65. Two particles are at rest on a straight track and they are separated from each other by 100 m. They start their
motion in the same direction, with the same acceleration 10 ms-2. Their relative displacement after 10 s will be
(A) more than 100 m (B) 100 m
(C) less than 100 m but not zero (D) zero
66. Two cars A and B are moving with same speed of 45 km/hr along same directions. If a third car C
coming from the opposite direction with a speed of 36 km/hr meets two cars in an interval of 5 minutes,
the distance of separation of two cars A and B should be (in km)
(A) 6.75 (B) 7.25
(C) 5.55 (D) 8.35
67. A police jeep is chasing with velocity of 45 km/h a thief in another jeep moving with velocity 150 km/h.
Police fires a bullet with muzzle velocity of 180 m/s. The velocity with which it will strike the car of the
thief relative to thief will be nearly
(A) 167.5 m/s (B) 67.5 m/s
(C) 150 m/s (D) 200 m/s
68. A monkey is climbing up a tree at a speed of 3 m/s. A dog runs towards the tree with a speed of 4 m/s.
What is the relative speed of the dog as seen by the monkey?
(A) More than 7 m/s (B) Between 5 m/s and 7m/s
(C) 5 m/s (D) 7 m/s
69. How long will a passenger sitting at the window of a train travelling at a speed of 54 km/h see a train, passing
by in the opposite direction with a speed of 36 km/h, if the length of the second train is 150 metre?
(A) 10 second (B) 6 second
(C) 6 minute (D) 8 minute
70. A boat crosses a river from port A to port B which are at a distance D apart, which are just on the
opposite side. The speed of the water is Vw and that of boat is VB relative to still water. Assume
VB = 2Vw . What is the time taken by the boat, if it has to cross the river directly on the AB line?
2D 3D
(A) (B)
VB 3 2VB
D 2 D
(C) (D) .
VB 2 VB

56
VECTORS PHYSICS

57
PHYSICS MOTION IN A PLANE

MOTION IN A PLANE
INTRODUCTION
Projectile motion is a form of motion in which an object or particle is thrown near the Earth’s surface and it
moves along a curved path under the action of gravity only. It is an example of two dimensional motion with
constant acceleration.
The projectile motion will have two simultaneous motion mutually perpendicular directions viz.
(a) Horizontal and (b) Vertical

Examples of Projectile motion

(i) A javelin thrown by an athlete.
(ii) An object dropped from an aeroplane.
(iii) A bullet fired from a rifle.

Assumptions used in Projectile motion

While studying the motion of a projectile, we use following assumptions:

(i) There is no air resistance on the projectile.
(ii) The effect due to curvature of the earth is negligible.
(iii) The effect due to rotation of the earth is negligible.
(iv) For all points of the trajectory, the acceleration due to gravity is constant both in magnitude and direction.

HORIZONTAL PROJECTION
When a projectile is thrown with velocity u in horizontal direction then the motion is horizontal projectile.
The motion along two axis is discussed below.
In Horizontal Direction In Vertical Direction
(1) Initial velocity ux = u (1) Initial velocity uy = 0
(2) Acceleration = 0 (2) Acceleration downward = 'g'
(3) Horizontal velocity of particle remains same (3) Velocity of the particle after time t
after time t vy = 0 + (–g) t
horizontal velocity = vx = u = –gt = gt (downward)
(4) Range x = ut (4) Displacement
1
y = gt 2 (downward)
2
(5) Velocity at height h
vy2 = 02 + 2 ( −h )( − g )
 vy = 2 gh

Velocity at a general point P(x, y):

vx
v = v +v
2 2 
x y

vy vy
tan  = v
vx
Here,  is angle made by v with horizontal in clockwise direction

58
MOTION IN A PLANE PHYSICS

Displacement:
S = xiˆ + yjˆ
S = x2 + y 2

Trajectory Equation: u
x = vxt = ut u

v = u2 + g t2
1 h
gt
y = −   gt 2
2
eliminating t, we get R

2
 1  gx
2
y = −  2
2 u
This is equation of trajectory

Time of flight:

1 1
−h = v y t −   gt 2 = 0 − gt 2
2 2
2h
t=
g
2h
t=+ (negative time is not possible)
g

Range:

2h
R = uxt = u
g

Note:
(i) If a projectile is projected with initial velocity u and another particle is dropped from same height
at the same time, both the projectile would strike the ground with same vertical velocity. Both
will have same vertical components of velocity but their net velocities would be different. v
2
(ii) Relative motion of one projectile w.r.t. motion of particle dropped v v
from same height at the same time would be in straight line joining
v v v
them. (as their vertical motion is identical)
1
(iii) All the particles thrown with same initial velocity would strike the
ground with same speed at different times irrespective of their initial
direction of velocities.
(a) Time would be least for the particle thrown with velocity v downward i.e. particle (1)
(b) Time would be maximum for the particle thrown with velocity v vertically upwards i.e.
particle (2)
(iv) The two motions of a projectile along horizontal and vertical directions are independent of
each other. This is called the principle of physical independence of motions.

59
PHYSICS MOTION IN A PLANE

Example 1: A ball is dropped from the window of a moving train on horizontal rails. What is the path followed
by the ball before reaching the ground?
Solution: Because force is constant hence acceleration will be constant. When force is in oblique direction
with initial velocity, the resultant path is parabolic path.
Example 2: An aeroplane is in a level flight of 144 km/hr at an altitude of 1000 m. How far horizontally from
a given target should a bomb be released from it to hit the target?
1
Solution: y =   gt 2 (downward)
2
 1
1000 =   10  t 2
2
 t = 14.15 s
 144 103 
x = ut =   14.15 = 571.43 m
 60  60 
Example 3: Two bodies of masses 5 kg and 80 kg are at same height if one is dropped vertically downward
and another one horizontally with same initial velocity, which one will reach on earth sooner?
Solution: Both will reach on ground at the same time, as the time taken to reach the ground does not depend
upon the mass of a body.
Example 4: A ball is thrown horizontally from a height of 20 m. It hits the ground with a speed three times its
initial speed. Calculate the initial velocity of ball.
Solution: Let the ball touches the ground at an angle  and speed 3u (where u is the initial speed)

Hence 3u cos  = u or cos  =

1
3
or sin  =
3
8
(sin = 1 − cos2  )
The vertical component of velocity at the ground
3 8 
= 3u sin  =   u = 8u
 3 
For a freely falling body it covers 20 m to acquire speed 8u
( 8u )
2
 − 0 = 2  9.8  20 or u = 7 m/s

Example 5: A projectile thrown horizontally from a height of 10 m with velocity of 2 m/s. The projectile
will fall, from the foot of projection, at distance-(g = 10 m/s2)
(A) 1 m (B) 2 m
(C) 3 m (D) 2m
Solution: The horizontal range of the projectile on the ground R = u 2h
g
2 10
 R= 2 = 2. 2 = 2 m
10
Hence correct answer is (B).
Example 6: Savita throws a ball horizontally with a velocity of 8 m/s from the top of the her building. The ball
strikes her brother Sudhir, playing at 12 m away from the building. What is the height of the building?
Solution: R = ut
R 12
 t= =
u 8

60
MOTION IN A PLANE PHYSICS

2
1 1  12 
Now h =   gt 2 =    9.8    = 11 m
2 2 8
Example 7: A ball rolls off top of a stair way with a horizontal velocity u m/s. If the steps are h m high and b
meters wide, the ball will just hit the edge of nth step. Calculate the value of n.
Solution: If the ball hits the nth step, the horizontal and vertical distances traversed are nb and nh respectively.
Let t be the time taken by the ball for these horizontal and vertical displacement. Then velocity
along horizontal direction remains constant = u initial vertical velocity is zero
 nb = ut …(1) u
h
1 1
nh = 0 +   gt 2 …(2) b
2 2
From (1) and (2) we get
2
 1   nb 
nh =   g   nth step
2  u 
R
2hu 2
 n= (eliminating (1)
gb 2
Example 8: An aeroplane is flying horizontally with a velocity of 720 km/h at an altitude of 490 m. When it is
just vertically above the target a bomb is dropped from it. How far horizontally it missed the target?
5
Solution: Horizontal component of velocity = 720 × = 200 m/s
8
Let t be the time taken for a freely falling body from 490. Then y =   gt 2
1
2

1 
490 =    9.8  t 2 t = 10 second
2
Now horizontal distance = Velocity × time = 200 × 10 = 2000 m
Hence the bomb missed the target by 2000 m
Example 9: An aeroplane is flying in a horizontal direction with a velocity 600 km/hr and at a height 1960 m.
When it is vertically below the point A, on the ground, a body is dropped from it. The body strikes
the ground at point B. Calculate the distance AB.
Solution: The velocity of plane in horizontal direction, vx = 600 km/hr = (500/3) m/s
Initial velocity of body in vertical direction, vy = 0
If t is time taken by the body to reach the earth, then from relation
1
s = ut +   at 2
2
1
we have h =   gt 2
2
2h 2 1960
 t= = = 20 s
g 98
 Distance traversed by body in horizontal direction
AB = vxt


 500 
   20 = 3.333 km
 3 

61
PHYSICS MOTION IN A PLANE

Example 10: An aeroplane when it is vertically above the point A on the ground, drops a bomb which hits target
B on the ground. If the plane is moving at a height of 1.96 km from the ground with a speed of 300
m/sec. What is the distance between A and B (neglecting air resistance)?
2h
Solution: Let x be the distance between A and B, then x = u
g
2 1960
Horizontal projection from an altitude = 300 = 6000 m
9.8

OBLIQUE PROJECTILE THROWN FROM THE GROUND LEVEL

(1) The particle is thrown from the ground level at an angle  from the horizontal velocity u.
y
u sin  –gt v = u 2 + g 2 t 2 − 2ugt sin 


u sin u u cos 
h0

O u cos  x
R
(2) Initial velocity can be resolved into two components
u cos  = Horizontal component
u sin  = Vertical component

Note: The horizontal component of velocity ( u cos  ) remains constant whereas the vertical
component changes constantly due to acceleration due to gravity 'g'.

From Horizontal Component we obtain From Vertical Component we obtain

(a) Range (a) Maximum height
(b) Velocity along horizontal direction after time t (b) Time of flight
(c) Horizontal displacement after time t (c) Time taken to reach maximum height
(d) Vertical displacement after time t
(e) Vertical velocity

In Horizontal Direction In Vertical Direction

(a) Initial velocity (a) Initial velocity
ux = u cos  u y = u sin  (upward)
(b) Acceleration = 0 (b) Acceleration a = g (downward)
(c) Velocity after time t,
(c) Velocity after time t
v y = u y − gt = u sin  − gt
vx = u cos 
(d) Vertical displacement after time t
(d) Horizontal displacement after time t 1 1
x = ux .t = u cos t y = u y t − gt 2 = u sin  t −   gt 2
2 2
(e) Velocity at height h above the surface
vy2 = u y2 − 2 gh = u 2 sin   − 2gh
vy =  u 2 sin 2  − 2 gh
(one going upwards and other going downwards)

62
MOTION IN A PLANE PHYSICS

Velocity at a general point P(x, y):

v = vx2 + v y2 vy
The direction of v from horizontal
v 
tan  = y vx
vx

Displacement:

S = xiˆ + yjˆ
Y
 S = x +y 2 2

P(x, y)
In fig. OP gives the displacement of projectile in the position (x, y)
y y
tan  = ,  is the angle made by displacement with horizontal in the 
X
x O x
position (x, y) ( is also called angle of elevation of P).

The maximum height reached by the projectile:

u 2 sin 2  u y
2

H0 = = (uy = vertical velocity)

2g 2g

Time of flight of the projectile:

Time taken to reach max. height

u sin 
t= (using v = u + gt)
g
The time interval from initial launch of projectile upto its return to the ground level is known as the time
of flight (T) of projectile
2u sin  2u y
T= =
g g
where uy = vertical velocity

Horizontal Range of The Projectile:

The horizontal distance covered by the projectile during its time of flight is known as the horizontal range
of the projectile
u 2 sin 2
R= (using v2 = u 2 + 2 gh )
g
(a) For maximum range,  = 45º
u2
 Rmax =
g
In this situation
Rmax
H max =
2

63
PHYSICS MOTION IN A PLANE

u 2 sin 2 2u sin  u cos  2u x u y

(b) Also R = = =
g g g
where ux = u cos = horizontal velocity
ux = u sin  = vertical velocity

Note: The range of the projectile is same when its angle of projection from the horizontal is either 
or (90º – ).

Equation of Trajectory:

1
y = ( u sin  ) t −   gt 2
2
and x = ( u cos ) t
From these equations, (eliminating t)
g
y = x tan  − x2
2u cos 2 
2

 x
Note: Other form of equation of trajectory is y = x tan  1 − 
 R

The velocity of the projectile at any instant of time t :

 gt 
v = u 2 + g 2t 2 − 2ugt sin  and its direction from horizontal  = tan −1  tan  −
 u cos  

Note: The trajectory of the missiles, targeted at very long ranges is not a parabola rather than it is an
ellipse.

Change in Momentum

(a) Initial velocity ui = u cos iˆ + u sin  ˆj

y
(b) Final velocity u f = u cos  iˆ − u sin  ˆj
Change in velocity for complete motion
ui
u = u f − ui = −2u sin  ˆj
u sin 
 u cos 
(c) Change in momentum for complete motion x
u cos 
 p = pf − pi = m ( u f − ui ) u sin  uf

= m ( −2u sin  ) ˆj = −2mu sin  ˆj

(d) Velocity at the highest point u f = u cos  iˆ
Change in momentum at highest point

( mu f ( )
− mui ) = m u cos  iˆ − u cos  iˆ + u sin  ˆj  = −m sin  ˆj
 

64
MOTION IN A PLANE PHYSICS

(e) Kinetic energy at highest point = E0 cos  where E0 = Initial K.E.

2

(f) Magnitude of velocity at height 'h'

By energy conservation law
1 2 1 2
   mu + 0 =   mv + mgh
2 2
 v = u 2 − 2 gh

Note:
(a) The direction of acceleration of the projectile is different from its velocity direction.
(b) The acceleration of the projectile remains constant in magnitude and direction that is why
the path of its motion is parabola.

Example 11: When the angle of elevation of a gun are 60º and 30º respectively, the height it shoots are h1 and
h1
h2 respectively. Calculate .
h2
u 2 sin 2 60º 3u 2
Solution: For angle of elevation of 60º, we have maximum height h1 = =
2g 8g
u 2 sin 2 30º u 2
For angle of elevation of 30º, we have maximum height h2 = =
2g 8g
h1 3
=
h2 1
Example 12: If t1 be the time taken by a body to clear the top of a building horizontally and t2 be the time spent
in air, then what is t2 : t1?
Solution: Total time of flight = 2 × time taken to reach max. height
 t2 = 2t1
t2 2
 =
t1 1
Example 13: If T be the total time of flight of a current of water and H be the maximum height attained by it
H
from the point of projection, then what is . (u = projection velocity and  = projection angle)
T
2u sin 
Solution: Total time of flight = T = ,
g
u 2 sin 2 
Maximum height attained H =
2g
H u sin 
Now =
T 4

65
PHYSICS MOTION IN A PLANE

Example 14: If a baseball player can throw a ball at maximum distance d over a ground, what is the maximum
vertical height to which he can throw it? (Ball have same initial speed in each case)
u 2 sin 2
Solution: The range R =
g
u2
 Maximum range Rmax = d = …(1)
g
u 2 sin 2 
Height H =
2g
u2
 Maximum height H max = …(2)
2g
d
From (1) and (2) H max =
2
Example 15: A projectile can have the same range R for two angles of projections. If t1 and t2 be the times of
flight in two cases, then calculate the product of times of flight.
2u sin 
Solution: t1 =
g
2u sin(90º − ) 2u cos 
t2 = =
g g
2 u  sin 2 2
t1t2 = = .R
g g g
where R is the range. Hence t1t2  R .
Example 16: In broad jumping does it matter how high you jump? What factors determine the span of the jump?
Solution: Yes, it does matter.
Since for initial speed u and angle of projectile .
u 2 sin 2 
Height h =
2g
2h u2
 = and
sin 2  g
u 2 sin 2 2h sin 2
range R = = = 4 H cot 
g sin 2 
The span or range of jump is determined by initial speed u and angle of projectile  or height h.

Note: Remember this relation:

R = 4 H cot 

Example 17: A projectile is projected with linear momentum p making angle  with the horizontal. What is the
change in momentum of the projectile on returning to the ground?
Solution: In return journey, the angle made by projectile with horizontal is (–).

  cos ( − ) + jp sin ( − )  = j 2 p sin 

Hence  p = ip ˆ cos  + ˆjp sin   − ip
ˆ ˆ ˆ

66
MOTION IN A PLANE PHYSICS

Example 18: A projectile is projected with kinetic energy K. If it has the maximum possible horizontal range,
then what is its kinetic energy at the highest point?
Solution: When range is maximum  = 45º
u
Now ux = u cos 45o =
2
At the highest point, the net velocity of projectile is ux
2
1  u 
 K.E. =   m  
2  2 
 1  1 
=   mu 2 
 2  2 
1
=   K = 0.5K
2

1
The path followed by a body projected along y axis is given as by y = 3x −   x . If g = 10
2
Example 19:
2
m/s2 then calculate the initial velocity of projectile (x and y are in m)
1
Given, that y = 3x −   x
2
Solution: …(1)
2
The above equation is similar to equation of trajectory of the projectiles
1 g
y = tan  x − x2 …(2)
2 u cos 
2 2

Comparing (1) & (2) we get

tan  = 3
  = 60º
1 1 g
and =  2
2  2  u cos 2 
 u 2 cos2  = g
 u 2 cos2 60 = 10
1
 u 2   = 10
4
 u 2 = 40
 u = 2 10 m/s
Example 20: A hunter aims his gun and fires a bullet directly at a monkey on a tree. At the instant bullet leaves
the gun, monkey drops. Prove that the bullet will hit the monkey.
Solution: Initially the height of the monkey = MB = y = x tan 
Let the monkey drop to along line MA and the bullet reach along the parabolic path OA. If both
reach at A simultaneously, the monkey is hit by the bullet.
gx2
AB = x tan  −
2u 2 cos2 
 MA = MB – AB

67
PHYSICS MOTION IN A PLANE

gx2
MA = x tan  − x tan  + 2
2u cos2 
gx2
= 2 …(1)
2u cos2 
Time taken by the bullet to reach point A,
x
t= …(2)
u cos 
1
Hence from (1), MA =   gt
2

2
1 2
The monkey drops through distance   gt in the same time. So the monkey is hit by the bullet.
2
Example 21: A projectile is thrown at angle  and (90o – ) from the same point with same velocity 98 m/s.
What are the heights attained by them, if the difference of heights is 50 m?
u 2 sin 2  u 2 sin 2 (90 −  )
Solution: h1 = and h2 =
2g 2g
u2
 h1 + h2 =
2g
( sin 2  + cos 2  )

u2 982
= = 490
2 g 2 10
h1 − h2 = 50
 h1 = 270 m and h2 = 220 m
Example 22: A particle is projected with a velocity u so that its horizontal range is twice the greatest height
attained. Calculate the horizontal range?
Solution: Greatest height attained
u 2 sin 2 
H= …(1)
2g
Horizontal range
u 2 sin 2 2u 2 sin  cos 
R= = …(2)
g g
Given that R = 2H
2u 2 sin  cos  2u 2 sin 2 
 =
g 2g
 tan  = 2 …(3)
2 1
Hence sin  = , cos  =
5 5
4u 2
 From (2), R =
5g

68
MOTION IN A PLANE PHYSICS

Example 23: Mr. Lionel Messi kicked off a football with an initial speed 19.6 m/s at a projection angle 45º. A
receiver on the goal line 67.4 m away in the direction of the kick starts running to meet the ball at
that instant. What must be his speed so that he could catch the ball before hitting the ground?
u 2 sin 2 (19.6 ) sin 90
2 o
Solution: R= = = 39.2 m
g 10
Man must run (67.4m – 39.2 m) = 28.2 m in the time taken by the ball to come to ground. Time
taken by the ball.
2u sin  2 19.6sin 45º
t= =
g 9.8
4
= = 2.82 sec
2
28.2 m
Velocity of man = = 10 m/s
2.82sec
Example 24: A ball 'A' is projected from origin with an initial velocity v0 = 700 cm/s in a direction 37º above the
horizontal as shown in fig. Another ball 'B' 300 cm from origin on a line 37º above the horizontal is
released from rest at the instant A starts. How far will B have fallen when it is hit by A?

Solution: Let the ball B hits the ball A after t s

The X-component of velocity of A is
v0 cos 37º = 700 cos 37º
The X-component of position of B is 300 cos 37º
The collision will take place when the X-coordinate of A is the same as that of B.
As the collision takes place at a time t, hence
700 cos 37º × t = 300 cos 37º
or t = (300/700) = (3/7) s
In this time the ball B has fallen through a distance
1
y = − gt 2 (Free fall of body B)
2
2
1 3
= −  980    = −90 cm
2 7
Hence the ball B falls a distance 90 cm.
Example 25: A ball is thrown from ground level so as to just clear a wall 4 metres high at a distance of 4 metres
and falls at a distance of 14 metres from the wall. Calculate the magnitude velocity of the ball.
Solution: Referring to (fig.) let P be a point on the trajectory whose co-ordinates are (4, 4). As the ball strikes the
ground at a distance 14 metre from the wall, the range is 4 + 14 = 18 metre. The equation of trajectory is
 x
y = x tan  1 − 
 R
here x = 4, y = 4 and R = 18

69
PHYSICS MOTION IN A PLANE

 4 7
 4 = 4 tan  1 −  = 4 tan   
 18  9
9 9 7
or tan  = , sin  = and cos  =
7 130 130
2  2  2  9   7 
Again R =   u 2 sin  cos  =  u   
g  9.8   130   130 
18  9.8  130  130 98 13
u2 = = = 182
29 7 7
u = 182 metre per second
Example 26: A ball is thrown from the top of a tower with an initial velocity of 10 m/s at an angle of 30º above
the horizontal. It hits the ground at a distance of 17.3 m from the base of the tower. What is the
height of the tower (g = 10 m/s2)?
Solution: The angle of projection of the ball is 0 (= 30º) and the velocity of projection is u (= 10 m/s).
Resolving u in horizontal and vertical components,
we have horizontal component,
ux = u cos 0 = 10cos30o = 8.65 m/s
and vertical component (upward),
u y = u sin 0 = 5.0 m/s
If the ball hit the ground after t sec of projection, then
the horizontal range is
R = ux × t = 8.65 t meter
R 17.3m
 t= = = 2.0 s
8.65 8.65 m/s
1
If h be the height of the tower, then h = uy y +   gt
2

2
where uy is the vertical component (downward) of the velocity of the ball.
Here uy = – uy = – 5.0 m/s and t = 2.0 s
 h = (–5.0) × 2.0 + 1/2 × 10 × (2.0)2 = –10 + 20 = 10 meter

CIRCULAR MOTION
ANGULAR DISPLACEMENT
Angle subtended by position vector of a particle moving along any arbitrary path w.r.t. some fixed point is
called angular displacement.
(a) Particle moving in an arbitrary path
(b) Particle moving in straight line
(c) Particle moving in circular path

Q Q
Q

P O
O  S

r
O P
P
Fixed point
(a) (b) (c)

70
MOTION IN A PLANE PHYSICS

Note:
(i) Angular displacement is a vector quantity.
(ii) Its direction is perpendicular to plane of rotation and given by right hand screw rule.
(iii) Clockwise angular displacement is taken as negative and anticlockwise displacement
as positive.
arc
(iv) angle =  s = r 
radius
(v) Its unit is radian (in M.K.S)
(vi) Always change degree into radian, if it occurs in numerical problems.
360o
1 radian =   radian = 180º
2
(vii) It is a dimensionless quantity i.e. dimension [M0L0T0]

ANGULAR VELOCITY
It is defined as the rate of change of angular displacement of a body or particle moving in circular path.
(i) It is a vector quantity.
(ii) Its direction is same as that of angular displacement i.e. perpendicular to plane of rotation.

Note: If the particle is revolving in the clockwise direction then the direction of angular velocity is perpendicular
to the plane downwards. Whereas in case of anticlockwise direction the direction will be upwards.
(iii) Its unit is Radian/s
(iv) Its dimension is [M0L0T–1]

Types of Angular Velocity:

→ Total angular displacement

Average Angular Velocity:  av =
Total time taken
Instantaneous Angular velocity: The instantaneous angular velocity is defined as the angular velocity at
some particular instant.
 d
Instantaneous angular velocity,  = lim =
t →0 t dt
Note: Instantaneous angular velocity can also be called as simply angular velocity.

Example 27: A particle completes 1.5 revolutions in a circular path of radius 2 cm. Calculate the angular
displacement of the particle. (in radian)
linear displacement
Solution: We have angular displacement =
radius of path
S
  =
r
Here, S = n ( 2 r )
= 1.5 ( 2  2 10−2 ) = 6 10−2
6 10−2
 = = 3 radian
2 10−2

71
PHYSICS MOTION IN A PLANE

Example 28: A particle revolving in a circular path completes first one third of circumference in 2 s, while next
one third in 1 s. Calculate the average angular velocity of particle. (in rad/s)
→ Total angular displacement
Solution: We have  av =
Total time
For first one third part of circle, angular displacement,
S1 2 r / 3
1 = =
r r
For second one third part of circle,
2 r / 3 2
1 = = rad
r 3
Total angular displacement,
4
 = 1 + 2 = rad
3
Total time = 2 + 1 = 3s
4 / 3 4 2
  av = rad/s = = rad/s
3 6 3
Example 29: Calculate the ratio of angular speeds of minute hand and hour hand of a watch.
Solution: Angular speed of hour hand,
 2
1 = = rad/s
t 12  60
Angular speed of minute hand,
2
2 = rad/s
60
2 12
 =
1 1
RELATION BETWEEN LINEAR VELOCITY AND ANGULAR VELOCITY
d d ds 1
We have = = . = .v
dt ds dt r
ds ds
 v = r [ d = , angle =
arc
and v = = linear velocity]
dr radius dt
In vector form, v =   r

Note:
(i) When a particle moves along a curved path, its linear velocity at a point is along the
tangent drawn at that point
(ii) When a particle moves along curved path, its velocity has two components. One along
the radius, which increases or decreases the radius and another one perpendicular to the
radius, which makes the particle to revolve about the point of observation.
 v sin 
(iii)  = =
t r

72
MOTION IN A PLANE PHYSICS

ANGULAR ACCELERATION
The rate of change of angular velocity is defined as angular acceleration.
If  be change in angular velocity in time t, then angular acceleration
 d
 = lim =
x →0 t dt
(i) It is a vector quantity
(ii) Its direction is that of change in angular velocity
(iii) Unit: rad/sec2
(iv) Dimension: [M0L0T–2]

RELATION BETWEEN ANGULAR ACCELERATION AND LINEAR ACCELERATION

Linear acceleration = Rate of change of linear velocity
dv
 a= ...(i)
dt
Angular acceleration = Rate of change of angular velocity
d
 = ...(ii)
dt
From (i) & (ii)
a dv d (r )
==
 d d
d
=r =r [r is constant]
d
a = r
In vector form a =   r

CENTRIPETAL ACCELERATION AND CENTRIPETAL FORCE

(i) A body or particle moving in a curved path always moves effectively in a circle at any instant.
(ii) The velocity of the particle changes moving on the curved path, this change in velocity is brought by a force
known as centripetal force and the acceleration so produced in the body is known as centripetal acceleration.
(iii) The direction of centripetal force or acceleration is always towards the centre of circular path.

Expression for Centripetal Acceleration

→
v2

P2(t + t)
r → → →
v1 – v1 v2
O 
→
P1(t) v

(a) Particle moving (b) Vector diagram

in circular path of velocities
of radius r
The triangle OP1P2 and the velocity triangle are similar
PP AB
 1 2
=
PO
1 AQ

73
PHYSICS MOTION IN A PLANE

s v  v1 = v1 = v 
 =
r v  
v
 v = s
r
v v s
 =
t r t
v v  s 
 lim = lim  
t →0 t r t →0  t 
v v2
 ac = v = = r 2
r r
This is the magnitude of centripetal acceleration of particle
(i) It is a vector quantity. In vector form
ac =   v
(ii) The direction of a c would be the same as that of  v
(iii) Because velocity vector at any point is tangential to the circular path at that point, the acceleration
vector acts along radius of the circle at that point and is directed towards the centre. This is the reason
that it is called centripetal acceleration.

Expression for Centripetal force

→
v
If v = velocity of particle, r = radius of path →
→
v
Then necessary centripetal force → Fc →
Fc = mass × acceleration Fc Fc
→
Fc
v2 →
Fc = m v →
r v
This is the expression for centripetal force i.e. it is opposite to the direction of r and is towards the center
of the circle.
(i) It is a vector quantity
(ii) In vector form A r
O
mv 2 mv 2
Fc = . rˆ = − 2 r
r r
(
= −m 2 rrˆ = −m 2 r = −m v   )
negative sign indicates direction only
(
F c = m v  )
(iii) For circular motion:
F c = m ( v sin 90o ) = mv

Note:
1. Centripetal force is not a real force. It is only the requirement for circular motion.
2. It is not a new kind of force. Any of the forces found in nature such as gravitational force,
electric friction force, tension in string reaction force may act as centripetal force.

74
MOTION IN A PLANE PHYSICS

TYPE OF CIRCULAR MOTION

Uniform Circular Motion:
If m = mass of body,
r = radius of circular orbit,
v = magnitude of velocity
ac = centripetal acceleration,
at = tangential acceleration
→ →
In uniform circular motion: v2 v1

(i) v1 = v2 = v3 = constant
i.e. speed is constant
→
(ii) As | v | is constant v3

so tangential acceleration
at = 0 ac
(iii) Tangential force Ft = 0 at = 0
(iv) Total acceleration
v2 Fc
a = ac2 + at 2 = ac = (towards the centre)
r Ft = 0

Note:
(i) Because Fc is always perpendicular to velocity or displacement, hence the work done
by this force will always be zero.
(ii) Circular motion in horizontal plane is usually uniform circular motion.
(iii) There is an important difference between the projectile motion and circular motion.
In projectile motion, both the magnitude and the direction of acceleration (g) remain
constant, while in circular motion the magnitude remains constant but the direction
continuously changes.
Hence equations of motion are not applicable for circular motion.
Remember that equations of motion remain valid only when both the magnitude &
direction of acceleration are constant.

Hint to solve numerical problem:

(i) Write down the required centripetal force
(ii) Draw the free body diagram of each component of system.
(iii) Resolve the forces acting on the rotating particle along radius and perpendicular to radius
(iv) Calculate net radial force acting towards centre of circular path.
(v) Make it equal to required centripetal force.
(vi) For remaining components see according to question.

Non-uniform Circular Motion:

(i) In non-uniform circular motion:
v  constant
 = constant
i.e. speed  constant
i.e. angular velocity  constant

75
PHYSICS MOTION IN A PLANE

(ii) If at any instant

v = magnitude of velocity of particle
r = radius of circular path
 = angular velocity of particle,
then v = r
(iii) Tangential acceleration:
dv
at =
dt
ds
where v = and s = arc - length
dt
(iv) Tangential force:
Ft = mat
(v) Centripetal force:
mv2
Fc = = m 2 r
r
(vi) Net force on the particle:
F = Fc + Ft
 F= Fc2 + Ft 2
Ft
If  is the angle made by [Note angle between F c and F t is 90º] F with Fc, then tan  =
Fc
 Ft 
  = tan −1  
 Fc 
→ F →
Angle between F & Ft is (90º – ) FC  FC
(vii) Net acceleration towards the centre = centripetal acceleration
F1
v2 F
 ac = =  2r = c
r m
(viii) Net acceleration,
Fnet
a = ac2 + at2 = 
ac
m ac 
The angle made by ‘a’ with ac,
a1
a F
tan  = t = t
ac Fc

Note:
(i) In both uniform & non-uniform circular motion Fc is perpendicular to velocity; so work
done by centripetal force will be zero in both the cases.
(ii) In uniform circular motion Ft = 0, as at = 0, so work done will be zero by tangential force.
But in non-uniform circular motion Ft  0, thus there will be work done by tangential force
in this case.
Rate of work done by net force in non-uniform circular motion = Rate of work done by
tangential force
dW dx
 P= = F t .v = F t .
dt dt

76
MOTION IN A PLANE PHYSICS

Example 30: A particle moves in a circle of radius 20 cm with a linear speed of 10 m/s. Calculate angular
velocity.
v
Solution: The angular velocity is  =
r
Hence v = 10 m/s, r = 20 cm = 0.2 m
  = 50 rad/s
Example 31: A ball is fixed to the end of a string and is rotated in a horizontal circle of radius 5 m with a speed
of 10 m/sec. What is the acceleration of the ball?
v2
Solution: We know a =
r
Hence v = 10 m/s, r = 5 cm
(10)
2

 a= = 20 m/s 2
5
Example 32: A body of mass 2 kg lying on a smooth surface is attached to a string 3 m long and then whirled
round in a horizontal circle making 60 revolution per minute. Calculate the centripetal acceleration.
Solution: Given that the mass of the particle, m = 2 kg
radius of circle = 3 m
Angular velocity = 60 rev/minute
60  2
= =2 rad/s
60
Because the angle described during 1 revolution is 2 radian
The linear velocity, v = r
= 2 × 3 m/s = 6 m/s
v2
The centripetal acceleration =
r
( 6 )
2

= m/s2 = 118.4 m/s2

3
Example 33: A body of mass 0.1 kg is moving on circular path of diameter 1.0 m at the rate of 10 revolutions
per 31.4 second. Calculate the centripetal force acting on the body.
mv 2
Solution: F= = mr 2
r
Here m = 0.10 kg, r = 0.5 m
2 n 2  3.14 10
and = = = 2 rad/s
t 31.4
F = 0.10  0.5  (2)2 = 0.2
Example 34: A body of mass 4 kg is moving in a horizontal circle of radius 1 m with an angular velocity of
2 rad/s. Calculate required centripetal force.
Solution: F = mr 2
= 4 × 1 × 22 = 16 N

77
PHYSICS MOTION IN A PLANE

Example 35: The angular velocity of a particle is given by  = 1.5t – 3t2 + 2. What is the time when its angular
acceleration decreases to be zero?
Solution: Given that  = 1.5t – 3t2 + 2
d
= = 1.5 − 6t
dt
When  = 0
 1.5 – 6t = 0
1.5
 t= = 0.25 s
6
Example 36: A particle is moving in a circular path with velocity varying with time as v = 1.5t2 + 2t. If 2 cm is
the radius of circular path, what is the angular acceleration at t = 2 sec?
Solution: Given v = 1.5 t2 + 2t
dv
Linear acceleration a = = 3t + 2
dt
This is the linear acceleration at time t
a
Now angular acceleration at time t,  =
r
3t + 2
 =
2 10−2
Angular acceleration at t = 2 s
3 2 + 2 8
( )at t =2s = = 102
2 10−2 2
= 4 102 = 400 rad/s
Example 37: A body of mass m is attached with a string of length l. If it is whirled in a horizontal circular path
with velocity v. Calculate the tension in the string.
Solution: Required centripetal force,
mv 2
Fc =
l
Here centripetal force is provided by the tension in the string
mv2
T = Fc =
l
Example 38: A car is moving in a circular path of radius 100 m with velocity of 200 m/s such that in each second
its velocity increases by 100 m/s. What is the net acceleration of car? (in m/s)
Solution: We know centripetal acceleration
(tangential velocity)2
ac = at
radius
( 200)
2

= = 400 m/s2 ac
100 O
Tangential acceleration, at = 100 m/s2 (given)
 anet = ac2 + at2 + 2ac at cos90o

= ac 2 + at 2

78
MOTION IN A PLANE PHYSICS

= (400) 2 + (100) 2 = 100 17 m/s 2

[Remember the angle between at i.e. the tangential acceleration and ac i.e. the radial acceleration,
is always 90º]
Example 39: The kinetic energy of a particle moving along a circle of radius R depends on distance covered (s)
as T = as2, where a is constant. Calculate the force acting on the particle as a function of s.
Solution: The kinetic energy, T = as2
1 2
 mv = as 2
2
mv 2 2as 2
 =
R R
Centripetal force or Radial force,
2as 2
Fc = ...(1)
R
 Further mv2 = 2as2
2a
 v= s ...(2)
m
dv 2a ds
 = ...(3)
dt m dt
Using (2) and (3) gives tangential acceleration,
dv 2a
at = = .v
dt m
 mat = 2as
 Tangential force,
Ft = mat = 2as
As centripetal and tangential force are mutually perpendicular, therefore
Total Force, F = Fc2 + Ft 2
2
 2as 2  s2
=   + (2 as ) 2
= 2 as +1
 R  R2

Example 40: The length of second's hand in a watch is 1 cm. Calculate the change in velocity of its tip in 15 s.
Circumference 2 r
Solution: Velocity = =
Time of revolution 60
2 1 
= = cm/s
60 30
   
2 2

Change in velocity, v =   + 
 30   30 

= 2 cm/s
30

79
PHYSICS MOTION IN A PLANE

Example 41: An electron is moving in a circular orbit of radius 5.3 × 10–11 metre around the atomic nucleus at a
rate of 6.6 × 1015 revolutions per second. Calculate the acceleration of the electron and centripetal
force acting on it. (The mass of the electron is 9.1 × 10–31 kg)
Solution: Let the radius of the orbit be r and the number of revolutions per second be n. Then the velocity of
electron is given by
v = 2 nr ,
v2
 Acceleration a =
r
4 2 r 2 n2
= = 4 2 rn2
r
Substituting the given values, we have
a = 4 × (3.14)2 × (5.3 × 10–11) (6.6 × 1015)2
= 9.1 × 1022 m/s2 towards the nucleus.
The centripetal force is
Fc = ma = (9.1 × 10–31) (9.1 × 1022)
= 8.3 × 10–8 N towards the nucleus.
Example 42: An air craft executes a horizontal loop of radius 1 km with a steady speed of 900 km/h. What is
the ratio of centripetal acceleration to that of gravitational acceleration.
Solution: Given that radius of horizontal loop
r = 1 km = 1000 m
9000  5
Speed v = 900 km/h = = 250 m/s
18
v2 250  250
Centripetal acceleration ac = = = 62.5 m/s2
r 1000
Centripetal acceleration a
 = c
Gravitational acceleration g
62.5
= = 6.38 :1
9.8
Motion in Horizontal Circle: Conical pendulum

This is the best example of uniform circular motion

A conical pendulum consists of a body attached to a string, such that it can revolve in a horizontal circle
with uniform speed. The string traces out a cone in the space.
(i) The force acting on the bob are
(a) Tension T (b) weight mg
S

 T
T cos 

Tsin
r O P

mg
(ii) The horizontal component T sin  of the tension T provides the centripetal force and the vertical
component T cos  balances the weight of bob

80
MOTION IN A PLANE PHYSICS

mv2
 T sin  =
r
and T cos  = mg
From these equation
v4
T = mg 1 + 2 2 ...(i)
r g
v2
and tan  = ...(ii)
rg
Also if h = height of conical pendulum,
OP r
tan  = = ...(iii)
OS h
From (ii) & (iii),
v2 g
2 = =
r2 h
The time period of revolution
h l cos 
T = 2 = 2 [where OS = l]
g g
Example 43: A string of length 1 m is fixed at one end and carries a mass of 100 g at the other end. The string
makes 2/ revolutions per second about a vertical axis through the fixed end. What are the angle
of inclination of the string with the vertical, and the linear velocity of the mass will respectively?
(in M.K.S. system)
Solution: Let T be the tension,  the angle made by the string with the vertical through the point of
suspension.
h 1 
The time period, t = 2 = =
g frequency 2
g
Therefore  = =4
h
h 1
 =
g 16
h g
cos  = = = 0.6125
l 16
  = 52o14
Linear velocity = ( l sin  )  = 1 sin 52o14  4 = 3.16m/s

81
PHYSICS MOTION IN A PLANE

Example 44: A man whirls a stone round his head on the end of a string 4.0 metre long. Can the string be in a
horizontal, plane? If the stone has a mass of 0.4 kg and the string will break, if the tension in it
exceeds 8 N. What is the smallest angle the string can make with the horizontal and the speed of
the stone respectively? (Take g = 10 m/sec2)
Solution:

From figure
T cos  = mg …(1)
mv 2 mv 2
T sin  = =
r l sin 
mg
Form eq. (1) T =
cos 
When the string is horizontal,  must be 90º i.e., cos 90º = 0
mg
 T= =
0
Thus the tension must be infinite which is impossible, so the string can not be in horizontal plane.
The maximum angle  is given by the breaking tension of the string in the equation T cos  = mg
Here T (Maximum) = 8 N and m = 0.4 kg
 8 cos  = 0.4 × g = 0.4 × 10 = 4
4 1
cos  = = ,  = 60o
8 2
The angle with horizontal = 90º – 60º = 30º
0.4  v 2
From equation (2), 8sin 60 =o

4 sin 60o
32sin 2 60o
v2 = = 80sin 2 60o
0.4
 v = 80 sin 60o = 7.7 m/s

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MOTION IN A PLANE PHYSICS

1. A projectile is fired horizontally with a velocity of 98 ms–1 from the top of a hill 490m high. Find (i) the
time taken to reach the ground (ii) the distance of the target from the hill and (iii) the velocity with which
the projectile hits the ground.
2. A body is thrown horizontally from the top of a tower and strikes the ground after three seconds at an
angle of 45o with the horizontal. Find the height of the tower and the speed with which the body was
projected. Take g = 9.8 ms–2.
3. A bomb is dropped from an aeroplane when it is directly above a target at a height of 1000 m. The
aeroplane is moving horizontally with a speed of 500 kmh–1. By how much distance will the bomb miss
the target?
4. Two tall buildings face each other and are at a distance of 180m from each other. With what velocity
must a ball be thrown horizontally from a window 55m above the ground in one building, so that it enters
a window 10.9 m above the ground in the second building?
5. Two paper screens A and B are separated by a distance of 100m. A bullet pierces A and then B. The hole
in B is 10 cm below the hole in A. If the bullet is travelling horizontally at the time of hitting the screen
A, calculate the velocity of the bullet when it hits the screen A. Neglect the resistance of paper and air.
6. A marksman wishes to hit a target just at the same level as the line of sight. How high from the target he
should aim, if the distance of the target is 1600 m and the muzzle velocity of the bullet is 800 ms–1?
7. A particle is projected horizontally with a speed u from the top of plane inclined at an angle  with the
horizontal. How far from the point of projection will the particle strike the plane?
8. A ball rolls off the top of a stairway with a constant horizontal velocity u. If the steps are h metre high
2hu 2
and w metre wide, show that the ball will just hit the edge of nth step if n = .
gw2
9. Two bodies are thrown from the same point with velocities 3 m/s and 4 m/s at the same instant but in
opposite direction. What is the horizontal separation between them when their velocities become
perpendicular?

10. A body is projected with a velocity of 30 ms–1 at an angle of 30o with the vertical. Find the maximum
height, time of flight and the horizontal range.
11. A cricketer can throw a ball to a maximum horizontal distance of 100 m. How high above the ground can
the cricketer throw the same ball?
12. The ceiling of a long hall is 25 m high. What is the maximum horizontal distance that a ball thrown with
a speed of 40 ms–1 can go without hitting the ceiling of the hall?
13. A bullet fired at an angle of 30o with the horizontal hits the ground 3 km away. By adjusting the angle of
projection, can one hope to hit a target 5 km away? Assume the muzzle speed to be fixed and neglect air
resistance.
14. A boy stands at 39.2 m from a building and throws a ball which just passes through a narrow slit 19.6m
above the ground. Calculate the velocity of projection of the ball.
15. Find the angle of projection for which the horizontal range and the maximum height are equal.
( )
16. A particle is projected with an initial velocity iˆ + 2 ˆj m/s. What is (i) its range (ii) Cartesian equation for its path?

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PHYSICS MOTION IN A PLANE

17. A ball is thrown at angle  and another ball is thrown at an angle (90o – ) with the horizontal direction
from the same point with velocity 39.2 ms–1. The second ball reaches 50m higher than the first ball. Find
their individual heights. Take g = 9.8 ms–2.
18. If R is the horizontal range for inclination  and h is the maximum height reached by the projectile. Show
R2
that the maximum range is given by + 2h .
8h
19. Show that there are two angles of projection for which the horizontal range is the same. Also show that
the sum of the maximum heights for these two angles is independent of the angle of projection.
20. Show that there are two values of time for which a projectile is at the same height. Also show that the
sum of these two times is equal to the time of flight.
21. A fighter plane flying horizontally at an altitude of 1.5 km with a speed 720 kmh–1 passes directly
overhead an antiaircraft gun. At what angle from the vertical should the gun be fired for the shell muzzle
speed 600 ms–1 to hit the plane? At what minimum altitude should the pilot fly the plane to avoid being
hit? Take g = 10ms–2.
22. A hunter aims his gun and fires a bullet directly at a monkey on a tree. At the instant the bullet leaves the
barrel of the gun, the monkey drops. Will the bullet hit the monkey? Substantiate your answer with
proper reasoning.
23. At what angle should a body be projected with a velocity 24 ms–1 just to pass over the obstacle 16m high
at a horizontal distance of 32 m? Take g = 10 ms–2.
24. A target is fixed on the top of a pole 13 metre high. A person standing at a distance of 50 metre from the
pole is capable of projecting a stone with a velocity 10 g ms–1. If he wants to strike the target in shortest
possible time, at what angle should he project the stone?
25. A particle is projected over a triangle from one end of horizontal base and grazing the vertex falls on the
other end of the base. If  and  be the base angles and  the angle of projection, prove that
tan  + tan  = tan  .

26. body is projected with a velocity of 10 m/s at an angle of 60o with horizontal. After some time, it is
moving at an angle of 30o with horizontal. What is the speed of the body at that instant?
27. What is the angular velocity of a second hand and minute hand of a clock?
28. Calculate the angular speed of flywheel making n revolutions per minute.
29. A stone tied to the end of a string 80 cm long is whirled in a horizontal circle with a constant speed. If the
stone makes 14 revolutions in 25 seconds, what is the magnitude and direction of acceleration of the stone?
30. An aircraft executes a horizontal loop of radius 1 km with steady speed of 900 kmh –1. Compare its
centripetal acceleration with the acceleration due to gravity.
31. An insect trapped in a circular groove of radius 12 cm moves along the groove steadily and completes 7
revolutions in 100s. (i) What is the angular speed and the linear speed of the motion? (ii) Is the
acceleration vector a constant vector? What is its magnitude?
32. The radius of the earth’s orbit around the sun is 1.5  1011 m. Calculate the angular and linear velocity of
the earth. Through how much angle does the earth revolve in 2 days?
33. A cyclist is riding with a speed of 27 kmh–1. As he approaches a circular turn on the road of radius 80m,
he applies brakes and reduces his speed at the constant rate of 0.5 ms–1 every second. What is the
magnitude and direction of the net acceleration of the cyclist on the circular turn?

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MOTION IN A PLANE PHYSICS

1. Is the rocket fired from the earth a projectile? Explain.

2. Is the ball thrown vertically upwards a projectile?

3. A stone is thrown horizontally with a speed 2gh from the top of a wall of height h. It strikes the level
ground through the foot of the wall at a distance x from the wall. What is the value of x?
4. A ball is dropped from the top of tower. Another ball is projected horizontally and at the same time from
the same point on the top of the tower. Which ball will reach the ground first?
5. The aeroplane flying horizontally with uniform velocity releases the bomb much earlier than its position
vertically above the target. Why?

6. A stone is just released from the window of a train moving along a horizontal straight track. The stone
will hit the ground following
(A) Straight path (B) Circular path
(C) Parabolic path (D) Hyperbolic path
7. A bomb is dropped from an aeroplane moving horizontally at constant speed. When air resistance is
taken into consideration the bomb
(A) Falls to earth exactly below the aeroplane (B) Fall to earth behind of the aeroplane
(C) Falls to earth ahead of the aeroplane (D) Flies with the aeroplane
8. A particle (A) is dropped from a height and particle (B) is thrown in horizontal direction with speed of
5 m/s from the same height. The correct statement is
(A) Both particles will reach at ground simultaneously
(B) Both particles will reach at ground with same speed
(C) Particle (A) will reach at ground first with respect to particle (B)
(D) Particle (B) will reach at ground first with respect to particle (A)
9. An aeroplane is flying horizontal with a velocity of 600 km/h at a height of 1960 m. When it is vertically
at a point A on the ground, a bomb is released from it. The bomb strikes the ground at point B. The
distance AB is
(A) 1200 m (B) 0.33 km
(C) 3.33 km (D) 33 km
10. A child travelling in a train throws a ball outside with a speed V According to a child who is standing on
the ground, the speed of the ball is
(A) Same as V (B) Greater than V
(C) Less than V (D) None of these

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PHYSICS MOTION IN A PLANE

11. A particle crossing the origin of co-ordinates at time t = 0 , moves in the xy-plane with a constant
acceleration a in the y-direction. If its equation of motion is y = bx 2 (b is a constant), its velocity
component in the x-direction is
2b a
(A) (B)
a 2b
a b
(C) (D)
ba a
12. A ball is rolled off the edge of horizontal table at a speed of 4 m/s. It hits the ground after 0.4 s. Which
statement given below is false?
(A) It hits the ground at a horizontal distance 1.6 m from the edge of the table
(B) The speed with which it hits ground is 4.0 m/s
(C) Height of the table is 0.8 m
(D) It hits the ground at an angle of 45o to the Horizontal
13. A ball is projected horizontally with a velocity of 5 m/s from the top of a building 19.6 m high. How long
will the ball take to hit the ground
(A) 2s (B) 2s
(C) 3s (D) 3s
14. A stone is projectile horizontally with uniform velocity u from the top of a tower of height ‘h’ Change in
velocity when it reaches the ground is:
1 1
(A) u + 2 gh  2 (B) u − 2 gh  2
2 2

1 1
(C) u + 2 gh  2 − u (D)  2gh 2
2

15. A motorcycle stunt rider will jump a 100m wide row of cars. The launch ramp is 30o and 9m high. The
land ramp is also 30o and is 6m high. Find the minimum speed for the launch.
16. A projectile is fired horizontally with velocity v. Show that it’s trajectory is a parabola. Obtain the
expressions for its (a) time of flight (b) horizontal range.
17. What is a projectile? Derive an expression for the time of light and the range of a projectile fired at an
angle with the vertical.
18. Show that there are two angles of projection for which the horizontal range is the same. Also show that
the sum of the maximum heights for these two angles in independent of the angle of projection.
19. A projectile has a range of 50 m and reaches a maximum height of 10 m. Calculate he angle at which the
projectile is fired.
20. A projectile is fired in air making an angle  with horizontal. Show that
(1) Its path is parabolic in nature.
(2) tan  = 4H/R where H is maximum height attained and R is the range of projectile.
21. (a) The maximum height attained by a projectile is increased by 10% by increasing its speed of projection,
without changing the angle of projection. What will the percentage increase in the horizontal range.
(b) A particle is projected with a velocity so that its horizontal range is thrice the greatest height attained.
What is the horizontal range?

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MOTION IN A PLANE PHYSICS

22. Give a velocity-time graph for an oblique projectile making an angle with the horizontal.
23. Why should a shooter always keep his gun tilted above the line of sight while shooting?
24. A heavy and a light balls are projected with the same velocity and at the same angle with the horizontal.
How do their ranges and maximum heights attained differ from each other?
25. Is the height attained by the projectile maximum, when its range is maximum.
26. If the initial velocity of the projectile is doubled, how will its range be changed?
27. What should be the angle of projection to enable the projectile go farthest away from the ground?
28. In a long jump does it matter how high we jump, Explain.

29. In the entire path of a projectile, the quantity that remains unchanged is
(A) Vertical component of velocity (B) Horizontal component of velocity
(C) Kinetic energy (D) Potential energy
30. The angle of projection at which the horizontal range and maximum height of projectile are equal is
(A) 45o (B)  = tan −1 ( 0.25)
(C)  = tan −1 4 (D) 60o
31. A cricketer hits a ball with a velocity 25 m/s at 60o above the horizontal. How far above the ground it
passes over a fielder 50 m the bat (assume the ball is struck very close to the ground)
(A) 8.2 m (B) 9.0 m
(C) 11.6 m (D) 12.7 m
32. Galileo writes that for angles of projection of a projectile at angle ( 45 +  ) and ( 45 −  ) , the
horizontal ranges described by the projectile are in the ratio of (if   45 )
(A) 2 : 1 (B) 1 : 2
(C) 1 : 1 (D) 2 : 3
33. A body of mass m is thrown upwards at an angle  with the horizontal with velocity v. While rising up
the velocity of the mass after t seconds will be
(A) ( v cos ) + ( v sin  )
2 2
(B) ( v cos − v sin  )
2
− gt
(C) v 2 + g 2t 2 − ( 2v sin  ) gt (D) v 2 + g 2t 2 − ( 2v cos  ) gt

( )
34. The velocity of a projectile at the initial point A is 2iˆ + 3 ˆj m /s. It’s velocity (in m/s) at point B is

(A) 2iˆ + 3 ˆj (B) −2iˆ − 3 ˆj

(C) −2iˆ + 3 ˆj (D) 2iˆ − 3 ˆj
35. An object is projected with a velocity of 20 m/s making an angle of 45o with horizontal. The equation for
the trajectory is h = Ax − Bx 2 where h is height, x is horizontal distance, A and B are constants. The
ratio A : B is (g = 10 ms– 2)
(A) 1 : 5 (B) 5 : 1
(C) 1 : 40 (D) 40 : 1
36. A projectile is thrown in the upward direction making an angle of 60o with the horizontal direction with a
velocity of 147 ms– 1. Then the time after which its inclination with the horizontal is 45o, is
(A) 15 s (B) 10.98 s
(C) 5.49 s (D) 2.745 s

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PHYSICS MOTION IN A PLANE

37. The maximum range of a gun on horizontal terrain is 16 km. If g = 10 m/s2. What must be the muzzle
velocity of the shell
(A) 200 m/s (B) 400 m/s
(C) 100 m/s (D) 50 m/s
38. A projectile fired with initial velocity u at some angle  has a range R. If the initial velocity be doubled at
the same angle of projection, then the range will be
(A) 2R (B) R/2
(C) R (D) 4R
39. A coastground ship locates a pirate ship at a distance 560 m. It fires a cannon ball with a initial speed 82
m/s. At what angle from horizontal the ball must be fired so that it hits the pirate ship
(A) 54o (B) 60o
o
(C) 27 (D) 30o
40. For a given velocity, a projectile has the range R for two angles of projection it t1 and t2 are the times of
flight in the two cases then
(A) t1t2  R 2 (B) t1t2  R
1 1
(C) t1t2  (D) t1t2 
R R2
41. The horizontal range of a projectile is 4 3 times its maximum height. Its angle of projection will be
(A) 45o (B) 60o
o
(C) 90 (D) 30o
42. If time of flight of a projectile is 10 seconds and Range is 500 m, The maximum height attained by it will be
(A) 125 m (B) 50 m
(C) 100 m (D) 150 m
43. A particle covers 50 m distance when projected with an initial speed. On the same surface it will cover a
distance, when projected with double the initial speed
(A) 100 m (B) 150 m
(C) 200 m (D) 250 m
44. Four bodies P, Q, R and S are projected with equal velocities having angles of projection 15 o, 30o, 45o
and 60o with the horizontal respectively. The body having shortest range is
(A) P (B) Q
(C) R (D) S
45. At what point of a projectile motion acceleration and velocity are perpendicular to each other
(A) At the point of projection
(B) At the point of drop
(C) At the topmost point
(D) Any where in between the point of projection and topmost point
46. An arrow is shot into air. Its range is 200 m and its time of flight is 5s. If g = 10 m/s2, then the horizontal
component of velocity of the arrow is
(A) 12.5 m/s (B) 25 m/s
(C) 31.25 m/s (D) 40 m/s
1
47. In case of projectile if the maximum height reached is th of the horizontal range, the angle of
4
projection is:
(A) 60 (B) 45
(C) 30 (D) None of these
48. A projectile is thrown at an angle of 15 with horizontal and range is 1.5 Km. What is its range when
projectile at 45?
(A) 1.5 Km (B) 6 Km
(C) 3 Km (D) 4.5 Km

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49. After time ‘t’ the height ‘y’ of projectile is y = 8t − 5t 2 and horizontal distance x = 6t . If g = 10ms −2 ,
the velocity of projectile at this instant is:
(A) 8 m s-1 (B) 10 m s-1
-1
(C) 6 m s (D) 4 m s-1
50. A projectile is projected with velocity  such that its range is twice the greatest height attained, the
correct value of its range is
2 3 2
(A) (B)
g 5 g
4 2
(D) 1 
2
(C)
5 g 5 g
−1  4 
51. A projectile is thrown with angle of projection tan   . The ratio of its horizontal range to the greatest
3
height reached is:
(A) 2 : 1 (B) 3 : 1
(C) 4 :1 (D) 5 :1
52. From the top of a tower 40 m high a ball is projected upwards with 20 ms-1 making an angle 30. Then
the ratio of the total time taken by ball to reach the ground to the time of flight is.
(A) 2 : 1 (B) 3 : 1
(C) 4 : 1 (D) 1 : 1
53. A projectile is fired from a point with velocity 1 making an angle 30. At the same time another is fired
vertically upwards from a point just below the highest point reached by the first, with velocity  2 . The
ratio  2 to 1 for both to collide will be:
3
(A) 2 (B)
2
1
(C) (D) 1
2
54. A cannon fires a shell at an angle  with horizontal with velocity 0 towards a vertical cliff distance ‘D’
away. The height from the bottom at which the shell strikes the side walls of the cliff is:
gD 2 gD2
(A) D sin  − (B) D cos  −
202 sin 2  202 cos2 
gD 2 gD 2
(C) D tan  − (D) D tan  −
202 sin 2  202 cos2 
55. A projectile is thrown at an angle such that the horizontal and vertical velocities are 9.8 ms-1 and 19.6 ms-1. It
strikes at a point distant from point of thrown as:
(A) 39.2 m (B) 19 m
(C) 9.8 m (D) 4.9 m
3 2  2
56. A projectile thrown at an angle with speed  has a horizontal range and maximum height ,
2g 8g
The angle of throw is:
(A) 15 (B) 30
(C) 45 (D) 60

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57. The range of a rifle bullet is 1000 m when thrown at an angle  with the horizontal. If the bullet is fired at
the same angle from a car travelling at 36 km hr–1 towards the target, the ranges is increased by:
1000 1000
(A) tan  (B)
7 7 tan 
1000
(C) 1000 tan  (D) .
tan 

58. A particle P is moving along a straight line with a velocity of 3 ms– 1 and another pertide Q has a velocity
of 4 ms– 1 at an angle of 30o to the path of P. Find the speed of Q relative to P.

59. A ball is projected upward from the top of tower with a velocity 50 ms– 1 making an angle 30o with the
horizontal. The height of tower is 70 m. After how many seconds from the instant of throwing will the
ball reach the ground
(A) 2s (B) 5s
(C) 7s (D) 9s

60. Two balls of different masses (one lighter and other heavier) are thrown vertically upwards with the same
speed. Which one will pass through the point of projection in their downward direction with the greater speed?

61. The length of seconds hand of a clock is 10 cm. Then what is the speed of the tip of the hand.
62. Compare the linear velocities of the particles at different distances from the axis of rotation of wheel
rotating about its axis.
63. Give an example of a particle moving with constant speed and a variable velocity.

64. If the length of the second’s hand in a clock is 3 cm the angular velocity and linear velocity of the tip is
(A) 0.2047 rad/sec., 0.0314 m/sec (B) 0.2547 rad/sec., 0.0314 m/sec
(C) 0.1472 rad/sec., 0.06314 m/sec (D) 0.1047 rad/sec., 0.0314 m/sec
65. The second’s hand of a watch has length 6 cm. speed of end point and magnitude of difference of
velocities at two perpendicular positions will be
(A) 6.28 and 0 m/s (B) 8.88 and 4.44 m/s
(C) 8.88 and 6.28 m/s (D) 6.28 and 8.88 m/s

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66. What is centripetal acceleration? Calculate the angular velocity of the minute hand of the clock.
67. What do you mean by the terms centripetal force and centripetal acceleration? How is it directed? Derive
the mathematical expressions.
68. Derive an expression for the centripetal acceleration for a particle moving uniform speed ‘v’ on a circular
track of radius ‘r’. How will the direction of acceleration changes, if particle is having increasing speed?
69. The direction of the acceleration of the particle is always perpendicular to its velocity. What is the nature
is of the path followed?
70. Give an example of a particle moving with constant speed but variable acceleration.

71. An object moves at a constant speed along a circular path in a horizontal XY plane, with the centre at the
origin. When the object is at x = −2m, its velocity is − (4m / s ) j. What is the object’s acceleration
when it is y = 2m

( )
(A) − 8m / s / j
2
(
(B) − 8m / s / i
2
)
(C) − (4m / s )/ j ( )
2 2
(D) 4m / s / j
72. Two bodies of mass 10 kg and 5 kg moving in concentric orbits of radii R and r such that their periods
are the same. Then the ratio between their centripetal acceleration is
(A) R/r (B) r/R
(C) R2/r2 (D) r2/R2
73. In case of uniform circular motion which of the following physical quantity do not remain constant
(A) Speed (B) Momentum
(C) Kinetic energy (D) Mass
74. A particles revolves round a circular path. The acceleration of the particle is
(A) Along the circumference of the circle (B) Along the tangent
(C) Along the radius (D) Zero
75. An electric fan has blades of length 30 cm as measured from the axis of rotation. The fan is rotating at
1200 r.p.m. The accelerations of a point on the tip of the blade is about
(A) 1600 m/sec2 (B) 4740 m/sec2
(C) 2370 m/sec2 (D) 5055 m/sec2
76. A particle moves in a circular orbit under the action of a central attractive force inversely proportional to
the distance ‘r’. The speed of the particle is
(A) Proportional to r2 (B) Independent of r
(C) Proportional to r (D) Proportional 1/r
77. A body of mass 1 kg tied to one end of string is revolved in a horizontal circle of radius 0.1 m with a
speed of 3 revolution/sec. Assuming the effect of gravity is negligible, then linear velocity, acceleration
and tension in the string will be
(A) 1.88 m/s, 35.5 m/s2, 35.5 N (B) 2.88 m/s, 45.5 m/s2, 45.5 N
(C) 3.88 m/s, 55.5 m/s2, 55.5 N (D) None of these
78. A body of mass 5 kg is moving in a circle of radius 1 m with an angular velocity of 2 radian/sec. The
centripetal force is
(A) 10 N (B) 20 N
(C) 30 N (D) 40 N

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PHYSICS MOTION IN A PLANE

79. The earth moves round the sun in a near circular orbit of radius 1.5 × 1011 m. Its centripetal acceleration is
(A) 1.5 × 10– 3 m/s2 (B) 3 × 10– 3 m/s2
–3
(C) 6 × 10 m/s 2
(D) 12 × 10– 3 m/s2

80. A body moves with constant angular velocity on a circle. Magnitude of angular acceleration is :
(A) r2 (B) Constant
(C) Zero (D) None of the above
81. A car moving with speed 30 m/sec on a circular path of radius 500 m. Its speed is increasing at the rate of
2 m/ sec2, what is the acceleration of the car
(A) 2m/sec2 (B) 2.7m/sec2
2
(C) 1.8m/sec (D) 9.8m/sec2

82. Read each statement below carefully and state with reasons if it is true or false.
(i) The net acceleration of a particle in circular motion is always along the radius of the circle towards
its centre.
(ii) The velocity vector of a particle at a point is always along the tangent to the path of the particle at that point.
(iii) The acceleration vector of a particle in uniform circular motion averaged over one cycle is a null vector.
(iv) The radial component of acceleration of particle in a circular motion is given by 2/R (in magnitude)
even when the speed is not constant
83. What determines the nature of path followed by a particle? Velocity or acceleration?
84. What is the nature of the path followed by a particle, when its acceleration is inclined to the
instantaneous velocity? What happens when they are parallel or anti parallel to each other?

85. A particle moves in a circle of radius 30 cm. Its linear speed is given by v = 2t where t in second and v
in m/s. Find out its radial and tangential acceleration at t = 3 sec respectively,
(A) 220 m/sec2, 50m/sec2 (B) 100 m/sec2, 5m/sec2
2 2
(C) 120 m/sec , 2m/sec (D)110 m/sec2, 10m/sec2
86. For a particle in non-uniform acceleration circular motion
(A) Velocity is radial and acceleration in transverse only
(B) Velocity is transverse and acceleration has both radial only
(C) Velocity is radial and acceleration has both radial transverse components
(D) Velocity is transverse and a acceleration has both radial and transverse components

87. A grindstone has a constant acceleration of 4 rad/s2 starting from rest. Calculate the angular speed of
grind-stone 2.5 s later.

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PHYSICS MOTION IN A PLANE

1. In uniform circular motion

(A) Both velocity and acceleration are constant
(B) Acceleration and speed are constant but velocity changes
(C) Both acceleration and velocity changes
(D) Both acceleration and speed are constant
2. A car is moving with a uniform speed on a level road. Inside the car there is a balloon filled with helium
and attached to a piece of string tied to the floor. The string is observed to be vertical. The car now takes
a left turn maintaining the speed on the level road. The balloon in the car will
(A) Continue to remain vertical (B) Burst while taking the curve
(C) Be thrown to the right side (D) Be thrown to the left side
3. A body is revolving with a uniform speed v in a circle of radius r . The tangential acceleration is
v v2
(A) (B)
r r
v
(C) Zero (D)
r2
4. A particle does uniform circular motion in a horizontal plane. The radius of the circle is 20 cm. The
centripetal force acting on the particle is 10 N. It's kinetic energy is
(A) 0.1 J (B) 0.2 J
(C) 2.0 J (D) 1.0 J
5. A particle moves with constant angular velocity in circular path of certain radius and is acted upon by a certain
centripetal force F . If the angular velocity is doubled, keeping radius the same, the new force will be
(A) 2 F (B) F 2
(C) 4 F (D) F / 2
6. In the above question, if the angular velocity is kept same but the radius of the path is halved, the new
force will be
(A) 2 F (B) F 2
(C) F / 2 (D) F / 4
7. In above question, if the centripetal force F is kept constant but the angular velocity is doubled, the new
radius of the path (original radius R ) will be
(A) 2 R (B) R / 2
(C) R / 4 (D) 4 R
8. A car is travelling with linear velocity v on a circular road of radius r . If it is increasing its speed at the
rate of ' a' meter / sec 2 , then the resultant acceleration will be
v2  v4 
(A)  2 − a 2  (B)  2 + a 2 
 r   r 

v4  v2 
(C)  2 − a 2  (D)  2 + a 2 
 r   r 
o
9. A ball of mass 0.1 kg is suspended by a string. It is displaced through an angle of 60 and left.
When the ball passes through the mean position, the tension in the string is
(A) 19.6 N (B) 1.96 N
(C) 9.8 N (D) Zero
10. An aeroplane moving horizontally at a speed of 200 m/s and at a height of 8.0  10 3 m is to drop a bomb
on a target. At what horizontal distance from the target should the bomb be released
(A) 7.234 km (B) 8.081 km
(C) 8.714 km (D) 9.124 km

94
MOTION IN A PLANE PHYSICS

11. A body is projected horizontally from a height with speed 20 metres/sec. What will be its speed after 5
seconds ( g = 10 metres / sec 2 )
(A) 54 metres/sec (B) 20 metres/sec
(C) 50 metres/sec (D) 70 metres/sec
12. A man standing on the roof of a house of height h throws one particle vertically downwards and
another particle horizontally with the same velocity u. The ratio of their velocities when they reach
the earth's surface will be
(A) 2 gh + u 2 : u (B) 1 : 2
(C) 1 :1 (D) 2 gh + u 2 : 2 gh

13. A projectile projected at an angle 30 o from the horizontal has a range R . If the angle of projection at the
same initial velocity be 60 o , then the range will be
(A) R (B) 2 R
(C) R / 2 (D) R 2
14. At the highest point of the path of a projectile, its
(A) Kinetic energy is maximum (B) Potential energy is minimum
(C) Kinetic energy is minimum (D) Total energy is maximum
o
15. A cricket ball is hit at 30 with the horizontal with kinetic energy K . The kinetic energy at the highest
point is
(A) Zero (B) K / 4
(C) K / 2 (D) 3K / 4
16. A stone is projected from the ground with velocity 50 m/s at an angle of 30 o . It crosses a wall after 3 sec.
How far beyond the wall the stone will strike the ground (g = 10 m / sec 2 )
(A) 90.2 m (B) 89.6 m
(C) 86.6 m (D) 70.2 m
17. A body of mass m is projected at an angle of 45o with the horizontal. If air resistance is negligible, then
total change in momentum when it strikes the ground is
(A) 2mv (B) 2 mv
(C) mv (D) mv / 2
18. A ball of mass m is thrown vertically upwards. Another ball of mass 2m is thrown at an angle  with the
vertical. Both of them stay in air for same period of time. The heights attained by the two balls are in the
ratio of
(A) 2 : 1 (B) 1 : cos
(C) 1 : 1 (D) cos : 1
19. To a person, going eastward in a car with a velocity of 25 km/hr, a train appears to move towards north
with a velocity of 25 3 km/hr. The actual velocity of the train will be
(A) 25 km/hr (B) 50 km/hr
(C) 5 km/hr (D) 5 3 km/hr
20. A ball is rolled off the edge of a horizontal table at a speed of 4 m/second. It hits the ground after 0.4
second. Which statement given below is true
(A) It hits the ground at a horizontal distance 1.6 m from the edge of the table
(B) The speed with which it hits the ground is 4.0 m/second
(C) Height of the table is 0.8 m
(D) It hits the ground at an angle of 60o to the horizontal
21. An aeroplane flying 490 m above ground level at 100 m/s, releases a block. How far on ground will it
strike
(A) 0.1 km (B) 1 km
(C) 2 km (D) None

95
PHYSICS MOTION IN A PLANE

22. A body is thrown horizontally from the top of a tower of height 5 m. It touches the ground at a distance
of 10 m from the foot of the tower. The initial velocity of the body is (g = 10 ms–2)
(A) 2.5 ms–1 (B) 5 ms–1
–1
(C) 10 ms (D) 20 ms–1
23. Referring to the above two questions, the acceleration due to gravity is given by
(A) 10 m / sec 2 (B) 5m / sec 2
(C) 20 m / sec 2 (D) 2 .5 m / sec 2
24. The range of a particle when launched at an angle of 15 o with the horizontal is 1.5 km. What is the range
of the projectile when launched at an angle of 45 o to the horizontal
(A) 1.5 km (B) 3.0 km
(C) 6.0 km (D) 0.75 km
25. A cricketer hits a ball with a velocity 25 m / s at 60 o above the horizontal. How far above the ground it
passes over a fielder 50 m from the bat (assume the ball is struck very close to the ground)
(A) 8.2 m (B) 9.0 m
(C) 11.6 m (D) 12.7 m
26. A stone is projected from the ground with velocity 25 m / s . Two seconds later, it just clears a wall 5 m
high. The angle of projection of the stone is (g = 10 m / sec2 )
(A) 30 o (B) 45 o
(C) 50 .2o (D) 60 o
27. A projectile thrown with a speed v at an angle  has a range R on the surface of earth. For same v and
 , its range on the surface of moon will be
(A) R / 6 (B) 6 R
(C) R / 36 (D) 36 R
28. The greatest height to which a man can throw a stone is h . The greatest distance to which he can throw it,
will be
h
(A) (B) h
2
(C) 2 h (D) 3h
29. The horizontal range is four times the maximum height attained by a projectile. The angle of projection is
(A) 90 o (B) 60 o
(C) 45 o (D) 30 o
30. A ball is projected with velocity Vo at an angle of elevation 30°. Mark the correct statement
(A) Kinetic energy will be zero at the highest point of the trajectory
(B) Vertical component of momentum will be conserved
(C) Horizontal component of momentum will be conserved
(D) Gravitational potential energy will be minimum at the highest point of the trajectory
31. Neglecting the air resistance, the time of flight of a projectile is determined by
(A) U vertical (B) U horizontal
(C) U = U 2 vertical + U 2 horizontal (D) U = U (U 2 vertical + U 2 horizontal )1 / 2
32. A ball is thrown from a point with a speed v o at an angle of projection  . From the same point and at the
same instant a person starts running with a constant speed v o / 2 to catch the ball. Will the person be able
to catch the ball? If yes, what should be the angle of projection
(A) Yes, 60 o (B) Yes, 30 o
(C) No (D) Yes, 45 o

96
MOTION IN A PLANE PHYSICS

33. A stone is thrown at an angle  to the horizontal reaches a maximum height H. Then the time of flight of
stone will be
2H 2H
(A) (B) 2
g g

2 2 H sin  2 H sin 
(C) (D)
g g

34. The horizontal range of a projectile is 4 3 times its maximum height. Its angle of projection will be
(A) 45 o (B) 60 o
o
(C) 90 (D) 30 o
35. A ball is projected upwards from the top of tower with a velocity 50 ms −1 making an angle 30 o with the
horizontal. The height of tower is 70 m. After how many seconds from the instant of throwing will the
ball reach the ground
(A) 2 s (B) 5 s
(C) 7 s (D) 9 s
36. Two bodies are thrown up at angles of 45o and 60o, respectively, with the horizontal. If both bodies attain
same vertical height, then the ratio of velocities with which these are thrown is
2 2
(A) (B)
3 3
3 3
(C) (D)
2 2
37. At what point of a projectile motion acceleration and velocity are perpendicular to each other
(A) At the point of projection
(B) At the point of drop
(C) At the topmost point
(D) Anywhere in between the point of projection and topmost point
38. An object is projected at an angle of 45° with the horizontal. The horizontal range and the maximum
height reached will be in the ratio.
(A) 1 : 2 (B) 2:1
(C) 1 : 4 (D) 4:1
39. The maximum horizontal range of a projectile is 400 m. The maximum value of height attained by it will
be
(A) 100 m (B) 200 m
(C) 0400 m (D) 800 m
40. A projectile is fired at an angle of 300 to the horizontal such that the vertical component of its initial
velocity is 80 m/s. Its time of flight is T. Its velocity at the moment t = T/4, has a magnitude of
nearly :
(A) 200 m/s (B) 160 m/s
(C) 120 m/s (D) 140 m/s
41. Which of the following is the largest, when the height attained by the projectile is the largest?
(A) range (B) time of flight
(C) angle of projectile with vertical (D) Both (B) and (C)
42. The distance travelled by an object along the three axis are given by x = 2t2, y = t2–4t, z = 3t –5. The
initial velocity of the particle is :
(A) 10 unit (B) 12 unit
(C) 5 unit (D) 2 unit

97
PHYSICS MOTION IN A PLANE

43. An object moves along a straight line path from P to Q under the action of a force (4 𝑖̂ – 𝑗̂ + 3 𝑘̂) N. If the
coordinates of P and Q, in meters, are (3, 3, – 1) and (2, –1, 4) respectively, then the work done by the
force is
(A) +23 J (B) – 23 J
(C) +15 J (D) 35 (4 𝑖̂ – 3 𝑗̂ +2 𝑘̂ ) J
44. A projectile will cover the maximum vertical distance when the angle of its projection with the vertical is:
(A) 00 (B) 450
0
(C) 60 (D) 900
45. A javelin is thrown at an angle  with the horizontal such that the horizontal range is equal to the
maximum height. The value of tan  is
(A) 1 (B) 2
(C) 3 (D) 4
46. Four bullets A, B, C and D are fired with the same initial speed making angles of 30 0, 440, 500 and 600
respectively with the horizontal. Which bullet will be the first to return to the plane of projection?
(A) A (B) B
(C) C (D) D
47. A very broad elevator is going up vertically with a constant acceleration of 2m/s 2. At the instant when its
velocity is 4 m/s a ball is projected from the floor of the lift with a speed of 4 m/s relative to the floor at
an elevation of 300. The time taken by the ball to return the floor is (g = 10m/s2)
1 1
(A) s (B) s
2 3
1
(C) s (D) 1 s
4
48. A ball is thrown horizontally from the top of a tower. What happens to the horizontal component of its
velocity
(A) Increases (B) Decreases
(C) Remains unchanged (D) First decreases and then increases
49. What is the least velocity at which a ball can be thrown through a distance 40 m?
(A) 5 ms-1 (B) 10 ms-1
(C) 15 ms-1 (D) 20 ms-1
50. A projectile is projected with a kinetic energy K. Its range is R. It will have the minimum kinetic energy,
after covering a horizontal distance equal to
(A) 0.25 R (B) 0.5 R
(C) 0.75 R (D) R
51. A body is projected up a smooth inclined plane with velocity V from the point M as shown in the figure.
The angle of inclination is 45°and the top is connected to a well of diameter 40 m. If the body just
manages to cross the well, what is the value of V? Length of the inclined plane is 20 2 m.

(A) 40 ms-1 (B) 40 2 ms-1

(C) 20 ms-1 (D) 20 2 ms-1

98
MOTION IN A PLANE PHYSICS

52. At the top of the trajectory of an oblique projectile, the directions of its velocity and acceleration are :
(A) Perpendicular to each other (B) parallel to each other
0
(C) Inclined at an angle of 45 to the horizontal (D) none of the above is correct
53. The speed of a projectile at its maximum height is half of its initial speed. The angle of projection is
(A) 60° (B) 15°
(C) 30° (D) 45°
54. Two projectiles are fired from the same point with the same speed at angles of projection 60°and 30°
respectively. Which one of the following is true?
(A) Their maximum height will be same (B) Their range will be same
(C) Their landing velocity will be same (D) Their time of flight will be same
55. A stone projected with a velocity v at an angle θ with the horizontal reaches maximum height H1. When
 
it is projected with velocity v at an angle  − θ  with the horizontal it reaches maximum height H2.
2 
The relation between the horizontal range R of the projectile, H1 and H2 is
(A) R = 4 H1 H 2 (B) R = 4 (H 1 − H 2 )
H12
(C) R = 4 (H1 + H 2 ) (D) R = 4 .
H2
56. A ball thrown by one player reaches the other standing some distance away in 2 sec. The maximum
height attained by the ball in the throw, above the point of projection would be about
(A) 10 m (B) 7.5 m
(C) 5 m (D) 2.5 m
57. A bucket is placed in the open where the rain is falling vertically. If a wind begins to blow horizontally at
double the speed of the rain, how will be rate of filling of the bucket change?
(A) Remain unchanged (B) Doubled
(C) Halved (D) Become four times
58. A body is tied with a string and is given a circular motion with velocity v in radius r. The magnitude of
the acceleration is
v v2
(A) (B)
r r
v v2
(C) 2 (D) 2
r r
59. If KE of the particle of mass m performing uniform circular motion in a circle of radius r is E, find the
acceleration of the particle.
2
(B) 
2E 2E 
(A) 
mr  mr 
4E
(C) 2 Emr (D)
mr
60. A particle moves in a circle of radius 5 cm with constant speed and time period 0.2 πs. The acceleration
of the particle is
(A) 15 m/s2 (B) 25 m/s2
(C) 36 m/s2 (D) 5 m/s2
61. Two racing cars of masses m1 and m2 are moving in circles of radii r1 and r2 respectively. Their speeds
are such that each makes a complete circle in the same duration of time t. The ratio of the angular speed
of the first to the second car is
(A) m1 : m2 (B) r1 : r2
(C) 1 : 1 (D) m1 r1 : m2 r2

99
PHYSICS MOTION IN A PLANE

62. An electric fan has blades of length 30 cm as measured from the axis of rotation. If the fan is rotating at
1200 r.p.m. the acceleration of a point on the tip of the blade is about
(A) 1600 m/sec2 (B) 4740 m/sec2
(C) 2370 m/sec2 (D) 5055 m/sec2
63. A particle moves in a plane with instantaneous acceleration having direction always perpendicular to that
of the instantaneous velocity. What is the nature of trajectory?
(A) Straight line (B) Parabola
(C) Circle (D) Ellipse.
o
64. A projectile is fired at 30 with momentum p. Neglecting friction, the change in kinetic energy when it
returns to the ground will be
(A) Zero (B) 30%
(C) 60% (D) 100%
65. The range of projectile is 50 m when it is inclined with horizontal at 15o. What is the range when θ
becomes 45o?
(A) 400 m (B) 300 m
(C) 200 m (D) 100 m
66. Two stones are projected with the same (magnitude) velocity but making different angle with the
horizontal. Their ranges are equal. If the angle of projection of one is  /3, and its maximum height is y1,
then the maximum height of the other will be
(A) 3 y1 (B) 2y1
(C) y1 /2 (D) y1 /3.
67. A cannon and a target are 2 3 km apart and located at the same level. How soon will the shell fired
with an initial velocity of 200 m/s reach the target in the absence of air drag? (g = 10m/s2)
(A) After 20 s or 20 3 s (B) After 10 s or 10 2 s
(C) After 30 s only (D) After 403 s only.
68. A particle is projected horizontally from the top of an inclined plane inclined at an angle  with the
horizontal with velocity u. What is the distance along the plane from the point of projection at which the
projectile strikes the inclined plane?
(A) (2u2 tan)/g (B) (u2 tan)/2g
(C) (2u2 tan2)/g (D) (2u2 tan sec)/g
69. A particle is projected from the ground with an initial speed of v at an angle  with horizontal. The
average velocity of the particle between its point of projection and highest point of trajectory is
v
(A)  
2
( (1 + 2 cos  ) )
2 v
(B)  
2
( (1 + cos  ) )
2

v
(C)  
2
( (1 + 3cos  ) )
2
(D) v cos 

70. A projectile is thrown at an angle of 450 with the vertical. If K be the kinetic energy with which the
projectile was thrown, then the kinetic energy at the top of the trajectory is :
(A) 2K (B) 4K
(C) K/2 (D) K/4
71. A projectile is projected in the upwards direction making an angle 600 with horizontal direction with a
velocity of 147 m/s. Then, the time after which its inclination with the horizontal is 450 is nearly:
(A) 1.732 s (B) 5.49 s
(C) 9.81 s (D) 11.27 s

100
MOTION IN A PLANE PHYSICS

72. The trajectory of a projectile in a vertical plane is y = ax – bx2, where a and b are constants and x and y
are respectively horizontal and vertical distances of the projectile from the point of projection. The
maximum height attained by the particle and the angle of projection from the horizontal are :
b2 a2
(A) , tan −1 ( b ) (B) , tan −1 ( 2a )
2a b
a2 2a 2
(C) , tan −1 ( a ) (D) , tan −1 ( a )
4b b
73. If a stone is to hit at a point which is at a distance d away and at a height h above the point from where
the stone starts, then what is the value of initial speed u if the stone is launched at an angle θ?
g d d g
(A) (B)
cos 2(d tan  − h) cos 2(d tan  − h)
gd 2 gd 2
(C) (D)
h cos2  ( d − h)
74. A glass marble projected horizontally from the top of a table falls at a distance x from the edge of the
table. If h is the height of the table, then the velocity of projection is :
g g
(A) h (B) x
2x 2h
(C) gxh (D) gx + h
75. Two projectiles A and B are projected with angle of projection 15o for the projectile A and 45o for the
projectile B. If RA and RB be the horizontal range for the two projectiles, then
(A) RA < RB
(B) RA = RB
(C) RA > RB
(D) the information is insufficient to decide the relation of RA with RB.
76. Three particles A, B and C are thrown from the top of a tower with the same speed. A is thrown up, B is
thrown down and C is horizontally. They hit the ground with speeds VA, VB and VC respectively.
(A) VA = VB = VC (B) VA = VB > VC
(C) VA > VB > VC (D) VA > VB = VC
ˆ ˆ
77. A force F = − K ( yi + xj ) (where K is a positive constant) acts on a particle moving in the x-y plane.
Starting from the origin, the particle is taken along the positive x- axis to the point (a, 0) and then parallel
to the y-axis to the point (a, a). The total work done by the forces F on the particle is
(A) −2 Ka 2 (B) 2 Ka 2
(C) − Ka 2 (D) Ka 2

101
PHYSICS MOTION IN A PLANE

102
MOTION IN A PLANE PHYSICS

1. The sum of two forces P and Q is R such that | R |=| P | . The angle  (in degrees) that the resultant of
2P and Q will make with Q is, __________ [JEE (M) 2020]
2. Two forces P and Q of magnitude 2F and 3F, respectively, are at an angle  with each other. If the force
Q is doubled, then their resultant also gets doubled. Then, the angle is: [JEE (M) 2019]
(A) 30º (B) 60º
(C) 90º (D) 120º

( )
3. Two vectors A and B have equal magnitudes. The magnitude of A + B is ‘n’ times the magnitude of

( A − B ) . The angle between A and B is: [JEE (M) 2019]

−1  n2 − 1  n − 1
(A) sin   (B) cos −1 
 n + 1  n + 1
2

 n2 − 1
−1  n − 1
(C) cos  2  (D) sin −1 
 n + 1  n + 1 

4. A person standing on an open ground hears the sound of a jet aeroplane, coming from north at an angle
60° with ground level. But he finds the aeroplane right vertically above his position. If  is the speed of
sound, speed of the plane is: [JEE (M) 2019]
2
(A) (B) 
3
 3
(C) (D) 
2 2
5. A car with a vertical windshield moves along in a rain storm at a speed of 40 km/hr. The rain drop fall
vertically with constant speed of 20m/s. The angle at which rain drops strike the wind shield is :
(A) tan-1(5/9) (B) tan-1(9/5)
(C) tan-1(3/2) (D) tan-1(2/3).

( ) ( )
6. Let A = iˆ + ˆj and B = 2iˆ − ˆj . The magnitude of a coplanar vector C such that A.C = B.C = A.B
is given by: [JEE (M) 2018]
20 5
(A) (B)
9 9
9 10
(C) (D)
12 9

103
PHYSICS MOTION IN A PLANE

7. Three vectors P, Q and R are shown in the figure. Let S be any point on the vector R . The distance between

the point P and S is b R . The general relation among vectors P, Q and S is: [JEE (M) 2017]

(A) S = ( b − 1) P + bQ ( )
(B) S = 1 − b 2 P + bQ

(C) S = (1 − b ) P + b Q (D) S = ( b − 1) P + bQ
2

( )
8. A particle is moving with a velocity v = K yiˆ + xiˆ , where K is a constant. The general equation for its
path is: [JEE (M) 2019]
2 2
(A) xy = constant (B) y = x + constant
(C) y = x2 + constant (D) y2 = x + constant
9. Two guns A and B can fire bullets at speeds 1 km/s and 2 km/s respectively. From a point on a horizontal
ground, they are fired in all possible directions. The ratio of maximum areas covered by the bullets fired
by the two guns, on the ground is : [JEE (M) 2019]
(A) 1 : 2 (B) 1 : 4
(C) 1 : 8 (D) 1 : 16
10. In the cube of side 'a' shown in the figure, the vector from the central point of the face ABOD to the
central point of the face BEFO will be: [JEE (M) 2019]

(A)
1 ˆ ˆ
2
(
a i −k ) (B)
1 ˆ ˆ
2
(
a j −i )
1
(
(C) a kˆ − iˆ
2
) 1
(
(D) a ˆj − kˆ
2
)
( ) ( )
11. A particle moves from the point 2.0iˆ + 4.0 ˆj m , at t = 0, with an initial velocity 5.0iˆ + 4.0 ˆj ms −1. It

( )
is acted upon by a constant force which produces a constant acceleration 4.0iˆ + 4.0 ˆj ms −2 . What is the
distance of the particle from the origin at time 2 s? [JEE (M) 2019]
(A) 2 0 2m (B) 10 2m
(C) 5 m (D) 15 m

104
MOTION IN A PLANE PHYSICS

12. The x and y coordinates of the particle at any time are x = 5t – 2t2 and y = 10t respectively, where x and y
are in meters and t in seconds. The acceleration of the particle at t = 2s is: [JEE (M) 2017]
(A) 5 m/s2 (B) – 4 m/s2
(C) – 8 m/s2 (D) 0
13. From a tower of height H, a particle is thrown vertically upwards with a speed u. The time taken by the
particle to hit the ground, is n times that taken by it to reach the highest point of its path. The relation
between H, u and n is [JEE (M) 2014]
(A) gH = ( n − 2) u 2
(B) 2gH = n u 2 2

(C) gH = ( n − 2 ) u (D) 2 gH = nu 2 ( n − 2)
22

14. A water fountain on the ground sprinkles water all around it. If the speed of water coming out of the fountain
is v, the total area around the fountain that gets wet is [2011]
v2 v4
(A)  (B) 
g g2
 v4 v2
(C) (D) 
2 g2 g2
15. A small particle of mass m is projected at an angle  with the x-axis with initial velocity v0 in the x-y plane as
v0 sin 
shown in the figure. At a time t  , the angular momentum of the particle is [2010]
g

1
(A) mgv0t 2 cos  iˆ (B) −mgv0t 2 cos ˆj
2
1
(C) mgv0t cos kˆ (D) − mgv0t 2 cos  kˆ
2
16. A ball is thrown from a point with a speed v0 at an angle of projection . From the same point at the same
v0
instant a person starts running with a constant speed to catch the ball. Will the person be able to catch the
2
ball? If yes, what should be the angle of projection? [2004]
(A) yes, 60o (B) yes, 30o
(C) no (D) yes, 45o

17. A body is projected at t = 0 with a velocity 10 ms–1 at an angle of 60° with the horizontal. The radius of
curvature of its trajectory at t = 1s is R. Neglecting air resistance and taking acceleration due to gravity
g = 10 ms–2, the value of R is: [JEE (M) 2019]
(A) 2.5 m (B) 10.3 m
(C) 2.8 m (D) 5.1 m

18. Which of the following statements is false for a particle moving in a circle with a constant angular speed?
[2004]
(A) The velocity vector is tangent to the circle
(B) The acceleration vector is tangent to the circle
(C) The acceleration vector points to the centre of the circle
(D) The velocity and acceleration vectors are perpendicular to each other

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PHYSICS MOTION IN A PLANE

19. For a particle in uniform circular motion, the acceleration a at a point P(R, ) on the circle of radius R is
(Here  is measured from the x-axis) [2010]
v2 ˆ v2 ˆ v2 v2
(A) i+ j (B) − cos  iˆ + sin  ˆj
R R R R
v2 v2 v 2
v2
(C) − sin  i + cos  ˆj
ˆ (D) − cos  i − sin  ˆj
ˆ
R R R R

20. Two particles A, B are moving on two concentric circles of radii R1 and R2 with equal angular speed .
At t = 0, their positions and direction of motion are shown in the figure: [JEE (M) 2019]


The relative velocity  A − B at t = is given by:
2
(A) − ( R1 + R2 ) iˆ (B)  ( R1 + R2 ) iˆ
(C)  ( R1 − R2 ) iˆ (D)  ( R2 − R1 ) iˆ

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MOTION IN A PLANE PHYSICS

1. A particle moving with velocity V is acted by three forces shown by the vector triangle PQR. The
velocity of the particle will: [NEET 2019]

(A) Increase (B) Decrease

(C) Remain constant (D) Change according to the smallest force
2. If the magnitude of sum of two vectors is equal to the magnitude of difference of the two vectors, the
angle between these vectors is: [NEET 2016]
o o
(A) 0 (B) 90
o
(C) 45 (D) 180o

3. A body is moving with velocity 30 m/s towards east. After 10 seconds its velocity becomes 40 m/s
towards north. The average acceleration of the body is [2011]
(A) 1 m/s2 (B) 7 m/s2
(C) 7 m/s2 (D) 5 m/s2

4. The speed of a swimmer in still water is 20 m/s. The speed of river water is 10 m/s and is flowing due
east. If he is standing on the south bank and wishes to cross the river along the shortest path, the angle at
which he should make his strokes w.r.t. north is given by : [NEET 2019]
(A) 30° west (B) 0°
(C) 60° west (D) 45° west
–1
5. A ship A is moving West wards with a speed of 10 km h and a ship B 100 km south of A, is moving North
wards with a speed of 10 km h–1 the time after which the distance between them becomes shortest is
[AIPMT 2015]
(A) 5 h (B) 5 2 h
(C) 10 2h (D) 0 h

t t
6. If vectors A = cos tiˆ + sin tjˆ and B = cos i + sin j are functions of time, then the value of t at
2 2
which they are orthogonal to each other is: [AIPMT 2015]
 
(A) t = (B) t =
2 

(C) t = 0 (D) t =
4

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PHYSICS MOTION IN A PLANE

7. Vectors A, B and C are such that A.B = 0 and A.C = 0 . Then the vector parallel to A is
[2013]
(A) B and C (B) A  B
(C) B + C (D) B  C
8. The vectors A and B are such that
| A + B |= | A − B | The angle between the two vectors is [2006,2001,1996,1991]
o o
(A) 60 (B) 75
(C) 45o (D) 90o
9. If a vector 2iˆ + 3 ˆj + 8kˆ is perpendicular to the vector 4 ˆj − 4iˆ + akˆ, then the value of  is
[2005]
(A) 1/2 (B) –1/2
(C) 1 (D) –1
10. The vector sum of two forces is perpendicular to their vector differences. In that case, the forces
[2003]
(A) cannot be predicted (B) are equal to each other
(C) are equal to each other in magnitude (D) are not equal to each other in magnitude
11. The angle between the two vectors A = 3iˆ + 4 ˆj + 5kˆ and B = 3iˆ + 4 ˆj − 5kˆ will be [2001, 1994]
(A) zero (B) 45o
(C) 90o (D) 180o
12. A particle moves with a velocity v = 6iˆ − 4 ˆj + 3kˆ m/s under the influence of a constant force
F = 20iˆ + 15 ˆj − 5kˆ N the instantaneous power applied to the particle is [2000]
(A) 45J//s (B) 35 J/s
(C) 25 J/s (D) 195 J/s

13. A and B are two vectors and  is the angle between them, if | A  B |= 3( A.B), the value of  is
[2007]
(A) 45o (B) 30o
(C) 90o (D) 60o
14. If the angle between the vectors A and B is  , the value of the product ( B  A). A is equal to
[2005]
(A) BA sin 
2
(B) BA cos 
2

(C) BA sin  cos 

2
(D) zero
15. If | A  B = 3 A.B then the value of | A + B | is [2004]
(A) ( A2 + B 2 + 3 AB)1/2 (B) ( A2 + B2 + AB1/2 )
1/2
 2 AB 
(C)  A + B + (D) A + B
2

 3

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MOTION IN A PLANE PHYSICS

16. A particle is moving such that its position coordinate (x, y) are
(2m,3m) at time t = 0
(6m, 7m) at time t = 2 s and
(13m,14m) at time t = 5s
Average velocity vector (V av ) from t = 0 to t = 5s is: [2014]
1 ˆ 7 ˆ ˆ
(A) (13i + 14 ˆj ) (B) (i + j )
5 3
11 ˆ ˆ
(C) 2(iˆ + ˆj ) (D) (i + j )
5
17. Two boys are standing at the ends A and B of a ground where AB = a. the boy at B starts running in a
direction perpendicular to AB with velocity v1. The boy at A starts running simultaneously with velocity
v and catches the other boy in a time t, where t is [2005]
(A) a / v + v1 (B) a(v + v1 )
2 2

(C) a / (v − v1 ) (D) a 2 / (v2 − v12 )

18. A particle moves in a plane with constant acceleration in a direction different from the initial velocity.
The path of the particle is [2005]
(A) an ellipse (B) a parabola
(C) an arc of a circle (D) a straight line
19. A body of 3 kg moves in the XY plane under the action of a force given by 6tiˆ + 4t ˆj . Assuming that the
body is at rest at time t = 0 , the velocity of the body at t = 3s is [2002]
(A) 6iˆ + 6 ˆj (B) 18iˆ + 6 ˆj
(C) 18i + 12 j (D) 12iˆ + 18 ˆj

20. The x and y coordinates of the particle at any time are x = 5t − 2t 2 and y = 10t respectively. Where x
and y are in meters and t in seconds the acceleration of the particle at t = 2s is [NEET 2017]
(A) 5 m/s 2
(B) –4 m/s 2

(C) –8 m/s 2
(D) 0
21. A projectile is fired from the surface of the earth with a velocity of 5 ms –1 and angle  with the
horizontal. Another projectile fired from another planet with a velocity of 3 ms–1 at the same angle
follows a trajectory of the projectile fired from the earth. The value of the acceleration due to gravity on
the planet is (in ms–2) given g = 9.8 m/s2 [2014]
(A) 3.5 (B) 5.9
(C) 16.3 (D) 110.8
22. The horizontal range and the maximum height of a projectile are equal. The angle of projection of the
projectile is: [2012]
1
(A)  = tan −1   (B)  = tan −1 (4)
4
(C)  = tan −1 (2) (D)  = 45o

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PHYSICS MOTION IN A PLANE

23. A missile is fired for maximum range with an initial velocity of 20 m/s. If g = 10 m/s2, the range of the
missile is [2011]
(A) 40 m (B) 50 m
(C) 60 m (D) 20 m
24. A projectile is fired at an angle of 45o with the horizontal. Elevation angle of the projectile at its highest
point seen from the point of projection is [2011]
1
(A) 60o (B) tan −1  
2
 3
(C) tan −1   (D) 45o

 2 
25. A particle of mass m is projected with velocity v making an angle of 45o with the horizontal. When the particle
lands on the level ground the magnitude of the change in its momentum will be: [2008]
(A) 2mv (B) mv / 2
(C) mv 2 (D) zero
26. A particle starting from the origin (0,0) moves in the (x, y) plane. Its coordinates at a later time are
( 3,3) . The path of the particle makes with the x axis an angle of [2007]
o o
(A) 45 (B) 60
(C) 0o (D) 30o
27. For angles of projection of a projectile (45o −  ) and (45o +  ), the horizontal ranges described by the
projectile are in the ratio of [2006]
(A) 1:3 (B) 1:2
(C) 2:1 (D) 1:1
28. Two projectiles are fired from the same point with the same speed at angles of projection 60o and 30o
respectively. Which one of the following is true? [2000]
(A) Their maximum height will be same (B) Their range will be same
(C) Their landing velocity will be same (D) Their time of flight will be same

29. A car runs at a constant speed on a circular track of radius 100 m, taking 62.8 seconds in every circular loop.
The average velocity and average speed for each circular loop respectively, is [2006]
(A) 0,10 m/s (B) 10 m/s, 10 m/s
(C) 10m/s,0 (D) 0,0
30. The circular motion of a particle with constant speed is [2005]
(A) periodic but not simple harmonic (B) simple harmonic bit not periodic
(C) periodic and simple harmonic (D) neither periodic nor simple harmonic
31. Two particles of mass M and m are moving in a circle of radii R and r. If their time periods are same,
what will be the ratio of their linear velocities? [2001]
(A) MR : mr (B) M : m
(C) R : r (D) 1:1

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MOTION IN A PLANE PHYSICS

32. A particle moves so that its position vector is given by r = cos t xˆ + sin t yˆ . Where  is a constant.
Which of the following is true? [NEET 2016]
(A) Velocity and acceleration both are perpendicular to r
(B) Velocity and acceleration both are parallel to r
(C) Velocity is perpendicular to r and acceleration is directed towards the origin.
(D) Velocity is perpendicular to r and acceleration is directed away from the origin
33. The position vector of a particle R as a function of time is given by: [AIPMT 2015]
R = 4sin(2 )i + 4 cos(2 t ) ˆj
Where R is in meter, t in seconds and iˆ and ĵ denote unit vectors along x and y directions, respectively.
Which one of the following statements is wrong for the motion of particle?
V2
(A) Magnitude of acceleration vector is , Where V is the velocity of particle.
R
(B) Magnitude of the velocity of particle is 8 meter//second
(C) path of the particle is a circle of radius 4 meter
(D) Acceleration vector is along R
34. A particle moves in a circle of radius 5cm with constant speed and time period 0.2  s . The acceleration
of the particle is [2011]
2 2
(A) 15 m/s (B) 25 m/s
2
(C) 36 m/s (D) 5 m/s2
35. A Stone tied to the end of a string of 1m long is whirled in a horizontal circle with a constant speed. If the
stone makes 22 revolutions in 44 seconds, what is the magnitude and direction of acceleration of the
stone? [2005]
(A)  2 ms −2 and direction along the radius towards the centre
(B)  2 ms −2 and direction along the radius away from the centre
(C)  2 ms −2 and direction along the tangent to the circle
(D)  2 4ms−2 and direction along the radius towards the centre

 20 
36. A particle move along a circle of radius   m with constant tangential acceleration. If the velocity of
 
the particle is 80m/s at the end of the second revolution after motion has begun, the tangential
acceleration is [2003]
(A) 40 m/s 2 (B) 40 m/s 2
(C) 640 m/s2 (D) 160 m/s2

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PHYSICS MOTION IN A PLANE

112