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MATHEMATICAL PHYSICS : VECTOR ALGEBRA : PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

[ CSIR JUNE 2011]

Q.1 Let 𝑎⃗ and 𝑏⃗⃗ be two distinct three-dimensional vectors. Then the component of 𝑏⃗⃗ that is perpendicular to 𝑎⃗ is
given by
𝑎⃗ × (𝑏⃗⃗ × 𝑎⃗) 𝑏⃗⃗ × (𝑎⃗ × 𝑏⃗⃗) (𝑎⃗ ⋅ 𝑏⃗⃗)𝑏⃗⃗ (𝑏⃗⃗ ⋅ 𝑎⃗)𝑎⃗
1. 2. 3. 4.
𝑎2 𝑏2 𝑏2 𝑎2

[ CSIR DEC 2011]

Q.2 The equation of the plane that is tangent to the surface 𝑥𝑦𝑧 = 8 at the point (1,2,4) is
(a) 𝑥 + 2𝑦 + 4𝑧 = 12 (b) 4𝑥 + 2𝑦 + 𝑧 = 12

(c) 𝑥 + 4𝑦 + 2𝑧 = 12 (d) 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 = 7
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[ CSIR JUNE 2013]

Q.3 A unit vector n̂ on the 𝑥𝑦-plane is at an angle of 120∘ with respect to î. The angle between the vectors 𝑢‾ =
𝑎𝑖ˆ + 𝑏𝑛ˆ and 𝑣‾ = 𝑎𝑛ˆ + 𝑏𝑖ˆ will be 60∘ if

(a) 𝑏 = √3𝑎/2 (b) b = 2a/√3 (c) 𝑏 = 𝑎/2 (d) b = a

[ CSIR DEC 2013]

Q.4 If 𝐴⃗ = 𝑦𝑧𝑖ˆ + 𝑥𝑧𝑗ˆ + 𝑥𝑦𝑘ˆ, then the integral ∮ 𝐶 𝐴⃗ ⋅ 𝑑𝑙⃗ (where 𝐶 is along the perimeter of a rectangular area
bounded by 𝑥 = 0, 𝑥 = 𝑎 and 𝑦 = 0, 𝑦 = 𝑏) is

1
(a) 2 (𝑎3 + 𝑏 3 ) (b) 𝜋(𝑎𝑏 2 − 𝑎2 𝑏) (c) 𝜋(𝑎 + 𝑏 3 ) (d) 0

[ CSIR JUNE 2014]

Q.5 If 𝐴⃗ = 𝑦𝑧𝑖ˆ + 𝑧𝑥𝑗ˆ + 𝑥𝑦𝑘ˆ and C is the circle of unit radius in the plane defined by 𝑧 = 1, with the centre on
the z-axis, then the value of the integral ∮ 𝐶 𝐴⃗ ⋅ 𝑑𝑙⃗ is

𝜋 𝜋
(a) 2 (b) 𝜋 (c) 4 (d) 0

[ CSIR JUNE 2018]

Q.6 Consider the three vectors 𝑣⃗1 = 2𝑖ˆ + 3𝑘ˆ, 𝑣⃗2 = 𝑖ˆ + 2𝑗ˆ + 2𝑘ˆ and 𝑣⃗3 = 5𝑖ˆ + 𝑗ˆ + 𝛼𝑘ˆ, where 𝑖ˆ, 𝑗ˆ and 𝑘ˆ are the
standard unit vectors in a three-dimensional Euclidean space. These vectors will be linearly dependent if the
value of 𝛼 is
(a) 31/4 (b) 23/4 (c) 27/4 (d) 0

[ CSIR DEC 2018]

Q.7 Consider the set of polynomials {𝑥(𝑡) = 𝑎0 + 𝑎1 𝑡 + ⋯ + 𝑎𝑛−1 𝑡 𝑛−1 } in 𝑡 of degrees less than 𝑛, such that
𝑥(0) = 0 and 𝑥(1) = 1. This set
(a) constitutes a vector space of dimension 𝑛 (b) constitutes a vector space of dimension 𝑛 − 1
(c) constitutes a vector space of dimension 𝑛 − 2 (d) does not constitute a vector space
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[ CSIR JUNE 2012]

Q.8 A vector perpendicular to any vector that lies on the plane defined by 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 = 5, is

(a) 𝑖⃗ + 𝑗⃗ ⃗⃗
(b) 𝑗⃗ + 𝑘 ⃗⃗
(c) 𝑖⃗ + 𝑗⃗ + 𝑘 ⃗⃗
(d) 2i⃗ + 3j⃗ + 5k

[ CSIR JUNE 2021]

Q.9 The volume integral 𝐼 = ∭𝑉 𝐀 ⋅ (∇ × 𝐀)𝑑 3 𝑥 is over a region 𝑉 bounded by a surface Σ (an infinitesimal
area element being 𝐧ˆ𝑑𝑆, where 𝐧ˆ is the outward unit normal). If it changes to 𝐼 + Δ𝐼, when the vector 𝐀 is
changed to A + ∇Λ, then Δ𝐼 can be expressed as:
(𝑎) ∭𝑉 ∇ ⋅ (∇Λ × 𝐀)𝑑 3 𝑥 (b) −∭𝑉 ∇2 Λ𝑑 3 𝑥 (c) −∯ Σ (∇Λ × 𝐀) ⋅ 𝐧ˆ𝑑𝑆 (d)
∬Σ ∇𝐴 ⋅ 𝐧ˆ𝑑𝑆

[ CSIR DEC 2012]

a b c x2 𝑦2 z2
Q.10The unit normal vector at the point ( , , ) on the surface of the ellipsoid a2 + + c2 = 1, is
√3 √3 √3 b2

𝑏𝑐𝑖ˆ + 𝑐𝑎𝑗ˆ + 𝑎𝑏𝑘ˆ 𝑎𝑖ˆ + 𝑏𝑗ˆ + 𝑐𝑘ˆ 𝑏𝑖ˆ + 𝑐𝑗ˆ + 𝑎𝑘ˆ 𝑖ˆ + 𝑗ˆ + 𝑘ˆ

(𝑎) (𝑏) (𝑐) (𝑑)
√𝑎2 𝑏 2 + 𝑏 2 𝑐 2 + 𝑐 2 𝑎2 √𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 + 𝑐 2 √𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 + 𝑐 2 √3

[ CSIR DEC 2014]

Q.11 Let 𝑟⃗ be the position vector of any point in three dimensional space and 𝑟 = |𝑟⃗|. Then

𝑟⃗
(a) ⃗∇⃗ ⋅ 𝑟⃗ = 0 and ⃗∇⃗ × 𝑟⃗ = 𝑟 (b) ⃗∇⃗𝑟⃗ = 0 and ⃗∇⃗2 𝑟⃗ = 0
𝑟⃗
(c) ⃗∇⃗ ⋅ 𝑟⃗ = 3 and ⃗∇⃗2 𝑟⃗ = 𝑟 2 (d) ⃗∇⃗ ⋅ 𝑟⃗ = 3 and ⃗∇⃗ × 𝑟⃗ = 0

[ JEST 2019]

Q.12 What is the angle (in degrees) between the surfaces 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 = 2 and 𝑦 2 − 𝑥 2 = 0 at the point (1, −1,1) ?
(a) 30 (b) 50 (c) 60 (d) 40
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[ JEST 2019]

Q.13 Suppose 𝜓𝐴⃗ is a conservative vector, 𝐴⃗ is a non-conservative vector and 𝜓 is non-zero scalar everywhere.
Which one of the following is true?

⃗⃗ × 𝐴‾) ⋅ 𝐴⃗ = 0
(a) (∇ (b) 𝐴⃗ × ∇
⃗⃗𝜓 = ⃗0⃗ ⃗⃗𝜓 = 0
(c) 𝐴 ⋅ ∇ ⃗⃗ × 𝐴⃗) × 𝐴⃗ = ⃗0⃗
(d) (∇

[ JEST 2019]

Q.14 Which one of the following vectors lie along the line of intersection of the two planes 𝑥 + 3𝑦 − 𝑧 = 5 and
2𝑥 − 2𝑦 + 4𝑧 = 3 ?
(a) 10𝑖ˆ − 2𝑗ˆ + 5𝑘ˆ (b) 10𝑖ˆ − 6𝑗ˆ − 8𝑘ˆ (c) 10𝑖ˆ + 2𝑗ˆ + 5𝑘ˆ (d) 10𝑖ˆ − 2𝑗ˆ − 5𝑘ˆ

[ JEST 2019]

Q.15 Let 𝑟‾ be the position vector of a point on a closed contour 𝐶. What is the value of the line integral ∮ 𝑟⃗ ⋅ 𝑑𝑟⃗
?
(a) 0 (b) ½ (c) 1 (d) 𝜋
[ JEST 2017]

Q.16 What is the equation of the plane which is tangent to the surface 𝑥𝑦𝑧 = 4 at the point (1,2,2) ?
(a) 𝑥 + 2𝑦 + 4𝑧 = 12 (b) 4𝑥 + 2𝑦 + 𝑧 = 12
(c) 𝑥 + 4𝑦 + 𝑧 = 0 (d) 2𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 = 6

[ JEST 2013]

Q.17 The vector field 𝑥𝑧𝑖ˆ + 𝑦𝑖ˆ in cylinderical polar coordinates is

(a) 𝜌(𝑧cos2 𝜙 + sin2 𝜙)𝑒ˆ𝑝 + 𝜌sin 𝜙cos 𝜙(1 − 𝑧)𝑒ˆ𝜙
(b) 𝜌(𝑧cos2 𝜙 + sin2 𝜙)𝑒ˆ𝑝 + 𝜌sin 𝜙cos 𝜙(1 + 𝑧)𝑒ˆ𝜙
(c) 𝜌(𝑧sin2 𝜙 + cos2 𝜙)𝑒ˆ𝑝 + 𝜌sin 𝜙cos 𝜙(1 + 𝑧)𝑒ˆ𝜙
(d) 𝜌(𝑧sin2 𝜙 + cos 2 𝜙)𝑒ˆ𝑝 + 𝜌sin 𝜙cos 𝜙(1 − 𝑧)𝑒ˆ𝜙

[ TIFR 2013]

Q.18 Consider the surface corresponding to the equation 4𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 = 0. A possible unit tangent to this
surface at the point (1,2, −8) is
 5

1 2 1 4 4 8 1 1 3 4
(𝑎) 𝑖ˆ − 𝑗ˆ (𝑏) 𝑗ˆ − 𝑘ˆ (𝑐) 𝑖ˆ − 𝑗ˆ + 𝑘ˆ (d) − 𝑖ˆ + 𝑗ˆ − 𝑘ˆ
√5 √5 5 5 9 9 9 √5 √5 √5

[ TIFR 2015]

Q.19 Which of the following vectors is parallel to the surface 𝑥 2 𝑦 + 2𝑥𝑧 = 4 at the point (2, −2,3)?
(a) −6𝑖ˆ − 2𝑗ˆ + 5𝑘ˆ (b) 6𝑖ˆ + 2𝑗ˆ + 5𝑘ˆ (c) 6𝑖ˆ − 2𝑗ˆ + 5𝑘ˆ (d) 6𝑖ˆ − 2𝑗ˆ − 5𝑘ˆ

[ TIFR 2019]

Q.20 𝑏𝑦 2 + 𝑐𝑧 + 𝑑 = 0, where 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 and 𝑑 are constants. If 𝑛ˆ1 and 𝑛ˆ2 are unit normal vectors to the surface at
the points (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) = (1,1,0) and (0,0,1) respectively, and 𝑚
ˆ is a unit vector normal to both 𝑛ˆ1 and 𝑛ˆ2 , then
𝑚
ˆ =

−𝑎𝑖ˆ + 𝑏𝑗ˆ 𝑎𝑖ˆ − 𝑏𝑗ˆ + 𝑐𝑘ˆ 2𝑎𝑖ˆ + 2𝑏𝑗ˆ − 𝑐𝑘ˆ 𝑏𝑖ˆ − 𝑎𝑗ˆ
(𝑎) (𝑏) (𝑐) (𝑑)
√𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 √𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 + 𝑐 2 √4𝑎2 + 4𝑏 2 + 𝑐 2 √𝑎2 + 𝑏 2

[ TIFR 2023]

Q.21 A surface is given by 4𝑥 2 𝑦 − 2𝑥𝑦 2 + 3𝑧 3 = 0. Which of the following is a vector normal to it at the
point (2,3,1) ?
(a) 30𝑖ˆ − 8𝑗ˆ − 9𝑘ˆ (b) 15𝑖ˆ − 4𝑗ˆ + 18𝑘ˆ (c) 30𝑖ˆ − 8𝑗ˆ + 9𝑘ˆ (d) 30𝑖ˆ + 8𝑗ˆ − 9𝑘ˆ

[ GATE 2001]

1 1 1
Q.22 Consider the set of vectors (1,1 , 0), (0, 1, 1) and (1, 0, 1)
√2 √2 √2

(a) The three vectors are orthonormal

(b) The three vectors are linearly independent
(c) The three vectors cannot form a basis in a three-dimensional real vector space.
1 1 1
(d) (1,1,0) can be written as the linear combination of (0,1,1) and (1,0, 1).
√2 √2 √2

[ GATE 2001]

Q.23 If 𝑆 is the closed surface enclosing a volume V and n̂ is the unit normal vecror to the surfice and, ithe
positive vector, then the value of the following integral ∬𝑆 𝑟˜𝑛ˆ𝑑𝑆 is:
(a) V (b) 2 V (c) 0 (d) 3 V
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[ GATE 2001]

Q.24 If 𝐴⃗ = 𝑥𝑒ˆ𝑥 + 𝑦𝑒ˆ𝑦 + 𝑧𝑒ˆ𝑧 , then ∇2 𝐴⃗ equals

(a) 1 (b) 3 (c) 0 (d) −3

[ GATE 2002]

Q.25 A vector 𝐴‾ = (5𝑥 + 2𝑦)𝑖ˆ + (3𝑦 − 𝑧)𝑗ˆ + (2𝑥 − 𝑎𝑧)𝑘ˆ is solenoidal if the constant 𝑎 has a value:
(a) 4 (b) −4 (c) 8 (d) −8

[ GATE 2002]

Q.26 Which of the following vectors is orthogonal to the vector (𝑎𝑖ˆ + 𝑏𝑗ˆ). where a and b(𝑎 ≠ 𝑏) are constants.
and î and ĵ are unit orthogonal vectors?
(a) −𝑏𝑖ˆ + 𝑎𝑖ˆ (b) −𝑎𝑖ˆ + 𝑏𝑗ˆ (c) −𝑎𝑖ˆ − 𝑏𝑗ˆ (d) −𝑏𝑖ˆ − 𝑎𝑗ˆ

[ GATE 2002]

Q.27 The unit vector normal to the surface 3𝑥 2 + 4𝑦 = 𝑧 at the ponit (1.1.7) is:
(a) (−6𝑖ˆ + 4𝑗ˆ + 𝑘ˆ)/√53 (b) (4î + 6ĵ − k̂)/√53
(c) (6𝑖ˆ + 4𝑗ˆ − 𝑘ˆ)/√53 (d) (4𝑖ˆ + 6𝑗ˆ + 𝑘ˆ)/√53

[ GATE 2003]

𝑟⃗
⃗⃗ = 3
Q.28 Consider the vector 𝑉 𝑟

The surface integral of this vector over the surface of a cube of size and centered at the origin
(a) 0 (b) 2𝜋 (c) 2𝜋𝑎3 (d) 4𝜋

[ GATE 2001]

Q.29 Consider the vector

𝑟⃗
⃗⃗ =
𝑉
𝑟3

Which one of the following is NOT correct?

(a) Value of the line integral of this vector around any closed curve is zero
(b) This vector can be written as the gradient of some scalar function
 7

(c) The line integral of this vector from point 𝑃 to point 𝑄 is independent of the path taken.
(d) This vector can represent the magnetic field of some current distribution

[ GATE 2003]

Q.30 The two vectors p

⃗⃗ = î, q
⃗⃗ = (î + ĵ)/√2 are:
(a) related by a rotation (b) related by a reflection through the 𝑥𝑦-plane
(c) related by an inversion (d) not linearly independent

[ GATE 2003]

Q.31The curl of the vector 𝐴⃗ = 𝑧𝑖ˆ + 𝑥𝑗ˆ + 𝑦𝑘ˆ is given by:

(a) î + ĵ + k̂ (b) î − ĵ + k̂ (c) 𝑖ˆ + 𝑗ˆ − 𝑘ˆ (d) −𝑖ˆ − 𝑗ˆ − 𝑘ˆ

[ GATE 2004]

⃗⃗𝜙| at 𝑥 = 𝑦 = 1 is.
Q.32 For the function 𝜙 = 𝑥 2 𝑦 + 𝑥𝑦 the value of |∇
(a) 5 (b) √5 (c) 13 (d) √13

[ GATE 2005]

Q.33 If a vector field 𝐹⃗ = 𝑥𝑖ˆ + 2𝑦𝑗ˆ + 3𝑧𝑘ˆ, then ∇

⃗⃗ × (∇
⃗⃗ × F
⃗⃗) is

(a) 0 (b) î (b) 2ĵ (d) 3k̂

[ GATE 2005]

1 3 2 3
Q.34Given the four vectors, 𝑢1 = (2) , 𝑢2 = (−5) , 𝑢3 = ( 4 ) , 𝑢4 = ( 6 ), the linearly dependent pair is:
1 1 −8 −12
(a) 𝑢1 , 𝑢2 (b) 𝑢1 , 𝑢3 (c) u1 , u4 (d) 𝑢3 , 𝑢4

[ GATE 2005]

Q.35 The unit normal to the curve 𝑥 3 𝑦 2 + 𝑥𝑦 = 17 at the point (2,0) is:
(𝑖ˆ+𝑗ˆ)
(a) (b) −î (c) −𝑗ˆ (d) ĵ
√2
 8

[ GATE 2006]

𝑟⃗⋅𝑑𝑠⃗
Q.36 The value of ∮ 𝑠 𝑟3
. where 𝑟⃗ is the positim vecter and 𝑆 is a close surface enclosing the origin, is

(a) 0 (b) 𝜋 (c) 4𝜋 (d) 8𝜋

[ GATE 2006]

Q.37 The value of 𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑙 𝐴⃗ ⋅ ⃗⃗⃗⃗

𝑑𝑙 along a square loop of side 𝐿 in a uniform field 𝐴 is:
(a) 0 (b) 2LA (c) 4L A (d) L A

[ GATE 2007]

y
Q.38 A vector field is defined everywhere as ⃗F⃗ = L î + 𝑧k̂. The net flux of ⃗F⃗ associated with a cube of side L.

with one vertex at the origin and sides along the positive X, Y, and Z axes, is:
(a) L3 (b) 4 L3 (c) 8𝐿3 (d) 10 L3

[ GATE 2007]

Q.39 If 𝑟⃗ = 𝑥𝑖ˆ + 𝑦𝑗ˆ, then:

(a) ⃗∇⃗ ⋅ 𝑟⃗ = 0 and ⃗∇⃗|𝑟⃗| = 𝑟⃗ (b) ⃗∇⃗ ⋅ 𝑟⃗ = 2 and ⃗∇⃗|𝑟⃗| = 𝑟⃗
𝑟⃗ 𝑟ˆ
(c) ∇‾ ⋅ 𝑟⃗ = 2 and ∇‾∣ 𝑟⃗ ′ = 𝑟 (d) ∇‾, 𝑟¨ = 3 and ∇∇𝑖 ; 𝑟˙ = 𝑟

[ GATE 2007]

Q.40 Consider a vector p

⃗⃗ = 2î + 3ĵ + 2k̂ in the coordinate system (î, ĵ, k̂). The axes are rotated anti-clockwise
about the 𝑌 axis by an angle of 60∘ . The vector p
⃗⃗ in the rotated coordinate system (𝑖ˆ′ , ĵ′ , k̂ ′ ) is:
(a) (1 − √3)𝑖ˆˆ′ + 3ĵ′ + (1 + √3)k̂ ′
(b) (1 + √3)iˆ′ + 3ĵ′ + (1 − √3)k̂ ′
(c) (1 − √3)𝑖ˆ′ + (3 + √3)jˆ′ + 2k̂
(d) (1 − √3)iˆ′ + (3 − √3)jˆ′ + 2k̂ ′
 9

[ GATE 2008]

Q.41 The curl of the vector field is 𝐹⃗ is 2𝑥ˆ . Identity the appropriate vector field 𝐹⃗ from the choices given
below:
(a) 𝐹⃗ = 2𝑧𝑥ˆ + 3𝑧𝑦ˆ + 5𝑦𝑧ˆ (b) 𝐹⃗ = 3𝑧𝑦ˆ + 5𝑦𝑧ˆ
(c) 𝐹⃗ = 3𝑥𝑦ˆ + 5𝑦𝑧ˆ (d) 𝐹⃗ = 2𝑥𝑦ˆ + 5𝑦𝑧ˆ

[ GATE 2009]

Q.42 The value of the contour integral |∫𝐶 𝑟⃗ × 𝑑𝜃⃗|, for a circle 𝐶 of radius 𝑟 with centre at the origin is
𝑟2
(a) 2𝜋𝑟 (b) (c) 𝜋𝑟 2 (d) 𝑟
2

[ GATE 2009]

Q.43 An electrostatic field 𝐸⃗⃗ exists in a given region R. Choose the wrong statement:
(a) Circulation of 𝐸⃗⃗ is zero.
(b) 𝐸⃗⃗ can always be expressed as the gradient of a scalar field.
(c) The potential difference between any two arbitrary points in the region 𝑅 is zero.
(d) The work done in a closed path lying entirely in 𝑅 is zero.

[ GATE 2009]

Q.44 Consider the set of vectors in three-dimensional rea] vector space 𝑅 3 . 𝑆 = {(1.1,1) ⋅ (1, −1,1) ⋅
(1,1, −1)}. Which of the following statement is true?
(a) 𝑆 is not a linearly independent set (c) The vectors in 𝑆 are orthogonal
(b) 𝑆 is a basis tor R3 (d) An orthogonal set of vectors cannot be generated from s

[ GATE 2011]

Q.45 Consider a cylinder of height ℎ and radius a. closed at both ends. centered at the origin. Let 𝑟⃗ = 𝑖ˆ𝑥 + j +
𝑘˙𝑧 be the position vector and in a unit veccor normal to the surface, The surface integral ∫ 𝑟⃗ ⋅ 𝑛ˆ𝑑𝑠 over the
closed surface of the cylinder is:
 10

(a) 2𝜋𝑎2 (𝑎 + ℎ) (b) 3𝜋𝑎2 ℎ (c) 2𝜋𝑎2 ℎ (d) Zero

[ GATE 2011]

Q.46 If a force 𝐹⃗ is derivable from a potential function 𝐹(𝑟), where 𝑟 is the distance from the origis cithe
conrdinate system. it follows that
⃗⃗ × 𝐹⃗ = 0
(a) ∇ ⃗⃗ ⋅ 𝐹⃗ = 0
(b) ∇ ⃗⃗𝑉 = 0
(c) ∇ (d) ∇2 𝑉 = 0

[ GATE 2011]

Q.47 The unit vector normal to the surface 𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 − 𝑧 = 1 at the point P(1,1,1) is:
𝑖ˆ + 𝑗ˆ − 𝑘ˆ 2𝑖ˆ + 𝑗ˆ − 𝑘ˆ 𝑖ˆ + 2𝑗ˆ − 𝑘ˆ 2𝑖ˆ + 2𝑗ˆ − 𝐾ˆ
(𝑎) (𝑏) (𝑐) (𝑑)
√3 √6 √6 3

[ GATE 2012]

Q.48 Given 𝐹⃗ = 𝑟⃗ × 𝐵
⃗⃗. where 𝐵
⃗⃗ = 𝐵0 (𝑖⃗ − 𝑗ˆ + 𝑘) is a constant vector and 𝑟⃗ is the position vector. The value of

integration of 𝐹⃗ ⋅ 𝑑𝑟⃗. where C is a circle of unit radius centered at origin is,

(a) 0 (b) 2𝜋𝐵0 (c) −2𝜋𝐵0 (d) 1

 11

[ GATE 2012]

Q.49 Identify the CORRECT statement for the following vectors 𝑎¨ = 3𝑖ˆ + 2𝑗ˆ and 𝑏⃗⃗ = 𝑖ˆ + 2𝑗ˆ
(a) The vectors 𝑎⃗ and 𝑏⃗⃗ are linearly independent
(b) The vectors 𝑎⃗ and 𝑏⃗⃗ are orthogonal
(c) The vectors 𝑎⃗ and 𝑏⃗⃗ are linearly dependent
(d) The vectors 𝑎⃗ and 𝑏⃗⃗ are normalized

[ GATE 2013]

Q.50 If 𝐴⃗ and 𝐵
⃗⃗ are constant vectors, then ⃗∇⃗[𝐴⃗ ⋅ (𝐵
⃗⃗ × 𝑟⃗)] is

(a) 𝐴⃗ ⋅ 𝐵
⃗⃗ (b) 𝐴⃗ × 𝐵
⃗⃗ (c) 𝑟¨ (d) zero

[ GATE 2014]

⃗⃗𝜑 has
Q.51 For a scalar function 𝜑 satisfying Laplace equation, ∇
(a) zero curl and non-zero divergence
(b) non-zero curl and zero divergence
(c) zer0 curl and zero divergence
(d) non-zero curl and non-zero divergence

[ GATE 2014]

Q.52 The unit vector perpendicular to the surface 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 = 3 at the point (1,1.1) is
𝑥ˆ + 𝑦ˆ − 𝑧ˆ 𝑥ˆ − 𝑦ˆ − 𝑧ˆ 𝑥ˆ − 𝑦ˆ + 𝑧ˆ 𝑥ˆ + 𝑦ˆ + 𝑧ˆ
(𝑎) (𝑏) (𝑐) (𝑑)
√3 √3 √3 √3

[ GATE 2015]

Q.53 Four forces are given below in Cartesian and spherical polar coordinates.
−𝑟 2
⃗
(𝑖) 𝐹1 = 𝐾 exp ( 2 ) 𝑟ˆ (𝑖𝑖) 𝐹˜2 = 𝐾(𝑥 3 𝑦ˆ − 𝑦 3 𝑧)
𝑅
𝜙ˆ
(𝑖𝑖𝑖) 𝐹‾3 = 𝐾(𝑥 3 𝑥ˆ + 𝑦 3 𝑦ˆ) (𝑖𝑣) 𝐹⃗4 = 𝐾 ( )
𝑟

where 𝐾 is a constant. Identify the cortect optiol.

(a) (iii) and (iv) are conservative but (i) and (ii) are not
 12

(b) (i) and (ii) are conservative but (iii) and (iv) are not
(c) (ii) and (iii) are conservative but (i) and (iv) are not
(d) (i) and (iii) are conservative but (ii) and (iv) are not

[ GATE 2015]

𝑅
Q.54 Given that magnetic flux through the closed loop PQRSP is 𝜙. If ∫𝑃 𝐴⃗ ⋅ ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑑𝑙 = 𝜙1 along PQR, the value of
𝑅
⃗⃗⃗⃗ along PSR is
∫𝑃 𝐴⃗ ⋅ 𝑑𝑙

(a) 𝜙 − 𝜙1 (b) 𝜙1 − 𝜙 (c) −𝜙1 (d) 𝜙1

[ GATE 2016]

1 1
⃗⃗𝑓 for a scalar field 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) = 𝑥 2 − 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑧 2 at the point 𝑃(1.1,2) is
Q.55 The direction of ∇ 2 2

(−𝑗ˆ − 2𝑘ˆ) (−𝑗ˆ + 2𝑘ˆ ) (𝑗ˆ − 2𝑘ˆ) (𝑗ˆ + 2𝑘ˆ)

(𝑎) (𝑏) (𝑐) (𝑑)
√5 √5 √5 √5

[ GATE 2018]

Q.56 Given: 𝑉 ⃗⃗2 = −2𝑖ˆ + 3𝑗ˆ + 2𝑘ˆ, which one of the following 𝑉
⃗⃗1 = 𝑖ˆ − 𝑗ˆ and 𝑉 ⃗⃗3 makes (𝑉
⃗⃗1 , 𝑉
⃗⃗2 , 𝑉
⃗⃗3 ) a complete

set for a three dimensional real linear vector space ?

⃗⃗3 = 𝑖ˆ + 𝑗ˆ + 4𝑘ˆ
(a) 𝑉
⃗⃗3 = 2𝑖ˆ − 𝑗ˆ + 2𝑘ˆ
(b) 𝑉
⃗⃗3 = 𝑖ˆ + 2𝑗ˆ + 6𝑘ˆ
(c) 𝑉
⃗⃗3 = 2𝑖ˆ + 𝑗ˆ + 4𝑘ˆ
(d) 𝑉
 13

[ GATE 2018]

𝜋 𝜋
Q.57 In spherical polar coordinate (𝑟, 𝜃, 𝜙), the unit vector 𝜃ˆ at (10. 4 , 2 ) is
1 1 1
(a) 𝑘ˆ (b) ⃗⃗ )
(𝑗ˆ + 𝑘 (c) (−𝑗ˆ + 𝑘ˆ ) (d) (𝑗ˆ − 𝑘ˆ)
√2 √2 √2

Q.1 (a) Q.2 ( b) Q.3 (c ) Q.4 (d ) Q.5 (d ) Q.6 (a ) Q.7 ( d) Q.8 (c ) Q.9 ( c) Q.10 ( a)
Q.11(d ) Q.12 (c ) Q.13 (a ) Q.14(b ) Q.15 (a ) Q.16(d ) Q.17 ( ) Q.18 (a ) Q.19 (c ) Q.20(d )
Q.21 (c ) Q.22(b ) Q.23(d ) Q.24 (c ) Q.25 (c ) Q.26 (a ) Q.27 (c ) Q.28 (a ) Q.29(d ) Q.30 (a )
Q.31 (a ) Q.32(d ) Q.33 (a ) Q.34(d ) Q.35(d ) Q.36 (c ) Q.37 (a ) Q.38 (a ) Q.39 (c ) Q.40 (a )
Q.41(b ) Q.42 (a ) Q.43 (c ) Q.44 (c ) Q.45(b ) Q.46 (a ) Q.47(d ) Q.48 (c ) Q.49 (a ) Q.50(b )
Q.51 (c ) Q.52(d ) Q.53(d ) Q.54(b ) Q.55(b ) Q.56(d ) Q.57(b )