Vectors XI-PMI-1

VECTORS
1. SCALARS
 A quantity which has magnitude but is not related to any direction is called SCALAR, e.g.
mass, speed, temperature, energy etc.
 Scalar quantities are represented as numbers and hence can be positive and negative
numbers.
 scalars are added, subtracted & multiplied like the numbers in algebra

2. VECTORS
 Physical quantities having magnitude, direction and obeying laws of vector algebra are called
vectors. eg. Displacement, velocity, acceleration, momentum, force, impulse, weight, thrust,
torque, angular momentum, angular velocity etc.
 If a physical quantity has magnitude and direction both, then it does not always imply that it is
a vector. For it to be a vector the third condition of obeying laws of vector algebra has to be
satisfied.
 The physical quantity current has both magnitude and direction but is still a scalar as it
disobeys the laws of vector algebra.

 Vector quantity, must be written as a or a .
 
 Magnitude of a vector is a positive quantity and is represented as | a | or simply a.

3. GEOMETRICAL REPRESENTATION
 Geometrically vectors are represented by directed line segments i.e.  (by arrow)
 Length of the arrow represents the magnitude of the vector and the direction of the arrow
represents the direction of the vector.


 vector a has magnitude of 5 units, direction is + X axis.

 | b | = 6 units, direction is - X axis.

 | c | = 4 units, direction is -Y axis.

 | d | = 7 units, direction is + X axis.

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4. PARALLEL ARROWS

 

a a



a
 two or more parallel arrows having same length and pointing in same direction (as shown

above) represents the same vector a .
 two parallel arrows having the same length but pointing in opposite directions (as shown )
 
represent two opposite vectors a & – a .
 
 In other words , – a is a vector having same magnitude as that of a but is opposite in direction
  
to vector a i.e., | a | = |– a |

5. MULTIPLICATION OF A VECTOR BY A SCALAR

 Consider a vector multiplied by a scalar k.,
 
 If k > 0, vector k a is a vector in same direction as vector a but of magnitude k times

that of a .
 
 If k < 0, vector k a is a vector in opposite direction to vector a but of magnitude k

times that of a .



 
2a
a
 e.g.

6. UNIT VECTOR
 A vector whose magnitude is unity is called a UNIT vector.


 a unit vector a is denoted as a (pronounced as a cap).
 In every direction there can be one unit vector.

 The unit vector in direction of + X axis is called as i (i cap).

 The unit vector in direction of + Y axis is called as j (j cap).

 The unit vector in direction of + Z axis is called as k (k cap).

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 Any vector in + X axis direction can be written as its magnitude multiplied by i and in
– X direction as multiplied by – i .
 Similarly for vectors parallel to + Y, – Y, + Z & – Z axis.

7. ADDITION OF VECTORS
    
 The sum of two vectors a and b is denoted as a  b and is also called as resultant of a and

b.

b

 If two vectors in same directions are added, their magnitudes add together. 4


a
5

a

+b
    

 b
4
9 | a + b | = | a | + | b | = 9 units

 If two vectors in opposite directions are added, their magnitudes are subtracted.


a
8


b

   
| a + b | = | a | – | b | = 3 units
5
a b
3


8. TRIANGLE LAW OF VECTOR ADDITION OF TWO VECTORS

 If two non-zero vectors are represented by the two sides of a
triangle taken in same order then the resultant is given by the
  
third side of triangle in opposite order. i.e. R  A  B
  
OQ  OP PQ
 Magnitude of resultant vector

PN
In PQN, cos   PN = B cos
B

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Vectors XI-PMI-4
QN
sin =  QN = B sin
B
In OQN, we have OQ2 = ON2 + QN2

R2 = (A + B cos)2 + (Bsin)2
 R2 = A2 + B2 cos2 + 2ABcos + B2sin2 
R2 = A2 + B2 (cos2 + sin2) + 2AB cos
 R2 = A2 + B2 + 2ABcos

R= A 2  B2  2ABcos 

 Direction of resultant vectors:

 
If  is angle between A and B then
 
| A B| = A 2  B2  2ABcos 
 
If R makes an angle with A then in OQN,
QN QN
tan = =
ON OP  PN
Bsin 
tan =
A  B cos 

9. PARALLELOGRAM LAW OF VECTOR ADDITION OF TWO VECTORS

 If two non-zero vector are represented by the two
adjacent sides of a parallelogram then the resultant is
given by the diagonal of the parallelogram passing
through the point of intersection of the two vectors.
 Magnitude

Since, R2 = ON 2 + LN 2 R2 = (OP + PN)2 + LN2

R2 = A2 + B2 + 2ABcos 
 
R = | A B| = A 2  B2  2ABcos 
Special cases : R = A + B when = 0°
R = A – B when θ = 180°

R = A 2  B2 when   90

 Direction:-
LN Bsin 
tan  = =
ON A  B cos 

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Vectors XI-PMI-5

Illustration-1
Find the resultant of two vectors of magnitudes 5 and 3 and making an angle 600 between them.

Solution:
Here P = 5, Q = 3, = 60o

R= P 2 + Q 2 + 2 PQ cos θ = 52 + 32 + 2. 5. 3 cos 60o = 7 units

3
3
Q sin  3 sin60 2 =3 3
tan   = =
P  Q cos  5  3 cos 60 5
3 13
2

Illustration-2
 
Vectors A and B make angles of 20° and 110° respectively with the X-axis. The magnitudes of these
vectors are 5m and 12m respectively. Find their resultant vector.
Solution:
 
Angle between the A and B = 110°– 20° = 90°

R A 2  B 2  2 AB cos 90   5 2  12 2  13m

 
Let angle of R from A is then
B sin 12 sin90 12  1 12
tan    
 
A  B cos  5  12cos 90 5  12  0 5

 12  
or   tan 1   with vector A or ( + 20°) with X-axis. So Answer is (A)
 5 

Illustration-3
There are two force vectors, one of 5N and other of 12N at what angle the two vectors be added to get
resultant vector of 17N, 7 N and 13 N respectively
(A) 0°, 180° and 90° (B) 0°, 90° and 180°
(C) 0°, 90° and 90° (C) 180°, 0° and 90°

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Solution:
For 17 N both the vector should be parallel i.e. angle between them should be zero. For 7N both
the vectors should be antiparallel i.e. angle between then should be 180°. For 13N both the vectors
should be perpendicular to each other i.e. angle between then should be 90°. So Answer is (A).

Illustration-4
Two vectors having equal magnitudes A make an angle θ with each other. Find the magnitude and
direction of the resultant.
Solution:
The magnitude of the resultant will be
 
B A 2  A 2  2 AA cos  = 2 A2 ( 1  cos  ) = 4 A2 cos 2 = 2 Acos
2 2
The resultant will make an angle with the first vector where
 
2 A sin cos
A sin  2 2  tan  
tan    or,   .
A  Acos   2 2
2 Acos 2
2
 
Thus, the resultant of two equal vectors A, B bisects the angle between them.

10. POLYGON LAW OF VECTOR ADDITION

 The triangle law can be extended to define addition of more than two vectors. Accordingly, if
vectors to be added are drawn in tip to tail fashion, resultant is defined by a vector drawn from
the tail of the first vector to the tip of the last vector. This is also known as the polygon rule for
vector addition.
   
 Operation of addition of three vectors A, B and C and their resultant P are shown in figure.
   
A B C  P

 Here it is not necessary that three or more vectors and their resultant are coplanar. In fact, the
vectors to be added and their resultant may be in different planes. However if all the vectors to
be added are coplanar, their resultant must also be in the same plane containing the vectors.

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Most Valuable Point

In a polygon if all the vectors are in same order then their resultant is a null vector.

     
A  B  C  D E  0

11. SUBTRACTION OF VECTORS

   
 Since A B  A  (B)
 
 | A B | = A 2  B 2  2AB cos(180  )

 Since, cos(180 – ) = –cos

 
  | A B | = A 2  B2  2ABcos 

Bsin 
tan 1 =
A  B cos 
Bsin(180  )
and tan  2 =
A  Bcos(180  )

Bsin 
 But sin(180 – ) = sin and cos(180 – ) = –cos  tan  2 =
A  Bcos 

Most Valuable Point

   
The vector subtraction doesn't follow commutative law i.e. A – B ≠ B – A
 
 
The vector subtraction doesn't follow associative law i.e.  A B   C  A  B  C 

 

   
 
If two vectors have equal magnitude, i.e. | A || B | a and  is the angle between them, then
  2 2 2 
| A  B |  a  a  2a cos   2 a sin
2
    

Special case: If   60 then 2a sin  a i.e. | A  B || A || B | a at = 60°
2

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Illustration-5
Two vectors of equal magnitude 5 unit have an angle 600 between them. Find the magnitude of
(a) the sum of the vectors and (b) the difference of the vectors.
Solution:
   
Figure shows the construction of the sum A  B and the difference A B .

   
(a) | A B | is the sum of A and B . Both have a magnitude of 5 unit and the angle between
them is 60°. Thus the magnitude of the sum is
 
| A B | = 5 2  5 2  2  5  5 cos60 = 5 3 unit.
    
(b) A  B is the sum of A and (  B ). As shown in the figure, the angle between A and
  
(  B ) is 1200. The magnitudes of both A and (  B ) is 5 unit.
 
So, | A  B | = 5 2  5 2  2  5  5 cos 120 = 5 unit.

Illustration-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°

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Solution:

From polygon law, three vectors having summation zero should form a closed polygon. (Triangle)
since the two vectors are having same magnitude and the third vector is 2 times that of either of
two having equal magnitude. i.e. the triangle should be right angled triangle
Angle between A and B = 90°
Angle between B and C=135°
Angle between A and C=135°

Illustration-7
The sum of 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
Solution:
Let P be the smaller force and Q be the greater force then according to problem-
P + Q = 18 . . . (i)

R= P 2  Q 2  2PQ cos  = 12 . . . (ii)

Q sin 
tan = = tan90° = 
P  Q cos 

 P + Q cos = 0 . . . (iii)
By solving (i), (ii) and (iii) we will get P = 5 and Q = 13.

12. POSITION AND DISPLACEMENT VECTORS

 Let at any time t, the object be at point A. If we draw an arrow with its tail at point O and head

at point A, as shown in Fig. then OA is called position vector of the object at point A.

 Let at time t ' the object reach at point B as shown in Fig. Then OB is the position vector of

the object at time t ' . Here AB , where tail or initial position is at A and head or tip is at B, is
called the displacement vector of the object in time interval (t   t) .

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Vectors XI-PMI-10

 Hence displacement vector is that vector which tells how much and in which direction an
  
object has changed its position in a given interval of time AB  OB OA .

13. COMPONENTS OF VECTOR

 
 We can move from tail of a to its head via various paths. But, if we move with a as the
   
diameter of circle as shown, then the two vectors ( c& d and a x & a y ) would be perpendicular

to each other. Such perpendicular vectors called rectangular components of a . But, if we
choose a x & a y . Then we can write then in terms of standard unit vectors i & j respectively.
 

Then we would say that ax is the component of vector along x-

axis & ay is the component of vector along y-axis. Now
according to triangle law of addition:

  
a  a x  ay

  a ( j)

So, we write a = a x (i) y

 This is a very convenient form of representing vectors.


a cos is known as component of a along x-axis (ax)

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Vectors XI-PMI-11

 a sin is known as component of a along y-axis (ay) This is best form of representing vectors
because we can do exact addition and subtraction using simple laws of algebra without needing
to draw vectors
 Result:

 Unit vector along A
 & A  A(i cos + jsin)
 
Since, A  AA
  i cos + jsin
A
 If components of a vector along x & y-axis are known, then that vector can be
completely represented as A  A x i  A y j



 | A | A 2x  A 2y

 Ay 
tan     is angle with x-axis
 Ax 

Illustration-8
Resolve into components.
(i)


a  5 cos60ˆi  5 sin60 ˆj
 5 5 3ˆ
a   ˆi  j
2 2

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(ii)


b  6 sin 45ˆi  6 cos 45 ˆj
6 ˆ 6 ˆ
 i j
2 2
(iii)


c  10 cos 30ˆi  10 sin30 ˆj
 5 3 ˆi  5 ˆj

 Note: X & Y axes can be inclined also.

 Observe that the given angle always comes between given vector and its cosine
component.

Illustration-9
A force of 10.5 N acts on a particle along a direction making an angle of 37° with the vertical.Find
the component of the force in the vertical direction.
Solution:
The component of the force in the vertical direction will be
4
F = F cos = (10.5N) (cos37°) = ( 10.5N ) = 8.4N.
5

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Vectors XI-PMI-13

14. RECTANGULAR COMPONENTS OF A VECTOR IN THREE DIMENSIONS

 
 Consider a vector a represented by OA , as shown in figure. Consider O as origin and draw a
rectangular parallelepiped with its three edges along the X, Y and Z axes.

  
 Vector a is the diagonal of the parallelepiped whose projections on x, y and z axis are a x , a y
 
and a z respectively. These are the three rectangular components of a .
  
 Using triangle law of vector addition OA O E  EA
  
 Using parallelogram law of vector addition OE  (OB OD)
→ → → →
 OA = (O B+ OD) + EA
     
EA  OC  OA  OB  OD  OC

     
 Now OA  a , OB  a x ˆi, OC  a y ˆj and OD  a z K
ˆ  a  a ˆi  a ˆj  a kˆ
x y z

Also (OA)2 = (OE)2 + (EA)2 But (OE)2 = (OB)2 + (OD)2 and EA = OC

(OA)2 = (OB)2 + (OD)2 + (OC)2 or a 2  a x 2  a y 2  a z 2 . . . (i)

a  a x 2  a y2  a z2

Illustration-10

If P  3iˆ  4 ˆj  12kˆ then find magnitude
Solution:

Magnitude P is  Px 2  Py 2  Pz 2 = 3 2  4 2  12 2 = 169  13

Illustration-11
Find out the angle made by ( iˆ  ˆj ) vector from X and Y axes respectively.

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Vectors XI-PMI-14

Solution:

a  ax 2  a y 2  12  12  2

ax 1
cos     = 45°
a 2
ay 1
cos      = 45°
a 2
ˆi  ˆj is at bisector of X and Y axes.

Illustration-12
A force of 4N is inclined at an angle of 60° from the vertical. Find out its components along
horizontal and vertical directions.
Solution:

Vertical Component = 4 cos 60° = 2N

Horizontal component = 4 sin 60° = 2 3 N

Illustration-13
A force is inclined at an angle of 60° from the horizontal. If the horizontal component of the force is
40N, calculate the vertical component.
Solution:
Ax = 40N, Ay = ?,  = 60°
A
Ax = A cos 40 = A cos 60° = or A = 80N
2
A 3 80 3
Now Ay = A sin 60° = = = 40 3 N = 40 × 1.732 = 69.28 N
2 2

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15. ADDITION OF VECTORS USING COMPONENTS

 To add vectors using components :
 Resolve each vector into components.
 Add the X components & Y components separately.
 Rx = X-component of resultant =  (X - components of all given vectors)
 Ry = Y-component of resultant =  (Y - components of all given vectors)
 If the components are in same direction, magnitude are added (like vector addition of
parallel vectors)
 The components are in opposite direction, magnitudes are subtracted.
 The magnitude of resultant R  (R 2x  R 2y )1/ 2

Illustration-14
Find the resultant of vectors.

Solution:
Resolve both the vectors

Rx = X -components = 8 cos60° + 10cos30°= 4  5 3 towards + X axis.

Ry = Y -components = 8 sin 60° – 10sin30°= 4 3  5 toward – Y axis.
Magnitude of R = ( Rx2  Ry2 )1/ 2 = 2 41 units.

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Vectors XI-PMI-16

Illustration-15
Find the magnitude and direction of resultant of vectors.

Solution:
Resolving the vectors:
Rx = 2 – 2 sin30° =1 towards + X axis

Ry = 2 cos30° = 3 towards + Y axis

 3
2
R = [ 12  ] 1/ 2 = 2 units

The angle of R with X-axis = 

tan = 3  = 60°

 Note: If the sum of given vectors is zero, we say that vectors balance each other.
In that case:
 (X- Components) = 0
 (Y- components) = 0
  (magnitudes of X-components in + X direction) will be equal to  (magnitudes of
X-components in – X direction)
  (magnitudes of Y-components in + Y direction) will be equal to  (magnitudes of
Y- components in –Y direction)

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Vectors XI-PMI-17
 
 To subtract a vector b from vector a (i.e. to find a  b ) we just reverse b and add it to
a
[i.e. a  b  a  ( b) ]

Illustration-16
Find a and b if the sum of given vectors is zero.

Solution
Resolve the vectors:

since sum of vectors is zero, so vector balance each other

i.e. a sin 30° = b
a cos 30° = 10
 a = 20/( 3 ), b = 10 / ( 3 )

Illustration-17
If the sum of given vectors is zero, find a and .

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Vectors XI-PMI-18

Solution:
Resolve into components:

balance X –components
a cos = 5 cos60° + 5
balance Y-components
a sin = 5cos60°
 a sin = 5 3 / 2
a cos= 15/2
 divide to get tan = 1 / 3  

Hence a sin30° = 5 3 / 2  a 5 3

Illustration-18
Three forces of equal magnitudes and making an angle of 120° with each other act on a body. Show
that the resultant forces is zero.
Solution:
Consider one force along + X axis and subsequently draw rest. Let F = magnitude of each force.

net Y-component = F sin60° – Fsin60° = 0

net X-component = F – (F cos60° + F cos60°) = F – 2 Fcos60° = 0
Hence the resultant force is zero.

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Vectors XI-PMI-19

Illustration-19
If A  4i  3j and B  6i  8j then magnitude and direction of A B will be
   

(A) 5, tan–1(3/4) (B) 5 5 ,tan 1 ( 1 / 2 )

(C) 10, tan–1(3/4) (D) 25, tan–1(3/4)
Solution:
 
A B = 4i  3j  6i  8j = 10iˆ  5 ˆj
 
| A B | = ( 10 )2  ( 5 )2 = 5 5
5 1 1
tan= =  = tan 1  
10 2 2

Illustration-20
 value of A 2 B  3C would be
Let A  2i  j ,B  3j  k and C  6i  2k
    

(A) 20i  5j  5k (B) 20i  5j  4 kˆ (C) 4i  5j  20 kˆ (D) 5i  4j  10 kˆ
Solution:
  
(B) A 2 B  3C  ( 2iˆ  ˆj )  2( 3 ˆj  kˆ )  3( 6iˆ  2kˆ ) = 2iˆ  ˆj  6 ˆj  2kˆ  18iˆ  6kˆ = 20iˆ  5 ˆj  4kˆ

Illustration-21
An object of m kg with speed of v m/s strikes a wall at an angle with normal and rebounds at the
same speed and same angle. The magnitude of the change in momentum of the object will be
(A) 2m v cos  (B) 2m v sin  (C) 0 (D) 2m v
Solution:
 
P1  mv sin ˆi  mvcos  ˆj and P2  mv sin ˆi  mvcos  ˆj

  
So change in momentum P  P2  P1 = 2mv cos  ˆj

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Vectors XI-PMI-20

Illustration-22
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
Solution:

ˆ Answers is ‘B’
If a point have coordinate (x, y, z) then its position vector OP  xiˆ  yjˆ  zk.

Illustration-23
If a particle moves from point P(2, 3, 5) to point Q (3, 4, 5). Its displacement vector be

(A) iˆ  ˆj  10kˆ (B) iˆ  ˆj  5kˆ (C) iˆ  ˆj (D) 2iˆ  4 ˆj  6kˆ

Solution:

Displacement vector = r   xiˆ   yjˆ   zkˆ  ( 3  2 )iˆ  ( 4  3 ) ˆj  ( 5  5 )kˆ . So Answer is (C)

16. SCALAR PRODUCT OF TWO VECTORS

 Definition: The scalar product (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  ABcos 

 The above equation can also be written in the following ways.

   
A  B  (A cos )B  OP.OL A  B  A(Bcos )  OM.OQ

 above two equations and figure, suggest a scalar product as product of magnitude of the one
vector and magnitude of the component of another vector in the direction of the former vector.

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Vectors XI-PMI-21

17. DOT PRODUCT OF TWO VECTORS IN TERMS OF THE COMPONENTS

ALONG THE COORDINATE AXES:
 
 Consider two vectors a and b represented in terms of the unit vectors ˆi , ˆj, kˆ along the
coordinate axes as
 
a = a x ˆi  a y ˆj  a z kˆ b = b x ˆi  b y ˆj  b z k.
ˆ
 
and them a  b = (a x ˆi  a y ˆj  a z k)
ˆ  (b ˆi  b ˆj  b k)
x y z
ˆ .

= a x b x ˆi.iˆ  a x b y ˆi.jˆ  a x b z ˆi.kˆ  a y b x ˆj.iˆ  a y b y ˆj.jˆ  a y b z ˆj.kˆ  a z b x k.i

ˆ ˆ  a b k.j
z y
ˆ ˆ  a b k.k
z z
ˆ ˆ ...(i)

Since ˆi, ˆj and k̂ are mutually orthogonal,

We have ˆi.jˆ  ˆi.kˆ  ˆj.iˆ  ˆj.kˆ  k.i

ˆ ˆ  k.j
ˆ ˆ0

Also, ˆi.iˆ  11cos   1

Similarly ˆj.jˆ  k.k

ˆ ˆ  1.
 
Using these relation in equation (i) we get a . b  a x b x  a y b y  a z b z

Most Valuable Point

   
Dot product of two vectors is commutative: A  B  B  A

If two vectors are perpendicular, their dot product is zero.

   
A B  0 , if A  B
Dot product of a vector by itself is known as self-product.
   
A  A  A 2  A  A A

 
A B 
The angle between the vectors   cos  
1

 AB 
 
(a) Component of A in direction of B
      

 
ˆ  A
A II  A cos  B 
A.B
  
Bˆ   A.B  B


  

ˆ  A.B
ˆ B
ˆ  
A B  B 
    
(b) Component of A perpendicular to B : A   A  A II

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Illustration-24
 
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°

Solution:
 
A.B a1b1  a2b2  a3b3 24  42  44
cos    
  
  
0
| A| .| B | | A| .| B | | A| .| B |

    cos 1 ( 0 )    90

Illustration-25
If two vectors 2iˆ  3 ˆj  kˆ and 4iˆ  6 ˆj   kˆ are perpendicular to each other then value of  be
(A) 25 (B) 26 (C) –26 (D) –25
Solution:
   
If A and B are perpendicular to each other then A  B  0  a1b1  a2 b2  a3b3 = 0

So, 2(–4)+ 3(–6) + (–1)(–) = 0    26

Illustration-26
   
If A  2iˆ  3 ˆj  kˆ and B   iˆ  3 ˆj  4kˆ then projection of A on B will be

3 3 3 3
(A) (B) (C) (D)
13 26 26 13
Solution:

| B|= ( 1)2  32  4 2 = 1  9  16 = 26
 
A B = 2(–1) + 3 × 3 + (–1)(4) = 3
 
  A B 3
The projection of A on B = 
=
| B| 26

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Illustration-27
     
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
Solution:
           
( A B ) is perpendicular to ( A B ) . Thus ( A  B )  ( A  B )  0 or A2  B  A A  B  B 2  0
   
Because of commutative property of dot product A  B  B  A

 A2 – B2 = 0 or A = B
Thus the ratio of magnitudes A/B =1

18. VECTOR PRODUCT OF TWO VECTORS

 Definition: 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 perpendicular to the plane containing the two vectors in
accordance with right hand screw rule.
  
C  A B
    
 Thus, if A & B are two vectors, then their vector product written as A  B is a vector C
defined by
  
C  A  B = AB sin nˆ

    
The direction of A  B, i.e. C is perpendicular to the plane containing vectors A and B and
 
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 to B through the smaller
angle between them, then the direction of advancement of the screw gives the direction of
  
A  B i.e. C
  
 Cross product C  A  B , can also be written in the following ways.

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Vectors XI-PMI-24
     
C  A B  A  Bsin   nˆ C  A  B   Asin   Bnˆ

 The above two equations and figures explain that the magnitude of vector or cross product is
the product of magnitude of one vector and magnitude of the component of the other vector in
the direction perpendicular to the first one.

19. CROSS PRODUCT OF TWO VECTORS IN TERMS OF THE

COMPONENTS ALONG THE COORDINATE AXES
 ˆi  ˆj  k,
ˆ ˆj  kˆ  ˆi,kˆ  ˆi  ˆj and ˆi  ˆi  0, ˆj  ˆj  0,kˆ  kˆ  0

a = a x ˆi  a y ˆj  a z kˆ

b = b x ˆi  b y ˆj  b z kˆ
 
a  b = (a x ˆi  a y ˆj  a z k)
ˆ  (b ˆi  b ˆj  b k)
x y z
ˆ = (a b  a b )iˆ  (a b  a b )ˆj  (a b  a b )
y z z y z x x z x y y x

  
i j k
         
 Let a = a x i  a y j  a z k and b = b x i  b y j  b z k , Then a  b = a x ay az
bx by bz

Illustration-28
   
ˆ  ˆj  2kˆ and B  2iˆ  2 ˆj  4kˆ then value of | A  B | will be
If A  3i

(A) 8 2 (B) 8 3 (C) 8 5 (D) 5 8

Solution:

ˆi ˆj kˆ
 
A B = 3 1 2 = [1 × 4 –(–2) ×2] iˆ + (2 × 2– 4 × 3) ĵ + [3 × (–2) –2 × 1]
2 2 4
 
A B = 8iˆ  8 ˆj  8kˆ
   
 Magnitude of A B | A B | = ( 8 )2  ( 8 )2  ( 8 )2 = 8 3

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Illustration-29
 
In above example the unit vector perpendicular to both A and B will be
1 1
(A)  ( iˆ  ˆj  kˆ ) (B)  ( iˆ  ˆj  kˆ ) (C) Both (A) and (B) (D) None of these
3 3
Solution:
 
A B 8iˆ  8 ˆj  8kˆ 1 ˆ ˆ ˆ
n̂ =  
= = (i  j  k )
| A B | 8 3 3

  1 ˆ ˆ ˆ
There are two unit vectors perpendicular to both A and B they are n̂   (i  j  k )
3

Illustration-30
 
The vectors from origin to the points A and B are A  3iˆ  6 ˆj  2kˆ and B  2iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ respectively.
The area of triangle OAB be
5 2 3 5
(A) 17 sq.unit (B) 17 sq.unit (C) 17 sq.unit (D) 17 sq.unit
2 5 5 3
Solution:
   
Given OA = a  3iˆ  6 ˆj  2kˆ and OB  b  2iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ

ˆi ˆj kˆ
 
 ( a b ) = 3 6 2 = ( 12  2 )iˆ  ( 4  6 ) ˆj  ( 3  12 )kˆ
2 1 2

 
1   5 17
= 10iˆ  10 ˆj  15kˆ | a b | = 10 2  10 2  152 = 5 17 Area of OAB = | a b | sq.unit.
2 2

Illustration-31
    
The angle between the vectors A and B is . The value of the triple product A ( B  A) is

(A) A2B (B) Zero (C) A2B sin (D) A2B sin
Solution:
    
Let A ( B  A )  A  C
      
Here C  B  A which is perpendicular to both vector A and B  A C  0

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Illustration-32
  
If A  B  C, then which of the following statements is wrong?
         
(A) C  A (B) C  B (C) C  ( A B ) (D) C  ( A  B )
Solution:

From the property of vector product, we notice that C must be perpendicular to the plane formed
     
by vector A and B and ( A  B ) vector also must lie in the plane formed by vector A and B .
     
Thus C must be perpendicular to ( A  B ) also but the cross product ( A  B ) gives a vector C
which cannot be perpendicular to itself. Thus the last statement is wrong.

Illustration-33
  
If A  iˆ  2 ˆj  3 kˆ , B   iˆ  ˆj  4 kˆ and C  3 iˆ  3 ˆj  12 kˆ , then find the angle between
    
the vectors  A  B  C  and  A  B  in degrees.
   
Solution:
Ans. 90
ˆi ˆj kˆ
      
P  A  B  C  3iˆ  5kˆ and Q  A  B  1 2 3  5iˆ  7 ˆj  3kˆ
1 1 4
 
Angle between P & Q is given by
 
P Q 15  15
cos     0    90
PQ PQ

Illustration-34
 
    
a and b are unit vectors and angle between them is . If a  2 b and 5 a  4 b are perpendicular
k
to each other then find the integer value of k.
Solution:
      2    
( a  2 b ).( 5 a  4 b )  0  5a 2  10 a .b  8 b  4 a .b  3  6 a .b  0
3 1 
 ab cos    cos       k  3
6 2 3

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Illustration-35
For shown situation, what will be the magnitude of minimum force in Newton that can be applied in
any direction so that the resultant force is along east direction?
Solution:
Ans. 6
Let force be F so resultant is in east direction


4iˆ  3 ˆj   5 cos 37ˆi  5 sin 37 ˆj   F  kiˆ
 
 4iˆ  3 ˆj  4iˆ  3 ˆj  F  kiˆ  8iˆ  6 ˆj  F  kiˆ

 F   k  8  ˆi  6 ˆj  F   k  8    6   Fmin  6 N
2 2

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EXERCISE-1
MCQs with One Correct Answer type
  
1. Let the angle between two nonzero vectors A and B be 120° and resultant be C
     
(a) | C | must be equal to | A B | (b) | C | must be less than | A B |
     
(c) | C | must be greater than | A B | (d) | C | may be equal to | A B |
2. Following sets of three forces act on a body. Whose resultant cannot be zero?
(a) 10, 10, 10 (b) 10, 10, 20 (c) 10, 20, 20 (d) 10, 20, 40
3. At what angle must the two forces magnitude (x + y) and (x – y) act so that the resultant may be
(x 2  y 2 )
 x 2  y2   2(x 2  y 2 ) 
(a) cos 1   2 
(b) cos 1   2 
 2(x  y )  x  y2 
2

 x 2  y2   x 2  y2 
(c) cos 1   2 2 
(d) cos 1   2 2 
 x y   x y 
  
4. Let C  A  B then

(a) | C | is always greater then A + B
   
(b) It is possible to have | C || A | and | C || B |
(c) C is always equal to A + B
(d) C is never equal to A + B
5. The resultant of two vectors A and B is perpendicular to the vector A and its magnitude is equal to
half the magnitude of vector B. The angle between A and B is
(a) 120° (b) 150° (c) 135° (d) None of these

6. Vector A makes equal angles with x, y and z axis. Value of its components (in terms of magnitude of

A ) will be
A A 3
(a) (b) (c) 3A (d)
3 2 A

7. If A  2iˆ  4jˆ  5kˆ the direction of cosines of the vector are
2 4 5 1 2 3
(a) , and (b) , and
45 45 45 45 45 45
4 4 3 2 5
(c) ,0 and (d) , and
45 45 45 45 45
8. The angles which a vector ˆi  ˆj  2kˆ 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°

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Vectors XI-PMI-29
9. Into how many maximum possible components can a single vector be resolved ?
(a) an unlimited number (b) two components
(c) three components (d) four components
  
10 Three coplanar vector A, B and C have magnitude 4, 3 and 2 respectively. If the angle between any
  
3A B C
two vectors is 120° then which of the following vector may be equal to  
4 3 2

(a) (b) (c) (d)

   
11. What is the angle between (P  Q) and (P  Q)
 
(a) 0 (b) (c) (d) 
2 4
12. Two vectors P  2iˆ  bjˆ  2kˆ and Q  ˆi  ˆj  kˆ will be parallel if
(a) b=0 (b) b =1 (c) b=2 (d) b = –4
  
13. The three vectors A  3iˆ  2jˆ  kˆ , B  ˆi  3jˆ  5kˆ and C  2iˆ  ˆj  4kˆ from
(a) an equilateral triangle (b) Isosceles triangle
(c) A right angled triangle (d) No triangle

14. The angle between two vectors 2iˆ  3jˆ  kˆ and ˆi  2ˆj  4kˆ is
(a) 0° (b) 90° (c) 180° (d) None of these
 
15. Which of the following is the unit vector perpendicular to A and B
   
ˆ B
A ˆ ˆ B
A ˆ A B A B
(a) (b) (c) (d)
ABsin  ABcos  ABsin  ABcos 
        
16. For any two vectors A and B , if A.B | A B|, the magnitude of C  A  B is equal to :-

(a) A 2  B2 (b) A+B

AB
(c) A 2  B2  (d) A 2  B2  2AB
2

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Vectors XI-PMI-30
 
17. Which of the following is not true? If A  3iˆ  4jˆ and B  6iˆ  8jˆ where A and B are the magnitudes
 
of A and B ?
 
A 1
(a) A B  0 (b) 
B 2
 
(c) A.B  48 (d) A=5
 
18. If vectors A  ˆi  2jˆ  4kˆ and B  5iˆ represent the two sides of a triangle, then the third side of the
triangle has length equal to :-

(a) 56 (b) 21

(c) 5 (d) 6
19. The resultant of two vectors of magnitude 3 units and 4 units is 1 unit. What is the value of their dot
product?
(a) –12 units (b) – 7 units (c) –1 unit (d) zero
   
20. If A and B denote the sides of a parallelogram and its area is AB/2, the angle between A and B
is :-
  
(a) (b) π (c) (d)
2 6 3

21. In an equilateral  ABC, AL⃗, BM⃗ and CN⃗ are medians. Forces along BC and BA represented by
them will have a resultant represented by:-

(a) 2AL⃗ (b) 2 BM⃗ (c) 2CN⃗ (d) AC⃗

 

22. If e 1 & e 2 are two unit vectors and  is the angle between them, then sin   is :-
2
   
1   1   e 1 .e 2 | e 1 e 2 |
(a) | e1 e 2 | (b) | e1 e 2 | (c) (d)  
2 2 2 2 | e1 | | e 2 | |
 
23. Two birds are flying in sky with their velocities v 1  (4iˆ  3tj)
ˆ m/s and v  (3iˆ  4t ˆj) m/s where
2

‘t’ is in sec then at what time their velocities are perpendicular to each other :-
(a) 2 sec (b) 1 sec (c) 3 sec (d) 1/2 sec
 
24. Two balloons are moving in air with velocities v1  {2tiˆ  (t  2)ˆj) m/s and v 2  {(t  4)iˆ  tj)}
ˆ m/s
then at what ‘t’ balloons will move parallel to each other:-

(a) 5/4 sec (b) 4/5 sec (c) 10/3 sec (d)  3  17

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Vectors XI-PMI-31
  
25. If in the shown parallelogram AC  ˆi  2jˆ  4kˆ and BD  ˆi  3jˆ  kˆ then BC is :-

3ˆ 1ˆ ˆi  1 ˆj  5 kˆ 3ˆ ˆ
(a) i  j  5kˆ (b) (c) 2iˆ  ˆj  5kˆ (d) i  2 j  3kˆ
2 2 2 2 2
   
26. If a  iˆ  4 ˆj  2 2kˆ and b  (iˆ  ˆj ) 2 then find component of a perpendicular to b :-
5 9 7
(a) (b) (c) (d) none
2 2 2
  
27. Figure shows three vectors a, b and c . If RQ = 2PR, which of the following relations is correct?

           
(a) 2 a c  3b (b) a 3c  2b (c) 3a c  2b (d) a  2 c  3b
  
28. The vector a  (b a ) is :-
 
(a) perpendicular to a (b) perpendicular to b
 
(c) null vector (d) perpendicular to both a and b

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Vectors XI-PMI-32

EXERCISE-2
MCQs with One or More Correct Answer(s) type
2
 

, then  a  b  =
   
1. If | a | 4, | b | 2 and the angle between a and b is
6  

(a) 64 (b) 16 (c) | a |2 (d) 6
   
2. a and b are two unit vectors inclined at an angle  (   [0, ] ) to each other and a  b  1 then 
can lie in
  2     2  5   2  5 
(a)  ,  (b)   ,  (c)   ,  (d)   , 
3 3  3 2  3 6   3 7 
   
3. If a  ˆi  2 ˆj  3kˆ and b  3iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ then the unit vector perpendicular to a and b is

ˆi  ˆj  kˆ ˆi  ˆj  kˆ ˆi  ˆj  kˆ ˆi  ˆj  kˆ
(a) (b) (c) (d)
3 3 3 3

4. A unit vector coplanar with ˆi  ˆj  2k,i

ˆ ˆ  2jˆ  kˆ and perpendicular to ˆi  ˆj  kˆ is

ˆi  kˆ kˆ  ˆi ˆi  kˆ ˆj  kˆ
(a) (b) (c) (d)
2 2 2 2
     
5. If | a  b || a  b |, then the angle between a and b is -
(a) 0º (b) 180º (c) 135º (d) 45º
6. The adjacent sides of a parallelogram are represented by the vectors 2 î + 4 ˆj – 5 k̂ and
î + 2 ˆj + 3 k̂ respectively. The unit vectors parallel to the diagonals of the parallelogram are

(ˆi  2ˆj  8kˆ ) (3iˆ  6ˆj  2kˆ ) (3î  6 ĵ  2k̂ ) (î  2 ĵ  8k̂ )
(a) (b) (c) (d)
69 7 7 69
1
7. The vector (2 î –2 ˆj + k̂ )
3
(a) is a unit vector

(b) makes an angle with vector (2 î – 4 ˆj + 3 k̂ )
3

 1 
(c) is parallel to the vector  ˆi  ˆj  kˆ 
 2 

(d) is perpendicular to the vector 3 î +2 ˆj –2 k̂

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Vectors XI-PMI-33
8. Choose the correct statements. Assume ABCDEF to be a regular hexagon.

     
(a) ED  DB  BE  0 (b) FE  BC
   
(c) AD  2FE (d) DC  AF

  
9. Mark correct statement(s) for a , b and c show in given diagram :

     
(a) a  b c (b) a c b
     
(c) acb (d) b c a

10. If the angle between â and b̂ is 60° then which of the following vector have magnitude one ?

â + bˆ
(a) (b) â  bˆ (c) â (d) b̂
3
11. Mark the correct statements:
(a) Two equal vector have same magnitude same direction always.
  
(b) Vector equation (e.g., A  B  C) is dimensionally homogeneous.
(c) Component of a vector is effective value of a vector in a prescribed direction.
(d) n non-zero vectors are added so that the resultant vector is equal to one of them, then n has to
be an integer > 3.
12. Mark the incorrect options.
    
(a) if d  e  f and f = d + e then d and e are opposite in direction.
    
(b) if d  e  f and f = d + f  2d;d  e then d and e are perpendicular.
    
(c) if d  e  f and f = d + e then d and e are in the same direction.
    
(d) if d  e  f and f  2d;d  e then d and e are in opposite direction.
13. Ground radar reported position of an enemy airplane as 10km 37° north of east and altitude 1 km. As
seen at the radar, the Indian plane is at 10km 37° south of west at altitude 1 km. Select the correct
options.
(a) Distance between the radar and the enemy plane is 101km.

(b) Distance between the Indian plane and the radar is 101km.
(c) Distance between Indian plane and enemy plane is 20 km.
(d) Distance between Indian plane and enemy plane is 25 km.

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Vectors XI-PMI-34
   
14. Given two vector A = 3iˆ + 4 ˆj and B = ˆi + ˆj .  is the angle between A and B . Which of the following
statements is/are correct?
  ˆi  ˆj   
(a) | A | cos    is the component of A along B .
 2 
 
  ˆi  ˆj   
(b) | A | sin    is the component of A perpendicular to B .
 2 
 
  ˆi  ˆj   
(c) | A | cos    is the component of A along B .
 2 
 
  ˆi + ˆj   
(d) | A | sin    is the component of A perpendicular B .
 2
 
 
15. If A  2iˆ + ˆj + kˆ and B = ˆi + ˆj+ kˆ are two vectors, then the unit vector is :
 ˆj+ kˆ  2iˆ + ˆj+ kˆ
(a) Perpendicular to A is (b) Parallel to A is
2 6
  ˆj+ kˆ   ˆi + ˆj+ kˆ
(c) Perpendicular to B is  (d) Perpendicular to A is
 2  3
 
16. The x-component of the resultant of several vectors.
(a) is equal to the sum of the x-components of the vectors
(b) may be smaller than the sum of the magnitudes of the vectors
(c) may be greater than the sum of the magnitudes of the vectors
(d) may be equal to the sum of the magnitudes of the vectors.
 
17. Consider a vector F  4iˆ  3jˆ . Another vector that is perpendicular to F is
(a) 4iˆ  3jˆ (b) 6iˆ (c) 7kˆ (d) 3iˆ  4ˆj
        
18. Let A, B and C be unit vectors. Suppose that A.B  A.C  0 and the angle between B and C is

then
6
           3
(a) A  (B  C) (b) A  2(B  C) (c) A  2(C  B) (d) | B  C |
2
 
19. Angle between a and b is 60° than
    a 2  b2
(a) The component of a  b along a  b will be
a 2  b 2  ab
     
(b) a  b is perpendicular to resultant of (a  2 b) and (a  b)
    a 2  b2
(c) The component of (a  b) along (a  b) will be
a 2  b 2  2ab
    a 2  b2
(d) The component of (a  b) along (a  b) will be
a 2  b 2  3ab

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Vectors XI-PMI-35

EXERCISE-3
Matrix Match Type

1. Show a vector a at angle θ as shown in the figure column II. Show its vector representation.
Column–I Column II
   
(Operation of nonzero vectors P and Q ) (Possible angle between P and Q )

(a) (P) 
a  a sin  ˆi  a cos  ˆj

(b) (Q) 
a   a cos  ˆi  a sin  ˆj

(c) (R) 
a  a sin ˆi  a cos ˆj

(d) (S) 
a  a cos ˆi  a sin ˆj

(T) 30°

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Vectors XI-PMI-36
2.

Column–I Column II
   
(Operation of nonzero vectors P and Q ) (Possible angle between P and Q )
(a)   (P) 90°
| P Q |  0
(b)     (Q) 180°
P  Q  3 P.Q

(c)   
(R) 60°
P  Q  R and P + Q = R
(d)    
(S) 0°
| P  Q || P  Q |

(T) 30°

Numerical Type
 
 1  
3. If e 1 and e 2 are two unit vectors and  is the angle between them, then sin   is e1  e 2 .
2 N
Then value of N is:

4. The projection of a vector, r  3iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ , on the x–y plane has magnitude A . Find the value
of A.
        
5. Given that P = Q = R. If P  Q  R then the angle between P and R is θ1. If P  Q  R  0 then the
 
angle between P and R is θ2. If θ2 = N θ1 then the value of N is:
 
6. A vector B which has a magnitude 8.0 is added to a vector A which lie along the x–axis. The sum
of these two vectors is a third vector which lie along the y–axis and has a magnitude that is twice the
  16
magnitude of A . The magnitude of A is . Find the value of K.
K

Linked Comprehension Type

Comprehension # 1
ABC is an equilateral triangle. Length of each side is 'a' and centroid is point O.

  
7. OA  OB OC  ?
   
(a) 3OA (b) 3OB (c) 3OC (d) 0

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Vectors XI-PMI-37
  
8. If AB BC AC = n a then n = ?

(a) 0 (b) 1 (c) 2 (d) 3

  
9. If AB  AC = n AO then n = ?
(a) 0 (b) 1 (c) 2 (d) 3
Comprehension # 2
The sum of three vectors shown in figure is zero.


10. What is the magnitude of vector OB ?
(a) 10 N (b) 10 2N (c) 20 N (d) Zero

11. What is the magnitude of vector OC ?
(a) 10 N (b) 10 2N (c) 20 N (d) Zero

12. OC =
(a) OA⃗ + OB⃗ (b) OA⃗ (c) OB⃗ (d) None of these

Comprehension # 3
 
There are two vectors A  3iˆ  ˆj and B  ˆj  2k. .
 
13. Find the component of A along B in vector form.
1 ˆ 1 ˆ 1 ˆ
(a) (ˆj  2k)
ˆ (b) ˆ
( j  2k) (c) ˆ
(2 j  2k) (d) ˆ
( j  3k)
5 5 5
 
14. If A & B are the adjacent sides of a parallelogram then find the magnitude of its area.
(a) 2 (b) 7 (c) 10 (d) 14
 
15. Find a unit vector which is perpendicular to both A & B .
1 ˆ ˆ ˆ
(a) (2iˆ  6ˆj  3k)
ˆ (b) (2i  6 j  3k)
7
1 ˆ ˆ ˆ 1 ˆ ˆ ˆ
(c) (2i  6 j  3k) (d) (2i  6 j  3k)
7 7

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Vectors XI-PMI-38

ANSWER KEY
Exercise-1
MCQs with One Correct Answer type
1. (b) 2. (d) 3. (a) 4. (b) 5. (b)
6. (a) 7. (a) 8. (c) 9. (a) 10. (b)
11. (b) 12. (c) 13. (c) 14. (b) 15. (c)
16. (d) 17. (c) 18. (a) 19. (a) 20. (c)
21. (b) 22. (b) 23. (b) 24. (d) 25. (b)
26. (a) 27. (d) 28. (a)

Exercise-2
MCQs with One or More Correct Answer(s) type
1. (b)(c) 2. (c)(d) 3. (c)(d) 4. (a)(d) 5. (c)(d)
6. (a)(c)(d) 7. (a)(c)(d) 8. (a)(b)(c) 9. (a)(b)(d) 10. (a)(b)(c)(d)
11. (a)(b)(c)(d) 12. (c)(d) 13. (a)(b)(c) 14. (a)(b) 15. (a)(b)(c)
16. (a)(b)(d) 17. (c)(d) 18. (b)(c) 19. (a)(b)

Exercise-3
Matrix Match Type
1. (a)  S;(b)  P;(c)  Q;(d)  R
2. (a)  Q,S ; (b)  R ; (c)  S ; (d) P
Numerical Type
3. 2 4. 10 5. 2 6. 20
Linked Comprehension Type
Comprehension # 1
7. (d) 8. (c) 9. (d)

Comprehension # 2
10. (a) 11. (b) 12. (d)

Comprehension # 3
13. (b) 14. (b) 15. (c)

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