Mechanics: Vectors

Vectors in One Dimension: (Gr.10 Revision)

EXERCISE 1

1 a) Read the following in the textbook: Platinum Physical Sciences Gr.11

p. 2 Unit 1: Revision of vectors that act along the same line.
b) Answer questions 1 – 9 (Chapter 1 Revision) on page 13.

2 Answer the following questions:

2.1 Ben pushes a heavy box across the floor by exerting a force 180 N. The force of friction between the
floor and the box is 22 N.
Remember: Friction always acts in the direction opposite to the motion of the object.
a) Represent all these vectors on a vector diagram.
b) Calculate the resultant force (FR) acting on the box and represent it on your vector diagram in a.
c) Ben is now assisted by Bruno who also pulls on the box with a force of 90 N. Calculate the new
resultant force acting on the box.

2.2 Kelly pulls horizontally on a rope tied to a heavily laden trolley, but the trolley does not move.
The force of friction between the trolley and the ground is 120N.
a) Draw a vector diagram representing the forces acting on the trolley in the horizontal plane.
b) What is the resultant force (FR) acting on the trolley?
c) What force is Kelly applying to the box?
d) Ben now pulls on the trolley in the opposite direction to which Kelly is pulling. The trolley now
moves in the direction of the force applied by Ben with a resultant force of 10 N.
Calculate the force applied by Ben.

2.3 A 2 kg object hangs vertically by a light string.

a) Calculate the gravitational force acting on the object.
b) Draw a vector diagram showing all the forces acting on the object. Let FT be the upwards force of
the string on the object (also called tension) and Fg be the gravitational force acting on the
object.
c) What is the resultant force acting on the object? Explain your answer.
d) The object is now pulled upwards. Is FT greater than or smaller than Fg?
e) If the object moves upwards due to a resultant force of 0,4 N, calculate the tension in the string.

Exercise 1: Answers to calculated values:

1 b) p13 8. 40 N in the direction of the applied force.

9.1 35 N in the direction of the force applied by the girls.

2.1 a) 158 N in the direction of the force applied by Ben.

c) 248 N in the direction of the force applied by Ben.

2.2 b) 0N c) 120 N d) 250 N in the direction of the force applied by Ben

2.3 a) 19,6 N down. c) 0N e) 20 N, up.

Gr.11 Physics Mechanics – VECTORS 1

 Vectors in Two Dimensions
CLASSWORK:

 Complete Exercise 1.1 on p. 4 using diagrams as in Figure 1.6. (a) and (b).

EXERCISE 2

1. Read the following in the textbook Platinum Physical Sciences Gr.11:

p. 3: Addition of vectors that are perpendicular to each other.

2. Answer the following questions:

2.1 Determine i) the horizontal resultant force (Fx) and

ii) the vertical resultant force (Fy) of the following forces acting on a given object:

a) 0,9 N up ; 0,43 N left ; 0,68 N down ; 0,44 N up.

b) A pushing force of 5 N left; a pulling force of 3,3 N upwards; a pulling force of 6,8 N downwards
and two equal pulling forces of 2,3 N right.
c) An applied force of 612 N, North with an opposing applied force of 418 N ; an applied force of
56 N West and an applied force of 63N from the east.
d) 503 N, right ; 789N, left ; 213 N down ; 87 N right ; 14 N up. The force of friction between the
object and the surface is 199 N.

2.2 The following forces are acting on a box: 16 N, up ; 18 N, down ; 12 N, right ; 8 N, left and 5 N up.

a) Determine Fx and Fy.

b) Draw a vector diagram to scale representing Fx and Fy with their tails starting at the same point (A).
Scale: 1 cm = 1 N. Use a protractor to ensure that Fx and Fy are at 90o to each other.
c) Construct a rectangle using Fx and Fy as the sides of the rectangle. (See fig. 1.8 p 5)
d) Draw in the diagonal of the rectangle starting at point A.
e) The diagonal represents the resultant force (FR) due to Fx and Fy. Measure the length of the diagonal
and use the scale to determine the magnitude of the resultant force acting on the box.
f) Using Pythagoras’ theorem, do a calculation to confirm that your answer to (e) is correct.
g) Calculate the angle (θ) that the resultant makes with the horizontal by using the following formula:
𝐲
𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝛉 =
𝐱
Measure the angle with a protractor to confirm your answer.

2.3 Two forces: Fx = 5,3 N and Fy = 9,5 N act simultaneously on an object. Using steps b to g in question 2.2
above, determine the magnitude and direction of the resultant of these two vectors.

2.4 The resultant (R) of two vectors Rx and Ry which are perpendicular to each other is 9 units at 60o
below the horizontal. If Rx = 4,5 units , determine Ry.

Answers to calculated values:

Classwork: Ex 1.1: Fx = 8 N, right. Fy = 4 N down.
Exercise 2:
2.1 a) Fx = 0,43 N left ; Fy = 0,66 N up. b) Fx = 0,4 N, left ; Fy = 3,5 N down.
c) Fx =119 N West ; Fy = 194 N North. d) Fx = 0 N ; Fy = 0N.

2.2 a) Fx = 4 N, right ; Fy = 3 N, up. b) 5cm = 5 N g) 36,87o above the horizontal.

2.3 FR = 10,88 N at 60,840 above the horizontal.
2.4 Fy = 7,79 units, down.

Gr.11 Physics Mechanics – VECTORS 2

 Two forces acting on a point

θ = 0o

3N 6N
FR = 9 N; Right

θ = 30o

3N FR
By construction:
100 FR = 8,80 N; 10o to the horizontal
6N

θ = 90 o

𝟑
FR2 = 32 + 62 (Pythagoras) θ = tan-1 (𝟔)
3N FR = 6,71 N θ = 26,6o
FR = 6,71 N; 26,6o to the horizontal
26,6o
6N

θ = 120 o

FR By constuction:
3N 30o
FR = 5,3 N; 30o to the horizontal
6N

θ = 180 o

3N 6N
FR = 3 N; Right

Gr.11 Physics Mechanics – VECTORS 3

 VECTOR DIRECTION:

 From the x-axis:

400
40o below the x-axis, clockwise

30o above the x-axis, anti-clockwise

300

 ‘On a bearing of...’

(From North line, clockwise)

N N

on a bearing of 30o on a bearing of 90o

300
900

 Compass directions:

N
70⁰ N of W
20⁰ W of N

30⁰ N of E
60⁰ E of N

70⁰ 30⁰
W 40⁰
E
45⁰

40⁰ S of W 45⁰ S of E
50⁰ W of S 45⁰ E of S

Gr.11 Physics Mechanics – VECTORS 4

 3 or more forces acting on a body: by construction

Exercise 3

1. The given forces act simultaneously on a body as indicated in the diagram. Determine the resultant
of these forces by construction. Scale: 10 mm = 1 N

2N
4,5 N
30o
2,5 N

2. The following forces are applied simultaneously on an object:

20 N North ; 25 N at 50o S of W ; 30 N East and 40 N 50o E of S.
Determine the resultant of these forces by construction. Scale: 10 mm = 5 N

3. The given forces act simultaneously on a body as indicated in the diagram. Determine the resultant
of these forces by construction. Scale: 1 mm = 1 N

35N
25N
33o 60N

42o 9o
70N

4. The given force diagram shows all the forces acting on a block which is on an inclined plane.
Use a construction to show that the block is at rest on the plane and that the forces acting on the
block are in equilibrium. Scale: 10 mm = 10 N

FA FN Fg = 80 N

FA = 60 N
Ff
FN = 69 N
Fg 60 o

Ff = 100 N

Gr.11 Physics Mechanics – VECTORS 5

 3 or more forces acting on a body: by calculation

Exercise 4

1. The given forces act simultaneously on a body as indicated in the diagram. Determine the resultant
of these forces by calculation.

2N
4,5 N
30o
2,5 N

2. The following forces are applied simultaneously on an object:

20 N North ; 25 N at 50o S of W ; 30 N East and 40 N 50o E of S.
Calculate the resultant of these forces.

3. The given forces act simultaneously on a body as indicated in the diagram. Calculate the resultant
of these forces.

35N
25N
33o 60N

42o 9o
70N

4. A 0,98 N object hanging from a string is pulled to the right by a force of 2,01 N. The tension in the
rope is 2,24 N. Show by calculation that the system is in equilibrium.

26o

5. A signboard hanging outside a building supported by a rope with a tension of 50 N and a strut
exerting a force of 40 N perpendicular to the board. Calculate the mass of the signboard.

Gr.11 Physics Mechanics – VECTORS 6

Exercise 5

1. Draw a sketch of a force of 0,75 N acting at 40⁰.to the horizontal and then find its vertical and
horizontal components.

2. The rope is pulling the box of mass 15 kg but the box does not move. The rope exerts a force of
200 N and acts at an angle of 25⁰ to the horizontal.

2.1 Calculate the horizontal and vertical components of the force exerted by the rope.
2.2 How much force does the box exert on the ground?
2.3 Mark and name all the forces acting op the box.

3. An elephant is pulling a log of mass 100 kg, with a force of 500 N making an angle of 20⁰ with
the horizontal.

3.1 Calculate the horizontal and vertical components of the force.

3.2 Show that the log will not lift off the ground.

4. A gardener is pushing a roller of mass 150 kg along the ground.

He exerts a force of 300 N along the handle which makes an
angle of 30⁰ with the horizontal.

4.1 Calculate the horizontal and vertical components of the force

exerted by the gardener.
4.2 What is the total force exerted on the ground.
4.3 Why is it easier to pull the roller than to push it?
4.4 Would there be more or less force exerted on the ground if the angle between the roller
and the horizontal were 40⁰ instead of 30⁰?

5. The picture is supported by a string which passes over a nail.

If the picture is hanging evenly, the tension in the string
T1 = T2 = 45 N. The string makes an angle of 20⁰ with the vertical.

5.1 Find the horizontal component of T1 and T2.

5.2 Find the vertical component of T1 and T2.
5.3 How does the weight of the picture compare with the vertical components?
5.4 Calculate the mass of the picture.

Gr.11 Physics Mechanics – VECTORS 7

 Resultant force and Equilibrant

3 mass pieces hang in equilibrium by 2 lightweight strings that run over frictionless pulleys. Thus
the tension in each string is the same throughout the length of that string.

Pulley

m3 m2

m1

FR

When the system is in equilibrium:

Ft1 = Fg1
Θ1 Θ2 Ft2 Ft2 = Fg2
Ft1 Ft2
FR is the resultant of Ft1 and Ft2.
m3 m2
Fg3 = - FR
Ft1 Fg2
Fg3 is the EQUILIBRANT of FR.
m11 At m3: The sum of the y components of
Ft1 and Ft2 is equal to FR. (= Fg3)
Fg3
Fg1

Ft2 Ft2
Θ2 Θ2
Fg3 FR

Θ1 Θ1
Ft1 Ft1

Ft1 + Ft2 + Ft3 = 0 N Ft1 + Ft2 = FR

Gr.11 Physics Mechanics – VECTORS 8

Exercise 6

1. A 0,1 kg pendulum is suspended from point A by a string. The pendulum is pulled to the side
by an applied force of 1,5 N so that the string makes an angle of 33° with the horizontal, as
shown in the diagram. While being held in this position, all the forces acting on the pendulum
are in equilibrium. The mass of the string is negligible.

1.1 What is meant by ‘in equilibrium’?

1.2 Calculate the weight of the pendulum.

1.3 Draw a free-body force diagram showing the three forces acting on the pendulum when pulled
to the side.

1.4 Sketch a triangle of forces (not to scale) to show that the system is in equilibrium. Fill in all
known values of the angles and the forces.

1.5 Calculate the magnitude of the tension in the string.

1.6 Without a calculation write down the value of the horizontal component of the tension in the
string. Give a reason for your answer.

1.7 Calculate the vertical component of the tensional force.

1.8 If the string were now pulled so that the angle of 33° changes to 25° state whether the
following would increase, decrease or remain the same:
(a) The applied force.
(b) The tension in the rope.
(c) The gravitational force on the pendulum.

2. Three objects, A, B and C hang over two frictionless pulleys with strong but light nylon strings.
The system is in equilibrium as shown in the diagram. The force that is exerted by object B is
0,44 N.

2.1 Draw a labelled free-body diagram to indicate all three forces acting on object B.

2.2 What type of figure is obtained when the three forces, which are in equilibrium, are
graphically added up?

2.3 Determine, by using a scale diagram, the magnitude of forces A and C.

(Use scale 10 mm : 0,1 N)

Gr.11 Physics Mechanics – VECTORS 9