MPI Foundation Physics Module 1C - Trigonometry and Vectors

M. P. Institute

Foundation Course

Physics Module – 1C
Trigonometry and Vectors

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MPI Foundation Physics Module 1C - Trigonometry and Vectors

Table of Contents

1. Trigonometry.........................................................................................................3
1.1 Basic Trigonometric Ratios..................................................................................3
1.2 Important Trigonometric Properties...................................................................3
1.3 Solved Problems on Trigonometry......................................................................5
1.4 Trigonometry Assignments..............................................................................7
1.4.1 Trigonometry Assignment 1......................................................................7
1.5 Trigonometry Answer Keys..............................................................................8
1.5.1 Trigonometry Answer Key 1......................................................................8
2. Vectors...................................................................................................................8
2.1 Vector Addition...................................................................................................8
2.1.1 Vectors Along the Same Straight-line........................................................8
2.1.2 Pictorial Representation of a Vector.........................................................9
2.1.3 Addition - Pictorial.....................................................................................9
2.1.4 Triangle Law of Addition............................................................................9
2.1.5 Parallel Shift of a Vector..........................................................................11
2.1.6 Vector Subtraction..................................................................................12
2.2 Vector Resolution..............................................................................................12
2.3 Solved Numerical Problems...........................................................................13
2.4 Vectors Assignments.....................................................................................16
2.4.1 Vectors Assignment 1..............................................................................16
2.4.2 Vectors Assignment 2..............................................................................17
2.5 Vector Answer Keys.......................................................................................20
2.5.1 Vector Answer Key 1...................................................................................20
2.5.2 Vector Answer Key 2...................................................................................21

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MPI Foundation Physics Module 1C - Trigonometry and Vectors

1. Trigonometry
Trigonometry is the study of angles and triangles. Angle is a supplementary
fundamental quantity and its measurement is as important as that of length,
mass, time etc. Almost all physics problems in real world need this knowledge.

1.1 Basic Trigonometric Ratios

Consider a right triangle ABC where B is angle 90°. Angle A = α and angle C = β.
Obviously 0° < α < 90° and 0° < β < 90°. We know, hypotenuse is side AC.

For any angle α, where α is non-right angle in a right triangle, we have three
basic trigonometric ratios called sine, cosine and tangent. We use their names
in abbreviated forms sin, cos and tan.
For an angle α where, 0 < α < 90, we have below definitions of these ratios.
sin α = length of opposite side / length of hypotenuse
cos α = length of adjacent side / length of hypotenuse
tan α = sin α / cos α = length of opposite side / length of adjacent
side
In other words:
length of opposite side = length of hypotenuse x sin α
length of adjacent side = length of hypotenuse x cos α
In above triangle ABC, side BC is opposite to angle α and side AB is adjacent
to angle α. Side AC is the hypotenuse. We have,
sin α = BC / AC cos α = AB / AC tan α = BC / AB

1.2 Important Trigonometric Properties

1) These ratios are pure numbers. Each one is length of side / length of side. sin,
cos, tan are unitless numbers.
2) Hypotenuse is always the longest side. It means for any angle α where, 0 < α <
90 we have, 0 < sin α < 1. By same reason, 0 < cos α < 1
3) BC = opposite of α = adjacent of β and AB = adjacent of α = opposite of β
For complimentary i.e., α + β = 90, then sin α = cos β and cos α = sin β

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4) Consider two similar triangles ABC and APQ as shown in below diagram.

PQ : AQ = BC : AC which means sin α is a constant number whether we consider

triangle APQ or triangle ABC. Similarly for cos and tan. Thus, the values of sin,
cos and tan of an angle do not depend on the choice of the triangle. Associated
with each angle θ, there are fixed values for sin θ, cos θ and tan θ
5) If an angle is known, its sin, cos and tan values are known. These have been
calculated and are available as standard data tables. See below table for some
standard angles that will be used frequently in many of our problems and these
values will be given in the exam, but it is better if you by memorize below table.
It helps in quicker understanding.
Angle θ° 0 30 37 45 53 60 90
sin θ 0 0.5 0.6 1 / √2 0.8 (√3) / 2 1
cos θ 1 (√3) / 2 0.8 1 / √2 0.6 0.5 0
tan θ 0 1 / √3 0.75 1 1.33 √3 - Not Defined --
Above values prove what we learnt in point 3 above.
37 + 53 = 90. Note that sin 37 = cos 53 and cos 37 = sin 53. Similarly for 30 and
60.

Some problem data, it is easier and better to use the irrational format of (√3)/2
or 1 / √2 as it is. Sometimes it could be better to use decimal approximation as
below.
√2 = 1.41 and √3= 1.73. This gives us below approximated values.
sin 30 = cos 60 = 0.866 = 0.87 = 0.9
tan 30 = 0.58 tan 60 = 1.73
sin 45 = cos 45 = 0.707 = 0.71 = 0.7
Depending on the overall data in the numerical problem we need to decide
which value to be used and whether the level of approximation is fairly correct
or not.
6) Consider two right triangles A1B1C1 and A2B2C2. Angles B1 and B2 are 90 and
the triangles are drawn so that both hypotenuses are equal. So A1C1 = A2C2

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It is clear from the diagram that, B1C1 < B2C2. Also, θ1 < θ2
By Pythagoras theorem, we can prove that A1B1 > A2B2 (since A1C1 = A2C2)
This means: As angle θ increases, its sin increases. If θ1 < θ2, sin θ1 < sin θ2
As angle θ increases, its cos decreases If θ1 < θ2, cos θ1 > cos θ2
Look at the table in point 5 to verify this conclusion.
7) sin² θ + cos² θ = 1 Prove this using Pythagoras’ theorem. Reconfirm by taking a
couple of values in the table. (e.g., sin² 30 + cos² 30 = 1)
8) sin (2θ) = 2 sin θ cos θ As of now we just take it as proved. In 9th std, will use it
in some problems. e.g., sin (80) = 2 sin 40 cos 40 sin (32) = 2 sin 16
cos16
9) The definition in the first section is for angle θ such that 0 < θ < 90. But not just
for these angles, even for angles 0, 90, 110, 180, 205, 270, 340, 360 …. rather
for any value of θ, there exists values for sin θ and cos θ. For that to be
understood, we actually have a different definition of sin and cos. We will not
learn that definition here. We will restrict our discussions and all numerical
problems to angles from 0 to 90 (including 0 and 90) as of now. For these two
angles (zero and ninety), we will use the values given in the table. Sin 180 = 0
and cos 180 = -1
10) Once we know an angle α in a right triangle, we know its sin, cos, tan values.
Then suppose the length of the hypotenuse is also known, we can find all the
other missing information for that triangle.

Let us consider the same triangle ABC in the very first figure. We know that B =
90 and suppose hypotenuse AC = 12 cm.
Suppose it is given that α = 30. Then we know that β = 90 – α = 60
sin α = BC /AC = sin 30 = 0.5 Thus, BC = AC sin α = 12 x 0.5 = 6 cm
cos α = AB / AC = cos 30 = 0.9 Thus, AB = AC cos α = 12 x 0.866 = 10.4
If we want to verify we can find (6)² + (10.4)² = 12² = 144
(We have used decimal approximation 0.866 here. So, there is some minor
error.)

Remember, if hypotenuse and one angle is known, we use:

opposite side = hypotenuse x sin θ adjacent side = hypotenuse x cos θ

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MPI Foundation Physics Module 1C - Trigonometry and Vectors

1.3 Solved Problems on Trigonometry

Use table given above. Use this diagram for problems 1 and 2 below.

1) PR = 100 θ = 30 Find side QR

QR is adjacent to θ=30 angle. Cos θ = adjacent side / hypotenuse
adjacent side = hypotenuse cos θ
QR = 100 x 0.87 = 87 cm (approx.)
2) θ = 30 side PQ = 11.6 cm Find QR Find PR
tan θ = opposite side / adjacent side
QR = adjacent side = opposite side / tan θ = PQ / tan 30
QR = 11.6 / 0.58 = 20 cm
PR = PQ / sin 30 = 11.6 / 0.5 = 23.2 cm
Use this diagram for problems 3, 4, 5

3) JK = 6 KL = 8 Find angle θ
tan θ = opposite / adjacent = KL / JK = 8/6 = 1.333
If we refer the table, we see that tan 37° = 1.33. Thus, we know that θ = 37°

[Note: If for some angle α, sin α = 0.2, then we also write it as α = sin-1 0.2
If the data table given in the problem has 0.2 value, we can find actual value of α.
If the table does not have 0.2 in the sin row, then we can’t find actual value of α.
We then just leave it as it is and say that α is such an angle whose sin is 0.2. The
same thing is written as α = sin-1 0.2. It is read as α = sin inverse of 0.2
A scientific calculator has all values of all angles built in it. If we use that, we can find
that sin 11.54° = 0.2, so α = 11.54. However, we will not be using scientific calculators.
Most problems will have values in given table. If it is not given then the answer will not
be complete and we will have to just write in the inverse notation]
4) JK = 9 cm JL = 27 cm Find angle JLK
Angle JLK = 90 – θ. But theta is not given. Let us call angle JLK = ϕ (It is pronounced
as phi). sin ϕ = opposite side / hypotenuse = JK / JL = 9 / 27 = 1/3 = 0.33
Thus ϕ = sinˉ ¹ 0.33. Since there is no data given, we just leave it like that. Angle JLK
is such an angle so that its sin is 0.33. We say ϕ = sin inverse of 0.33
5) Angle θ = 45 JL = sqrt (32) m Find JK
cos 45 = adjacent side / hypotenuse = JK / JL
JK = JL cos 45 = sqrt (32) x 1 / (sqrt 2) = sqrt (16 x 2) / (sqrt 2) = 4(sqrt 2) / (sqrt 2)

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JK = 4 m [Note that it was better to not use decimal and keep in irrational
format. It was easier and we got perfect answer as well.]
6) A person started from point P and walked 20 m towards north to reach point Q. Then
he turned towards right and walked some distance towards east to reach point R. His
net displacement is 70 m. (a) Find distance QR (b) Find the angle of his net
displacement. Given that: cos 30 = 0.87 sin 25 = 0.48 cos 73.7 = 0.28
cos 75 = 0.26
Let us draw a simple diagram to depict the motion.

Initial displacement is PQ and then QR. The net displacement vector is PR.
Vector PQ + vector QR = Vector PR (Soon in another topic, we will learn more about
vectors, their addition and subtraction and there we will use a lot of trigonometry.)
(a) By Pythagoras theorem, QR = sqrt (4900 – 400) = sqrt (4500)
QR = 30 (sqrt 5) m = 67.1 m
(b) Angle of displacement is angle β. We express it like β° east of north
cos β = PQ / PR = 2/7 = 0.285 = 0.28 (approx.) From given table we get that β =
73.7° east of north = his net displacement direction.
Note that angle QRP = α = 90 - β = 16.3°
One can also say that net displacement is 16.3° north of east.

1.4 Trigonometry Assignments

Use below sin-cos-tan table for all the assignments given below.
θ⁰ 0 2 5 7 10 12.7 16.3 20 22.6 24 30 37 45 53 60 65 75 87 90
sin 0 0.035 0.087 0.122 0.174 0.22 0.28 0.34 0.38 0.41 0.5 0.6 0.71 0.8 0.87 0.91 0.96 0.998 1
cos 1 0.999 0.996 0.992 0.985 0.97 0.96 0.94 0.92 0.91 0.87 0.8 0.71 0.6 0.5 0.42 0.26 0.052 0
tan 0 0.035 0.087 0.123 0.18 0.23 0.29 0.36 0.41 0.45 0.57 0.75 1 1.33 1.74 2.17 3.69 19.2 NA
Note: Some values given up to 3 decimal places but in most problems enough to

context and data in the problem. sin 45=cos 45 = 1 / √2 = 0.71, can be

have 2 decimal accuracy. Use the appropriate level of approximation as per

approximated to 0.7
cos 30 = sin 60 = √3 / 2 = 0.87. It can be approximated to 0.9
Memorize a few famous Pythagoras triplets. [3-4-5 sin θ=3/5 and θ = 37°]
[5-12-13 θ=22.6°] [7-24-25 θ=16.3°] [9-40-41 θ=12.7°]
Depending on data, sometimes easier to calculate in the irrational format and
sometimes easier to use decimal format with approximation. Take g = 10 m/s².

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MPI Foundation Physics Module 1C - Trigonometry and Vectors

1.4.1 Trigonometry Assignment 1

This same diagram, as given below, is to be referred to for all the problems. In
triangle ABC, angle B is 90°. Angle A is α° and angle C is β° In each case some data is
given and some data is missing. Find all the missing data i.e. length of sides and the
angles. Note: Indicative diagram, not proportionate.

1) AB = 3 BC = 4
2) AC = 100 α = 30º
3) BC = 70 β = 37º
4) α = 66º (nothing mentioned about length of any side)
5) α = 45º BC = 50
6) AC = 400 β = 10º
7) AC = 25 β = 16.3º
8) AB = 6 α = 53º

1.5 Trigonometry Answer Keys

1.5.1 Trigonometry Answer Key 1
1) AC = 5 α = 53° β = 37° 2) BC = 50 AB = 90 (approx) (86.6 to be precise) β = 60°
3) AC = 87.5 AB = 52.5 β = 53°
4) β = 24° The sides will have many possible answers. However, the ratio of AB
to AC will always be 0.41 and BC to AC will be 0.91
5) AB = 50 AC = 50 (sqrt 2) β = 45° 6) AB = 69.6 BC = 394 α = 80°
7) AB = 7 BC = 24 α = 73.7° 8) AC = 10 BC = 8 β = 37°

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2. Vectors
We know that certain physical quantities are scalars and certain are vectors.
Mathematical operations on scalars are easier and you have learnt some of them
over past few years. Here we will learn some basic mathematics about vectors.
Objective is to be able to use vectors in physics problems.

2.1 Vector Addition

When we want to add two vector quantities, we have to add them considering
their magnitude and direction also. We have already done this to some extent.
Let us revise that and then go further.

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2.1.1 Vectors Along the Same Straight-line

When all vectors are along a single straight line, it is easy. Their directions are
either same or opposite.
In such case, we assign (+) sign to a particular direction and (-) sign to the
opposite direction and then add them ‘along with the sign’ and that gives us
the correct answer. E.g., if there are 3 successive displacements S 1 (6 m to east)
then S2 (2 m to west) and then S3 (5 m to east). S is the net displacement to be
found out. We first assign + to all eastward directions and – to all westward
directions. Then we get,
S1 = +6 S2 = -2 S3 = +5
S = S1 + S2 + S3 = (+6) + (-2) + (+5) = +9. Thus, S is 9 m to east

2.1.2 Pictorial Representation of a Vector

A vector is pictorially represented by an arrow. The arrow has a length which
represents the magnitude of the vector and the direction of the arrow is the
direction of the vector. Consider the same S 1, S2 and S3 displacements as above.
We draw them as below.

Each vector has a tail and head. Its direction is from tail to head. We can name
it as vector S1 ( ⃗S1) or call it as vector AB (⃗
AB ). While naming, we must say the
tail first and then head. So, note that in vector CD ( ⃗S2) C is on the right side as
the vector is going from right to left, it is going towards west
2.1.3 Addition - Pictorial
Let us continue with same example taken above. We can add vectors
pictorially. We have vector ⃗Sa = ⃗S1 + ⃗S2 = ⃗AB + ⃗
CD. How to get magnitude and
direction of ⃗Sa by pictorial addition? First, we draw AB. Then we keep tail of CD
(i.e. C) on head of AB (i.e B). We overlap points B and C as shown below. Here
CD is drawn a bit above AB to see it clearly. Actually, they will be exactly on
same line.

We get a new vector AD (red arrow) (tail at A and head at D) which is Sa = S 1 +

S2

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Now, we add S3 to Sa in the same manner. Keep tail of S3 (E) on the head of Sa
(D). The final addition vector is A to F, vector AF = vector S = Net displacement
= 9 m to east. (it is the black arrow in the below diagram). (Again, note that, all
points are actually in same line; but they are shown above or below, for sake of
readability of diagram)

2.1.4 Triangle Law of Addition

In real life situations, things are not always along a straight line. A rail track
turns. Roads intersect at various angles. Two forces can act on an object at
various angles. The moment we stop working only along a straight line the +
and – convention cannot be used. We must use the pictorial method to add the
vectors. We will understand it by taking a simpler case where two vectors being
added are perpendicular to each other.

Consider a book kept on a horizontal table. Two forces are acting on it

simultaneously. F1 (3 N towards north) and F2 (4 N towards east). We want to
find the net force (Fnet) on the book; its magnitude and its direction. Visualize
that you are looking at the table downwards from above and you can draw
below diagram.

This is called as Triangle Law of Vector Addition. We keep tail of F2 (C) on head
of F1 (B). Then we construct a triangle, where an arrow goes from tail of F1 (A)
to head of F2 (D) to give us triangle ABD. Vector AD is addition of vector F1 and
Vector F2 and it is the net force Fnet. F1 + F2 = Fnet = Vector AD
Magnitude of Fnet can be found by Pythagoras theorem as AB and CD are
perpendicular to each other. Fnet = Sqrt [(F1)² + (F2)²]
What about direction of AD? Angle BAD = θ. We know that sin θ = F2 / Fnet.
Once we know value of sin θ, we know the angle. θ = sin ˉ¹ ( F2 / Fnet ). We can
also find it using, θ = cosˉ¹ ( F1 / Fnet ) or θ = tanˉ¹ ( F2 / F1 )

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The two vectors being added need not be always at right angle. We need a
formula for any angle θ between the two vectors. Same triangle method is to
be used. Consider two vectors ⃗ V 1 and ⃗
V 2 to be added. We need to find
magnitude and direction of ⃗
V =⃗
V1 + ⃗
V2

We get magnitude of V using what we call ‘Generalized Pythagoras Theorem’.

Let us name the tail and head of the vectors as per below diagram. Drop a
perpendicular CP from head of V2 (point C) on to line / direction of V 1. Now we
have two right-angled triangles viz., APC and BPC.

We apply the standard Pythagoras theorem and trigonometry to get the

generalized Pythagoras theorem.

Remember, we know V1, V2 (both magnitudes) and angle θ between them.

Once we know θ, we also know sin θ, cos θ and tan θ.
To find V (magnitude) and angle β it makes with V1.

sin θ = CP / BC. Thus CP = BC sin θ. CP = V2 sin θ

cos θ = BP / BC Thus BP = BC cos θ. BP = V2 cos θ
AP = AB + BP AP = V1 + V2 cos θ

AC² = AP² + CP²

V² = (V1 + V2 cos θ)² + (V2 sin θ)²

V² = (V1)² + (V2)² cos² θ + 2 V1V2 cosθ + (V2)² sin² θ
V² = (V1)² + (V2)² (cos² θ + sin² θ) + 2V1V2 cosθ

We know that (cos² θ + sin² θ) = 1 --- (refer point 7 in section 1.2 above)

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V² = (V1)²+ (V2)² + 2V1V2 cos θ This is the Generalized Pythagoras Theorem.

Note that, if V1 & V2 are perpendicular to each other, then θ = 90° cos 90 = 0
This gives us the standard Pythagoras theorem V² = (V1+ (V2)² which is a special
case of the general form.

We have calculated magnitude of V.

V = sqrt [(V1)² + (V2)² + 2V1V2 cosθ]
To find direction of V, tan β = CP / AP = V2 sin θ / (V1 + V2 cos θ)
β = tanˉ¹ [V2 sin θ / (V1 + V2 cos θ)]

We fully know (magnitude & direction both) vector V in terms of V 1, V2 and θ

2.1.5 Parallel Shift of a Vector

A vector is unchanged if its position is shifted without changing is magnitude
and direction. This is explained in below diagram. Two people are walking along
two opposite sides of a rectangular ground. Both are going towards east. Their
displacements vectors Sa and Sb are same whether I draw them in the ground
or outside the ground. Important thing is magnitude and direction are
unchanged.

2.1.6 Vector Subtraction

Vector AB and vector CD are of same magnitude and opposite to each other.
AB = - ⃗
Thus ⃗ CD. Also, ⃗
CD = - ⃗
AB . So, if one has to subtract vector AB from a
vector PQ, one can add vector CD to vector PQ.
⃗ AB = ⃗
PQ – ⃗ PQ + (⃗
CD). This is just like scalar subtraction, 11 – 3 = 11 + (-3)

2.2 Vector Resolution

There are situations when we do not have two vectors. We have been given
only 1 vector. So, we know the magnitude of the given vector V and also the
angle it makes with some standard direction like east direction. Consider a
force F = 100 N (vector AB) as shown below. It makes an angle of θ = 37° in

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anticlockwise direction with east. We say that Force F is 37° north of east. See
diagram below.

Now, we try to find two vectors Fe (towards east) and Fn (towards north) which
we call two components of F that are mutually perpendicular to each other
and when we add them up, we get the original vector F. Thus, we have Fe + Fn
= F. One of these components (in this case Fe) is along the known direction
(east), and we know the angle given vector (F) makes with east. The other
direction (north) is perpendicular to this given direction.
To find the components, visualize a right-angled triangle, and make the given
vector F is its hypotenuse. Then the two sides of the right triangle are the two
components of the given vector. See diagram below.

We did this by dropping a perpendicular BP from point B onto the east

direction line. So, we get vector AP = Fe, vector PB = Fn as two components of
F. Note that, Fe + Fn = F. We know the directions of these components. Using
trigonometry, we calculate their magnitudes. Fe = F cos37 = 100 (0.8) = 80 N
and Fn = F sin37 = 100 (0.6) = 60 N

2.3 Solved Numerical Problems

1) Net force F (40 N) on an object is in the direction 30° south of west. Draw the
net force pictorially. Can you describe the direction in any other words?
Solution: The vector F can be drawn as below.

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One can also describe the direction as 60° west of south. We can also say that
vector F is making an angle of 30° with west in the anti-clockwise direction.

2) A person walked 24 m towards north and then 34 m towards south. What is his
total displacement?

Solution: All vectors are along same line (north south line). Let us call north as +
(positive) and south as – (negative). S1 = +24 m and S2 = -34 m

S = S1 + S2 = (+24) + (-34) = -10 m. Net displacement is 10 m towards south.

3) A person walked 3 m towards south and then 11 m towards north

and then 6 m towards east. What is his total displacement?
Solution: Addition of first 2 displacements is (-3) + (+11) = +8 m. that
is 8 m towards north. Now we have to add (8 m to north) to (6 m to
east). We can’t do this second addition by using +/- sign convention.

S = sqrt (8² + 6²) = 10 m

Direction of S is θ° east of north. tan θ = 6/8 = 0.75 θ = tanˉ¹ (0.75)
From table, we know that tan 37° = 0.75 Thus, S is 37° east of north.

4) A book is kept on a horizontal table. Isha is pushing it with force F1 = 4 N

towards east. At the same time, Taniya is pushing it with a force F2 = 3 N
towards south. What is the magnitude and direction of net force on the book?
Solution: The vector addition diagram is as shown below.

F = sqrt (F1² + F2²) = sqrt (4² + 3²) = 5 N = magnitude of net force

F is making angle β° with east in clockwise direction (i.e. F is south of east).
sin β = F2 / F = 3 / 5 = 0.6 β = sinˉ¹ (0.6) = 37° south of east.

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Note, one can write tan β = F2 / F1 = 3 / 4 = 0.75 and get the same answer.

5) A vector V is made up of two components Vx and Vy along X and Y axes resp. Vx

= - 8 and Vy = +15. Find magnitude of V and its direction.
Solution: From diagram below, we get V = sqrt [ (-8)² + (+15)² ] = 17

V makes θ with -X axis in clockwise direction. θ = tan ˉ¹ (15/8) = tan ˉ¹ (1.87) In

case the table does not have (15/8) value in the tan row, then we will not know
the exact value of the angle. We can then approximate by looking at other
values in the table or we can just leave it at θ = tanˉ¹ (1.87).

6) Lines A and B are perpendicular to each other. Vector OP is force of F = 100 N

acting vertically downwards as shown in the diagram. Find the two mutually
perpendicular components Fa and Fb along lines A and B respectively.

Solution: We redraw the diagram by dropping a perpendicular PQ from P on

line B as shown below. Make OP (vector being resolved) hypotenuse of right
triangle OPQ. We get vector OQ + vector QP = vector OP such that OQ and QP
are Ʇ to each other, OQ is along line B & QP is along line A.

We have Fa = QP and Fb = OQ. Angle POQ is 20°.

sin 20 = Fa / OP Fa = OP sin 20 Fa = 100 (0.34) = 34 N

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cos 20 = Fb / OP Fb = OP cos 20 Fb = 100 (0.94) = 94 N

7) A car (mass 1200 kg) is parked on a road which makes angle of 10° with
horizontal. Resolve the weight of the car in a direction along the road and
perpendicular to the road.
Solution: This problem is similar to the one above. W = mg = weight= 12000 N
Make W hypotenuse of of a right triangle.
Wa = weight component along the road = W sin θ = 12000 sin 10
Wa = 12000 x 0.17 = 2040 N
Wp = perpendicular component = Wcosθ = 12000 x 0.98 = 11760 N

8) Three forces are acting on an object at the same time. F1 = 10 N towards east.
F2 = 8 N towards north and F3 = 6 N towards west. What is the net force on the
object? Find its magnitude and direction.
Solution: Let us draw vectors using pictorial addition, keeping tail of F2 on head
of F1 and then tail of F3 on head of F2.

We join tail of F1 to head of F3 to get vector XY = net force F = F1+F2+F3.

Point P is the base of the dotted perpendicular line. So, we have right triangle,
XPY. XP = 10 - 6 = 4 PY = 8. XY = sqrt (4² + 8²) = sqrt (80)
Hence magnitude of net force F = XY = 4(sqrt 5) N
tan θ = 8/4 = 1.5 Thus F is θ° north of east where θ = tanˉ¹ (1.5).
From table we know that θ is between 53° and 60°. It could be approx. 56°, but
we can just say that θ is tan inverse of 1.5

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2.4 Vectors Assignments

2.4.1 Vectors Assignment 1
1) A force of F1=30N is acting on a block towards east. Same moment, another
force F2=40N is acting on the block towards north. Find Net force F (a) Find
magnitude (b) Find direction
2) An object had a displacement of S1 = 300 m towards south. Then it had
displacement of S2 =100 m towards North. What is the net displacement S? (a)
Magnitude (b) direction
3) An object had a displacement of S1 = 300 m towards south. Then it had
displacement of S2 =100 m towards west. What is the net displacement S? (a)
Magnitude (b) direction
4) Three forces F1, F2 and F3 are acting on an object. F1 = 12N towards East. F2 =
9N towards south and F3 = 4N towards north. Find (a) magnitude of net force F
(b) direction of net force F
5) A force of F1=40N towards north is acting on a body. Another force F2 is also
acting simultaneously. The net force is 41N and its direction is 12.7 degree west
of north. Find magnitude and direction of force F2.
6) F1 (8N towards –X axis direction) and F2 (15N towards –Y axis direction) are
simultaneously acting on a ball. Find the magnitude of net force on it and its
direction.
7) At time t=0, a car was moving at 36 km/h towards +X axis. It maintained that
speed for 8 seconds. Then it turned through 90 degrees (assume no speed
change while turning...or an instantaneous turn in no time) and then it
accelerated at 0.4 m/s^2 for 10 seconds along +Y axis. (a) Find the total
displacement of the car in 18 seconds - magnitude and direction. (b) Find the
average speed
8) In below diagrams and text treat all as vectors. Angle at C is 90º. Read all below
as vectors symbols; i.e AC means vector AC i.e from A to C. If answer to any
question is no, then re-write it in correct way.

(a) Is AD–CD=AC? (b) Is CB+CD=BD? (c) Is AC+CD=AD (d) Is AB+BC+CD=AD?

(e) Is AB + BC = AC (f) Is AD – CD = AC? (g) Is BC – DC = BD
9) A person walked 1.2 km towards North. Then 1100 m to west. Then 600 m to
east. What is his displacement. Find magnitude and direction.

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10) A person started from the north-west corner of a square garden of lawn area
484 sq m. He walked parallel to the boundary of the garden. First to south for
44 seconds at a constant speed of 0.5 m/s. Then he quickly turned to east and
walked for 22 seconds at double the first speed. He stopped suddenly and
rested for 7 seconds. Then he started from rest and accelerated uniformly at 5
m/s² towards north for 2 seconds. Find his average velocity.
2.4.2 Vectors Assignment 2

1) A force of F = 60N is acting on a body as per the diagram shown. Find the
components of the force along the X axis and Y axis.

2) A force of F = 60N is acting on a body as per the diagram shown. Find the
components of the force along the X axis and Y axis.

3) A force of F = 200 N is acting on a body as per the diagram shown. Find the
components of the force along the X axis and Y axis.

4) A person started from origin and walked S = 1200 m in a straight line in the
direction as shown below to reach a point P. Had he walked first towards east a

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distance S1 m and then towards north a distance S2 m to reach same point P,

then find S1 and S2.

5) A person C walked from O to P in a straight line in the direction 53° west of

north. He walked for 40s at a constant speed of 8 m/s. Another person D
started from O at the same instant as C started. Person D walked first towards
west for 20 s and then towards north for 20 s. Speed of D was also constant at
8 m/s. (a) Find the difference between distance travelled by C and that by D.
Who walked more distance? (b) Find the difference between displacement
(magnitude) by C and that by D. Who had more displacement? (c) What is the
direction of displacement of D?
6) Observe below diagram. A scooter (S) of mass 200 kg is parked on a road that
makes an angle of 37° with horizontal. (a) what is the magnitude of weight of
the scooter? (b) What is the direction of weight? (c) The force (i.e. weight = W)
is resolved in 2 components Wa (weight along the road) and Wp (weight
perpendicular to the road). Find magnitude of Wa and Wp. (d) Draw below
diagram in your notebook. Update the diagram to show vectors W, Wa and Wp
acting on the scooter.

7) A car (C) of mass 900 kg is parked on a road. The road makes an angle of 30°
with the horizontal. (a) what is the magnitude of weight of the car (b) What is
the direction of weight? (c) The force (i.e. weight = W) is resolved in 2
components Wa (weight along the road) and Wp (weight perpendicular to the
road). Find magnitude of Wa and Wp. (d) Draw diagram in your notebook and
show vectors W, Wa and Wp acting on the car.
8) A truck of mass 8000 kg is parked on a road making an angle of 7° with the
horizontal. (a) Find weight W of the truck (b) Find Wa = component of weight
along the road (c) Find Wp = component of weight perpendicular the road.

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9) A bus of mass 3000 kg is parked on a road making an angle of 20° with the
horizontal. (a) Find weight W of the bus (b) Find Wa = component of weight
along the road (c) Find Wp = component of weight perpendicular the road.
10) A motorcycle of mass 300 kg is parked on a horizontal road. (a) Find weight W
of the motorcycle (b) Find Wa = component of weight along the road (c) Find
Wp = component of weight perpendicular the road.
11) Starting from point A, a man jogged in a clock-wise direction along a
rectangular track ABCD shown below. He maintained constant speed of 4 m/s.
The total distance he jogged was 1020 m. (a) how many times his body
experienced some acceleration? (b) Find magnitude of his displacement at the
end of the jog. (c) Find direction of his displacement at the end of the jog.

2.5 Vector Answer Keys

2.5.1 Vector Answer Key 1
1) (a) 50N (b) direction will be θ° north of east so that θ = sin-1 (0.8). That is θ = 53°
2) (a) 200 m (b) towards south
3) (a) 100(√10) m (b) direction θ° west of south so that θ = sin-1 (1/√3) = sin-1 0.58
That is θ approx. 37° (a bit less than 37°). Above table does not give all values
but if you observe, closely, as angle θ increases, sin value also increases. Thus,
θ must be less than 37.
4) (a) 13N (b) θ° south of east and θ = sin-1 (5/13) = sin-1 0.38 Thus θ = approx. 22°
(just a bit more than 22°)
5) F2 is 9 N towards west.
6) (a) 17N (b) approx. 62 degree (using a calculator) (a bit more than 60 using
above table) with negative X axis and towards negative Y axis.
7) (a) 40(sqrt 13) m/s. Angle θ degree north of east where θ = tan-1 (1.5).
From above table 53 < θ < 60. A more detailed table, or a calculator can tell us
that θ = 56.3°
(b) average speed = 100 / 9 = 11.11 m/s

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8) b is wrong. Rest all correct. (b) BC + CD = BD

9) Displacement = 1300 m. approximately 22° west of north.
10) Displacement = sqrt (628) i.e. 25.05 m. In solving without calculator (you must
ALWAYS do manual calculations) it should be quickly noticed that 628 - 3 = 625
which is a perfect square. So, an approximation of 625 means a very small
error. So, take it as sqrt 625 which is 25, So displacement = 25 m. In most cases
this approach will be better rather than spending a lot of time in calculating
25.05 manually.
time from start to end = 75 s
Average velocity = 1/3 m/s. Direction θ degree south of east. sin θ = 12/25 =
0.48.
So θ = 30º (approx.) Sin 30º=0.5
Understand the importance of ** appropriate level of approximation** to do
fast calculations. Typically, 2% to 3 % error is acceptable in many scenarios.
But whenever quick perfect calculation is possible – that MUST be the first
choice.
2.5.2 Vector Answer Key 2
1) Fx = X axis component = 60 cos60° = 60 x 0.5 = 30 N
Fy = Y axis component = 60 sin60° = 60 x (√3)/2= 54 N (approx. by taking 0.9)
2) Fx = X axis component = 80 cos 37° = 80 x 0.8= 64 N (along negative X)
Fy = Y axis component= 80 sin 37° = 80 x 0.6= 48 N (along positive Y axis)
3) Fx = X axis component = 200 cos 20° = 200 x 0.96= 192 N (along negative X)
Fy = Y axis component = 200 sin 20° = 200 x 0.34= 68 N (along negative Y axis)
4) S1 = 1200 cos 24° = 1200 x 0.91= 1092 m (towards east)
S2 = 1200 sin 24° = 1200 x 0.41= 492 m (towards north)
5) (a) same distance by both = 320 m (b) Sc = 320 m (magnitude) and Sd = 224 m
(c) D’s displacement is at 45° north of west.
6) (a) weight = W = 2000 N (b) weight is always vertically downwards
(c) Wa = Wsin37 = 1200 N Wp = Wcos37 = 1600N

7) (a) weight = W = 9000 N (b) weight is always vertically downwards

(c) Wa = Wsin37 = 5400 N Wp = Wcos37 = 7200N

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8) (a) weight = W = 80000 N

(b) Wa = Wsin37 = 9760 N Wp = Wcos37 = 79360 N
9) (a) weight = W = 30000 N
(b) Wa = Wsin37 = 10200 N Wp = Wcos37 = 28200 N
10) (a) weight = W = 3000 N
(b) Wa = Wsin0 = 0 N Wp = Wcos0 = W = 3000 N
11) (a) 14 times (each time he turned at the corner, there was an acceleration)
(b) magnitude of displacement = 20(√13) m (c) θ = tanˉ¹ 0.67 i.e. 33.6⁰ east of
south (without calculator, from table above, one can say between 30 & 37 or
approx. 33⁰ east of south)
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