PHYSICS XI

FOR CBSE & COMPETITIVE BATCH

(IIT – JEE / NEET / CBSE)

1. UNITS & MEASUREMENT

2. MOTION IN A STRAIGHT LINE
3. MOTION IN A PLANE

By:

ER. SHANTANU SHEKHAR

(IIT JEE / CBSE / NEET)
98-1111-3934
STUDY AMAR COLONY GREATER KALKAJI MALVIYANAGAR SARITA VIHAR
CENTRES: +91-9616263645 KAILASH -2 9971489880 9999148223 9873987371
9919271927
 PHYSICS (Code No. 042)
COURSE STRUCTURE
Class
ClassXIXI– -2023-24
2025-26(Theory)
(Theory)

Time: 3 hrs. Max Marks: 70

UNIT CHAPTERS MARKS

Unit–I Physical World and Measurement

Chapter–1: Units and Measurements

Unit-II Kinematics

Chapter–2: Motion in a Straight Line

23
Chapter–3: Motion in a Plane

Unit–III Laws of Motion

Chapter–4: Laws of Motion

Unit–IV Work, Energy and Power

Chapter–5: Work, Energy and Power

Unit–V Motion of System of Particles and Rigid Body

Chapter–6: System of Particles and Rotational Motion 17

Unit-VI Gravitation

Chapter–7: Gravitation

Unit–VII Properties of Bulk Matter

Chapter–8: Mechanical Properties of Solids

Chapter–9: Mechanical Properties of Fluids

Chapter–10: Thermal Properties of Matter

Unit–VIII Thermodynamics 20
Chapter–11: Thermodynamics

Unit–IX Behaviour of Perfect Gases and Kinetic Theory of Gases

Chapter–12: Kinetic Theory

Unit–X Oscillations and Waves

Chapter–13: Oscillations 10

Chapter–14: Waves

Total 70

1
↵
↵
↵
↵ Unit I: Physical World and Measurements
↵
↵ Chapter–1: Units and Measurements
↵
↵ Need for measurement: Units of measurement; systems of units; SI units, fundamental and
↵
↵ derived units. significant figures, Determining the uncertainty in result. Dimensions of
↵ physical quantities, dimensional analysis and its applications.
↵
↵
↵ Unit II: Kinematics
↵
↵ Chapter–2: Motion in a Straight Line
↵
↵ Frame of reference, Motion in a straight line, Elementary concepts of differentiation and
↵ integration for describing motion, uniform and non- uniform motion, average speed and
↵
average velocity and instantaneous velocity, uniformly accelerated motion, velocity - time
↵
↵ and position-time graphs. Relations for uniformly accelerated motion (graphical and calculus
↵ treatment).
↵
↵
Chapter–3: Motion in a Plane
↵
↵ Scalar and vector quantities; position and displacement vectors, general vectors and their
↵
↵ notations; equality of vectors, multiplication of vectors by a real number; addition and
↵ subtraction of vectors, Unit vector; resolution of a vector in a plane, rectangular components,
↵
Scalar and Vector product of vectors.
↵
↵ Motion in a plane, cases of uniform velocity and uniform acceleration- projectile motion,
↵
uniform circular motion.
↵
↵
↵ Unit III: Laws of Motion
↵
↵ Chapter–4: Laws of Motion
↵
↵ Intuitive concept of force, Inertia, Newton's first law of motion; momentum and Newton's
↵ second law of motion; impulse; Newton's third law of motion.
↵
↵ Law of conservation of linear momentum and its applications.
↵
↵ Equilibrium of concurrent forces, Static and kinetic friction, laws of friction, rolling friction,
↵ lubrication.
↵
↵ Dynamics of uniform circular motion: Centripetal force, examples of circular motion
↵ (vehicle on a level circular road, vehicle on a banked road).
↵
↵
↵
↵
↵ 2
↵
↵
↵
Unit IV: Work, Energy and Power
↵
↵
Chapter– 5: Work, Energy and Power
↵
↵
Work done by a constant force and a variable force; kinetic energy, work- energy theorem,
↵
↵ power.
↵
Notion of potential energy, potential energy of a spring, conservative forces: non-conservative
↵
↵ forces, motion in a vertical circle; elastic and inelastic collisions in one and two dimensions.
↵
↵
↵ Unit V: Motion of System of Particles and Rigid Body
↵
↵ Chapter–6: System of Particles and Rotational Motion
↵
Centre of mass of a two-particle system, momentum conservation and Centre of mass motion.
↵
↵ Centre of mass of a rigid body; centre of mass of a uniform rod. Moment of a force, torque,
↵ angular momentum, law of conservation of angular momentum and its applications.
↵
↵ Equilibrium of rigid bodies, rigid body rotation and equations of rotational motion, comparison
↵ of linear and rotational motions.
↵
↵ Moment of inertia, radius of gyration, values of moments of inertia for simple geometrical
↵ objects (no derivation).
↵
↵
↵
Unit VI: Gravitation
↵
↵ Chapter – 7: Gravitation
↵
↵ Kepler's laws of planetary motion, universal law of gravitation. Acceleration due to gravity and
↵
its variation with altitude and depth.
↵
↵ Gravitational potential energy and gravitational potential, escape speed, orbital velocity of a
↵ satellite, energy of an orbiting satellite.
↵
↵
↵
Unit VII: Properties of Bulk Matter
↵
↵
Chapter–8: Mechanical Properties of Solids
↵
↵
↵ Elasticity, Stress-strain relationship, Hooke's law, Young’s modulus, bulk modulus, shear
↵ modulus of rigidity (qualitative idea only), Poisson's ratio; elastic energy. Application of elastic
↵
↵
behavior of materials (qualitative idea only).
↵
↵
↵
↵
↵
↵ 3
↵
↵
↵
Chapter–9: Mechanical Properties of Fluids
↵
↵
↵ Pressure due to a fluid column; Pascal's law and its applications (hydraulic lift and hydraulic
↵ brakes), effect of gravity on fluid pressure.
↵
↵ Viscosity, Stokes' law, terminal velocity, streamline and turbulent flow, critical velocity,
↵ Bernoulli's theorem and its simple applications (Torricelli's law and Dynamic lift).
↵
↵ Surface energy and surface tension, angle of contact, excess of pressure across a curved
↵ surface, application of surface tension ideas to drops, bubbles and capillary rise.
↵
↵
Chapter–10: Thermal Properties of Matter
↵
↵ Heat, temperature, thermal expansion; thermal expansion of solids, liquids and gases,
↵
↵ anomalous expansion of water; specific heat capacity; Cp, Cv - calorimetry; change of state
↵ - latent heat capacity.
↵
↵ Heat transfer-conduction, convection and radiation, thermal conductivity, qualitative ideas of
↵ Blackbody radiation, Wein's displacement Law, Stefan's law.
↵
↵
↵
Unit VIII: Thermodynamics
↵
↵
↵ Chapter–11: Thermodynamics
↵
↵ Thermal equilibrium and definition of temperature, zeroth law of thermodynamics, heat, work
↵
and internal energy. First law of thermodynamics, Second law of thermodynamics:
↵
↵ Thermodynamic state variable and equation of state. Change of condition of gaseous state -
↵ isothermal, adiabatic, reversible, irreversible, and cyclic processes.
↵
↵
↵
Unit IX: Behavior of Perfect Gases and Kinetic Theory of Gases
↵
↵
↵ Chapter–12: Kinetic Theory
↵
↵ Equation of state of a perfect gas, work done in compressing a gas.
↵
Kinetic theory of gases - assumptions, concept of pressure. Kinetic interpretation of
↵
↵ temperature; rms speed of gas molecules; degrees of freedom, law of equi-partition of energy
↵ (statement only) and application to specific heat capacities of gases; concept of mean free
↵
↵ path, Avogadro's number.
↵
↵
↵
↵
↵
↵ 4
↵
↵
↵
Unit X: Oscillations and Waves
↵
↵
↵ Chapter–13: Oscillations
↵
↵ Periodic motion - time period, frequency, displacement as a function of time, periodic functions
↵
and their applications.
↵
↵
Simple harmonic motion (S.H.M), uniform circular motion and its equations of motion; phase;
↵
↵ oscillations of a loaded spring- restoring force and force constant; energy in S.H.M.
↵ Kinetic and potential energies; simple pendulum derivation of expression for its time period.
↵
↵
↵ Chapter–14: Waves
↵
↵ Wave motion: Transverse and longitudinal waves, speed of travelling wave, displacement
↵
↵ relation for a progressive wave, principle of superposition of waves, reflection of waves,
↵ standing waves in strings and organ pipes, fundamental mode and harmonics, Beats.
↵
↵
↵
↵
↵
↵
↵
↵
↵
↵
↵
↵
↵
↵
↵
↵
↵
↵
↵
↵
↵
↵
↵
↵
↵
↵
↵
↵
↵
↵
↵
↵
↵ 5
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Mathematical Tools

Some Basic Mathematical Tools

Trigonometry

h
p

90°
θ
b

Quadrants
s
90°

II I
Sin → Positive All trigonometric
cosec → Positive functions are positive.
180° 0°, 360°
III IV
tan→ Positive cos→ Positive
cot→ Positive sec → Positive

270°
angle θ ° ° ° ° ° 120° 135° 150° 180° 270° 360°
0 1 0 -1 0

1 0 -1 0 1

tan θ 0 ∞ 0 ∞ 0

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
6
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Mathematical Tools

Graph
sin θ cos θ

90° 450° 360°

+1 +1
90° 720°
720° 270°
0° 0°
450° 630°
-1 180° 360° 540° -1

180° 540°
270° 630°

sin θ → It is an increasing function, its values increase from 0 to + 1, +1 to 0, 0 to – 1, and -1 to 0. So, its
maximum value is + 1 and maximum value is – 1, it is also a repeated function.
cos θ → It is a decreasing function also a repeated function, its values decrease from + 1 to 0, 0 to -1
– 1 to 0 and 0 to +1. So, its maximum value is + 1 and minimum value is – 1.

Fundamental Trigonometric Relations

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
7
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Mathematical Tools

Some Important Trigonometrical Formulae

A – B) = 2 cos A sin B

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
8
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Mathematical Tools

Logarithmic Formulae

Important Formulae of mensuration

Common Identities

Quadratic Equation
An equation of second degree is called a quadratic equation. It is of the form:

The roots of a quadratic equation are

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
9
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Mathematical Tools

Differential Calculus
Differentiation

Integral Calculus
It is the reverse process of differentiation.

Indefinite integration (without limit)

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
10
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Mathematical Tools

Definite Integration (with limit)

Equations:

Straight line equation:

Y= mx + c
where, m → slope of a straight line
and c → intercept

Equation of a circle centred at (0,0),

Equation of a circle centred at (h,k),

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
11
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Mathematical Tools

Equation of parabola:
or,

Equation of ellipse:

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
12
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
(98-1111-3934)

PHYSICAL WORLD AND MEASUREMENT

Physics is the branch of science which deals with the study of nature and natural phenomena.

Scope and excitement of physics.

The two domains of interest in physics are: Macroscopic and Microscopic.

The macroscopic domain includes the study of phenomenon involving objects of finite size or terrestrial
scale and even on astronomical scale. This is classical physics.
ex: Mechanics, Electrodynamics, Optics and Thermodynamics etc.

The microscopic domain includes the study of phenomena involving molecules, atoms, nuclei electrons
and other elementary particles. This is Modern physics.
ex: Quantum theory is currently accepted as the proper frame work for explaining microscopic domain.

The domain intermediate between the macroscopic and microscopic domain has emerged it
involves the study of a few terms or hundreds of atoms or molecules. It’s called Mesoscopic physics.
Units and Measurement
All the quantities in terms of which laws of physics are described and whose measurement is necessary
are called physical quantities.
Measurement of any physical quantities involves comparison.
The chosen standard of measurement of a quantity which as essentially the same nature as that of
the quantity is called the unit of the quantity.

Fundamental units and derived units

In mechanics, we treat length, mass and time as the three basic or fundamental quantities and
the units of measurement of length, mass and time are therefore called fundamental units or
base units in mechanics.
Basic physical quantity Basic unit Symbol

1 Mass Kilogram Kg

2 Length Meter m

3 Time Second S

4 Temperature Kelvin K

5 Electric Current Ampere A

6 Luminous Intensity Candela Cd

7 Quantity of matter Mole mol

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
13
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
PHYSICAL WORLD & MEASUREMENT

The units of measurement of all other physical quantities, which can be obtained from fundamental
units are called derived units.
ex: Speed, acceleration, force, work, energy etc.

System of Units
The common system of units which is used in mechanics are given below:
a) F.P.S System: In which uses foot as the unit of length, pound as the unit of mass and second as the
unit of time.
b) C.G.S System: which uses centimeter as the unit of length, gram as the unit of mass and second as
the unit of time.
c) M.K.S System: which uses meter as the unit of length, kilogram as the unit of mass and second as the
unit of time.
d) International system of units (SI) : This system of units is essentially a modification over the M.K.S
System and is therefore called rationalized M.K.S System.

ex: Force→ Newton, work → Joule, Power → Watt, electric potential → Volt etc
The two supplementary units on the S.I are :→ l
r
a) The radian (rad) → It is the unit of angle in a plane
θ

b) The Steradian (Sr) → It is the unit of solid angle. A

r
Ω Steradian Ω
O
Advantages of S.I
(i) S.I is coherent system of units i.e. a system based on certain number of fundamental units.
(ii) S.I is rational system of units i.e. it assigns only one unit to a particular physical quantity. For
example: Joule is a unit of all type of energy.
(iii) S.I is absolute system of units; it does not use gravitational units. The use of ‘g’ is not required.
(iv) S.I is metric system i.e. multiples and submultiples of units are expressed as power of 10.
(v) It is an internationally accepted system of units.
Metric prefixes
[Link] Power of 10 Prefix Symbol
(1) 10-1 deci d
(2) 10-2 centi c
(3) 10-3 milli m
(4) 10-6 micro μ
(5) 10-9 nano n
(6) 10-12 pico p
(7) 10-15 femto f
(8) 10-18 atto a
(9) 101 Deca da
(10) 102 Hecto h
STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYA NAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5
14
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
PHYSICAL WORLD & MEASUREMENT

(11) 103 kilo K

(12) 106 mega M
(13) 109 giga G
(14) 1012 Tera T
(15) 1015 Peta P
(16) 1018 Exa E

Some important macroscopic units of length:

(i) Astronomical unit (AU) Microscopic unit of length

1 AU = 1.496 x 1011 m 1.5 x 1011 m
(ii) Light year (ly) (i) 1 micron (μ) = 10-6 m
1 ly = 9.46 x 1015 m (ii) 1 nanometre (nm) = 10-9 m
(iii) Parsec (iii) 1 Angstrom = 1 Å = 10-10 m
1 Parsec = 3.1 x 1016 m (iv) 1 Fermi = 1 fm = 10-15 m
1 Parsec = 3.26 ly
(iv) 1 inch = 0.0254 m
(v) 1 foot = 0.3048 m
(vi) 1 yard = 0.9144 m
(vii) 1 mile = 1.609 x 103 m
(viii) 1 nautical mile = 1.852 x 103 m
Macroscopic unit of mass Microscopic unit of mass

(i) 1 tone or 1 metric ton = 1000 Kg (i) 1 atomic mass unit = 1.66 10-27
(ii) 1 quintal = 100 Kg Kg
(iii) 1 slug = 14.57 Kg (ii) 1 carat = 200 mg
(iv) 1 C.S.L. (Chandra Shekhar limit) = 1.4 times of mass of sun
Practical units for measuring time :

(i) Solar year : It is the time taken by the earth to complete one revolution around the sun in its orbit.
1 solar year = 365.25 average solar days
1 solar year = 366.25 sedrial days.

(ii) Solar day : It is the time taken by the earth to complete one rotation about its own axis w.r.t the sun.
(iii) Sedrial day : It is the time taken by the earth to complete one rotation about its own axis w.r.t a distant
star.
(iv) Tropical year : The year in which there is total solar eclipse is called tropical year.

(v) Leap year : The year which is divisible by 4 and in which the month of February has 29 days is called
a leap year.

(vi) Lunar month : It is the time taken by the moon to complete one revolution around the earth in its
orbit.
1 lunar month = 27.3 days.

(vii) Shake: It is the smallest practical unit of time.

1 shake = 10-8 s.

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYA NAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5
15
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
PHYSICAL WORLD & MEASUREMENT

Solved Examples

LEVEL -1
1 [For CBSE]
1. C
1 Calculate
l l t ththe angle
l off (second)
( d) in radians. Take 360° = 2π rad, 1° = 60’ and 1’ = 60”.
[NCERT]
(a) 1° (degree)

(i) rad. (ii) rad.

(iii) rad. (iv) rad.

Ans: since, 360 ° = 2π rad
π
So, 1° rad.
(b) 1’ (minute)

(i) rad (ii) rad

(iii) rad (iv) rad

′
Ans: 1° = rad.

So, 1’ rad rad

(c) 1”

(i) rad. (ii)

(iii) rad. (iv) rad.

Ans: 1’ = rad.

So, 1” rad rad.

2. Calculate the length of the area of a circle of radius 31.0 cm which subtends an angle of at
the centre. [NCERT]

(i) 12.5 cm (ii) 17.5cm

(iii) 15.8 cm (iv) 16.2 cm

Ans θ

π
θ

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYA NAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5
16
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
PHYSICAL WORLD & MEASUREMENT

4. What is coherent system of units?

Ans: A coherent system is based on a certain system of fundamental units, from which derived units are
obtained by multiplication or division without introducing numerical factors.

5. The density of mercury is 13.6g cm-3 in CGS system. Find its value in SI units. [CBSE] [NCERT]
Ans: 13.6 103kg m-3

6. Fill in the blanks: -

(a) The volume of a cube of side 1cm is equal to m3.
(b) The surface area of a solid cylinder of radius 2.0 cm and height 10.0 cm is equal to
(mm)2.
(c) A vehicle moving with a speed of 18km h-1 covers m in 1 s.
(d) The relative density of lead is 11.3. its density is g cm-3 or kg m-3. [NCERT]
Ans: a) m3. b) 15072 mm2. c) 5 m /s d ) 1130 kg m-3.

7. Fill in the blanks by suitable conversion of units:-

(a) 1 kg m2 s-2 = g cm2 s-2
(b) 1 m = ly
(c) 3.0 m s-2 = km h-2
(d) G = 6.67 10-11 Nm2(kg)-2 = (cm)3s-2g-1. [NCERT]
Ans: g cm2 s-2 b) ly c) 3.9 x km h-2 d) 6.67 10-8 cm3 s-2 g-1.

8. A SONAR (sound Navigation and Ranging) used ultrasonic waves to detect and locate objects
under water. In a submarine equipped with a SONAR, the time delay between generation of a
probe wave and the reception of its echo after reflection from an enemy submarine is found to be
77s. What is the distance of enemy submarine?
(Speed of sound in water = 1450 ms-1) [NCERT]
Ans: Here t = 77s, c = 1450 ms-1

Distance of enemy submarine

9. The value G in CGS system is 6.67 10-8 dyne cm2 g-2. Calculate the value in SI units.

10. What are fundamental and derived units? Give some examples.

11. What is a system of units? Mention the various types of systems of units. Define all the basic and
supplementary SI units. [CBSE]

LEVEL -2
2 [For CBSE]

12. If the unit of force is 1kN, unit of length 1km and the unit of time is 100s, what will be the unit of
mass? [NEET]
4
Ans: =10 kg.

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYA NAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5
17
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
PHYSICAL WORLD & MEASUREMENT

13. A new unit of length is chosen such that the speed of light in vacuum is unity. What is the distance
between the sun and the earth in terms of the new unit if light takes 8 min and 20s to cover this
distance? [NCERT]
Ans: Speed of light = 1 new unit of length / s
Time = 8min 20s = 8 × 60 + 20 = 500s
Distance between the earth and the sun
= speed of light × time = 1 × 500
= 500 new units of length.
14. When the planet Jupiter is at a distance of 824.7 million kilometers from the earth, its angular
diameter is measured to be 35.72” of area. Calculate the diameter of the Jupiter.

π
Ans: θ . [NCERT]

=rθ
π

1.429

Some Important practical units.

1. Astronomical unit (AU) → It is the average distance of the centre of the sun from the centre of
earth.
1 AU = 1.5
2. Light year (ly) → One light year is the distance travelled by light in vaccum in one year.
1 ly = 9.5
3. Par sec → One par sec in the radius of the circle at the centre of which on arc of the circle, 1AU
long subtends an angle of 1”.
1 par sec = 3.1

Relation between AU, ly and Par Sec

1 y = 6.3 l = 1AU
Θ = 1”
And 1 par – Sec = 3.26 y. r = 1 par sec

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYA NAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5
18
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
PHYSICAL WORLD & MEASUREMENT

LEVEL -1
1 [For CBSE]

Solved Examples
1. Calculate the number of light years in one metre.

(i)

(iii) (iv)

Ans: 1 ly = 9.46

y.

LEVEL -2
2 [For CBSE]

2. The nearest star to our solar system is 4.29 light years away. How much is this distance in terms
of par sec? How much parallax would this star show when viewed from two locations of the earth
six months a part in its orbit in its orbit around the sun?

(i) (ii)

(iii) (iv)

θ =

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYA NAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5
19
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
PHYSICAL WORLD & MEASUREMENT
Measurement of large distances

Distance of a nearby star by parallax method:

Suppose N is the nearby star whose distance d from the earth is to be found. F is a
far off star whose direction and position is fixed for all positions of the earth in its orbital motion. When
the earth is at position A, the parallax angle between distant star F and nearby star N is determined. Let
it be after six months, the earth is at diametrically opposite position B. the parallax angle, NBF =
is measured.
Total parallax angle subtended by N on the earth's orbital diameter AB is

Solved Examples

LEVEL -2
2 [For CBSE]

1) The moon is observed from two diametrically opposite points A and B on earth. The angle ‘θ’
subtended at the moon by two directions of observation is 1° ′ . Given the diameter of earth to be
about 1.276 m. Calculate the distance of moon from earth. [NCERT]
(i) 4.74 m. (ii) 3.84 m.
(iii) 45.4 m. (iv) 9.04 m.
θ = 1° = .
′
= 2.91 × rad
= 3. 32 × rad.

rad.
m.
θ

r= =
θ
r = 3.84 m. Ans.

′′
2. The sun’s angular diameter is measured to be m. The distance of the sun from the earth is
1.496 m. what is the diameter of the sun? [NCERT]
(i) m (ii) m
(iii) m (iv) m

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYA NAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5
20
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
PHYSICAL WORLD & MEASUREMENT

θ=
′′
rad.
′′
= 9. 31 × rad.
So, l=rθ= 9.31 × rad.
m Ans.

3. What is meant by parallax and parallactic angle? How can we find the distance of the moon (or any
planet) by parallax method? [CBSE]
Ans: Parallax: Parallax is the apparent shift in the position of an object with respect to
another when we shift our eye sidewise. The closer object always appears to move in the
direction opposite to that of our eye.

Hold a pencil O in front of you. Close first the right eye and then the left. The position of the pencil
appears to change w.r.t. the background. This is called parallax. The distance between the two observation
points or the two eyes (LR = b) is called basis and LOR = θ is called parallax angle or parallactic angle.
Distance of the moon or any planet: To measure the distance S of the moon or a faraway planet P, we
observe it simultaneously from two observatories A and B on the earth, separated by a large distance AB = b.
we select a distant star S' whose position and direction can b taken approximately same from A and B.
Now PAS' = are measured from the two observatories at the same time. As b << S, so
we can take AB as an arc of length b.

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYA NAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5
21
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
PHYSICAL WORLD & MEASUREMENT
FUNDAMENTAL FORCES IN NATURE

GRAVITATIONAL FORCES: It is the force of mutual attraction between two bodies which is directly
proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance
between them.
M M

r
ELECTRIC FORCES: It is the force of attraction and
repulsion between any two-point charges which is directly proportional to the product their magnitude
of charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.
Q1 Q2
r

MAGNETIC FORCES: The force of attraction or repulsion between two magnetic poles is directly
proportional to the product of their pole strengths and inversely proportional to the square of the distance
between them.
m1
m1

N S

N
m2

S
m2

STRONG NUCLEAR FORCE: The strong attractive force which binds together the protons and
neutrons in a nucleus is called strong nuclear force.
It is the strongest force in nature which is about 1038 times stronger than the gravitational force,
and 100 times that of electrostatic force.

WEAK NUCLEAR FORCE: It is the force that appears only between elementary particles involved in
a nuclear process such as β-decay of nucleus. In β-decay, the nucleus emits an electron and
uncharged particle called neutrino.

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYA NAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5
22
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
PHYSICAL WORLD & MEASUREMENT
ACCURACY AND PRECISION
The accuracy of a measurement is a measure of how close the measured is to the true value of the
quantity.
In fact, precision is determined by the least count of the measuring instrument, smaller
the least count greater is the precision.
Ex: Suppose the true value of certain length is 3.678 cm. in the first and second experiment is found
to be 3.5 cm and 3.38 cm and its resolution is 0.1cm and 0.01- cm respectively. So, the first value is
more accurate the true value, but it has lesser precision.

SOLVED EXAMPLES

LEVEL - 3 [For CBSE & COMPETITIVE]

1. Time for 20 oscillations of a pendulum is measured as
a) What is the precision in the measurements?
b) What is the accuracy of the measurement? [IIT]
Ans: (a) Precision is given by the least count of the measuring instrument.

(b) Average time,

2. Distinguish between the terms precision and accuracy of a measurement. Explain with the help of a
suitable example. [CBSE]
Ans: Accuracy: It refers to the closeness of a measurement to the true value of the physical quantity. it
indicates the relative freedom from errors. As we reduce the errors, the measurement becomes more accurate.
Significant figures in the product or quotient of two numbers: In multiplication or division, the final result
should be reported to the same number of significant figures as that of the original number with minimum
number of significant figures.

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYA NAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5
23
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
PHYSICAL WORLD & MEASUREMENT

SIGNIFICANT FIGURES
The digits that are known reliably plus the first uncertain digit are known as significant digits or
significant figures.
Common rules for counting significant figures.
1) All the non - zero digits are significant.
Ex → if x = 1234 has four significant figures.
2) All the zeroes between two non - zero digits are significant, no matter where the decimal point is, if it
all.
Ex → If x = 1.0809 has five significant figures.
And x = 1007 has four significant figures.
3) If the number is less than 1, the zero(s) on the right of decimal point but to the left of the first non -
zero digit are not significant.
Ex → If x = 0.002308 the underlined zeroes are not significant so it has four significant figures.
4) The terminal or trailing zeros in a number without a decimal point are not significant.
Ex → if x = 123m = 12300 cm = 123000mm has three significant figures.
5) The trailing zeros in a number with a decimal point are significant.
Ex → If x = 3.500 or 0.06900 have four significant figures.

Solved Examples
LEVEL -1
1 [For CBSE]

1. Each side of a cube is measured to be 7.203m. What are the total surface area and the volume of
the cube to appropriate significant figures? [NCERT]
Ans: Surface area of the cube = 6(7.203 .
= 311.299254 .
= 311.3 .
Volume of the cube = (7.203 .
= 373.714754 .
= 373.7 .

2. 5.74 g of a substance occupies 1.2c . Express its density by keeping the significant figures in view.
[NCERT]
Ans:

= 4.8

3. State the number of significant figures in the following:

a) 0.007 b) 2.64 × c) 0.2370 g
d) 6.320 J e) 6.032 f) 0.0006032 . [NCERT]

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYA NAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5
24
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
PHYSICAL WORLD & MEASUREMENT

Ans: a) 0.007 b) 2.64 × → three

c) 0.2370 g → four d) 6.320 J → four
e) 6.032 →four f) 0.0006032 four.

LEVEL -2
2 [For CBSE]
4. The length, breadth and thickness of a rectangular sheet of metal are 4.234m, 1.005m and 2.01cm,
respectively. Give the area and volume of the sheet to correct significant figures. [NCERT]
Ans: Here l = 4.234m, b = 1.005m, h = 2.01cm = 0.0201m
Area of sheet = 2 (lb + bh + hl)

[Rounded off upto 3 significant figures]

Volume of the sheet

[Rounded off upto three significant figures].

5. The mean value of period of oscillation of a simple pendulum in an experiment is 2.825s. the
arithmetic mean of all the absolute errors is 0.11s. Round off the period of simple pendulum to
appropriate number of significant figure. Give reasons. [NCERT]
Ans: The absolute error 0.11 s has only two significant figures.
Period of simple pendulum = 2.9 s
[Rounded off upto 2 significant figures]

6. The length, breadth and thickness of a rectangular sheet of metal are 4.234 m, 1.005m, and 2.01 cm
respectively. Give the area and volume of the sheet of correct significant figures. [NCERT]
Ans: 8.72 m2 , 0.0855 m3.
7. The mass of a box measured by a grocer's balance is 2.3kg. Two gold pieces of masses 20.15g and
2017 g are added to the box. What is (a) the total mass of the box and (b) the difference in the masses
of the pieces to correct significant figures? [NCERT]
Ans: (a) Total mass of the box

The result has been rounded off to first place of decimal because mass (2.3kg) of box has digits upt this
place of decimal.
(b) Difference in masses of 2 gold pieces
= 20.17 g – 20.15g = 0.02g.
STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYA NAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5
25
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
PHYSICAL WORLD & MEASUREMENT

Dimensions of Physical quantities

The dimensions of a physical quantity are the powers to which the base
quantities are raised to represent that quantity.

Using the square brackets [ ] round a quantity means that we are dealing with the dimensions of the
quantity.
displacement L
Ex:- Velocity = = = [M0 L1 T -1]
time T

Velocity 1
LT
Acceleration = = = [M0 L1 T -2]
time T

Force = mass × Acceleration = [M] [LT-2] = [M1L1 T -2]

Four Types of Quantities.

1. Dimensional Constants → Whose values are constants and they possess dimensions.
For ex: → Velocity of light in vaccum (c) = 3× 10 8 m/s
Gravitational constant (G) = 6.67 × 10 -11 Nm 2 Kg -2 .
Plank’s constant (h) = 6.64 × 10 -34 J - Sec -1 .

2. Dimensional Variables → Whose values are variable and possess dimensions.

Ex → area, velocity, Force, density, acceleration etc.

3. Dimensionless constant →Whose values are constant but doesn’t possess dimensions.
Ex → pure numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 , mathematical constants π and ‘e’ etc.

4. Dimensionless variables → Whose values are variable but they don’t possess dimensions.
Ex → angle, strain, Relative density, specific gravity, co-efficient of friction, Refractive index.

Uses of Dimensional Equations

a) Check the accuracy of the formula.
b) Derive the formulae.
c) Conversion of one system of units into another.

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYA NAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5
26
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
PHYSICAL WORLD & MEASUREMENT

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYA NAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5
27
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
PHYSICAL WORLD & MEASUREMENT

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYA NAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5
28
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
PHYSICAL WORLD & MEASUREMENT

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYA NAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5
29
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
PHYSICAL WORLD & MEASUREMENT
Solved Examples

LEVEL -1
1 [For CBSE]
11. Energy
E density
d it andd pressure h
have the same dimensions comment. [AIIMS]
Energy M1 L2 T 2
Ans: Energy density = = M0 L T0 = [M1L-1 T -2]
Volume
Force M1 L1 T 2
Pressure = = = [M1L-1 T -2] Same dimensions.
Area M0 L2 T0

2. Name the physical quantities whose dimensional formulae are as follows: [CBSE]
(i) ii) iii) iv) v)
v)
pressure or stress.
3. Deduce the dimensional formulae for the following physical quantities: [CBSE]
(i) Gravitational constant (ii) power (iii) Young’s modulus
(iv) Coefficient of viscosity (v) Surface tension (vi) Planck’s constant.
1 3 2 2 3
M L T ii) ML T ML 1 T 2 ML 1 T 1 MT 2 ML2 T 1

4. Deduce the dimensional formulae of the following physical quantities: [CBSE]

(a) Heat
(b) Specific heat
(c) Latent heat
(d) Gas constant
(e) Boltzmann’s constant
(f) Coefficient of thermal conductivity
(g) Mechanical equivalent of heat.
ML2 T 2 b) L2 T 2 K 1 c) L2 T 2 d) ML2 T 2 K 1 mol 1 e) ML2 T 2 K 1
e) MLT 3 K 1
g) M0 L0 T0

5. Find the dimensional formulae of (i) charge (ii) potential (iii) resistance (iv) capacitance.
2
Ans: (i) [AT] (ii) ML2 A 1 T 3
(iii) ML2 A 2 T 3
M 1 L A2 T4

6. Write three physical quantities having dimensions [ML-1T-2].

Ans: pressure, stress and young’s modulus of elasticity.

LEVEL -2
2 [For CBSE]
7. What are the dimensions of ‘a’ and ‘b’ in the relation F = at + bx, where F is force and x is
distance? [NEET]
1 1 -3 1 0 -2
(a) 1
[M L1 T ] -2 (b) [M L T ] [M L T ]
1 0 -2
(c) [M L T ]. (d) [M1L0 T2]

Ans: at = Force
And bx = Force.
So, at = [M1L1 T -2]
STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYA NAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5
30
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
PHYSICAL WORLD & MEASUREMENT
M1 L1 T 2
a= = [M1L1 T -3].
M0 L0 T1

and, bx = [M1L1 T -2]

M1 L1 T 2
b= = [M1L0 T -2].
M0 L1 T0

8. In the eqn Y = A sin (ωt – Kx) obtain the dimensional formula of word K and ω, given x is
distance and t is time. [NEET]
(b) [M1L1 T1] [M1L0 T -2]
1 0 -2
[M L T ]. [M1L0 T2]

Ans: ωt = angle = θ
and Kx = angle = θ.
θ
Hence, ω= =
t
θ
K= =
x

LEVEL -3
3 [For CBSE & COMPETITIVE ]

9. In Vander wall’s equation ( P + ) (V – b) = RT. What are the dimensions of a and b? here P is
pressure, V is volume, T is temperature and R is gas constant. [IIT]
1 5 1 1 0 -2
(b) [M L T ] [M L T ]
1 0 -2
[M L T ]. [M 0L3 T0]

Ans: ( P + ) = pressure =

a= M1 L 1
T 2
× M0 L6 T0 =
and b = volume = .

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYA NAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5
31
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
PHYSICAL WORLD & MEASUREMENT

SKILLS ASSESSMENT-1

LEVEL -1
1 [For CBSE]

1. In the expression P = El2 m-5 G-2; E, m, l and G denote energy, mass, angular momentum and
gravitational constant, respectively. Show that P is a dimensionless quantity. [CBSE]
Ans: [M0L0T0]

2. Rule out or accept the following formulae for kinetic energy on the basis of dimensional arguments:

3. If ‘slap’ times speed equals power, what will be the dimensional equation for ‘slap’? [CBSE]
Ans: [MLT-2 ]

4. The SI unit of energy is j = kgm2 s-2, that of speed v is ms-1 and acceleration a is ms-2. Which of the
formulae for kinetic energy (K) given below can you rule out on the basis of dimensional arguments
(m stands for the mass of the body): [NCERT]
(a) K = m2v3
(b) K = (1/2) mv2
(c) K = ma
(d) K = (3/16) mv2
(e) K = (1/2) mv2+ma
Ans: b) and d )

5. A book with many printing errors contains four different formulas for the displacement y of a
particle undergoing a certain periodic motion:
(a) Y = a sin 2 t/T
(b) Y = a sin vt
(c) Y = (a/T) sin t/a
(d) Y = (a 2 ) (sin 2 t/T + cos 2 t/T)
(a= maximum displacement of the particle, v = speed of the particle. T = time – period of motion).
Rule out the wrong formulas on dimensional grounds. [NCERT]
Ans: ii ) and iii) .

6. Magnitude of force f experienced by a certain object moving with speed v is given by

where K is a constant. Find the dimensions of K.
Ans:

7. Given an example of:

a) A physical quantity which has a unit but no dimensions.
b) A physical quantity which has neither unit nor dimensions.
c) A constant which has a unit. [CBSE]
d) A constant which has no unit.

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYA NAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5
32
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
PHYSICAL WORLD & MEASUREMENT

LEVEL -2
2 [For CBSE]

8. Find the dimensions of a b in the relation: where P is power, x is distance and t is time.
Ans: [M-1 L2 T2.] [NEET]
9. Find the dimensions of (a b) in the equation: where E is energy, x is distance and t is
time.
Ans: [M-1L2T.] [NEET]

10. Find the dimensions of (a/b) in the equation: where P is pressure, x is distance and t is
time.
Ans: [MT- 2.] [IIT]

LEVEL -3
3 [For CBSE & COMPETITIVE ]

11. The number of particles crossing a unit area perpendicular to X-axis in unit time is given by:
Where are number of particles per unit volume for the values of x meant
to be Find the dimensions of the diffusion constant D. [IIT]
Ans:

12. Find the dimensions of a/b in the equation: where F is force, x is distance, and t
is time. [IIT]
Ans:

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYA NAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5
33
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
PHYSICAL WORLD & MEASUREMENT

Check the correctness of the formulae

All formulae is correct in which the dimensions of L. H. S of the relations is equal to the
dimensions of R. H. S of the relation.

Solved Examples

LEVEL -1
1 [For CBSE]
1. Check the correctness of the relation Fc = where m is mass, v is velocity and r is radius of
the circle. [CBSE]

m v2
Ans: Fc =
r
L. H. S , Force = [M1L1 T -2].

m v2 M1 L2 T 2
R. H. S, = = [M1L1 T -2].
r L1

Hence, L.H.S = R.H.S

2. Check the accuracy of the formulate m = where is rest mass of a particle V is velocity

and C is velocity of light. [PMT]

m0
Ans: m =
v2
1
c2

L.H.S, m = mass = [M] = M1 L0 T0

m0 M
R.H.S, == 0 = M1 L0 T0
v2 M L0 T 0
1
c2

L.H.S = R. H. S.

LEVEL -2
2 [For CBSE]

3. Check the correctness of the relation t = 2π where ‘l’ is length and t is time period of a simple
g
pendulum, g is acceleration due to gravity. [CBSE]

Ans: t = 2π L.H.S, T = Time Period = M0 L0 T1 .

g

1 1
M0 L1 T0 2 0 1
M L T 22
R.H.S , 2π =
g M0 L1 T 2 M0 L1 T 1

L.H.S = R. H. S.
STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYA NAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5
34
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
PHYSICAL WORLD & MEASUREMENT

4. Check the accuracy of the relation Snth = u + (2n – 1) where u is initial velocity and Snth is the
distance travelled by the body in the n th second. [DCE]
a
Ans: Snth = u + (2n – 1)
2

L.H.S , Snth = M0 L1 T 1

a
R.H.S , = u + (2n – 1)
2

= [LT 1 ] + [LT 2 ] [T] = [LT 1 ]

= M0 L1 T 1
Hence, L.H.S = R.H.S.

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYA NAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5
35
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
PHYSICAL WORLD & MEASUREMENT

SKILLS ASSESSMENT-2

LEVEL -1
1 [For CBSE]

1. Check whether the following equation is dimensionally correct.

[NCERT]

Ans: Dimensions of LHS = Dimensions of RHS

2. Check the correctness of the equation,

[NCERT]
Where F is the force acting on a body of mass m and S is the distance moved by the body when its
velocity changes from u to v.

3. Check the dimensional consistency of the following equations: [CBSE]

LEVEL -2
2 [For CBSE]

4. The volume of a liquid flowing out per second of a pipe of length l and radius r is written by a student
as

Where P is pressure difference between the two ends of the pipe and coefficient of viscosity of
the liquid having dimensional formula check whether the equation is dimensionally
correct. [CBSE]

5. Check by the method of dimensions whether the following equations are correct:

P = pressure and

l = length of the string, T = tension in the string and m = mass per unit length. [NCERT]

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYA NAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5
36
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
PHYSICAL WORLD & MEASUREMENT

6. Using the principle of homogeneity of dimensions, find which of the following is correct: [NCERT]

7. Check by the method of dimensions whether the following equations are correct:

i) E= ii) T=2π iii) v = , where v = frequency of vibration , P = pressure , and ρ =

density of the medium .

iv ) v = where v = frequency of vibration, l= length of the string , T = tension in the string

m = mass per unit length. [CBSE]

8. Check the correctness of the relation = I , where is the torque acting on a body, I is the moment
of inertia and is angular acceleration. [CBSE]

LEVEL -3
3 [For CBSE & COMPETITIVE ]

9. By the method of dimensions, test the accuracy of the equation:

Where is the depression produced in the middle of a bar of length l, breadth b and depth d, when it is
loaded in the middle with mass m. y is the young’s modulus of the material of the bar. [NEET]

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYA NAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5
37
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
PHYSICAL WORLD & MEASUREMENT
Derive the Formulae

The factors on which the physical quantity depends then by using the principle of
homogeneity we can derive the formulae of the physical quantity.

Solved Examples

LEVEL -1
1 [For CBSE]

1. Consider a simple pendulum having a bob attached to a string that oscillates under the action of a
force of gravity. Suppose that the period of oscillations of the simple pendulum depend, upon its
length (l), mass of the bob (m) and acceleration due to gravity. Derive the expression for its time
period using method of dimensions. [CBSE]

Ans: T magb lc

T = K magb lc

L.H.S T = Time period = M0 L0 T1

R.H.S magb l c

= [M]a [LT – 2]b [L]c

= [M]a [L]b + c [T] -2b

Applying principle of homogeneity,
a=0 1.
b+c=0 2.
-2b = 1 3.

Solving these three eqn s.

1 1
Then a = 0, b = - , and c =
2 2

Now, T = K m agbl c
1 1
T = K m0 G 2 l2
Hence , ( K = 2π)
T = 2π

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYA NAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5
38
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
PHYSICAL WORLD & MEASUREMENT

LEVEL -2
2 [For CBSE]

2. The frequency of vibration (v) of a string may depend upon length (l) of the string. Tension (T) in
the string and mass per unit length (m) of the string. Using the method of dimensions derive the
formula for v. [CBSE]

Ans: v × la Tb mc
v = K la Tb mc.

Now, L.H.S v = frequency = M0 L0 T 1

R.H.S. = [ La Tb mc]
1 1
= [L a + M1 L T 2 ]b [T] = M1 L ]c

= [M]b +c [L]a +b – c [T] -2b

Applying principle ofSEE
homogeneity.
b+c=0 1.
a+b=0 2.
2b = - 1 3.

Solving these three eqn s.

1 1
Then a = - 1, b = , and c = -
2 2

Now, υ = K laTb mc
1 1
υ = K l -1 T 2 M 2

So,
υ=

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYA NAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5
39
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
PHYSICAL WORLD & MEASUREMENT

SKILLS ASSESSMENT-3

LEVEL -1
1 & 2 [For CBSE]

1. The velocity ‘v’ of water waves depends on the wavelength ‘ ’ , density of water ‘ ’ and the
acceleration due to gravity ‘g’. Deduce by the method of dimensions the relationship between these
quantities. [CBSE]
Ans: v = K

2. The escape velocity v of a body depends upon (i) the acceleration due to gravity of the planet and
(ii) the radius of the planet R. Establish dimensionally the relationship between v, g and R.
Ans: v = K

3. The frequency v of an oscillating drop may depend upon radius r of the drop, density of the liquid
and surface tension S of the liquid. Establish an expression for v dimensionally.

Ans: v = K

4. Derive by the method of dimensions, an expression for the volume of a liquid flowing out per second
through a narrow pipe. Assume that the rate of flow of liquid depends on
a) The coefficient of viscosity '
b) The radius 'r' of the pipe, and
c) The pressure gradient [CBSE]

LEVEL -3
3 [For CBSE & COMPETITIVE ]
5. Taking velocity, time and force as the fundamental quantities, find the dimensions of mass. [IIT]
Ans: [FT

6. If density , acceleration due to gravity g and frequency v are the basic quantities, find the
dimensions of force. [IIT]

7. If the velocity of light c, acceleration due to gravity g and atmospheric pressure p are the
fundamental quantities, find the dimensions of length. [NEET]
C2
[
g

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYA NAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5
40
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
PHYSICAL WORLD & MEASUREMENT
Conversion of one system of units into another

The magnitude of the physical quantity remains the same, whatever be the system of it
same measurement i.e.
Q = n1 n2.

M1 a L1 b T1 c
now, n2 = n1
M2 L2 T2

Solved Examples
LEVEL -1
1 [For CBSE]

1. convert 1 Newton into dyne. [CBSE]

5 4 -4
a. 10 dyne b. 10 dyne. c. 10 dyne. d. 10-5 dyne.
Ans: Newton is the absolute unit of force on m k s system and dyne is the absolute unit of force on C G S
system.
Force = M1 L1 T 2

M1 a L1 b T1 c
Now, n2 = n1
M2 L2 T2

1kg 1 1 m 1 1 sec 2
n2 = n1
1g 1 cm 1sec
1 2 2
103 g 102 cm 1 sec
n1 =
1g 1 cm 1sec

n2 = 1 × 105
1 Newton = 105 dyne.
2. convert an energy of 10 Joule into ergs. [CBSE]
a. 10-8 ergs b. 108 ergs. c. 104 ergs. d. 105 ergs.
Ans: Joule is absolute unit of energy on m.k.s system and erg is absolute unit of energy on cgs system.
Energy = M1 L2 T 2
From M. K. S system to CGS system.
M1 a L1 b T1 c
Now, n2 = n1
M2 L2 T2
1kg 1 1 m 1 1 sec 2
= 10
1g 1 cm 1sec
1 2 2
103 g 102 cm 1 sec
= 10
1g 1 cm 1sec
= 10 × 103 × 104 × 1
n2 = 108
10 Joule = 108 ergs.
STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYA NAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5
41
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
PHYSICAL WORLD & MEASUREMENT

LEVEL -2
2 [For CBSE]

3. How many ergs are these in 1 kilo watt hour? [PMT]

a. ergs. b. ergs. c. ergs. d. ergs.
Ans: watt hour is the unit of work.
work
Power = = [M1L2 T -3].
time
work = power × time = watt – sec.
So, 1 Kilowatt hour = 1 × 10 3 × watt × 60 × 60 × sec =
M1 a L1 b T1 c
= n1
M2 L2 T2
1kg 1 1m 1 sec
=
1g 1 cm 1sec
1 2
103 g 102 cm 1 sec
1g 1 cm 1sec
× 103 × 104 × 1

1kilo watt - hour = ergs.

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYA NAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5
42
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
PHYSICAL WORLD & MEASUREMENT

SKILLS ASSESSMENT- 4

LEVEL -1
1 [For CBSE]

1. The value G in CGS system is 6.67 10-8 dyne cm2 g-2. Calculate the value in SI units. [NCERT]
Ans: G = 6.67 10-11 Nm2 kg-2

2. The density of mercury is 13.6g cm-3 in CGS system. Find its value in SI units. [CBSE] [NCERT]
Ans: 13.6 103kg m-3

LEVEL -2
2 [For CBSE]

3. A calorie is a unit of heat energy and it equals about 4.2 J where 1J = 1kgm2s-2. Suppose we employ
a system of units in which the unit of mass equals kg, the unit of length equals m, the unit of
time is s. show that a calorie has a magnitude 4.2 a-1 -2 2 in terms of the new units. [NCERT]

4. Find the value of 60J per min on a system that has 100g, 100cm and 1 min as the base units.
Ans: 2.16 106 new units of power.

5. If the unit of force is 1kN, unit of length 1km and the unit of time is 100s, what will be the unit of
mass? [CBSE]
Ans: =104 kg.

Limitations of Dimensional Analysis

1) If a quantity depends on more than three factors having dimensions, the formula cannot be derived.
2) This analysis gives us no information about the dimension less constant in the formulae eg- 2, ‘π’ ‘e’ etc.
3) We cannot derive the formulae containing trigonometrical functions, exponential functions, log functions,
etc, which have no dimensions.
4) It gives no information whether a physical quantity is a scalar or vector.

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYA NAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5
43
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
PHYSICAL WORLD & MEASUREMENT

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYA NAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5
44
 FOR COMPETITIVE SECTION
IIT - JEE / NEET

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS [MCQS]

UNITS AND MEASUREMENTS

Physical quantities: All the quantities in terms of which laws of physics are described and whose
measurement is necessary are called physical quantities.
Measurement of any physical quantities involves comparison.
Physical units: The chosen standard of measurement of a quantity which as essentially some nature as
that of the quantity is called the unit of the quantity.
Basic physical quantity Basic unit Symbol Dimension
1 Mass Kilogram Kg [M]
2 Length Meter m [L]
3 Time Second S [T]
4 Temperature Kelvin K [K]
5 Electric Current Ampere A [A]
6 Luminous Intensity Candela Cd [Cd]
7 Quantity of matter Mole mol [mol]

Derived units: The units of measurement of all other physical quantities, which can be obtained from
fundamental units are called derived units. Ex: Speed, acceleration, force, work, energy etc.
The common system of units which is used in mechanics are given below:
System of Units
a) F.P.S System: In which uses foot as the unit of length, pound as the unit of mass and second as the unit
of time.
b) C.G.S System: which uses centimeter as the unit of length, gram as the unit of mass and second as the
unit of time.
c) M.K.S System: which uses meter as the unit of length, kilogram as the unit of mass and second as the unit
of time.
d) International system of units (SI) : This system of units is essentially a modification over the M.K.S
System and is therefore called rationalized M.K.S System.
Ex: Force → Newton (MKS), Dyne (CGS) , work → Joule or, Watt-sec (MKS), ergs (CGS)
Power → Watt (MKS), electric potential → Volt (MKS) etc
The two supplementary units on the S.I are :→
a) The radian (rad) - It is the unit of angle in a plane, b) The Steradian (Sr) - It is the unit of solid angle.
Ω Steradian
360 ° = 2π rad
1° rad.
′
rad
′′ rad.
Astronomical unit (AU), 1 AU = 1.496 x 1011 m 1.5 x 1011 m

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5. 45
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
UNITS & MEASUREMENT
IIT JEE / NEET

Light year (ly), 1 ly = 9.46 x 1015 m

1 par sec = 3.1

Accuracy: The accuracy of a measurement is a measure of how close the measured is to the true value of
the quantity.
Precision: Precision is determined by the least count of the measuring instrument, smaller the least count
greater is the precision.
Least count: Least count of instrument is smallest
measurement which can be made with instrument.
Least count =

Least count of Vernier calliper

Where, MSD = main scale division,
and VSD = Vernier scale division.

Least count of screw gauge

Distance of a nearby star by parallax method:

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
46
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
UNITS & MEASUREMENT
IIT JEE / NEET

DIMENSIONS OF PHYSICAL QUANTITIES

The dimensions of a physical quantity are the powers to which the base
quantities are raised to represent that quantity.
displacement L
Ex: Velocity = = = [M0 L1 T -1]
time T

Acceleration = = = [M0 L1 T -2]

Force = mass × acceleration = [M] [LT-2] = [M1L1 T -2]
Dimensional Constants → Velocity of light in vacuum (c) = 3× 10 8 m/s
Gravitational constant (G) = 6.67 × 10 -11 Nm 2 Kg -2 .
Plank’s constant (h) = 6.64 × 10 -34 J - Sec -1 .
Dimensional Variables → area, velocity, Force, density, acceleration etc.
Dimensionless constant → pure numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 , mathematical constants π and ‘e’ etc.
Dimensionless variables → angle, strain, Relative density, specific gravity, co-efficient of friction,
Refractive index.
All formulae is correct in which the dimensions of L. H. S of the relations is equal to the dimensions of
R. H. S of the relation.
Ex: F = ma
LHS, F = [M1L1 T -2], RHS, ma = [M1L1 T -2]

Same quantities can be added or subtracted but, not applicable in multiplication or division.
Ex: F = at + bx, where F is force then, at = force and bx = force.
x = ct2 – bt, where x is distance then, ct2 = distance and bt = distance.
Dimensions are used to derive the formula according to the principle of homogeneity.
Dimensions are used to convert one system of units into another,
The magnitude of the physical quantity remains the same, whatever be the system of it same
measurement i.e.

now,

ERRORS IN MEASUREMENT
The difference in the true value and the measured value of a quantity is called error of measurement.
Absolute Errors: The magnitude of the difference between the true value and the individual measured
value of the quantity.
Ex :- let the measured value be a1 , a2, a3, an . the arithmetic mean of these values.

Now, Absolute errors will be,

∆ a1 = am - a 1
∆ a 2 = a m – a2

∆ an = am – an.
STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
47
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
UNITS & MEASUREMENT
IIT JEE / NEET

Mean absolute Error:

Relative or Fractional Error:

= =
Percentage Error:

Combination of Errors
Error in a sum or in a difference: Suppose, x = a + b or, x = a – b.

Error of multiplication or division: Suppose, x = or,

= )
Error of powers:

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
48
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
UNITS & MEASUREMENT
IIT JEE / NEET

Multiple choice questions with one correct answer

LEVEL -3
3 [For CBSE & COMPETITIVE
1. According to Newton, the viscous force acting between liquid layers of area A and velocity gradient
Δv/Δx is given by where constant called coeffieicnt of viscosity. The dimensional
formula of [PMT] [NEET]
(a) (b)
(c) (d)

2. Turpentine oil is flowing through a tube of length l and radius r. the pressure difference between
the two ends of the tube is P. the viscosity of oil is given by where v is the velocity
of oil at a distance x from the axis of the tube. The dimensions of are [PMT]
(a) (b)
(c) (d)
3. The dimensional of Planck’s constant equal to that of
(a) Energy (c) Angular momentum [PMT]
(b) Momentum (d) power
4. Force is given by where t is time. What are the dimensions of a and b? [IIT]
(a) (c)
(b) (d)

5. Given that the displacement of an oscillating particle is given by y = A sin (Bx + Ct + D). the
dimensional formula for (ABCD) is [IIT]
(a) (b)
(c) (d)

6. The specific resistivity ρ of a circular wire of radius r, resistance R and length l is given by
Given r = (0.24 0.02) cm, R = (30 ± 1) Ω and l = (4.80 ± 0.01) cm. the percentage error
in ρ is nearly
(a) 7% (c) 18% [AIIMS]
(b) 20% (d) None of these

7. The frequency of vibration f of a mass m suspended from a spring of spring constant k is given by
relation f = a mx ky, where a is a dimensionless constant. The values of x and y are [IIT]
(a) (b)
(c) (d)

8. P represents radiation pressure, c represents speed of light and S represents radiation energy
striking per unit area per sec. the non – zero integers x, y, z such that Px Sy cz is dimensionless, are
(a) x = 1, y = 1, z = 1 (c) x = - 1, y = 1, z = 1 [AIIMS]
(b) x = 1, y = - 1, z = 1 (d) x = 1, y = 1, z = - 1
9. Which of the following is a dimensional constant?
(a) Relative density (c) Refractive index [PMT]
(b) Gravitational constant (d) Poisson’s ratio.

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
49
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
UNITS & MEASUREMENT
IIT JEE / NEET

10. The damping force on an oscillator is directly proportional to the velocity. The units of the constant
of proportionality are [AIPMT]
(a) (b)
(c) (d)
11. A quantity X is given by is the permittivity of the free space, L is a length, ΔV is a
potential difference and Δt is a time interval. The dimensional formula for X is the same as that of
[IIT]
(a) (b)
(c) (d)
12. Which of the following sets have different dimensions? [IIT]
(a) Pressure, Young’s modulus, stress
(b) Emf, potential difference, electric potential
(c) Heat, work done, energy
(d) Dipole moment, electric flux, electric field
13. A student performs an experiment to determine the Young’s modulus of a wire, exactly 2m long, by
Searle’s method. In a particular reading, the student measures the extensions in the length of the
wire to be 08mm with an uncertainty of ±0.05mm, at a load of exactly 1.0kg. the student also
measures the diameter of the wire to be 0.4mm with an uncertainly of ± 0.01mm. take g = 9.8m/s 2
(exact). The Young’s modulus obtained from the reading is
(a) (2.0 ± 0.3) × 1011 N/m2 (c) (2.0 ± 0.1) × 1011 N/m2 [IIT]
11 2 11 2
(b) (2.0 ± 0.2) × 10 N/m (d) (2.0 ± 0.05) × 10 N/m
14. A wire has a mas 0.3 ± 0.003g, radius 0.5 ± 0.005mm and length 6 ± 0.06cm. the maximum percentage
error in the measurement of its density is [IIT]
(a) (b)
(c) (d)
15. A Vernier calipers has 1mm marks on the main scale. It has 20 equal divisions on the Vernier scale
which match with 16 main scale divisions. For this Vernier calipers, the least count is [IIT]
(a) 0.02mm (b)
(c) (d)
16. The diameter of a cylinder is measured using a Vernier callipers with no zero error. It is found that
the zero of the Vernier scale lies between 5.10cm and 5.15cm of the main scale. The Vernier scale
has 50 divisions equivalent of 2.45cm. The 24th division of the Venire scale exactly coincides with one
of the main scale divisions. The dimeter of the cylinder is [IIT]
(a) (b)
(c) (d)
17. In a screw gauge, the zero of main scale coincides with fifth division of circular scale in fig. (i). the
circular divisions of screw gauge are 50. It moves 0.5 moves 0.5 mm on main scale in one rotation.
The diameter of the ball in fig, (ii) is
[IIT]

(a) (b)
(c) (d)
STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.

50
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
UNITS & MEASUREMENT
IIT JEE / NEET

18. If the unit of force is 1 kilo newton, the length is 1 km and time 100 s. what will be the unit of mass?
[AIPMT]
(a) (b)
(c) (d)
(e)
19. Out of the following four-dimensional quantities, which one qualifies to be called a dimensional
constant? [NEET]
(a) Acceleration due to gravity (b) Surface tension of water
(c)Weight of a standard kilogram mass (d) The velocity of light in vacuum.
20. The dimensions of torque are [DCE]
(a) (b)
(c) (d)
21. are the dimension of [DCE]
(a) Force (c) Momentum
(b) Moment of force (d) Power
22. The dimensions of the quantity hv/c, where h is Planck’s constant, v is the frequency and c is the
velocity of light are [PMT]
(a) (b)
(c) (d)
23. The dimensions of strain are [IPUEE]
(a) (b)
(c) (d)
24. Dimensions of bulk modulus are [DCE]
(a) (b)
(c) (d)

25. The equation of state of the gas is expressed as nRT; where P = pressure,
V= volume, T = temperature and n, a, b, R are constants. The dimensions of a will be [IIT]
(a) (b)
(c) (d)
26. The force F is given in terms of time t and displacement x by the equation F = A cos Bx + C sin Dt
formula of D / B is [AIIMS]
(a) (b)
(c) (d)
27. In the relation, y = r sin (ωt + kx) the dimensional formula for kx or ωt is same as [IIT]
(a) (b)
(c) (d)
28. The time period T of a small drop of liquid (due to surface tension) depends on density ρ, radius r
and surface tension S. the relation is [AIPMT]
(b)
(a)
(c) (d)

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.

51
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
UNITS & MEASUREMENT
IIT JEE / NEET

29. If L = 2.331cm, B = 2.1cm, then L + B? [DCE]

(a) (b) 4.43 cm
(c) (d)
29. If error in radius is 3%, what is error in volume of sphere? [NEET]
(a) (b) 27%
(c) (d)
30. Diameter of a steel ball is measured using a Vernier calipers which has divisions of 0.1cm on its main
scale (MS) and 10 divisions of its Vernier scale (VS) match 9 divisions on the main scale. Three such
measurements for a ball are given as follows: [IIT]
S. No, MS (cm) VS divisions
1 0.5 8
2 0.5 4
3 0.5 6
If the zero error is – 0.03 cm, then mean corrected diameter is
(a) (b)
(c) (d)

31. The force F is given by expression F = A cost (Bx) + C sin (Dt) where x is the displacement t is the
time. The dimensions of D/B are same as those of
(a) Velocity [LT – 1 ] (c) Angular momentum [ML2T – 1] [AIIMS]
–1 –1
(b) Angular velocity [T ] (d) Velocity gradient [ T ]
32. The pressure on a square plate is measured by measuring the force on the plate and the length of
the sides of the plate by using the formula, P = F/l 2. If the maximum errors in the measurement of
force and length are 4% and 2% respectively, then the maximum error in the measurement of
pressure is [AIIMS]
(a) (b) 2%
(c) (d)
33. Which of the following represents the correct dimensions of the coefficient of viscosity? [DCE]
(a) (b)
(c) (d)

34. Dimensions of where symbols have their usual meaning are [IIT]
(a) (b)
(c) (d)
35. Out of the following pairs, which one does not have identical dimensions [IIT]
(a) Moment of inertia and moment of a force
(b) Work and torque
(c) Angular momentum and Plank’s constant
(d) Impulse and momentum
36. The physical quantities not having the same dimensions are [AIIMS]
(a) Torque and work
(b) Momentum and Plank’s constant
(c) Stress and Young’s modulus
(d) Speed and 1/

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.

52
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
UNITS & MEASUREMENT
IIT JEE / NEET / CBSE

37. The period of oscillation of a simple pendulum is T = 2π Measured value of L is 20.0 cm known
to 1mm accuracy and time for 100 oscillations of the pendulum is found to be 90s using a wrist watch
of 1 sec resolution. [IIT]
(b)3%

38. Light year is the unit of [AIIMS]

(a) (b) distance
(c) (d)
39. parsec is the unit of [AIIMS]
(a) (b) distance
(c) (d)

40. Length cannot be measured by [NEET]

(a) (b) debye
(c) (d)
41. The dimension of the modulus of rigidity, is [AIIMS]
(a) (b)
(c) (d)

42. The dimension of Planck’s constant is [NEET]

(a) (b)
(c) (d)
43. Dimensions of electrical resistance are [AIIMS]
(a) (b)
(c) (d)
44. If the energy, E = Gphqcr, where G is the universal gravitational constant, h is the Planck’s constant
and c is the velocity of light, then the values of p, q and r are, respectively
(a) – 1/2, 1/2 and 5/2 (c) -1/2 ,1/2 and 3/2 [AIIMS]
(b) 1/2, - 1/2 and – 5/2 (d) 1/2 , - 1/2 and – 3/2

45. Pressure depends on distance as P = where, α, β are constants, z is distance, k is

Boltzmann’s constant and θ is temperature. The dimensions of β are [IIT]
(a) (b)
(c) (d)
46. The dimensions of (1/2) are ( permittivity of free space, E: electric field) [IIT]
(a) (b)
(c) (d)
47. If x = at + bt2 where x is the distance travelled by the body in kilometers while t is the time in seconds,
then the unit of b is [AIIMS]
(a) (b) kms
(c) (d)

48. The velocity of a particle at time t is given by v = at + where a, b and c are constants. The
dimensions of a, b and c are
STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
53
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
UNITS & MEASUREMENT
IIT JEE / NEET / CBSE
-2 2 –2
(a) [L] [LT] and [LT ] (c) [L ], [T] and [LT ] [NEET]
(b) [LT-2], [L] and [T] -2
(d) [LT ], [LT] and [L]
49. The time dependence of physical quantity p is given by P = P0 exp (- at2) where a is a constant and t
is the time. The constant a
(a) Is dimensionless (c) Has dimensions [T2] [AIIMS]
-2
(b) Has dimensions [T ] (d) Has dimensions of P.
50. The dimension of RC is
(a) Square of time (c) Time [IIT]
(b) Square of inverse time (d) Inverse time.
51. Which of the following dimensions will be the same as that of time t. [IIT]
(b) C/L
(a)
(c) (d)
52. The dimensional formula of magnetic flux is [AIIMS]
(a) (b)
(c) (d)
(e)
53. If energy E velocity (V) and time (T) are chosen as the fundamental quantities the dimensional
formula of surface tension will be [AIPMT] [NEET]
(a) (b)
(c) (d)

54. The density of a cube is measured by measuring its mass and length of its sides. If the maximum
errors in the measurement of mass and lengths are 3% and 2% respectively, the maximum error in
the measurement of density would be [PMT]
(a) (b) 14%
(c) (d)
55. If the error in the measurement of radius of r sphere is 2% then the error in the determination
volume of the sphere will be [PMT]
(a) (b) 6%
(c) (d)
56. If voltage across bulb rated 220V – 100 W drops by 2.5% of its rated value, the percentage of the
rated value by which the power would decrease is [IIT]
(a) (b) 2.5%
(c) (d)
57. In the experiment four quantities a, b, c and d are measured with percentage error 1%, 2% 3% and
4% respectively. Quantity P is calculated as follows: [NEET]
% error in P is
(a) (b) 10%
(c) (d)
58. In the formula: , X and Z have dimensions of capacitance and magnetic induction
respectively. What are the dimensions of Y in MKSQ system? [IIT]
(a) (b)
(c) (d)

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.

54
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
UNITS & MEASUREMENT
IIT JEE / NEET / CBSE
59. If force (F), velocity (V) and time (T) are taken as fundamental units, the dimensions of mass are
(b) [ ] [NEET]
(d) [ ]

60. Planck's constant (h), speed of light in vacuum (c) and Newton's gravitational constant (G) are
three fundamental constants. Which of the following combinations of these has the dimension of
length? [NEET]

(a) (b)

(c) (d)

61. A physical quantity of the dimensions of length that can be formed out of c, G and is [c is
velocity of light, G is universal constant of gravitational and e is charge], [NEET]
(a) (b)

(c) (d)

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.

55
KINEMATICS

CIRCULAR MOTION

PROJECTILE

56
57
E

58
 8

see
oooo 660112m

59
o

60
team

61
62
63
64
65
of

ideas

66
 Tsao

Soo

67
68
too

soooo

69
70
71
For

Eos

72
3
mummmmmm 73
74
 ooo

5
sept

on

75
76
 Tama

as

77
78
79
80
81
82
83
_e

84
85
86
87
88
 sees

so
so

89
90
was

91
yeast

92
sops

93
soooo

94
95
If

96
97
8

Good

98
soar

99
so
cos

100
101
off

102
103
see

104
105
106
stood

107
seats

108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
Folders

126
127
so

128
Joe
129
so [Link]

130
 mmmm

[Link] i

fffphgp
32
2 8
8 8
1 464

32 87 32 464 5
8t psec

131
she

Fosset

132
133
134
Joe

135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

VECTOR
All physical quantities are broadly classified in two types.
a) Scalars b) Vectors
a) Scalars quantity → Scalar quantity is those quantity which have magnitude only.
Ex: → Mass, Area, Volume, density, distance, speed, work, energy, power etc.
b) Vector quantity → Vector quantity are those quantities which have magnitude as well as direction. It is
represented by symbol suppose is a vector quantity.
Ex :→ Force, displacement, acceleration, Momentum velocity, Impulse, Tension etc.
= 10 N along x – axis
If we remove the vector sign (→) from the quantity, it represents magnitude only.
Ex :→ = 10 N along x – axis.
F or | | = 10N.
Modulus of vector also represents magnitude only.

There are so many types of vector :

a) Equal vectors → Two vectors are equal if they are same magnitude as well as direction.

b) Un equal or negative vectors → If they have equal in magnitude but opposite in direction.
Ex :- = 10 (along + x-axis). and = 10 (along – x axis).
Hence, = - .

c) Co-initial Vector → They are said to be co- initial of their initial point is common.

O
d) Coplanar Vector → Those vectors which are acting in the same plane.

e) Collinear Vectors → Those vectors which are acting in the same lines.

f) Localized Vector → Whose initial point is fixed is called localized vector.

g) Non- localized vector → It is that vector whose initial point is not fixed.

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
167
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

Parallelogram of Vector Addition

Let the two vectors and are inclined at an angle ‘ θ’
Draw RM perpendicular to OQ.
In ∆ QRM R
QM = QR Cos θ = A cos θ P
RM = QR Sin θ = A Sin θ. Let =
Now, In right angled triangle ORM =
OR2 = OM2 + RM2. =
θ
OR2 = (OQ + QM)2 + RM2. θ
β
OR2 = OQ2 + QM2+ 2OQQM + RM2.
R2 = B2 + A2 Cos2 θ + 2BA cos θ + A2 Sin2θ o
M
Q
θ
R=
This R is the resultant of the vectors .
Direction of resultant.
θ β=
tan β = =
θ

Triangle Law of Vector Addition

let the two vectors and are inclined at an angle ‘ θ’and the magnitude of vector.
Let, O , P = and Q
Draw QN perpendicular to OP.
In ∆ PQN
PN = B Cos θ and QN = PQ sin θ = B Sin θ.
Now, In right angled triangle OQN
OQ2 = ON2 + QN2.
R2 = (OP + PN)2 + (QN)2. θ
β
R2 = (A+ B Cos θ) 2 +(B Sin θ)2
R2 = A2 + B2 Cos2 θ + 2AB cos θ + B2 Sin2θ o P N
θ
θ
R=
This is the resultant of the vectors .
Direction of resultant.
θ
tan β = = β=
θ

Polygon law of vector addition

If any number of vectors acting on a particle at the same time are represented both in magnitude
and direction by the sides of an open polygon taken in the same order, then their resultant in the same
order, then their resultant is represented both in magnitude and direction by the closing side of the
polygon taken in opposite order.

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
168
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

Let the number of vectors and are acting in different direction as shown in fig:
To find their resultant vector, coincide the tail of with the head of of
and tail of with the head of to head of will
represent their resultant vector.

+ = where is the resultant vector of and

According to triangle law of vector addition,

In ∆ OPQ, O =

In ∆ OQS, O = +

In ∆ OST, O = + +

So, = + +
Properties of vector addition:
(i) Vectors representing physical quantities of same nature can only be added.
(ii) Vector addition is cumulative.

(iii) Vector addition is associate.

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
169
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

Solved Examples

LEVEL -1
1 [For CBSE]
1. State for each of the following physical quantities, if it is a scalar or a vector: volume, mass, speed,
acceleration, density, number of moles, velocity, angular frequency, displacement, angular velocity.
Ans: Scalars: Volume, mass, speed, density, number of moles and angular frequency.
Vectors: Acceleration, velocity, displacement and angular velocity.

2. Pick out the two scalar quantities in the following list: force, angular momentum, work, current,
linear momentum, electric field, average velocity, magnetic moment, reaction as per Newton's third
law, relative velocity.
Ans: Work and current.

3. Pick out the only vector quantity in the following list: Temperature, pressure, impulse, time, power,
total path length, energy, gravitational potential, coefficient of friction, charge.
Ans: Impulse.

4. State with reasons, whether the following algebraic operations with scalar and vector physical
quantities are meaningful:
(a) Adding any two scalars.
(b) Adding a scalar to a vector of the same dimensions.
(c) Multiplying any vector by any scalar.
(d) Multiplying any two scalars.
(e) Adding any two vectors.
(f) Adding a component of a vector to the same vector.
Ans: (a) No. Only two such scalars can be added which represent the same physical quantity.
(b) No. A scalar cannot be added to a vector even of same dimensions because a vector has a
direction while a scalar has no direction e.g., speed cannot be added to velocity.
(c) Yes. We can multiply any vector by a scalar. For example, when mass (scalar) is multiplied with
acceleration (vector), we get force (vector) i.e., = m
(d) Yes. We can multiply any two scalars. When we multiply power (scalar) with time (scalar), we get
work done (scalar) i.e., W = Pt.
(e) No. Only two vectors of same nature can be added by using the law of vector addition.
(f) No. A component of a vector can be added to the same vector only by using the law of vector
addition. So, the addition of a component of a vector to the same vector is not a meaningful
algebraic operation.
5. Read each statement below carefully and state with reasons, if it is true or false
(a) The magnitude of a vector is always a scalar.
(b) Each component of a vector is always a scalar.
(c) The total path length is always equal to the magnitude of the displacement vector of a particle.
(d) The average speed of a particle (defined as total path length divided by the time taken to cover
the path) is either greater or equal to the magnitude of average velocity of the particle over the
same interval of time.
(e) Three vectors not lying in a plane can never add up to give a null vector.
Ans. (a) True. The magnitude of a vector is a pure b number and has no direction.
(b) False. Each component of a vector is also a vector.
(c) False. The displacement depends only on the end points while the path length depends on the
actual path. The two quantities are equal only if the direction of motion of the object does
not change. In all other cases, path length is greater than the magnitude of displacement.

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
170
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

(d) True. This is because the total path length is either greater than or equal to the magnitude of
displacement over the same interval of time.
(e) True. This is because the resultant of two vectors will not lie in the plane of third vector and
hence cannot cancel its effect to give null vector.

6. Can the increment ∆a in the magnitude of vector be greater than the modulus of the increment of
the vector, that is, |∆ |? Can they be equal?
Ans: No, the increment ∆a cannot be greater than the increment |∆ | as shown in Fig.
The two will be equal if and ∆ have the same direction.

7. The direction of vector is reversed. Find ∆ , |∆ | and ∆a.

Ans: ∆ =– – =–2
|∆ | = 2a.

8. A vector is don't throw a small angle dθ without a change in its length. What are |∆ | and ∆a?
Ans: |∆ | = a dθ and ∆a = 0.

9. A boy travels 10 m due north and then 7 m due east. Find the displacement of the boy. [CBSE 2017]
Ans: Let the boy start moving from point O as shown in Fig.
= 10m due north; = 7m due east
By triangle law of vector addition, the resultant displacement is
+ =
| | = OB =
= = 12.21m
tan = = = 0.7
= tan-1 (0.7) = 35o
Displacement = 12.21 m, along N 35° E.
10. A body is simultaneously given two velocities, one 30 ms¹ due east and other 40 ms¹ due north. Find
the resultant velocity. [CBSE 2022]
Ans: Let the body start moving from O, as shown in Fig.
= = 30 ms – ¹, due east
= = 40 ms – ¹, due north
According to parallelogram law, is the resultant velocity.
Its magnitude is
v= = = 50 ms – ¹.
Suppose the resultant velocity makes angle β with the east direction. Then
tan β = = = 1.3333

β = tan – ¹ (1.3333) = 53°8'.

11. If two forces 10N and 5N are acting at an angle of 60° between them. Find the resultant force in
magnitude and direction.
Ans: R= θ
So, F= + +2 cos 60°

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
171
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

F=
F= = 5 N. 5N

° θ = 60°
tan β = = =
° β

β = tan-1 10N

13. Rain is falling vertically with a speed of 35m/sec. wind starts blowing after sometime with a speed
of 12m/s in east to west direction. In which direction should a boy waiting a bus stop hold his
umbrella?
Ans: Velocity of rain Vr = 35 m/sec.
Velocity of wind Vw = 12m /sec.
The boy hold his umbrella in the direction of resultant of and

So, tanθ = = = 0.34

feet
θ = tan-1 0.34.

14. A motor boat is racing towards North at 25 km/h and the water current in that region is 10 km/h in
the direction of 60° East of south. Find the resultant velocity of the boat.
Ans: velocity of motor boat N
velocity of water current
v= °
V

= 120°
=
= W E
= 21.8 km /h
60°
°
tan β = = = S
°

β = tan-1

15. What is the magnitude and direction of ( )?

Ans: | |= ° = =
And = =1
β = 45°.

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
172
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

LEVEL -2
2 [For CBSE]

1. Given = 0 which of the following statements are correct:

(a) and must each be a null vector,
(b) The magnitude of ( ) equals the magnitude of ( )
(c) The magnitude of can never be greater than the sum of the magnitudes of , and ,
(d) must lie in the plane of and if and are not collinear, and in the line of and if
they are collinear?

Ans. (a) need not each be a null vector. The resultant of four non-zero vectors can be a null
vector in many ways e.g., the resultant of any three vectors may be equal to the magnitude of fourth
vector but has the opposite direction. Hence the statement must each be a null vector,
is not correct.
(b) Because = 0, hence =–( ) i.e., the magnitude of ( ) is equal to the
magnitude of ( ) but their directions are opposite. Hence the given statement is correct.
(c) Because, = 0 or = – ( ). Hence, magnitude of vector is equal to
magnitude of vector ( ). The sum of the magnitudes of vectors may be greater
than or equal to that of vector
2. A cyclist travels from centre O of a circular park of radius 1 km and reaches point P. After cycling
along 1/4 th of the circumference along PQ, he returns to the centre of the park along QO. If the
total time taken is 10 minutes, calculate (i) net displacement (ii) average velocity and (ii) average
speed of the cyclist. [NCERT]
Ans. (i) Net displacement is zero as both initial and final positions are same.

(ii) Average velocity =

As displacement is zero, average velocity of the cyclist is also zero.

3. A passenger arriving in a new town wishes to go from the station to a hotel located 10 km away on
a straight road from the station. A dishonest cabman takes him along a circuitous path 23 km long
and reaches the hotel in 28 minutes. What is (i) the average speed of the taxi and (ii) the magnitude
of average velocity? Are the two equal? [CBSE 2007]
Ans. Magnitude of displacement = 10 km
Total path length = 23 km
Sfo
Time taken = 28 min = h = h

(i) Average speed =

= = 49.3 kmh – ¹

(ii) Magnitude of average velocity

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
173
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

= = = 21.43 kmh – ¹

Clearly, the average speed and magnitude of the average velocity are not equal. They will be equal only
for straight path.

4. Two vectors, both equal in magnitude, have their resultant equal in magnitude of the either. Find
the angle between the two vectors. [CBSE 2004]
Or
Two equal forces have their resultant equal to either. What is the inclination between them?
[CBSE 2002, 2014]
Ans: Here P = Q = R

7s
As R=
P=
or P² = 2 P² (1 + cos θ)

or 1 + cos θ =

or cos θ = – = cos 120° or θ = 120°.

5. Two forces whose magnitudes are in the ratio of 3:5 give a resultant of 35 N. If the angle of inclination
be 60°, calculate the magnitude of each force. [NEET 2018]
Ans: Let P = 3x newton, Q = 5x newton,
R = 35N, θ = 60°

R=
or 35 =
or 35 = 7x

or x= =5

P = 3 × 5 = 15N and Q = 5 × 5 = 25N.

6. A particle covers a displacement of 12 m towards east and 9 m towards the north and then 8 m
vertically upward. Find the magnitude of the sum of these displacements. [NEET 2016]
Ans: As shown in Fig., suppose initially the particle is at origin O. Then its displacement vectors are
= 12 m, due east
= 9 m, due north
= 8 m, vertically upwards.
According to polygon law, is the resultant displacement. From right
ΔΟΑΒ,
OB +
= = 15m
From right ΔΟВС,
OC = =
= = 17 m.

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
174
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

7. When the angle between two vectors of equal magnitude is 2π /3, prove that the magnitude of the
resultant is equal to either. [CBSE 2019]
Ans: Here P = Q,
θ= = 120°

R=
R=
= =P
8. At what angle do the two forces (P + Q) and (P – Q) act so that the resultant is .
s ttable
Ans: Here F = P + Q, F = P – Q, R = [CBSE 2018]
As R² = + 2F F cos θ
3 P² + Q² = (P + Q)² + (P – Q)² + 2(P + Q)(P – Q) cos θ
Or P² – Q² = 2(P² – Q²) cos θ
or cos θ =
θ = 60°.
9. A particle is acted upon by 4 forces simultaneously: [ AIIMS 2007 ]
(i) 30 N due east
(ii) 20 N due North
(iii) 50 N due west and
(iv) 40 N due south. Find the resultant course on the particle.
Ans: Net force due west, P = 50 – 30 = 20 N
Net force due south, Q = 40 – 20 = 20 N

R= = = 20 N
tan β = =1 or β = 45°.

10. Given = + 4 ) and = + ). Find the angle between .

Ans: = +4 . [NCERT]
So, A=
And = +
B=
Now, Resultant = + = +5 .
R= =
Here, R = (By parallelogram)
=

= =
= , θ= (

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
175
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

LEVEL -3
3 [For CBSE & COMPETITIVE ]

1. A river 800m wide wide flows at the rate of 5kmh – 1. A swimmer who can swim at 10kmh – 1 in still
water, wishes to cross the river straight. (i) Along what direction must he strike? (ii) What should
be his resultant velocity? (iii) How much time he would take? [CBSE 2000]
Ans: (i) The situation is shown in fig.

The swimmer will cross the river straight if the resultant velocity is perpendicular to the bank of the
river. This will be possible if the swimmer moves making an angle θ with the upstream of the river.
In right ΔOCB,

Estate

(iii) Time taken to cross the river,

2. On an open ground, a motorist follows a track that turns to his left by an angle of 60° after every
500 m starting from a given turn, specify the displacement of the motorist at the third, sixth and
eight turn. Compare the magnitude of the displacement with the total path covered by the motorist
in each case. [N.C.E.R.T]
Ans: Third turn :→ displacement = 1000m.
Total path = 1500m.
Sixth turn :→ displacement= 0.
Total path = 3000m
Eight turn→ displacement = 866.03m.
Total path = 4000m.

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
176
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

3. Two forces equal to P and 2P newton act on a particle. If the first be doubled and the second be
increased by 20 newton, the direction of the resultant is unaltered. Find the value of P. [IIT 2001]
Ans: Let the resultant make angle β with the force P.

In first case, tan β =

In second case, tan β =

0kt

From the above equation,

2P = 20
or P = 10 N.
4. The greatest and the least resultant of two forces acting at a point are 29 N and 5 N respectively. If
each force is increased by 3 N, find the resultant of two new forces acting at right angle to each other.
Ans: Let P and Q be the two forces. Then [NEET 2017]
Greatest resultant = P + Q = 29 N ...(i)
Least resultant = P – Q = 5N ...(ii)
On solving (i) and (ii), we get
P = 17 N, Q = 12 N
When each force is increased by 3 N, new forces are
p = P + 3 = 17 + 3 = 20N
Frames
q = Q + 3 = 12 + 3 = 15N
As the new forces act at right angle to each other, their resultant is

R= = = 25 N
If the resultant R makes angle β with the force p, then

tan β = = 0.75

or β = tan – ¹ (0.75) = 36°52'.

5. The sum of the magnitudes of two forces acting at a point is 18 N and the magnitude of their resultant
is 12 N. If the resultant makes an angle of 90° with the force of smaller magnitude, what are the
magnitudes of the two forces? [AIIMS 2002]
Ans: Let the two individual forces be and and θ be the angle between them. Let P < Q. If the resultant
makes angle β with the force then

tan β =

But β = 90°
STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
177
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

= tan 90° = ∞

or P + Q cos θ = 0

Also P + Q = 18N

As R= = 12

P² + Q² + 2PQ cos θ = 144

or P² + (18 – P)² + 2P(–P) = 144 [ Q = 18 – P, Q cos θ = – P]

or P² + (324 + P² – 36 P) – 2P² = 144

or 36 P = 180

or P = 5N and Q = 18 – 5 = 13N.

6. A car travelling at a speed of 20 ms – ¹ due es north along the highway makes a right turn on to a
side road that heads due east. It takes 50 s for the car to complete the turn. At the end of 50 seconds,
the car has a speed of 15 ms – ¹ along the side road. Determine the magnitude of average acceleration
over the 50 second interval. [IIT 2006]
Ans: In Fig..
Initial velocity = 20 ms – ¹, due north

Final velocity = 15 ms – ¹, due east

As
God = Change in velocity

= AB =

= = 25 ms – ¹

Average acceleration = = = 0.5 ms – ².

7. The x– and y– components of are 4 m and 6 m respectively. The x– and y–components of vector
( ) are 10 m and 9 m respectively. Calculate for the vector (i) its x– and y– components (ii)
its length and (iii) the angle it makes with the x-axis. [CBSE 2016]
Ans: Here = 4m, = 6m, = 10m, =9m

(i) = 10 – 4 = 6m, = 9 – 6 = 3m.

(ii) B = m.

(iii) θ = tan – ¹ = tan – ¹ = 26.6°.

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
178
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

8. The resultant vector of and is . On reversing the direction of the resultant vector
became . Show that: R² + S² = 2(P² + Q²). [CBSE 2003]
Ans: Let θ be the angle between and .
As the resultant of and is , therefore
R² = P² + Q² + PQ cos θ ...(i)

When the direction of is reserved, the resultant

becomes , therefore
S² = P² + Q² + 2PQ cos (180° – θ)
= P² + Q² – 2PQ cos θ ...(ii)
Adding (i) and (ii), we get :
R² + S² = 2P² + 2Q² = 2(P² + Q²).
9. A ship is streaming due east at 12 ms – ¹. A woman runs across the deck at 5 ms – ¹ in a direction at
right angles to the direction of motion of the ship and towards north. Calculate the velocity of the
women relative to sea. [IIT 2018]
Ans: In fig. = 12 ms – ¹, due east
= 5 ms – ¹, due north
Resultant velocity of women is

= = 13 ms – ¹

also, tan β = = 0.4167

β = 22°37', north of east.

10. Find the angle between two vectors and if resultant of the vectors is given by R² = P² + Q².
Ans: If θ is the angle between and , then [CBSE 2009]
R² = P² + Q² + 2PQ cos θ
Given R² = P² + Q²
P² + Q² + 2PQ cos θ = P² + Q²
or 2PQ cos θ = 0
cos θ = 0
θ = 90°.
11. Four persons K, L, M and N are initially at rest at the four corners of a square of side d. Each person
now moves with a uniform speed v in such a way that K always moves directly towards L, L directly
towards M, M directly towards N and N directly towards K. Show that the four persons meet at a
time d/v.
Ans: All the four persons will meet at the centre O of the square. Each person covers a displacement,

s=
STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
179
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

Component of velocity v towards O,

v' = v cos 45° = v/
Required time,

t=

12. A person travelling eastward with a speed of 3 kmh – ¹ finds that wind seems to blow from north. On
doubling his speed, the wind appears to flow from north-east. Find the magnitude of the actual
velocity of the wind. [IIT 2023]
Ans: The situation is shown in Fig.
Let the wind velocity be v.
In the first case, relative velocity of wind makes an angle of 90° with opposite velocity of man.
From parallelogram law,

tan 90° = =∞
or 3 + v cos θ = 0 ...(1)
In the second case, relative velocity of wind makes an
angle of 45° with double opposite velocity of man
tan 45° = =1
6 + v cos θ = v sin θ ...(2)
From (1), v cos θ = – 3
From (2), v sin θ = 6 + v cos θ = 6 – 3 = 3
v² = (v cos θ)² + (v sin θ)²
= (–3)² + (3)² = 9 + 9 = 18
or v=3 km h – ¹.
13. A swimmer wants to close a river from point A to point B. Line AB makes an angle of 30° with the
flow of river. Magnitude of velocity of the swimmer is same as that of the river. What should be
the angle θ with the line AB, so that the swimmer reaches point be? [IIT 2021]
Ans: Velocity of swimmer = velocity of river
Resultant velocity should be along the bisector of the angle between
and .
θ = 30°.

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
180
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

14. Established the following battles inequalities geometrically or otherwise: [CBSE 2019,16,12 09]
(a) (b)
(c) (d)

When does the equality sign about apply?

Ans: (a) If θ be the angle between and , then

Toi
Now will be maximum when
cos θ = 1 or θ = 0
iio

Hence
The equality sign is applicable when θ = 0° i.e., when and in the same direction.
(b) Again

The value of will be minimum when

cos θ = – 1
or θ = 180°

Hence
The equality sign is applicable when θ = 180 deg° i .e. when and are in opposite directions.
(c) If θ is the angle between and , then the angle between and will be (180° – θ), as shown in Fig.

[ , cos (180° – θ) = – cos θ]

will be maximum when cos θ = –1 or θ = 180°

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
181
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

Hence
The equality sign is applicable when θ = 180°.
(d) will be minimum when
cos θ = 1 or θ = 0°

Hence
The equality sign is applicable when θ = 0°.
14. A river is flowing due east with a speed 3 ms – ¹. A swimmer can swim
in still water at a speed of 4 ms – ¹ (see figure).
(a) If swimmer starts swimming due north, what will be his resultant
velocity (magnitude and direction)?
(b) If he wants to start from point A on south bank and reach opposite
point B on north bank,
(i) which direction should he swim?
(ii) what will be his resultant speed?
(c) From two different cases as mentioned in (a) and (b) above, in
which case will he reach opposite bank in shorter time? [NCERT EXEMPLAR]
Ans: (a) Let velocity of swimmer,
= = 4 ms – 1
Velocity of river, = = 3 ms – ¹
Resultant velocity, v = ?
v=
= = 5 ms – ¹

tan θ = =

θ = tan – ¹ = 37°
θ = 37° to the north.
(b) Swimmer should swim along , to reach the point B which is opposite to the point A.
Let = resultant speed

or

v’ =
STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
182
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

= ms – 1
= 2.65 ms – ¹

tan α = , α = tan – ¹

(a) α = tan – ¹ , (b) v’ = ms – 1

(c) In case (a), t =

In case (b), t =

as, < , so t < t

Hence, the swimmer will cross the river in shorter time in case (a).
15. A particle is moving eastwards with a velocity of 5ms-1 In 10 seconds, the velocity changes to 5ms-1
northwards. Find the average acceleration of the particle in this time interval.
Ans: In Fig.
= Initial velocity = 5ms-1 , due east

= Final velocity = 5ms-1 due north

By law of vector addition,

+ =

= – = + (- hesitate

Change in velocity

| - | = AB =

= =5 ms-1

Average acceleration = = = ms-2, along N-W direction.

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
183
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

SKILLS ASSESSMENT- 1

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (MCQ’S)

LEVEL -1
1 [For CBSE]

1. A body moves 6 m north, 8 m east and 10 m vertically upwards, the resultant displacement from its
initial position is [AIIMS 2009]
(a) 10 m (b) 10 m (c) m (d) 20 m

2. A cyclist moves in such a way that he takes 60° turn after every 100 metres. What is the displacement
when he takes seventh turn? [CBSE 1997]
(a) 100 m (b) 200 m (c) 100 m (d) 100/ m
3. An object is moving in a circle of radius 100 m with a constant speed of 31.4 m/s. What is its
average speed for one complete revolution? [CBSE 2001]
(a) zero (b) 31.4 m/s (c) 3.14 m/s (d) × 31.4 m/s
4. Which one of the following statements is true? [CBSE 2005] [NCERT EXEMPLAR]
(a) A scalar quantity is the one that is conserved in a process.
(b) A scalar quantity is the one that can never take negative values.
(c) A scalar quantity is the one that does not vary from one point to another in space.
(d) A scalar quantity has the same value for observers with different orientations of the axes.

5. Consider the quantities: pressure, power, energy, impulse, gravitational potential, electrical charge,
temperature, area. Out of these, the only vector quantities are [NCERT EXEMPLAR]
(a) Impulse, pressure and area (b) Impulse and area
(c) Area and gravitational potential (d) Impulse and pressure

6. In a two-dimensional motion, instantaneous speed is a positive constant. Then which of the

following are necessarily true? [NCERT EXEMPLAR]
(a) The average velocity is not zero at any time.
(b) Average acceleration must always vanish.
(c) Displacements in equal time intervals are equal.
(d) Equal path lengths are traversed in equal intervals.
7. In a two-dimensional motion, instantaneous speed is a positive constant. Then which of the
following are necessarily true? [NCERT EXEMPLAR]
(a) The acceleration of the particle is zero.
(b) The acceleration of the particle is bounded.
(c) The acceleration of the particle is necessarily in the plane of motion.
(d) The particle must be undergoing a uniform circular motion.
8. It is found that This necessarily implies [NCERT EXEMPLAR]

(a) =0 (b) are antiparallel (c) are perpendicular (d) ≤ 0.

9. For two vectors and , is always true when

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
184
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

[NEET 2016] [NCERT EXEMPLAR]

(a) = ≠0 (b)
(c) = ≠ 0 and A and B are parallel or anti parallel (d) when either or is zero.

10. Given below in column I are the relations between vectors a, b and c and in column II are the
orientations of a, b and c in the XY plane. Match the relation in column I to correct orientations in
column II. [NCERT EXEMPLAR]

Column I Column II

(a) a + b = c (i)

(b) a – c = b (ii)

(c) b – a = c (iii)

(d) a + b + c = 0 (iv)

11. The greatest and least resultant of two forces acting at a point are 29N and 5N respectively. If
each force increased by 3N, find the resultant of two new forces acting at right angle to each
other. [CBSE 2016]
(a) 25N, 36º52’ (b) 5N, 36º52’. (c) 25N, 63º52’. (d) 20N, 36º52’.

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
185
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

LEVEL -2
2 [For CBSE]

1. The square of resultant of two equal forces is three times their product. Angle between the forces is
(a) π (b) (c) (d)

2. If the angle between two vectors and is 120°, its resultant will be
(a) (b)
(c) (d)

3. Two forces P and Q of magnitudes 2F and 3F, respectively, are at an angle θ with each other. If the
force Q is doubled, then their resultant also gets doubled. Then, the angle is [IIT 2019]
(a) 30° (b) 60° (c) 90° (d) 120°

4. Six vectors, through have the magnitudes and directions indicated in the figure. Which of the
following statements is true? [CBSE 2010]

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

5. If , then angle between A and B will be [CBSE PMT 2001]

(a) 90° (b) 120° (c) 0° (d) 60°

6. A boat is sent across a river with a velocity of 8km h – ¹. If the resultant velocity of boat is
10 km h – ¹, then velocity of river is [CBSE PMT 93, 94]
– – –
(a) 12.8 km h ¹ (b) 6 km h ¹ (c) 8 km h ¹ (d) 10 km h – ¹

7. The width of river is 1 km. The velocity of boat is 15 km/h The boat covered the width of river in
that is time 15 min. Then the velocity of river stream is [CBSE PMT 98, 2000]
(a) 3 km/h (b) 4 km/h (c) km / h (d) km / h

8. A particle starting from the origin (0, 0) moves in a straight line in the (x,y) plane. Its coordinates at
a later time are ( ,3). The path of the particle makes with the x-axis an angle of [CBSE PMT 07]

(a) 45° (b) 60° (c) 0° (d) 30°

9. Two equal vectors have a resultant equal to either. The angle between them is [CBSE 2022]

(a) 0° (b) 60° (c) 120° (d) 90°

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
186
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

LEVEL -3
3 [For CBSE & COMPETITIVE ]

1. The coordinates of a moving particle at any time t are given by x = αt³ and y = βt³. The speed of the
particle at time t is given by [AIIMS 2003]
(a) 3t (b) 3t² (c) t² (d)
where the letters have their usual meanings.

2. The x and y coordinates of the particles at any time are x = 5t – 2t² and y = 10t respectively, where x
and y are in metres and t in seconds. The acceleration of the particle at t = 2 is [NEET 2017]
(a) 0 (b) 5m /s² (c) – 4m /s² (d) – 8m / s²

3. The position of a particle the x-y plane at any time t is given by ; x = (3t² – 6t) metres; y = (t² – 2t)
metres. Select the correct statement. [AIIMS 2010]
(a) acceleration is zero at t = 0 (b) velocity is zero at t = 0
(c) velocity is zero at t = 1s (d) velocity and acceleration of the particle are never zero.

4. Two particles A and B are connected by a rigid rod AB. The rod flights along perpendicular rails as
shown below. The velocity of A to the left is 10 m/s.
What is the velocity of B when angle α = 60°?
(a) 10 m/s (b) 9.8 m/s
(c) 5.8 m/s (d) 17.3 m/s

5. A car starts from rest and accelerates at 5 m/s². At t = 4s, A ball is dropped out of a window by a
person sitting in the car. What is the velocity and acceleration of the ball at t = 6s?
[Take g = 10 m/s²] [NEET 2021]
(a) 20 m/s, 5 m/s² (b) 20 m/s, 0 (c) 20 m/s, 0 (d) 20 m/s, 10 m/s²

6. Two boys are standing at the ends A and B of a ground where AB = a. The boy at B start running in
a direction perpendicular to AB with velocity v . The boy at A starts running simultaneously with
velocity v and catches the other in a time t, where t is [AIIMS 2005]

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

7. The speed of a swimmer in still water is 20 m/s. The speed of river water is 10 m/s and is flowing due
east. If he is standing on the south bank and wishes to cross the river along the shortest path, the
angle at which he should make his strokes w.r.t. north is given by [NEET 2019]
(a) 0° (b) 60° West (c) 45° West (d) 30° West

8. Angle between two vectors of magnitudes 12 and 18 units, when their resultant is 24 units, is
[AIIMS 1996]

(a) 63°51' (b) 75°52′ (c) 82°31' (d) 89°16′

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
187
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

9. A bus is moving on a straight road towards north with a uniform speed of 50 km/hour, then it turns
left through 90°. If the speed remains unchanged after turning, the increase in the velocity of bus
in the turning process is
(a) 70.7 km/h along south-west direction (b) zero
(c) 50 km/h along west (d) 70.7 km/h along north-west direction

10. The angle between vector and is [IIT 2021]

(a) tan – ¹ (b) tan – ¹

(c) tan – ¹ (d) tan – ¹

11. A vector is rotated by a small angle ∆θ radians (∆θ << 1) to get a new vector . In that case
is [IIT 2015]

(a) | |∆θ (b) | |∆θ – | | (c) | | (d) 0

12. Two vectors and have equal magnitudes. The magnitude of ( ) is ‘n’ times the magnitude
of ( ). The angle between and is [IIT 2021]

(a) cos – ¹ (b) cos – ¹

(c) sin – ¹ (d) sin – ¹

13. Two vectors and have equal magnitudes. If magnitude of is equal to two times the
magnitude of , then the angle between and will be [IIT 2022]

(a) sin – ¹ (b) sin – ¹ (c) cos – ¹ (d) cos – ¹

14. A boat which has a speed of 5 km/h in still water crosses a river of width 1km along the shortest
possible path in 15 minutes. The velocity of the river water in km/h is, [IIT ADV. 1988]
(a) 1 (b) 4 (c) 3 (d)

15. A person standing on an open ground hears the sound of a jet aero plane, coming from north at an
angle with ground level. But he finds the aero plane right vertically above his position. If v is
the speed of sound, speed of the plane is, [IIT 2019]

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

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
188
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

16. In a harbor, wind is blowing at the speed of 72km/h and the flag on the most of boat anchored
in the harbor flutters along the N-E direction. If the boat starts moving at a speed of 54km/h to
north. What is the direction of flag on the most of the boat? [NCERT]
(a) = 45.1° (b) = 40.1° (c) = 50.1° (d) = 10.1°

17. A man can swim with a speed of 4km/h in still water. How long does he take to cross a river 1km?
wide if the river flows steadily at 3km/h and he make his strokes normal to the river current?
How far down the river does he go when he reaches the other bank? [NCERT]
(a) 750m. (b) 75m. (c) 7.50m. (d) 7500m.

18. A river is flowing from west to east at a speed of 5 metre per minute. A man on the south bank of
the river, capable of swimming at 10 metre per minute in still water, wants to swim across the
river in the shortest time. He should swim in a direction
those [IIT 1983]
(a) due to north (b) 60° east of north (c) 30° east of north (d) 30° West

19. A particle is moving eastwards with a velocity of 5m/s, in 10 sec the velocity changes to 5m/s
northwards. Find the average acceleration of the particle in this interval. [AIIMS 2009]

(a) (b)

(c) (d)

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
189
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

Answer key

LEVEL-1

1. a. 2. a. 3. b. 4. d. 5. b. 6. d. 7. c. 8. b. 9. b.

10. a – iv, b – iii, c – i, d - ii . 11. a.

LEVEL-2

1. d. 2. b. 3. d. 4. c. 5. c. 6. b. 7. a. 8. b. 9. c.

LEVEL-3

1. b. 2. c. 3. c. 4. d. 5. c. 6. d. 7. d. 8. b. 9. a. 10. b. 11. a.

12. b. 13. c. 14. c. 15. c. 16. a. 17. a. 18. a. 19. b.

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
190
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

UNIT VECTOR
A unit vector is a vector which has unit magnitude and same direction of the given vector.
It is represented by symbol ( ).
Hence,
Now, = . → It gives the direction along positive x – axis.

Ex :- Find the unit vector of 2 2 + . → It gives the direction along negative y – axis.
n
Sol :→ Suppose = → It gives the direction along positive z – axis.
=
Now, magnitude of vector , A = =9=3

= .
Resolution of Vector
When a vector A lies in the X – Y plane and it makes an angle ‘θ’ with the X – axis, and it means one
component of vector A lies in the X – axis and another component of vector A lies in the Y – axis.
The component (Projection) of A along X – axis will be,
A sin
Y θ
Ax = ( ) = (Ai cos θ)
Ax = A Cos θ
and the component (Projection) of A lies along Y – axis will be,
Ay = ( ) = Aj cos ( ° θ) θ
X
Ay = A sin θ.
A cos θ
Position vector in space
Consider a particle in a space. Let at an instant t, its initial position be A and at after some time its final
position is at B,

Let

and

According to triangle law of vector addition,

Let → displacement vector

=(

So, magnitude of displacement vector =

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
191
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

Direction Cosines of Vector

If vector lies in X , Y and Z – axis (three dimension) and it makes an angle with X, Y and
Z axis respectively.
Let,
= Ax +Az .
Now,
A=
And,
Cos = or, = A cos .

Cos β = or, = A cos .

Cos γ = or, = A cos .

Solved Examples

LEVEL -1
1 [For CBSE]

Given = +3 and = -2 . find the unit vector of (i) ( + ) (ii) ( - ).

Ans: ( + )= + = (Let) [CBSE 2014]
and ( - )= +5 = (Let).

oooh
= = =

and, = = =

2. Find the unit vector parallel to the resultant of the vectors = +4 and
= + [CBSE 2018]
Ans:
(
=( ).
Since, =

Hence,
Joe
3. If = -5 Find (i) | | and (ii) the direction cosines of the vector . [AIIMS 2009]

Ans: A = =

(i) Cos = =
STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
192
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

(ii) Cos β = =
(iii) Cos γ = =
4. Show that walking of a man is an example of resolution of vectors. [NCERT]
Ans: A man while walking presses the ground with his feet backward by a force at an angle θ with
the ground.
And the ground will exert a reaction (Force) as an equal and
opposite force. So, R lies in X – Y plane and it makes an angle ‘θ’
with the X – axis so, it can resolve in to rectangular components.
(a) R sin θ will balances the weight of the man.
(b) R cos θ helps the man to walk forward.

5. Why it is easier to pull a lawn roller than to push it. [NCERT]

Ans: Suppose a lawn roller of weight ‘w’. it is pulled or pushed by a force making an angle with the
horizontal direction. Resolving into components F cos θ, and F sin θ horizontal and vertical component
respectively.
In pulling, F sin θ
The effective weight of roller =
W - F sin θ
The effective horizontal pulling force =
F cos θ F cos θ
It makes the roller to move forward.
In pushing, F cos θ
The effective weight of roller =
W + F sin θ F sin θ
The effective horizontal pushing force = w w
F cos θ .
Pulling Pushing

Since the effective weight is less in pulling than in using, hence less force is applied in pulling.
So it is easier to pull than to push it.

6. Find the vector and its magnitude if it has initial point A (1,2,-1) and final point B (3,2,2).
Ans: Here = +2 – [CBSE 2021]
=3 + 2 + 2
= –
= (3-1) + (2 – 2) + [2 - (-1)] =2 +3
AB = = .
[Link] forces = 3 + 4 and = 3 +4 are acting simultaneously at a point. What is the magnitude
of the resultant force? [CBSE 2005]
seeds
Ans: The resultant force is = + = (3 + 4 ) + (3 + 4 )
= 3 + 7 + 3 +4
Magnitude of the resultant force is
| |= = = units of force.

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
193
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

8. One of the rectangular components of a velocity of 80 kmh¹ is 40 kmh-1. Find the other component.
Ans: Let v = 80kmh- 1 , vx = 40kmh- 1 then
vy = ?

Ite
As v =

vy = = =
= = 69.28kmh-1 .
9. A force is inclined at 50° to the horizontal. If its rectangular component in the horizontal direction
be 50 N, find the magnitude of the force and its vertical component. [AIIMS 2001]
Ans: Here Fx = 50N , = 50o
But Fx = Fx cos

F= = = = 77.78N

Also, Fy = F sin = 77.78 sin 50o = 77.78 0.766 = 59.58N.

10. A velocity of 10 ms-1 has its Y-component 5 ms-1. Calculate its X-component.

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
194
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

LEVEL -2
2 [For CBSE]

1. A Vector , when added to the resultant of the vectors = 3 - 5 + 7 and = 2 + 4 - 3 gives a

unit vector along Y-axis. Find the vector . [CBSE 2004]
Ans: Resultant of and is

Sammam
= + = (3 - 5 + 7 ) + (2 + 4 - 3 ) = 5 + - 4
Unit vector along Y-axis =
Required vector,
,= - , = - (5 – + 4 ) = – 5 + 2 – 4 .

2. If = 3 + 4 and = 7 + 24 , find a vector having the same magnitude as and parallel to .

Ans: | |= =5 [AIIMS 2007]

Unit vector in the direction of A is

= = (3 + 4 )

Also, | |= = 25
The vector having the same magnitude and parallel to =| | = 25 × (3 + 4 ) = 15 + 20 .
3. A man rows a boat with a speed of 18 kmh-1 in the north-west direction. The shoreline makes an
angle of 15° south of west. Obtain the component of the velocity of the boat along the shoreline and
perpendicular to the shoreline. [IIT 2009]
Ans: As shown in Fig. the boat makes an angle of 45° with the west direction
while the shoreline makes an angle of 15° with it. Thus, the boat makes
angle of 45°+15° = 60° with the shoreline
Component of the velocity of the boat along the shoreline
= 18 cos 60° = 18 = 9 kmh-1
Component of the velocity of the boat perpendicular to the shoreline
= 18 sin 60° = = 15.6kmh1
4. Find the value of in the unit vector 0.4 offenses
+ 0.8 + . [CBSE 2001]
Ans: As the given vector is a unit vector, so
|0.4 + 0.8 + λ =1
or =1
or = 1- (0.4)2 – (0.8)2
=1-0.16 - 0.64 = 0.2
or λ= .
5. A child pulls a rope attached to a stone with a force of 60 N. The rope makes an angle of 40° to the
ground. (i) Calculate the effective value of the pull tending to move the stone along the ground.
(ii) Calculate the force tending to lift the stone.
STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
195
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

Ans: From Fig.

(i) Pull along the ground = 60 cos 40o = 45.96 N.
(ii) Force tending to lift the stone vertically up = 60 sin 40 o = 38.57 N.

6. Is the flying of a bird an example of composition of vectors? Explain. [CBSE]

Ans: Flight of bird. When a bird flies, it pushes the air with forces F1 and F2 in the downward direction with
its wings W1 and W2. The lines of action of these two forces meet at point O. in accordance with
Newton’s third law of motion, the air exerts equal and opposite law, the resultant R of the reactions R 1
and R2. According to the parallelogram law, the resultant r of the reactions R1 and R2 acts on the bird in
the upward direction and helps the bird to fly upward.
7. Establish the following inequalities geometrically or otherwise: [NCERT]
a)
b)
c)
d)

8. Determine the angles which the vector makes with X-, Y – and Z-axes. [PMT]
Ans: α = 45º. Β = 90º. γ = 45º

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
196
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

LEVEL -3
3 [For CBSE & COMPETITIVE ]

1. Two billiard balls are rolling on a flat table. One has the velocity components Vx = 1ms- 1, Vy =
ms-1 and the other has components V'x =2 ms¹ and V’y = 2 ms-1 and also If both the balls start moving
from the same point, what is the angle between their paths? [CBSE 2015]
Ans: For first ball:
OC = vx = 1ms- 1 , OE = vy = m s -1
Let be the angle which the resultant OA of vx and vy makes
with the X-axis. Then
tan = = =

= 60o
For second ball:
OD = = 2ms- 1 , OF = = 2ms- 1
Let ' be the angle which the resultant OB of and makes with the X-axis. Then

tan ' = = =1
' = 45o ..
Angles between the paths of two balls
= – ' = 60o – 45o = 15o

2. A bird moves with velocity 20 ms¹ in a direction making an angle of 60° with the eastern line and
60° with vertical upward. Represent the velocity vector in rectangular form. [IIT 2010]
Ans: Let eastern line be taken as X-axis, northern as Y-axis and vertical upward as Z-axis. Let the velocity
vector make angles , and with X-, Y- and Z-axes respectively. Then = 60°, γ =60°.
As cos2 + cos2 + cos2 =1
cos2 60o) + cos2 + cos2 (60o) = 1

or + cos2 + =1

or cos2 =1- =

cos =

= v cos + v cos + v cos

=20 + 20 + 20

=10 + 10 +10 .
3. The position of a particle is given by
=3.0 t +2.0 t2 + 5.0 where t is in seconds and the coefficients have the proper units for r to be
in metres. (a) Find v (t) and a (t) of the particle. (b) Find the magnitude and direction of v (t) at
t = 3.0 s. [NCERT ADDITIONAL] [IIT 2013]
2
Ans: Here = 3.0 t +2.0 t + 5.0

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
197
 A
SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

(t) = = (3.0 t + 2.0 t2 + 5.0 )

= 3.0 + 4.0 t .

(t) = = 4.0 t Amos

At t = 3.0 s, = 3.0 + 12.0 t .

It's magnitude is v = = 12.4 ms-1 and

direction is = tan-1 = tan-1 76o.

4. If the position vector of a particle is given by:

= (4 cos 2t) + (4 sin 2t t) + (6t) m, calculate its acceleration at t = /4 [NEET 2022]
Ans: Position,
= (4 cos 2t) + (4 sin 2t t) + 6t .

Velocity, = = [4 (- sin 2 t). (2) ] + [ 4(cos 2t) .(2)] + 6

= (- 8sin 2t) + (8 cos 2t) + 6
Acceleration,

= Jose
= [ - 8(cos 2 t) (2)] + [8 (– sin 2t) (2) ]
= ( - 16 cps 2t ) + (- 16 sin 2t )
When t = /4
= (–16 cos /2 ) + (– 16 sin /2 )
= (–16 0 ) + (– 16 1) = - 16 ms-2

5. A particle starts from origin at t = 0 with a velocity 5.0 m/s and moves in x-y plane under action of a
force which produces a constant acceleration of (3.0 + 2.0 ) m / s2. (a) What is the y-coordinate of
the particle at the instant its x-coordinate is 84 m ? (b) What is the speed of the particle at this time?
Ans. The position of the particle is given by [NCERT, CBSE 2003]
(t) = t + t2
= 5.0 t + (1/2) (3.0 + 2.0 ) t2
or x (t) + y (t) = (5.0 t + 1.5 t2) + 1.0 t2
x (t) = 5.0 t + 1.5 t2 ;
y(t) = 1.0 t2
Given x (t) = 84m , t =?
Lamon
6.0 t + 1.5 t2 = 84
t = 6s
At t = 6s y = 1.0 (6)2 = 360 m

velocity, = = (5.0 + 3.0 t) + 20 t

At t = 6 s, = 23.0 + 12.0 , Speed = | |= 25.9ms-1

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
198
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

6. A particle moves along a parabolic path y = 9x 2 in such a way that the x-component of velocity
remains constant and has a value m/s. Find the acceleration of the particle. [IIT 2023]
Ans: Given:
= = m/s
y = 9x2
vy = = 18x

= 18 x 6x

ay = =6 =6 = 2ms-2
= 2 m/s2.

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
199
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

RELATIVE VELOCITY IN TWO DIMENSIONS

LEVEL -2
2 [For CBSE]

1. A boat is moving with a velocity (3 + 4 ) with respect to ground. The water in the river is moving
with a velocity -3i-4j with respect to ground. What is the relative velocity of boat with respect to
river? [AIIMS 2005]
Ans: Velocity of boat, = 3 +4

Velocity of water, = –3 - 4

Relative velocity of boat with respect to water is

= - = (3 + 4 ) - (-3 - 4 ) = 6 + 8

2. To a driver going east in a car with a velocity of 40 kmh-1, a bus appears to move towards north with
a velocity of 40 kmh-1. What is the actual velocity and direction of motion of the bus? [CBSE 2023]
Ans: In Fig, the true velocity of the car is = = 40 km h-1 due east
Relative velocity of bus w.r.t. car is
= = 40 km h-1 due north
Let the true velocity of bus be along and BOD = . Then
= OD =

= = 80 km h-1

tan = = =
= 30°, east of north.
3. A particle P is moving along a straight line with a velocity of 3ms- 1 and another particle Q has a
velocity of 4ms- 1 at an angle of 30° to the path of P. Find the speed of Q relative to P. [IIT 2023]
Ans: The situation is shown in Fig. Here
= = 3ms- 1
= = 4ms- 1 inclined to at 30°
= = opposite velocity of P.
Relative velocity of Q w.r.t. P is
= - = + (- )= + =
In parallelogram OBDC,
OC = 3ms- 1, OB = 4ms- 1, BOC = 150o
= OD

= =

= = = 2.1 ms-1.

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
200
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

4. A train is moving with a velocity of 30 km h-1 due east and a car is moving with a velocity of 40 kmh -
1
due north. What is the velocity of car as appears to a passenger in the train? [NEET 2019]
Ans: In Fig.
= = 30km h-1
= = 40km h-1
= + =
=

tan = = = = 0.75

5. To a person moving eastwards with a velocity of 4.8 km h-1, rain appears to fall vertically down-
wards with a speed of 6.4 km h-1. Find the actual speed and direction of the rain. [AIIMS 2005]
Ans. The situation is shown in Fig. 4.67. Here
= Velocity of person
= 4.8km h-1 , due east
= Relative velocity of rain w.r.t. the person
= 6.4kmh-1 vertically downwards
If is the actual velocity of rain, then
= –
or = –
Complete the parallelogram OACB. Then represents the rain velocity
= OC =

= = = 8 kmh-1

If makes angle with OE, then

tan = = = = =1.333

= 53o7' 33”

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
201
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

LEVEL -3
3 [For CBSE & COMPETITIVE ]

1. A girl riding a bicycle with a speed of 5 m s-1 towards north direction, observes rain falling vertically
down. If she increases her speed to 10 m s-1, rain appears to meet her at 45° to the vertical. What is
the speed of the rain? In what direction does rain fall as observed by a ground-based observer?
Ans: Let north direction to be and vertically downward direction to be . [IIT 2017]
Velocity of girl, = 5 m s- 1, = 10 ms- 1 [NCERT EXEMPLAR]
rg = velocity of rain with respect to girl
when g is 5 ms-1 = r – g

rg = relative velocity of rain w.r.t. girl, when

g is 10 m s-1 = r– g

From figure: OAC is right angled triangle

with OA = AC = 5 m s-1 = vg
Thus, r = = + =5 –5

2. In a harbour, wind is blowing at the speed of 72km h - 1 and the flag on the mast of a boat anchored
in the harbour flutters along the N-E direction. If the boat starts moving at a speed of 51 kmh -1 to
the north, what is the direction of the flag on the mast of the boat? [NCERT] [AIIMS 2011]
Ans: When the boat is stationary, the flag flutters along N-E direction. This shows that velocity of the wind
is along N-E direction. When the boat moves, the flag flutters along the direction of relative velocity
of wind w.r.t the boat. Thus = = wind velocity = 72 kmh-1, due north N-E direction
Boat velocity = = = 51 kmh-1, due north
Relative velocity of wind w.r.t. boat is given by
= – = + (-
Clearly, the flag will flutter in the direction of on the mast of the
moving boat.
Angle between and – , = 45o + 90o = 135o
If makes angle with then

tan = =

= =

= = 1.0037
Angle w.r.t east direction = 45.01°
Hence the flag will flutter almost in the east direction.

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
202
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

3. Rain is falling vertically with a speed of 30 ms-1. A woman rides a bicycle with a speed of 10 ms-1 in
the north to south direction. What is the relative velocity of rain with respect to the woman? What
is the direction in which she should hold her umbrella to protect herself from the rain?
Ans: The situation is shown in Fig. [NEET 2019]
= = velocity of woman cyclist
= 10ms-1 , due south
= = velocity of rain
= 30ms-1 vertically downward
=
Opposite velocity of the woman cyclist.
= + (- ) = – =
= Velocity of rain relative to woman cyclist
vRW = = =
-1
= 10 = 31.6ms
If OD makes angle with the vertical, then
tan = = = = 0.3333 or = 18o 26'
The woman should hold her umbrella at 18°26′ with the vertical in the direction of her motion
i.e., towards south.
4. A man rows directly across a flowing river in time t 1 and rows an equal distance down the stream
in time t2 If u be the speed of man in still water and v that of stream, then show that:
: = : [IIT 2011]
Ans: The situation is shown in Fig. While rowing directly across the river, the resultant velocity is
perpendicular to the velocity v of the stream.
Resultant velocity across the river =
Resultant velocity down the stream = u + v
Let s be the distance covered in each case. Then
t1 = and t2 =

= = =

or t1 : t2 = : .
5. A ship is streaming towards east with a speed of 12 ms-1. A woman runs across the deck at a speed
of 5 ms_1 in the direction at right angles to the direction of motion of the ship i.e., towards north.
What is the velocity of the woman relative to the sea? [NEET 2017]
Ans: As shown in Fig. the woman has two velocities
simultaneously:
(i) a velocity equal to the velocity of ship which is 12 ms-1
due east and
(ii) a velocity of 5 ms-1 due north.

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
203
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

Velocity of woman relative to the sea

= Resultant velocity of woman
= OC = = = 13 ms-1
If the resultant velocity makes angle with the directions of the motion of the ship, then

tan = = = 0.4167

= 22o 37’, north of east.

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
204
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane
SKILLS ASSESSMENT- 2

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (MCQ’S)

LEVEL -1
1 [For CBSE]

1. The greatest and least resultant of two forces acting at a point are 29N and 5N respectively. If
each force increased by 3N, find the resultant of two new forces acting at right angle to each
other. [CBSE 2001]
(a) 250 N (b) 75 N. (c) 25 N. (d) 750 N.

2. The angle between = î + and B = î – is

(a) 45° (b) 90° (c) -45° (d) 180°

3. The component of a vector along x-axis will have maximum value if [NEET 2020]
(a) is along positive y-axis
(b) is along positive x-axis
(c) makes an angle of 45° with the x-axis
(d) is along negative y-axis

4. Figure shows the orientation of two vectors and in the xy plane. If = a + b and = p + q ).
Which of the following is correct? [NCERT EXEMPLAR]
(a) a and pare positive while b and q are negative.
(b) a, p and bare positive while q is negative.
(c) a, q and bare positive while p is negative.
(d) a, b, p and q are all positive.

5. A bird flies from (-3m, 4m, -3m) to (7m,-2 m,-3m) in the xyz coordinates. The bird's displacement in
unit vectors is given by [AIIMS 2006]
(a) (4 + 2 - 6 ) (b) (10 - 6 ) (c) (4 - 2 ) (d) (10 + 6 - 6 )

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
205
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

LEVEL - 2 [For CBSE]

1. At an instant t, the coordinates of a particle are x = at 2 y = bt2 and z = 0 The magnitude of velocity
of particle at an instant t is [IIT 2008]
(a) t (b) (c) (d) 2t

2. In the cube of side 'a' shown in the figure, the vector from the central point of the face ABOD to the
central point of the face BEFO will be [IIT 2001]

(a) a( - ) (b) a( - )

(c) a( - ) (d) a( - )

3. If a unit vector is represented by 0.5 -0.8 + c , then the value of c is [AIIMS 1999]
(a) (b) (c) 1 (d)

4. Two vectors are given by = (3 + + 3 ) and = (3 + 5 - 2 ). Find the third vector if +3 -

= 0. [AIIMS 2018]
(a) (12 + 14 + 12 ) (b) (13 + 17 + 12 )
(c) (12 + 16 - 3 ) (d) (15 + 13 + 4 )

5. A particle is moving such that its position coordinates (x,y) are [AIIMS 2016]
(2 m, 3 m) at time t = 0,
(6 m, 7 m) at time t = 2s, and
(13 m, 14 m) at time t = 5s
Average velocity vector ( ) from t = 0 to t = 5s is

(a) ( + ) (b) 2 ( + ) (c) ( + ) (d) (13 + 14 )

6. A particle has initial velocity (3 + 4 ) and has acceleration (0.4 +0.3 ). Its speed after 10 s is

(a) 7 units (b) 7√2 units (c) 8.5 units (d) 10 units

[CBSE PMT 2010]

7. Wind is blowing from south at 10 m/s but to a cyclist it appears to be blowing from the east at 10
m/s. The cyclist has a velocity [AIIMS 2013]
(a) 10 + 10 (b) 10 +10 (c) -10 +10 (d)-10 -10

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
206
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

LEVEL -3
3 [For CBSE & COMPETITIVE ]

1. In an octagon ABCDEFGH of equal side, what is the sum of + + + + + +

if = 2 + 3 -4 ?
(a) -16 + 24 + 32 (b) 16 + 24 + 32
(c) 16 + 24 – 32 (d) 16 – 24 + 32

[Link] resultant of these forces , , , and is approximately__________ N. [IIT 2021]

[Take = 1.7, = 1.4 Given and are unit vectors along

x- and y-axes respectively]

(a) 9.25 + 5 (b) 3 + 15

(c) -1.5 -15.5 (d) 2.5 +14.5

3. The driver of a car moving towards a rocket launching pad with a speed of 6 m/s observes that the
rocket is moving with speed of 10 m/s. The upward speed of the rocket as seen by the stationary
observer is nearly [NEET 2017]
(a) 4 m/s (b) 6 m/s (c) 8 m/s (d) 11 m/s

4. Consider a collection of large number of particles each with speed v. The direction of velocity is
randomly distributed in the collection. The magnitude of the relative velocity between a pair of
particles averaged over all the pairs in the collection is [IIT 2003]

(a) (b) greater than (c) less than (d) zero

5. When a man is standing, rain drops appear to him falling at 60° from the horizontal from his front
side. When he is travelling at 5 km/h on a horizontal road, they appear to him falling at 30° from
the horizontal from his front side. The actual speed of the rain in km/h is [CBSE 2009]
(a) 3 (b) 4 (c) 5 (d) 6

6. Given the speed of a boat in still water is u and velocity of a river is v, the time taken by the boat to
reach a place downstream at a distance d and come back to the original place is [IIT 2012]

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

7. A boat crosses a river from port A to port B, which are just on the opposite side. The speed of the
water is vw and that of boat is vB relative to water. Assume vB = 2vw. What is the time taken by the
boat, if it has to cross the river directly on the AB line? [AIIMS 2003]

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

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
207
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

8. A force = (40 + 10 )N acts on a body of 5 kg. If the body starts from rest, its position vector
at time t = 10s, will be [IIT July 2021]
(a) (100 + 400 ) m (b) (100 + 100 ) m
(c) (400 + 100 )m (d) (400 + 400 )m

9. Motion of particle in xy – plane is described by a set of following equations : x = 4 sin m

and y = 4 sin( ) m. The path of particle will be [IIT 2022]
(a) circular (b) helical (c) parabolic (d) elliptical

10. A particle moves from the point (2 + 4.0 ) m at t = 0 , with an initial velocity (5.0 +4.0 ) ms-1 .
It is acted upon by a constant force which produces a constant acceleration (4.0 +4.0 ) ms - 2.
What is the distance of the particle from the origin at time 2 s? [IIT 2019]
(a) 20 m (b) 15 m (c) 10 m (d) 5 m

11. Starting from the origin at time t = 0 , with initial and velocity 5 ms- 1, a particle moves in the x-y
plane with and a constant acceleration of (10 + 4 ) ms- 2 At time t, its coordinates are (20m , y0
m). The values of t and y0 are respectively [IIT 2020]
(a) 4s and 52 m (b) 2 s and 24 m (c) 5 s and 25 m (d) 2 s and 18 m

12. The position Co-ordinate system of a particle moving in a 3-D coordinate system are given by
x = a cos t, y = a sin t and z = a t The speed of the particle is [IIT 2019]
(a) a (b) a (c) a (d) 2a

13. The position vector of a particle changes with time according to the relation [IIT 2019]
(t) = 15t2 + (4-20t2) . What is the magnitude of the acceleration at t =1?
(a) 50 (b) 100 (c) 40 (d) 25

14. At time t = 0, a particle starts travelling from a height 72 cm in a plane keeping z-coordinate
constant. At any instant of time, its positions along the and directions are defined as 3t and 5t3
respectively. At t = 1s, acceleration of the particle will be [IIT 2022]
(a)-30 (b) 30 (c) 30 + 15 (d) 3 +15 +7

15. A girl standing on road holds her umbrella at 45° with the vertical to keep the rain away. If she
starts running without umbrella with a speed of 15 kmh-¹, the rain drops hit her head
vertically. The speed of rain drops with respect to the moving girl is [IIT 2022]

(a) 30 km h-1 (b) kmh-1 (c) kmh-1 (d) 25 kmh-1

16. A butterfly is flying with a velocity 4 m/s in North-East direction. Wind is slowly blowing at 1
m/s from North to South. The resultant displacement of the butterfly in 3 seconds is [IIT 2021]
(a) 12 m (b) 3 m (c) 20 m (d) 15 m

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
208
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

17. A ship A is moving Westwards with a speed of any 10kmh -1 and a ship B 100 km South of A, is
moving mere x Northwards with a speed of 10kmh -1. The time after ration which the distance
between them becomes shortest, is [AIIMS 2015]
(a) 5 h (b) 5 h (c) 10 h (d) 0 h

18. The coordinates of a moving particle at any time + are given by x = t3 and y = t3 The speed of
the particle at time t is given by [NEET 2022]
(a) 3t (b) 3t2

(c) t2 (d)

where the letters have their usual meanings.

19. The x and y coordinates of the particles at any 10 time are x = 5t - 2t2 and y = 10t respectively,
where x and y are in metres and t in seconds. The acceleration w of the particle at t = 2s is
(a) 0 (b) 5m /s 2 (c) - 4m / s 2 (d) - 8m / s2
[NEET 2017]

20. A particle moves so that its position vector is given by = cos t + sin t , where is a constant.
Which of the following is true? [NEET 2016]
(a) Velocity and acceleration both are perpendicular to
(b) Velocity and acceleration both are parallel to
(c) Velocity is perpendicular to and acceleration is directed towards the origin
(d) Velocity is perpendicular to and acceleration is directed away from the origin.

21. The position of a particle in the x-y plane at any time t is given by; x = (3t 2 – 6t) metres;
y = (t2 - 2t) metres. Select the correct statement. [AIIMS 2010]
(a) acceleration is zero at t = 0
(b) velocity is zero at f = 0
(c) velocity is zero at t = 1s
(d) velocity and acceleration of the particle are never zero.

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
209
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

ANSWER KEY:

LEVEL – 1

1. (c) 2. (b) 3. (b) 4. (b) 5. (b)

LEVEL – 2

1. (d) 2. (a) 3. (b) 4. (c) 5. (c) 6. (b) 7. (b)

LEVEL – 3

1. (b) 2. (a) 3. (d) 4. (a) 5. (c) 6. (b) 7. (a)

8. (c) 9. (a) 10. (a) 11. (d) 12. (c) 13. (a) 14. (b)

16. (d) 17. (a) 18. (b) 19. (c) 20. (c) 21. (c)

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
210
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

Multiplications Of Vectors

There are two method to multiply vectors:→

a) Dot product (scalar product).
b) Cross product (vector product).

Dot Product (Scalar Product)

The dot product between any two vector quantities represent the scalar quantity that’s why we
called the dot product or scalar product.

For ex:→ work, w =

Power p=
Electric Flux .

Properties of dot product.

a) The dot product is commutative.
b) The dot product is distributive.
For commutative.

And For distributive.

the unit vectors along X – axis, Y-axis and Z – axis respectively. Now, the dot
product b/w them is,

=jj

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
211
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

Solved Examples

LEVEL -1
1 [For CBSE]

1. If the magnitude of two vectors are 2 and 3 and the magnitude of their scalar product is 3 then
find the angle b/w the two vectors. [CBSE]
Ans: Suppose

sooo
Since
So,

= .
2. For what value of m, the vector is perpendicular to [CBSE]
Ans: If vector is perpendicular,
Then, =
(
6 – 3m – 36 = 0.

3. Find the angle between the vectors = +2 – and =– + –2 [CBSE 1995]

Ans: | | = =

| |= = sated
. =1 (-1) + 2 1 + (-1) (-2)
= -1 + 2 + 2 = 3

cos = = I = =

Hence = 60o

4. Prove that time the vectors = + 2 + 3 and = 2 – are perpendicular to each other.

Ans: . + 2 + 3 ) . (2 – + 0 ) [CBSE 2022]

=1 2+2 (-1) + 3 0=0
AB cos θ = 0
A
θ=
Hence
5. Two vectors = + 7 - 3 and = 2 + 2 – are mutually perpendicular to each other.
What is the value of ? [CBSE 2018]
Ans: As . =0
(5 + 7 - 3 ).
STUDY CENTRES:
c +2 - )=0
AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
212
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

10 + 14 + 3α = 0.
3α = -24
α = -8.
6. A force of 7 + 6 newton makes a body move on a rough plane with a velocity of 3 + 4 ms-1
Calculate the power in watt. [CBSE 2016]
Ans: Power, P = . = (7 + 0 + 6 ). (0 + 3 + 4 )
=7 0+0 3+6 4 = 24W.

LEVEL - 2 [For CBSE]

1. A body constrained to move along the z-axis of a co-ordinate system is subjected to a constant
force given by = + 2 + 3 newton where , and represent unit vectors along x-, y- and z-
axis of the system respectively. Calculate the work done by the force in displacing the body
through a distance of 4 m along the z-axis. [NCERT]
Ans: As the body moves 4 m along the z-axis, so the displacement vector is
= 4 = 0 + 0 + 4 metre
Also = - + 2 + 3 newton
W= . =( + 2 + 3 ) . (0 + 0 + 4 )
=1 0+2 0+3 4 = 12joule.
2. A force =4 + +3 newton acts on a particle and displaces it through displacement
=11 +11 +15 metre. Calculate the work done by the force. [CBSE 2017]

Ans: = (4 + + 3 ) N, =11 +11 +15

W= .
=(4 + + 3 ). (11 +11 +15 )
= 44 + 11 + 45
= 100J
3. Under a force of 10 - 3 + 6 newton, a body of mass 5 kg is displaced from the position 6 + 5 -
3 to the position 10 – 2 + 7 . Calculate the work done. [AIIMS 2012]

Ans: = (10 - 3 + 6 ), m = 5kg,

Let = ( 6 + 5 - 3 ) and = (10 – 2 + 7 )
Now, displacement vector, = –
=(10 – 2 + 7 ) - (6 + 5 - 3 )
= (4 – 7 + 10 )
And w = .
= (10 - 3 + 6 ). (4 – 7 + 10 )
= 40 + 21 + 60
= 121 J
STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
213
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

4. If vectors , and have magnitudes 8, 15 and 17 units and + = , find the angle between
and [NEET 2022]
Ans: A = 8, B = 15, C = 17
+ =
=
( ).( )=( )
Or ( )+( )+( )+( ) = C2
Or + AB Cos + BA Cos + B2 = C2
Or A2 + B2 + 2AB Cos = C2
(8)2 + (15)2 + 2 8 15 Cos = (17)2
64 + 225 + 240 Cos = 289
Or 240 Cos = 289 – 289 = 0
Cos = 0 = Cos 90o
θ=
5. If = – then determine the angle between and . [AIIMS 2018]

Ans: = –
( - )2 = (- )2
Or, ( - ).( - )=( ).( )
Or, ( . ) – ( . ) – ( . ) + ( . ) = C2
Or, A2 – 2AB Cos + B2 = C2
A2 + B2 – C2 = 2AB Cos .
Cos =

= cos-1

6. For two vectors , and if + = and A + B = C, then prove that and are parallel to each
other. [CBSE 2017]
Ans: + = and A + B = C
= )2
. .
or, + + + = C2
A + AB Cos + BA Cos + B = C2
2 2

A2 + B2 + 2AB Cos = C2 (1)

A+B=C
(A + B)2 = (C)2 oooo
A2 + B2 + 2AB = C2 (2)
From eq. (1)
A2 + B2 + 2AB Cos = A2 + B2 + 2AB
o
Cos = = 1 = Cos
= 0o Hence, , and are parallel to each other

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
214
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

LEVEL -3
3 [For CBSE & COMPETITIVE ]

1. If unit vectors are inclined at an angle θ, then prove that [CBSE 2022]
Ans:
+
+ 1.

Hence,

2. If Find the angle between . [NEET 2023]

Ans: =

Or, 4 =0 ( ).
4 AB cos θ = 0
A 0 and B
cos θ = 0 = cos 90°. , θ = 90°

3. If = then prove that are perpendicular to each other.

Ans: = [CBSE 2019]
( ) ( )
Or +
Or,
Or,

2 AB cos θ = 0
A 0 and B
cos θ = cos 90°.
θ = 90°.
4. Find the component vector of = along the direction of ( )and ( ). [NCERT]
Ans: Suppose unit vector along ( ) is, [IIT 2023]

And suppose unit vector along ( ) is,

So, component vector of along ( ) is,

=(
= so
= ( ).
and component vector of along ( ) is,

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
215
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

=(
=

= ( ).

5. The resultant of two vectors and its magnitude is half that of .

What is the angle between [IIT 2021]

tanθ = = so=

Angle between ,

tmgg
6. Is greater than or less than [CBSE 2017]
Ans:

M
7. Is greater than or less than [CBSE 2023]
Ans:

8. Three vectors + and are such = + and their magnitudes are 5, 4 and 3 respectively.
Find the angle between A and C. [NEET 2018]

Ans: Given = + or = –
Now . =( – ). –
= . . – . + .
= . . –2 . [ . = . ]
or 2 2 2 she
B = A + C – 2 AC cos
Where is the angle between and .

cos
= Cos-1 (0.6) = 53o
STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
216
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

9. If vector , and have magnitude 5, 12 and 13 units and + = , find the angle between and
. [IIT 2022]
Ans: As + = .

– =

And ( – ). ( – ) = .

Or . – . – . .

Or R2 – 2 . + Q2 = P 2

Or cos =

= = =

= cos-1 12/13.
10. A point P lies in the x-y plane. Its position can be specified by its x, y coordinates or by a radially
directed vector = (x + y ), making an angle with the x-axis. Find a vector , of unit magnitude
in the direction of vector and a vector of unit magnitude normal to the vector , and lying in
the x-y plane. [NCERT EXEMPLAR]
Ans: The unit vector in the direction of vector is given by

= = = +
or = cos + sin
[ x = r cos , y = r sin ]
Let the unit vector normal to the unit vector be given by
= +
Where the coefficients and are to be determined
As , so
.=0
or ( cos + sin ) . ( + )=0
or cos + sin = 0
or =

And =-
Since is a vector of unit magnitude, so
+ =1

or + 1=

or +1 or =
or = cos2
= cos and = - sin
STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
217
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

The other solution, = - cos is rejected because we define a system of , vector in the increasing
directions of and .
Hence = - sin + cos

11. If =(2 + 3 - ) m and = ( + 2 + 2 ) m, find the magnitude of component of vector along

vector . [IIT July 2022]
Ans: Component of along

= A cos =

= = = 2m.

12. If the projection of 2 + 4 - 2 on + 2 + is zero, then find the value of . [IIT June 2022]

Ans: Projection of on will be zero if . So

=0
(2 + 4 - 2 ). + 2 + )=0
2+8 +2 =0
= -5.

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
218
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

Cross Product (Vector Product)

The cross product between any two vector quantities represent the vector quantity that’s why we
called vector product.

and is the direction of which is always perpendicular to .

and
Ex:-
Angular Momentum
Linear Velocity
Centripetal
Tangential
and z-axis respectively, then the cross product between
these vectors is,

Properties of Cross Product

1) Cross product of two vectors is anti-commutative
i.e.
because, the magnitude of is same as that of
| |=| |.
2) Cross product of two vectors is associative
i.e ( ) ( )
=( )+( )+( )+( ).
3) Cross product of two vectors is distributive.
i.e [
= .

In cross product remember unit vector ( ) always perpendicular to

Cross Product in Cartesian Co -ordinates.

=
=
he determinant form of

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
219
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

Solved Examples

LEVEL -1
1 [For CBSE]

1. The magnitude of a force the perpendicular distance

Find the magnitude of torque of force. [CBSE 2009]
Ans: .

= =

= i 15 1 j 35 3 k 7 9

14 - 38 .

sso.

2. Find the scalar and vector product of two vectors [CBSE 2011]
and
Ans:
= - 6 – 4 – 15 = - 25.

=
3.
=

= 7

3. Show that two vectors and are parallel. [CBSE 2017]

Ans: If two vectors are parallel then cross product between these vectors is zero.

Totage

AB sin θ = 0
A
Sin θ = 0 = sin 0°, .
STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
220
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

4. If denote the sides of a parallelogram and its area is AB/2, find the angle between
. [CBSE 2005]
Ans: Area of parallelogram

= = AB sin = AB/2

sin = or

5. Show that . [CBSE 2009]

Zoe
Ans: L.H.S =

= [ ]

= 2( ) = R.H.S.

6. Find if | | = 2, | | = 5 and | | = 8. [CBSE 2001]

Ans: As

or = 100 – 64 = 36
sees= 6.
7. What is the unit vector perpendicular to the plane of vector and ?

Ans: .

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
221
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

LEVEL -2
2 [For CBSE]

1. Three vectors and satisfy the relation = 0 and = 0. To which vector the vector is
parallel? [NEET 2018]

Ans: If = 0 so, is perpendicular to .

and =0 so, is perpendicular to .
As is perpendicular to both
So, is parallel to .

2. Calculate the area of parallelogram whose adjacent sides are given by the vectors:
= and [AIIMS 2007] [ CBSE 2022]
Ans: Magnitude of is the area of parallelogram

3. Given that = = 0 if
see
and are not null vectors. Find the value of [IIT 2006]

Ans: If i.e. is parallel or anti parallel to .

And i.e. is parallel or anti parallel to .

Therefore are parallel or anti parallel. So,

4. Calculate the area of the triangle determined by the two vectors =

Ans: [AIIMS 2002] [CBSE 2019]

So, area of triangle

5. For any two vectors

so =

and , prove that [CBSE 2006]

2
Ans: L.H.S =

so
= = (AB sin )2
= A2B2 (1 – cos2 )
= A2B2 – (AB cos )2
= A2B2 – ( )2 = R.H.S.
STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
222
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

6. Find the moment about the point (1, –1, –1) of the force acting at the point (1, 0, –2).
Ans: Here [IIT 2017]
Let P be the point about which moment is to be obtained and A be the point at which forces is applied.
If O is the origin, then
,

=
=
Moment of force about the point P is

=
= .
7. Determine a unit vector perpendicular to both and . [NEET 2022]
Ans: The perpendicular unit vector is given by
= AB sin =

Now

=
= .
8. If , and , then find [CBSE 2010]

Ans:

=
= .
state
Now

=
= .

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
223
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

LEVEL -3
3 [For CBSE & COMPETITIVE ]

1. Find the area of the triangle formed by the tips of the vectors
[IIT 2016]
Ans: Let ABC the triangle formed by the tips of the given vectors.

Now

2. Three particles P, Q and R are moving along the vectors , respectively

. They strike on a point and start to move in different directions. Now particle P is moving normal
to the plane which contains vector and . Similarly, particle Q is moving normal to the plane
which contains vector and . The angle between the directions of motion of P and Q is cos – ¹ .
Find the value of x. [IIT 2021]

Ans: Direction of P,

Direction of Q,

cos θ = =
θ = cos – ¹
x = 3.

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
224
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

3. If , the angle between and is θ (0° < θ < 360°). Find the value of prime ‘θ’.
Ans: [IIT 2021]

2 PQ sin θ = 0
sin θ = 0
As 0° < θ < 360°, so θ = 180°.
4. Find a vector whose length is 7 and which is perpendicular to each of the vectors. [NEET 2023]
and .

Ans:

=
= .

Unit vector perpendicular to is

Required vector

=7 =7

= .

5. Determine the sine of the angle between the vectors and . [IIT 2014]
Ans: Let, and

Then

=
= .

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
225
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

6. The diagonals of a parallelogram are given by the vectors and Find the
area of the parallelogram. [IIT 2005]
Ans: If and are the adjacent sides of the parallelogram, then its diagonals will be

and
Now

= )
Area of parallelogram

= × 17.32 = 8.66 sq. units.

7. In any ∆ABC, prove that [CBSE 2023]

Ans: As shown in fig. the vectors , and are cyclic, therefore

+ + =0 or + =
or + = or + =
or + =
or = …(i)
Similarly, = …(ii)
From (i) and (ii), we get

= =

or = =

or ab sin (180° – C) = bc sin (180° – A)

= ca sin (180° – B)

or ab sin C = bc sin A = ca sin B

Dividing throughout by abc, we get

.
STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
226
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

8. If are three vectors such that then = , = , then prove that

Ans: Given: = [CBSE 2011]

or =0
or =0
But
Either
or

Either …(i)

Also, =
or
or .
But
Either
or

Either …(ii)

But cannot be simultaneously perpendicular and parallel to ( ) so equation (i) and (ii) will hold
simultaneously if .
9. Show that the area of the triangle contained between the vectors is one half of the
magnitude of . [NCERT] [CBSE 2000]
Ans: Suppose two vectors are represented by the sides OP and OQ
of as shown in fig.
Let draw QN OP. The magnitude of the vector product
is,
= ab sinθ
= (OP)(OQ) sinθ
= (OP) (QN) [ ]
=
=
or, Area of =

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
227
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

10. and are three non-collinear non-co-planar vectors. What can you say about direction of
? [CBSE 2022]
Ans: = BC sin θ
where = unit vector perpendicular to the plane containing and
= (BC sin θ)
= (BC sin θ)A sin α
where = unit vector perpendicular to both and .
Perpendicular to and means in the plane of vector and .
Hence, will lie in the plane of and and is perpendicular to .

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
228
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

SKILLS ASSESSMENT- 3

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (MCQ’S)

LEVEL -1
1 [For CBSE]

1. Two vectors are perpendicular if [CBSE 2011]

(a) =1 (b) =0 (c) =0 (d) = AB

2. The position vector of a point is and another vector is . Which

of the mathematical relations is correct? [NEET 2019]
(a) =0 (b) (c) (d) none of these

3. The direction of is vertically upward and direction is in north direction. The direction of
will be [AIIMS 2006]
(a) western direction (b) eastern direction
(c) at 45° upward in north (d) vertically downward

4. Which of the following is correct relation between an arbitrary vector and null vector ?

(a) (b) [CBSE 2003]

(c) (d) none of these

5. If the angle between the vectors and is θ, the value of the product ( ). is equal to

(a) BA² cos θ (b) BA² sin θ (c) BA² sin θ cos θ (d) zero

6. and , then angle between vectors and is [AIIMS 2011]

(a) 180° (b) 90° (c) 45° (d) 0°

7. If a vector is perpendicular to the vector , then the value of is

(a) 1/2 (b) –1/2 (c) 1 (d) –1

8. The vector sum of two forces is perpendicular to their vector differences. In that case, the forces
(a) are equal to each other (b) are equal to each other in magnitude
(c) are not equal to each other in magnitude (d) cannot be predicted

9. The resultant of × 0 will be equal to [CBSE PMT 92]

(a) zero (b) A (c) zero vector (d) unit vector

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
229
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

LEVEL -2
2 [For CBSE]

1. The magnitudes of vectors , and are 3, 4 and 5 units respectively. If + = the angle
between and is [NEET 2018]
(a) π/2 (b) cos – ¹ 0.6 (c) tan – ¹ 7/5 (d) π/4

2. The vectors and are such . The angle between the two vectors [AIIMS 2016]
(a) 45° (b) 90° (c) 60° (d) 75°
3. If and , then the scalar and vector products of and have the
magnitudes respectively as [NEET 2022]
(a) 5, (b) 4, (c) 10, (d) 10, 2

4. is a vector quantity such that | | = non-zero constant. Which of the following expressions is true
for ? [IIT 2022]

(a) =0 (b) <0 (c) =0 (d) >0

5. Three vectors and add up to zero. find which is false. [IIT 2019]

(a) is not zero unless are parallel. (b) is not zero unless are parallel.
(c) If , , define a plane, is in that plane. (d) → C² = A² + B²

6. If | | = 2 and | | = 4 then match the relations in column I with the angle θ between and in
column II. [NCERT EXEMPLAR]
Column I Column II
(a) =0 (i) θ = 0
(b) = +8 (ii) θ = 90°
(c) =4 (iii) θ = 180°
(d) = –8 (iv) θ = 60°

7. If | | = 2 and | | = 4, then match the relations in column I with the angle θ between A and B in
column II. [NCERT EXEMPLAR]
Column I Column II
(a) | |=0 (i) θ = 30°
(b) | |=8 (ii) θ = 45°
(c) | |=4 (iii) θ = 90°
(d) | |=4 (iv) θ = 0°

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
230
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

LEVEL -3
3 [For CBSE & COMPETITIVE ]

1. Let and . The value of (2 ).(3 ) is [IIT 2019]

(a) –106.5 (b) –118.5 (c) –99.5 (d) –112.5

2. Which of the following relations is true for two-unit vectors and making an angle θ to each
other? [NEET 2017]

(a) tan (b) tan

(c) cos (d) cos

3. If and two vectors satisfying the relation , then the value of | | will be
[IIT 2021]
(a) (b)
(c) (d)

4. If vectors = cos ωt î + sin ωt and = cos + sin are functions of time, then the value of t
at which they are orthogonal to each other is [AIIMS 2015]

(a) t = 0 (b) t = (c) t = (d) t =

5. and are two vectors and θ is the angle between them, if , the value of θ is
[AIIMS 2007]
(a) 45° (b) 30° (c) 90° (d) 60°

6. If , then the value of is [IIT 2004]

(a) (A² + B² + AB)1/2 (b)

(c) A + B (d) (A² + B² + AB)1/2

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
231
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

ANSWER KEY:

LEVEL – 1

1. (c) 2. (b) 3. (a) 4. (a) 5. (d) 6. (b) 7. (b)

8. (a) 9. (c)

LEVEL – 2

1. (a) 2. (b) 3. (c) 4. (c) 5. (c)

6. (a – ii, b – i, c – iv, d – iii. ) 7. (a – iv, b – iii, c – i, d – ii. )

LEVEL – 3

1. (b) 2. (b) 3. (b) 4. (d) 5. (d) 6. (a)

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
232
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

MOTION IN A PLANE
Projectile
Projectile is the name given to a body which is thrown with some initial velocity with the horizontal
direction and then it is allowed to move under the effect of gravity.
Ex:- a) A bullet fired from a rifle.
b) A stone thrown in any direction.
c) A body dropped from the window of a train etc.

There are two types of projection.

i) Horizontal projection.
ii) Angular projection.

Horizontal projection
If a body projected with some initial velocity in the horizontal direction then this projection is
horizontal projection.
Consider ‘OX’ a horizontal line parallel to the ground. Let O be the origin. Suppose an object be
projected from the point O. with some initial velocity ‘u’ in the horizontal direction.

Motion along horizontal direction.

Now, Motion along vertical direction,

Range

So, - (2)

of parabola
.
a) Time of flight :- It is the total time for which the projectile is in flight.

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
233
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

b) Horizontal range:- It is the horizontal distance travelled by projectile during its flight.

c) Velocity of the object at any instant

velocity in horizontal direction, velocity in vertical direction.

Where V is resultant velocity

=u+0=u -(3)
Now, = 0+gt=gt -(4)

So,
Let makes an angle β with the horizontal direction.

Then, tan =

So, .
Horizontal velocity u, which remains constant throughout the motion, and vertical velocity which
increases due to gravity.

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
234
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

Angular projection
If a body projected with some initial velocity u which makes an angle ‘ ‘with the horizontal direction
then this projection is angular projection.
Consider an objected be projected from point O with initial velocity u, making an angle ‘ ’ with
horizontal direction.
Suppose,
X = horizontal distance travelled by object at instant ‘t’.
And,
Y = vertical distance travelled by object at instant ‘t’.
Now, Resolving ‘u’ into two rectangular components u cosθ and u sinθ in the horizontal and vertical direction
respectively.
motion along horizontal direction

So,

Now, motion along vertical direction.

eqn of parabola.

a) Time of flight: It is the total time for which the object is going from O to A.

Now,
Time taken by the object to go from point O to the highest point H is called time of ascent and from
the highest point to point A is called time of descent.
So, time of ascent (t) = time of descent (t).
Time of flight = time of ascent + time of descent
T = t + t = 2t.
or, t = T/2.

Now,

0 = u sin θ – g T/2

b) Maximum height:- It is the maxm vertical distant attained by the object.

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
235
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

So,

c) Horizontal range:- It is the maxm distance covered by the object in the horizontal direction.

=
So,

Maxm horizontal range will be maxm if = maxm

= maxm = 1 = sin 90°
θ = 45°

So, R= =

Horizontal velocity u cosθ, which remains constant throughout the motion, and vertical velocity first
decreases till point A (in fig.) and increases after point A due to gravity.

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
236
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

Solved Examples

LEVEL -1
1 [For CBSE]

1. A body is thrown horizontally from the top of a tower and strikes the ground after three seconds
at an angle of 45° with the horizontal. Find the height of the tower and the speed with which the
body was projected. Take g = 9.8 ms – ². [CBSE 2009]
Ans: Suppose the body is thrown horizontally from the top O of a tower of height y with velocity u. The
body hits the ground after 3 s. Considering vertically downward motion of the body,
y= t + gt²
= 0 × 3 + × 9.8 × (3)² = 44.1 m
[ Initial vertical velocity, = 0]
Final vertical velocity,
= + gt rose
–
= 0 + 9.8 × 3 = 29.4 ms ¹
Final horizontal velocity, =u
As the resultant velocity v makes an angle of 45° with the horizontal, so
tan 45° =

or 1= u = 29.4 ms – ¹.

2. A body is projected horizontally from the top of a cliff with a velocity of 9.8 ms – ¹. What time
elapses before horizontal and vertical velocities become equal? Take g = 9.8 ms – ².
Ans: Horizontal velocity at any instant, = u = 9.8 ms – ¹
Vertical velocity at any instant, = 0 + gt = 9.8 t
According to the question,
9.8 = 9.8t or t = 1s.

3. A projectile is fired horizontally with a velocity of 98 ms – ¹ from the top of a hill 490 m high. Find
(i) the time taken to reach the ground
(ii) the distance of the target from the hill and
(iii) the velocity with which the projectile hits the ground. [CBSE 2018]
Ans: (i) As shown in Fig. the projectile is fired from the top O of a hill with velocity u = 98 ms – ¹ along
the horizontal OX. It reaches the target P in time t.
Initial velocity in the downward direction
see= 0
Vertical distance,
OA = y = 490 m
As y = gt²
490 = × 9.8 t²
Or t= = 10 s.

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
237
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

(ii) Distance of the target from the hill,

AP = x = Horizontal velocity × time
= 98 × 10 = 980 m.
(iii) The horizontal and vertical components of velocity v of the projectile at point P are
= u = 98 ms – ¹
= + gt = 0 + 9.8 × 10 = 98 ms – ¹
v=
= = 98 = 138.59 ms – ¹.
If the resultant velocity v makes angle β with the horizontal, then
tan β = = =1 β = 45°.

4. A body is projected with a velocity of 30 ms – ¹ at an angle of 30° with the vertical. Find the maximum
height, time of flight and the horizontal range. [CBSE 2021]
–
Ans: Here u = 30 ms ¹,
Angle of projection, θ = 90° – 30° = 60°
Maximum height,

H= = = 34.44 m
Time of flight,
T= = = 5.3 s
Horizontal range,

R= =

= = 79.53 m.

5. A projectile has a range of 50 m and reaches a maximum height of 10 m Calculate the angle at which
the projectile is fired. [AIIMS 2002]
Ans: Here R = 50 m, H = 10 m, θ = ?
Horizontal range,

R= = ...(1)
Maximum height,

H= ...(2)
faceoff
Dividing (2) by (1), we get

= = tan θ

or tan θ = = = 0.8
or tan θ = tan – ¹ (0.8) = 38.66°

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
238
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

6. A cricket ball is thrown at a speed of 28m/sec in a direction 30° above the horizontal. Calculate (a)
the maxm height (b) the time taken by the ball to return to the same level (c) the distance from the
thrower to the point where the ball returns to the same level. [NCERT]
Ans: u = 28m/sec, θ = 30°
a) Maxm height, =
so, H = 10m.

b) Time of flight, T =
T = 2.9 sec.

c) Horizontal Range, R = =
eager
R = 60m.
7. An airplane is moving horizontally with speed 100m/ sec at height of 2000m from ground. A small
object is detached from it and strikes the ground. Calculate the angle from vertical with which it
strikes the ground. [NCERT] 100m/sec
X
Ans: O

and

sooooo
So, A

.
Y

8. A hiker stands on the edge of a cliff 490m above the ground and throws a stone horizontally with
an initial speed of 15m/sec. neglecting air resistance. Find the time taken by the stone to reach the
ground, and the speed with which it hits the ground. [NCERT]

Ans:

self
9. A ball is thrown from a roof top at an angle of 45° above the horizontal. It hits the ground a few
seconds later. At what point during its motion, does the ball have
(a) greatest speed. (b) smallest speed. (c) greatest acceleration?
Explain: [NCERT EXEMPLAR]
Ans: Given situation is shown in the figure and mechanical energy of the ball and the earth system is
conserved.

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
239
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

(a) Ball at point A, has both kinetic and potential energy while it is thrown. Just before hitting the
ground, the ball has only kinetic energy i.e. maximum kinetic energy, so at this point C, ball has
maximum speed.
(b) At the maximum height attained by the ball, its K.E. will be minimum, SO the ball has smallest
speed at point B.
(c) Acceleration on the ball is same everywhere i.e. acceleration due to gravity, vertically downwards
because ball is in projectile motion.

10. A football is kicked into the air vertically upwards. What is its (a) acceleration, and (b) velocity
at the highest point? [NCERT EXEMPLAR]
Ans: (a) Acceleration of the football at highest point is acceleration due to gravity (g).
(b) At highest point, football is at rest. So, its velocity is zero.

11. In dealing with motion of projectile in air, we ignore effect of air resistance on motion. This gives
trajectory as a parabola as you have studied. What would the trajectory look like if air resistance
is included? Sketch such a trajectory and explain why you have drawn it that way.
Ans: The energy of the projectile as well as its velocity decreases due to
presence of air resistance.
Due to this reason, the fall of the projectile is steeper than rise as
shown in figure. [NCERT EXEMPLAR]

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
240
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

LEVEL -2
2 [For CBSE]

1. Find the angle of projection for which the horizontal range and the maximum height are equal.
Ans: Given [NEET 2018]
horizontal range = maximum height

or =

or 2 sin θ cos θ =
set
or =4
or tan θ = 4
θ = 75°58'.
2. Prove that the maximum horizontal range is four times the maximum height attained by the
projectile, when fired at an inclination so as to have maximum horizontal range. [CBSE 2008]
Ans: For θ = 45°, the horizontal range is maximum and is given by

of
Maximum height attained,

or =4

3. A ball is kicked at an angle of 30° with the If the horizontal component of its velocity is 19.6 ms –
¹, find the maximum height and horizontal range. [AIIMS 2001]
Ans: Here θ = 90° – 30° = 60°
Horizontal velocity = u cos 60° = 19.6 ms – ¹
u= = = 39.2 ms – ¹
Maximum height,

H= = = 58.8 m.
means
Horizontal range,

R= =

= = 135.8 m.

4. Show that a given gun will shoot three times as high when elevated at an angle of 60° as when
fired at angle of 30° but will carry the same distance on a horizontal plane. [NEET 2019]

Ans: The vertical height attained by a projectile is given by

H=

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
241
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

When θ = 60°,

H₁ =
When θ = 30°,

H₂ =

H₁: H₂ = = 3:1
Thus, the gun will shoot three times as high when elevated at an angle of 60° as when fired at an angle
of 30°. Horizontal range of a projectile,

R=

When θ = 60°, R₁ =

When θ = 30° R₂ =
Thus, R₁ = R₂, i.e the horizontal distance covered will be same in both cases.
5. A boy stands at 39.2 m from a building and throws a ball which just passes through a window
19.6 m above the ground. Calculate the velocity of projection of the ball. [IIT 2002]
Ans: Here H = 19.6 m
R = 39.2 + 39.2 = 78.4 m
As proved in the above example,
= tan θ
or tan θ = = =1
θ = 45°.

As =R

= 78.4
or u= = 19.6 27.72 ms – ¹.
= oot

6. A bomb is dropped from an aeroplane when it is directly above a target at a height of 1000 m. The
aeroplane is moving horizontally with a speed of 500 kmh – ¹. By how much distance will the bomb
miss the target? [AIIMS 2015]
Ans: As the aeroplane is moving horizontally, the initial downward velocity of the bomb, = 0
Also y = 1000 m , g = 9.8 ms – ², t = ?
Now y= t + gt²
1000 = 0 + × 9.8 t²

or t= =
Horizontal velocity of the aeroplane

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
242
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

= 500 kmh – ¹
= 500 × ms – ¹ = ms – ¹
Distance by which the bomb misses the target
= Horizontal distance covered by the bomb before it hits the ground
= Horizontal velocity × time
= = 1984.13 m.

7. Two tall buildings face each other and are at a distance of 180 m from each other. With what
velocity must a ball be thrown horizontally from a window 55 m above the ground in one building,
so that it enters a window 10.9 m above the ground in the second building. [CBSE 2014]
Ans: In Fig. A and B are two tall buildings which are 180 m apart. W₁ and W₂ are the two windows
in A and B respectively.
Vertical downward distance to be covered by the ball
= Height of W₁ – Height of W₂
= 55 – 10.9 = 44.1 m
Initial vertical velocity of ball,
=0
As y= t + gt²
44.1 = 0 + × 9.8 t²
or t² = = 9 or t = 3s
Required horizontal velocity
= = = 60 ms – ¹.

8. A plane is flying horizontally at a height of 1000 m the velocity of 100 ms – ¹ when a bomb is released
from it. Find (i) the time taken by it to reach the ground (ii) the velocity with which the bomb hits
the target and (iii) that distance of the target. [CBSE 2023]
Ans: (i) For vertical motion:
y = gt²
1000 = × 9.8 t²

or t² =

t= s = 14.28s
(ii) Velocity with which the bomb hits the target,

v= =

= = 172.05 ms – ¹
tan β = = = 1.4
β = 54°28'
(iii) Distance of the target,
x = ut = 1000 × = 1428.51 m.
STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
243
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

9. A mailbag is to be dropped into a post office from an aeroplane flying horizontally with the velocity
of 270 kmh – ¹ at a height of 176.4 m above the ground. How far must the aeroplane be from the
post office at the time of dropping the bag so that it directly falls into the post office?
Ans: For vertical motion: [AIIMS 2002]
y = gt²
176.4 = × 9.8 t²

or t² = = 36
t = 6s
also, u = 270 kmh – ¹ = = 75 ms – ¹
x = ut = 75 × 6 = 450 m.

10. In between two hills of height 100 m and 92 m respectively, there is a value of breadth 16 m. If a
vehicle jumps from the first hill to the second, what must be its minimum horizontal velocity so
that it may not fall into the valley? Take g = 9 ms – ². [NEET 2018]
Ans: For vertical motion: u = 0,
y = Difference of heights = 8 m, g = 9 ms – ²
As y = gt²

t= s
For horizontal motion:
x = Distance between the two hills = 16 m
As x = ut
u= = 12 ms – ¹.

11. A body is projected with a velocity of 20 ms – ¹ in a direction making an angle of 60° with the
horizontal. Calculate its (i) position after 0.5 s and (ii) velocity after 0.5s. [CBSE 2011]
Ans: Here u = 20 ms – ¹, θ = 60°, t = 0.5 s
(i) x = (u cos θ) t = (20 cos 60°) × 0.5 = 5 m
y = (u sin θ) t – gt²

= (20 × sin 60°) × 0.5 – × 9.8 × (0.5)²

= 7.43 m
(ii) = u cos θ = 20 cos 60° = 10 ms – ¹
= u sin θ – gt = 20 sin 60° – 9.8 × 0.5
= 12.42 ms – ¹

12. A bullet is fired at an angle of 15° with the horizontal and hits the ground 6 km away. Is it possible
to hit a target 10 km away by adjusting the angle of projection assuming the initial speed to be the
same? [CBSE 2016]

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
244
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

Ans: As R=

6=

or = = 12

Also = = 12 km.
As > 10 km, the bullet can hit the target at a distance of 10 km by adjusting the angle of
projection.
13. A person observes a bird on a tree 39.6 m high and at a distance of 59.2 m. With what velocity the
person should throw an arrow at the angle of 45° so that it may hit the bird? [IIT 2015]
Ans: For horizontal motion of the arrow:
u cos 45°. t = 59.2

or u=
For vertical motion of the arrow :
39.6 = u sin 45°. t – × 9.8 × t²

39.6 = . t – × 9.8 t²

Or t² = = =4
or t = 2s

Hence u= = 29.6 = 41.86 ms – ¹.

14. A boy playing on the roof a 10 m high building throws a ball with a speed of 10 ms – ¹ at an angle
of 30° with the horizontal. How far from the throwing point will the ball be at the height of 10 m
from the ground? Given g = 10 ms – ² [AIIMS 2006]
Ans: When the ball thrown from the height of 10 m reaches again at the height of 10 m, it covers a
distance equal to its horizontal range R given by

R=

But u = 10 ms – ¹, θ = 30°, g = 10 ms – ²

R= = 10 × 0.866 = 8.66 m.

15. A ball is thrown from a point with a speed of at an angle of projection θ. From the same point
and at the same instant, a person starts running with a constant speed of /2 to catch the ball. Will
the person be able to catch the ball? If yes, what should be the angle of projection?
Ans: Yes, the person will be able to catch up the ball if the horizontal component of the velocity of
the ball is equal to the constant speed of the person, i.e., [NEET 2023]
cos θ =
or cos θ =
or θ = 60°
STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
245
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

16. A projectile can have the same range R for two angles of projection. If t₁ and t₂ be the time of flight
in the two cases, then prove that t₁t₂ = [AIIMS 2009]
Ans: For equal range, the particle should either be projected at an angle θ or (90° – θ).
t₁ =

and t₂ =

t₁t₂ =

= .

17. Prove that the horizontal range is same when angle of projection is (i) greater than 45° by certain
value and (ii) less than 45° by the same value. [CBSE 2012]

Ans: Since,
i) When angle of projection θ = 45° +

So,
ii) When angle of projection = 45° -

18. A man runs across the roof-top of a building and jumps horizontally with the hope of landing on
the roof of next building which is of lower height than the first. If his speed is 9ms -1 , the (horizontal)
distance between the two buildings is 10 m and the height difference is 9m, will he able to land the
next building? Substantiate your answer. Take g =9.8 m/s 2. [CBSE 2017]
Ans: Time taken by the man to fall through a height of 9 m,

t= = s = 1.34s

Horizontal distance covered by the man in 1.34 s,

x = ut = 9 1.34 m = 12.06 m
As the distance between the two buildings (10 m) is less than 12.06 m, the man will be able to land
on the next building.

19. A boy travelling in an open car moving on a levelled road with constant speed tosses a ball
vertically up in the air and catches it back. Sketch the motion of the ball as observed by a boy
standing on the footpath. Give explanation to support your diagram. [NCERT EXEMPLAR]

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
246
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

Ans: With respect to the ground observer, ball is thrown with velocity u at angle θ with the horizontal.
Hence it seems as a projectile. So path of the ball will be parabola.
u₁ = car speed, u₂ = initial vertical speed of ball.

u= , θ = tan – 1

20. A boy throws a ball in air at 60° to the horizontal along a road with a speed of 10 m s – 1 (36 km/h).
Another boy sitting in a passing by car observes the ball. Sketch the motion of the ball as observed
by the boy in the car, if car has a speed of (18 km h – 1). Give explanation to support your diagram.
Ans: Initial speed of the ball, u = 10 m s – 1 = 36 km h – 1 [NCERT EXEMPLAR]
The ball is thrown at angle of 60° with the horizontal.
Horizontal speed of the ball, ux = u cos 60° = 36 × = 18 km h – 1
Vertical speed of the ball, uy = u sin 60°= 36 × = 18 km h – 1
Speed of the car, v = 18 km h – 1
Since, = v, so boy sitting in the car will observe only the vertical motion of the ball.
Sketch of motion is shown in the figure.

21. The ceiling of a long hall is 25m high. What is the maxm horizontal distance that a ball thrown with
a speed of 40m/sec can go without hitting the ceiling of the hall? [NCERT]
Ans: R = 150.5m.

22. (a) What is projectile motion?

(b) The maximum range of projectile is 2/ times actual range. What is the angle of
projection for the actual range?
(c) Two balls are thrown with the same initial velocity at angles α and (90º - α) with the horizontal.
What will be the ratio of the maximum heights attained by them? [CBSE 2019]
Ans: b) α:1

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
247
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

23. a) Show that for a projectile the angle between the velocity and the x-axis as a function of time is
given by =
b) Show that the projection angle θ0 for a projectile launched from the origin is given by:
= . [NCERT]

24. A ball rolls off the top of a stairway with a constant horizontal velocity ‘u’. if the steps are h meter
high and w, meter wide, show that the ball will just hit the edge of the nth step if .

25. A ball is thrown from a point with a speed of vo at an angle of projection θ. From the same point
and at the same instant, a person starts running with a constant speed of v o/2 to catch the ball. Will
the person be able to catch the ball? If yes, what should be the angle of projection?
Ans:

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
248
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

LEVEL -3
3 [For CBSE & COMPETITIVE ]

1. A particle is projected horizontally with a speed u from top of a plane inclined at an angle ‘θ’ with
the horizontal direction. How far from the point of projection will the particle strike the plane?
Ans: OP = ? [IIT 2008]
u
X
O

Y
Now,
P

X
Now, Y

and y = x

So, .

2. A fighter plane flying horizontally at an attitude 1.5 km with speed 720 km/h passes directly over-
head an aircraft gun. At what angle from the vertical should the gun be fired from the shell with
muzzle speed 600m/sec to hit the plane. At what min m altitude should the pilot fly the plane to
avoid being hit?
[NCERT]
Ans: Speed of plane = 720 km/h
= 200m/sec.
Seed of shell = 600 m/sec.
Horizontal distance travelled by the shell in time t is the same as the distance covered by the plane for
hitting the plane.

Foot
θ = 19.5° with vertical.
The plane will not hit by the bullet from the gun if its is flying at a
minm height which is the maxm height attained by bullet firing from
gun.

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
249
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

3. As shown in Fig. a body is projected with velocity u₁ from the point A. At the same time another
body is projected vertically upwards with the velocity u₂
from the point B. What should be the value of u₁/u₂ for
both the bodies to collide?
Ans: For two bodies to collide in air, y₁ = y₂
u₁ sin 60° × t – gt² = u₂ t – gt²
u₁ sin 60° × t = u₂t

or .
4. A body is projected such that its kinetic energy at the top is 3/4th of its initial kinetic energy. What
is the initial angle of projection of the projectile with the horizontal? [IIT 2019]
Ans: Initial Κ.Ε. = mu²
K.E. at the top = mu² cos² θ

or cos² θ =

or cos θ = or θ = 30°.
5. A projectile is projected in the upper direction making an angle of 60° with the horizontal direction
with a velocity of 147 ms – ¹. After what time will its inclination with the horizontal be 45°?
[IIT 2007]
Ans: Suppose the body is projected with velocity u at an angle of 60° with the horizontal and after
time t, its velocity becomes v making an angle of 45° with the horizontal. Equating the
horizontal and vertical components of u and v,
u cos 60° = v cos 45°
or v=
also, v sin 45° = u sin 60° – gt
or × sin 45° = u sin 60° – gt

or t = [sin 60° – cos 60°] = = 5.49s.

6. A shell is fired from a gun from the bottom of a hill along its slope. The slope of the hill is = 30o
deg and the angle of the barrel to the horizontal = 60o . The initial velocity u of the shell is 21m s-
1
. Find the distance from the gun to the point at which the shell falls. [IIT 2003]
Ans: The situation is shown in Fig. 4.81. The horizontal and vertical distances covered by the shell in time
STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
250
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

t is given by
x = u cos .t ...(1)
and y = u sin .t ...(2)
If the shell falls on the inclined plane at distance OP = s, then
x = s cos ….(3)
y = s sin …..(4)
From (1) and (3),
s sin = u cos .t

or t=

From (2) and (4),

s sin = u sin .t – gt2

= u sin . – g.

s= cos

= = 30m.

7. A particle is projected over a triangle from one end of a horizontal base and grazing the vertex
falls on the other end of the base. If and be the base angles and the angle of projection,
prove that tan = tan + tan . [CBSE 2019]
Ans: The situation is shown in Fig.
If R is the range of the particle, then from the figure
we have

tan + tan = + =

or tan + tan = ….(1)

Also, the trajectory of the particle is

y = x tan – g

= x tan

= x tan

= x tan

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
251
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

or, tan =
From equations (1) and (2), we get
tan = tan + tan .
8. A target is fixed on the top of a pole 13 metre high. A person standing at a distance of 50 metre
from the pole is capable of projecting a stone with a velocity 10 ms- 1 If he wants to strike the
target in shortest possible time, at what angle should he project the stone? [IIT 2018]
Ans: The trajectory of a projectile is given by

y = x tan –

As the target lies on the path of projectile, so

13 = 50 tan – sec2

[ u = 10 ms-1]

Or 13 = 50 tan

50 tan

25 tan2 –100 tan + 51 = 0

tan = = or

The horizontal distance covered in time t is given by

x = (u cos ) t
or 50 = (10 )(cos ) t

or t=

For t to be minimum, cos should be maximum, cos is greatest if tan is least, i.e.

tan = or = tan-1 = 30o 58'.

9. At what angle should a body be projected with a velocity 24 ms -1 just to pass over the obstacle 16
m high at a horizontal distance of 32 m? Take g = 10 ms-2
Ans: As shown in Fig. if point of projection is taken as the origin of the coordinate system, the
projected body must pass through a point having coordinates (32 m, 16 m). If u be the initial velocity
of the projectile and the angle of projection, then
Horizontal component of initial velocity, uz = u cos
Vertical component of initial velocity, uy = u sin
If the body passes through point P after time t, then
horizontal distance covered,
x = (u cos ) t
or 32 = (24 cos ) t
STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
252
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

Similarly, vertical distance covered,

y = (u sin ) t - gt2

16 = (24sin ) t - 10t2

From equation (1), t =

Putting this value of t in equation (2), we get

16 = (24 sin ) –

Or 16 = 32 tan –5

Or 9 = 18 tan – 5 (1 + tan2
Or 5 tan2 – 18 tan + 14 = 0

tan = = 2.462 or 1.137

Hence = 67o54’ or 48o40’

10. A machine gun is mounted on the top of a tower 100 m high. At what angle should the gun be
inclined to cover a maximum range of firing on the ground below? The muzzle speed of the bullet
is 150 ms-1, take g = 10ms- 2 [IIT Adv. 1998]
Ans: Let u be the muzzle speed of the bullet fired from the gun (on the top of the tower) at an angle with
the horizontal, as shown in Fig. Clearly, the total range of firing on the ground is

x= + 100 cot

= + 100 (-cosec2 )

= (1 – 2 sin2 ) -

= 4500 – 9000 sin2

For x to be maximum,

=0

Or 4500 – 9000 sin2 – 45 sin2 +1=0

Or 90 sin4 – 45 sin2 +1=0

Or sin2 =

Taking only positive sign,

Sin2 = 0.4767
or sin = 0.6904
Or = 43.7o
STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
253
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

11. Show that there are two values of time for which a projectile is at the same height. Also show that
the sum of these two times is equal to the time of flight. [CBSE 2019]
Ans: For vertically upward motion of a projectile,
y = u sin . t – gt2
or gt2 – u sin .t + y = 0
This is a quadratic in t. Its roots are

t1 = (Lower Value)

and t2 = (Higher Value)

These are the two values of time for which the vertical height y is same, first while going up and
second while going down.

Now t1 + t2 = +

Or t1 + t2 = = T, the time of flight.

12. Two projectiles are thrown with different velocities and at different angles so as to come
maximum height. Show that the sum of the times taken by each to reach the highest point is
equal to the total time taken by either of the projectiles. [IIT 2000]
Ans: If the two projectiles are thrown with velocities u1 and u2 at angle , and , with horizontal, then
their maximum heights will be then
H1 =

and H2 =
But H1 = H2
=
Or u1 sin = u2 sin …..(1)
Times of flight for the two projectile are
T1 =

and T2 =
Making use of equation (1), we get
T1 = T2
=
Times taken to reach the highest point in the two cases will be
t1 =

and t2 =
STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
254
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

t1 + t 2 = +

= or
[ using (1)]
Or t1 + t2 = time to flight of either projectile.

13. A hunter aims his gun and fires a bullet directly at a monkey on a tree. At the instant the bullet
leaves the barrel of the gun, the monkey drops. Will the bullet hit the monkey? Substantiate your
answer with proper reasoning. [CBSE 2023] [IIT 2012]
Ans: As shown in Fig. the gun at O is directed towards the monkey at position M. Suppose the bullet
leaves the barrel of the gun with velocity u at an angle with the horizontal, Let the bullet cross the
vertical line MB at A after time t. Horizontal distance travelled,
OB = x = u cos .t
Or t= ….(1)

For motion of the bullet from O to B, the vertical range is

AB = u sin .t – gt2 = u sin . – gt2

= x tan – gt2 [using (1)]

Also MB = x tan
MA = MB – AB

= x tan – = gt2

Thus in time t the bullet passes through Aa vertical distance gt2 below M.

= 0 + gt2 = gt2
Thus the bullet and the monkey will always reach the point A at the same time. Hence the bullet will
always hit the monkey whatever be the velocity of the bullet.
14. A ball is thrown at an angle and another ball is thrown at an angle (90°- ) with the horizontal
direction from the same point with velocity 39.2 ms-1. The second ball reaches 50 m higher than
the first ball. Find their individual heights. Take g = 9.8 ms-2. [NEET 2023]
Ans: For the first ball: Angle of projection = ,
the Velocity of projection, u =39.2 ms-1
As maximum height,

H=

H= …..(1)
For the second ball: Angle of projection = 90°- , velocity of projection, u = 39.2 ms-1, maximum height
reached = (H + 50) m

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
255
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

H + 50 =

Or H + 50 = ….. (2)

Adding (1) and (2), we get

2H + 50 = ( + )

= = 78.4

Or 2H = 78.4 – 50 = 28.4
or H = 14.2m
Height of first ball = H = 14.2m.
Height of second ball
= H + 50 = 14.2 + 50 = 64.2 m.
15. If R is the horizontal range for inclination and h is the maximum height reached projectile, show
that the maximum range is given by + 2h [CBSE 2022]

Ans: Horizontal range, R =

Maximum height, h=

+ 2h = +

= +

= +

= (cos2 + sin2 ) =

+ 2h = Rmax .

16. Show that there are two angles of projection for which the horizontal range is the same. Also show
that the sum of the maximum heights for these two angles is independent of the angle of projection.
Ans: When a projectile is fired with velocity u at an angle with the horizontal, its horizontal range is

R= [CBSE 2018]

Replacing by (90o - ), we get

R= = =

i.e., R’= R
Hence there are two angle of projection and (90o – ) for which the horizontal range R is same.
STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
256
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

Now H= ….(1)

and H’ = = …..(2)

Adding equation (1) and (2), we get

H + H’ = (sin2 + cos2 )

Or H + H’ =

Clearly, the sum of the heights for the two angle of projection is independent of the angle projection.

17. A helicopter on a flood relief mission flying horizontally with a speed u at an altitude h, has to drop
a food packet for a victim standing on the ground. At what distance from the victim should the
food packet be dropped? [AIIMS 2014]
Ans: In Fig. H represents position of the helicopter and V that of the victim. For vertical motion of
the packet
h=0+ gt2

or t =

Horizontal distance covered by the food packet in time t,

x = ut = u =

The distance of the point of projection from the food packet is

D= = .

18. Show that the motion of one projectile as seen from another projectile will always be a straight
line motion. [CBSE 2015, 18]
Ans: As shown in Fig. suppose two projectiles are thrown from the origin O of the XY-plane with
velocities u1 and u2 making angles and respectively with X-axis. After time t, let the two
projectiles occupy positions A(x1, x1) and B(x2 y2) .
Then
x1 = u1 cos .t
and y1 = u1 sin .t – gt2
Also, x2 = u2 cos .t
and y2 = u2 sin .t – gt2
x2 – x1 = (u2 cos .t – u1 cos .t) t
y2 – y1 = ( u2 sin .t – u1 sin .t) t

or = = m (a constant)

If (x,y) be the coordinates of point B relative to the point A, then

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
257
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

x2 – x1 = x and y2 – y1 = y
=m
y = mx
This is the equation of a straight line. Hence the motion of a projectile as seen from another projectile
is a straight-line motion.

19. A fighter plane is flying horizontally at an altitude of 1.5 km with speed 720 km h – 1. At what angle
of sight (w.r.t. horizontal) when the target is seen, should the pilot drop the bomb in order to attack
the target? [NCERT EXEMPLAR] [NEET 2019]
Ans: Initial speed of plane, ux = 720 km h – 1 = 720 × m s – 1 = 200 m s – 1
Height of the plane from ground, y = 1.5 km = 1500 m
t = time taken to hit the target
y = uyt + gt² 1500 = 0 × t + × 10 × t²
t² = 300 = 17.32 s
Clearly, x = uxt = 200 × 17.32 = 3464 m
Angle sight with respect to horizontal, α = tan – 1

α = tan – 1 = tan – 1 (0.433) = 23°16'

20. A hill is 500 m high. Supplies are to be sent across the hill using a cannon that can hurl packets at
a speed of 125 m s – 1 over the hill. The cannon is located at a distance of 800 m from the foot of hill
and can be moved on the ground at a speed of 2 m s – 1; so that its distance from the hill can be
adjusted. What is the shortest time in which a packet can reach on the ground across the hill? Take
g = 10 m s–2. [NCERT EXEMPLAR]
Ans: Speed of the packet, u = 125 m s – 1
Height of the hill, h = 500m
Distance between cannon and foot of hill, d = 800 m, g = 10 m s – 2
Minimum vertical speed to just cross the hill,
uy = = = 100 m s – 1
Maximum horizontal speed of the packet,
ux = = = 75 m s – 1
Time taken by the packet to reach the highest peak of
hill,

t= = 10 s = time of ascent

Horizontal distance covered by the packet in time t = 10 s

x = 75 × 10 = 750 m
Adjusted distance by the cannon
= d – x = 800 – 750 = 50 m

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
258
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

Time taken by cannon to move this distance is given by

t' = = 25 s
Hence, minimum time taken by the packet to reach the ground (C) across the hill, i.e.,
= + +
= t' + t + t = 25 + 10 + 10 = 45 s

21. A gun can fire shells with maximum speed vo and the maximum horizontal range that can be

achieved is R = . If a target farther away by g distance ∆x (beyond R) has to be hit with the same
gun (see figure), show that it could be achieved by raising the gun to a height at least
h = ∆x [NCERT EXEMPLAR] [IIT 2020]

Ans: Maximum range, R =

Here, sin 2θ = 1
2θ = 90°
θ = 45°
Consider the motion of a shell after point P.
For horizontal direction,
∆x = ( cos θ)t
t=

For vertical direction, h = ( sin θ)t +

=( sin θ) +

h = ∆x

h = ∆x
h = ∆x
which is required relation.

22. A particle falling vertically from a height hits a plane surface inclined to horizontal at an angle θ
with speed and rebounds elastically (see figure). Find the distance along the plane where it will
hit second time. [NCERT EXEMPLAR] [IIT 2023]
Ans: Since the collision of particle with inclined plane is elastic, so its rebound speed is same but direction
of velocity is changed. After rebounding, motion of the particle is projectile on inclined plane.
Let T = time taken by the particle to hit the plane second time.
Consider motion along perpendicular to inclined plane,
y = 0, uy = cos θ, ay = –g cos θ, t = T

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
259
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

y = uyt + ayt²
0=( cos θ)T + (– g cos θ)T²

T=
Consider motion along inclined plane,
x = L, ux = sin θ, ax = g sin θ, t = T =

x = ux t + ax t²

= sin θ + (g sin θ) = sin θ.

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
260
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane
SKILLS ASSESSMENT- 4

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (MCQ’S)

LEVEL -1
1 [For CBSE]

1. If tm is the time taken by a projectile t to achieve the maximum height, then the total time of
flight Tf related to tm as [CBSE 2006]
(a) tm = 2Tf (b) Tf = tm (c) Tf = 2tm (d) None of these

2. If u is the initial velocity of a projectile and v is the velocity at any instant, then the maximum
horizontal range ; R is equal to

(a) Rm = (b) Rm = (c) Rm = (d) Rm =

3. In the projectile motion, if air resistance is ignored, the horizontal motion is at

(a) constant acceleration (b) constant velocity
(c) variable acceleration (d) constant retardation
4. The time of flight of a projectile on an upward inclined plane depends upon
(a) angle of inclination of the plane
(b) angle of projection
(c) the value of acceleration due to gravity
(d) all of the above.
5. In a projectile motion, velocity at maximum height is [CBSE 1996]

(a) (b) u cos (c) (d) None of these

6. At the top of the trajectory of a projectile, the acceleration is [AIIMS 2000]

(a) maximum (b) minimum (c) zero (d) constant
7. A particle moves in a plane with a constant acceleration in a direction different from the initial
velocity. The path of the particle is a/an
(a) straight line (b) arc of a circle (c) parabola (d) ellipse
8. The velocity of a projectile at the initial point A is ( 2 +3 ) m/s its
velocity (in m/s) at point B is [CBSE 1999]
(a) - 2 + 3 (b) 2 – 3
(c) 2 + 3 (d) -2 - 3

9. A stone is projected horizontally with a 5 m/s from the top of a plane inclined at an angle 45° with
the horizontal. How far from the point of projection will the particle strike the plane?
(a) 5 m (b) 11 m (c) 12 m (d) 15 m

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
261
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

10. A body is projected horizontally with velocity 3 m/s from a height 5m. It's horizontal range is
(a) 3 m (b) 5 m (c) 10 m (d) 12m

LEVEL -2
2 [For CBSE]

1. If a projectile has a constant initial speed and angle of projection. Find the relation between the
changes in the horizontal range due to change in acceleration due to gravity. [PMT]
(a) (b)

(c) (d)

2. An aircraft is flying at a height of 3400m above the ground. If the angle subtended at a ground
observation point by the air craft positions 10sec apart is 30°. What is the speed of the air craft?
[NCERT]
(a) (b)
Hint:→
(c) (d)

3. For angle ...X..., the projectile has maximum range and it is equal to ...X.... Here, X and Y refer to

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

4. If V1 is velocity of a body projected from the point A and V 2 is the velocity of a body projected
from point B which is vertically below the highest point C. if both the bodies collide, then
(a) (b)

(c) (d)

5. Two balls are projected at an angle and (90° - ) to the horizontal with the same speed. The ratio
of their maximum vertical heights is [CBSE 2013]
(a) 1:1 (b) tan :1 (c) 1: tan (d) tan2 :1

6. The velocity of projection of a body is increased by 2%. Other factors remaining unchanged,
what will be the percentage change in the maximum height attained? [NEET 2019]
(a) 1% (b) 2% (c) 4% (d) 8%
STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
262
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

7. A missile is fired for maximum range with an initial velocity of 20 m/s 2. If g = 10 m/s², the range of
the missile is [AIIMS 2014]
(a) 40 m (b) 50 m (c) 60 m (d) 20 m

8. A body projected at an angle with the horizontal has a range 300 m. If the time of flight is 6s, then
the horizontal component of velocity is [CBSE 2009]
(a) 30 m s-1 (b) 50 m s-1 (c) 40 m s-1 (d) 45 m s-1

9. If the angles of projection of a projectile with same initial velocity exceed or fall short of 45° by
equal amounts, then the ratio of horizontal ranges is [AIIMS 2001]
(a) 1:2 (b) 1:3 (c) 1:4 (d) 1:1

10. The horizontal range of a projectile fired at an angle of 15° is 50 m. If it is fired with the same
speed at an angle of 45°, its range will be [CBSE 2017] [NCERT EXEMPLAR]
(a) 60 m (b) 71 m (c) 100 (d) 141 m

11. For a projectile, (range)² is 48 times of (maximum height)² obtained. The angle of projection is
(a) 60° (b) 30° (c) 45° (d) 75°

12. Two bodies are projected with the same velocity. If one is projected at an angle of 30° and the
other at 60° to the horizontal, then ratio of maximum heights reached is [AIIMS 2001]
(a) 3:1 (b) 1:2 (c) 1:3 (d) 2:1

13. A person can throw a ball upto a maximum range of 100 m. How high above the ground he can
throw the same ball? [IIT 2021]
(a) 25 m (b) 50 m (c) 100 m (d) 200 m

14. A cricket ball is thrown by a player at a speed of 20 m/s in a direction 30° above the horizontal.
The maximum height attained by the ball during its motion is (Take g=10m/s²) [NEET 2022]
(a) 5 m (b) 10 m (c) 20 m (d) 25 m

15. Two projectiles are thrown with same initial velocity making an angle of 45° and 30° with the
horizontal respectively. The ratio of their respective ranges will be [IIT 2022]

(a) 1: (b) :1 (c) 2: (d) :2

16. A ball is projected with a velocity, 10 ms1, at an angle of 60° with the vertical direction. Its speed
at the highest point of its trajectory will be [NEET 2022]
(a) zero (b) 5 ms-1 (c) 5ms-1 (d) 10ms-1

17. Two projectiles of same mass have their maximum kinetic energies in ratio 4: 1 and ratio of their
maximum heights is also 4: 1, then what is the kin ratio of their ranges? [AIIMS 2010]

(a) 2:1 (b) 4:1 (c) 8:1 (d) 16:1

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
263
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

18. A projectile is fired at an angle of 45° with the horizontal. Elevation angle of the projectile at its
highest point as seen from the point of projection, is [NEET 2018]

(a) tan-1 (b) 45° (c) 60° (d) tan-1

19. Two particles are projected in air with speed vo at angles θ₁ and θ₂ (both acute) to the horizontal,
respectively. If the height reached by the first particle is greater than that of the second, then tick
the right choices [NCERT EXEMPLAR]
(a) angle of projection: θ₁ > θ₂ (b) time of flight: T₁ > T₂
(c) horizontal range: R₁ > R₂ (d) total energy: U₁ > U₂.

20. A particle is projected in air at some angle to the horizontal, moves along parabola as shown in
figure, where x and y indicate horizontal and vertical directions, respectively. Show in the diagram,
direction of velocity and acceleration at points A, B and C. [NCERT EXEMPLAR]

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
264
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

LEVEL -3
3 [For CBSE & COMPETITIVE ]

1. Projectile is launched at an angle ' ' with the horizontal with a velocity 20 ms¹. After 10 s, its
inclination with horizontal is ' '. The value of tan will a be (g = 10m s- 2) [IIT 2022]
(a) tan + 5 sec (b) tan – 5sec
(c) 2 tan – 5 sec (d) 2tan + 5sec

2. A helicopter flying horizontally with a speed 'v' at an altitude 'h' has to drop a food packet for a
man on the ground. What is the distance of helicopter from the man when the food packet is
dropped? [IIT 2021]

(a) + h2 (b) (c) + h2 (d)

3. A projectile is projected with velocity of 25 m/s at an angle with the horizontal. After t seconds
It’s a inclination with horizontal becomes zero. If R represents of the projectile, the value of 0 will
be [Use g = 10m / s2] [IIT 2022]

(a) sin-1 (b) sin-1 (c) tan-1 (d) cot-1

4. A projectile is given an initial velocity of is with ( +2 ) m/s, where is along the ground and
the along the vertical. If g = 10m / s2 the equation of its trajectory is [IIT 2013]
(a) y = x - 5x2 (b) y = 2x - 5x 2 (c) 4y = 2x - 5x2 (d) 4y = 2x - 25x2

5. A ball is projected with kinetic energy E, at an angle of 60° to the horizontal. The kinetic energy of
this ball at the highest point of its flight will become [IIT 2022]

(a) zero (b) (c) (d) E

6. A particle moving in a circle of radius R with a uniform speed takes a time T to complete one
revolution. If this particle were projected with the same speed at an angle ' ’ to the horizontal,
the maximum height attained by it equals 4R. The angle of projection, , is then given by

(a) = cos-1 (b) = cos-1 [IIT 2018]

(c) = sin-1 (d) = sin-1 [NEET 2021]

7. A particle is projected from the ground with an initial speed of v at angle with the horizontal.
The average velocity of the particle between its point of projection and highest point of trajectory
is [AIIMS 2016]
(a) (b)

(c) (d) v cos

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
265
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

8. A projectile is given an initial velocity of + 2 . The cartesian equation of its path is [AIIMS 2017]
(Take g = 10 ms-2)
(a) y = x - 5x2 (b) y = 2x - 5x2 (c) y = 2x - 15x 2 (d) y = 2x - 25x2

9. The trajectory of a projectile near the surface of its the earth is given as y = 2x - 9x2 If it were
launched at will an angle with speed , then (g = 10ms- 2) [ IIT 2019]

(a) = cos-1 and = ms-1 (b) = sin-1 and = ms-1

(c) = sin-1 and = ms-1 (d) = cos-1 and = ms-1

10. A projectile is fired with a velocity v at right angle to the slope which is inclined at an angle
with the horizontal. The range of the projectile along the inclined plane is: [IIT 2023]

(a) (b)

(c) (d)

11. Two particles are projected simultaneously from the level ground as shown in figure. They may
collide after a time: [IIT 2023]

(a) (b)

(c) (d)

12. You throw a ball with a launch velocity of = (3 +4 ) m/s

towards a wall, where it hits at height h1. Suppose that the
launch velocity were, instead, = (5 +4 ) m/s and h2 is height,
then [IIT 2023]
(a) h2 = h1 (b) h₂ < h
(c) h₂ > h₁ (d) h₂ ≥ h₁

13. The equation of a projectile is y = x– The angle of projection is given by [NEET 2023]

(a) tan = (b) tan = (c) (d) zero

14. The equation of trajectory of projectile is given by y = - where x and y are in metre.
The maximum range of the projectile is [IIT 2017]
(a) m (b) m (c) m (d) m

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
266
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

ANSWER KEY:

LEVEL-1

1. c. 2. d. 3. b. 4. d. 5. b. 6. d. 7. c. 8. b. 9. a. 10. a.

LEVEL-2

1. a. 2. d. 3. c. 4. b. 5. d. 6. c. 7. a. 8. b. 9. d. 10. c. 11. b.

12. c. 13. b. 14. a. 15. c. 16. b. 17. b. 18. d. 19. a, b.

LEVEL-3

1. b. 2. c. 3. d. 4. b. 5. c. 6. d. 7. c. 8. b. 9. a. 10. c. 11. c.

12. b. 13. b. 14. b.

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
267
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

Uniform circular motion

When a point object is moving on a circular path with constant speed then the motion is said to be uniform
circular motion.
Some basic terms in uniform circular motion
a) Angular displacement
It is the angle traced out by the radius vector at the centre of circular path in a given time.

Angular disp. (θ) =

It is a vector quantity. Its direction can be given by right hand rule.
O A
b) Angular velocity r
It is defined as the time rate of change of its angular displacement.
Now,

It is a vector quantity. Its direction as same as that of by the right hand rule.
c) Angular acceleration
It is defined as the time rate of change of its angular velocity.
Now,

Relation b/w linear velocity and angular velocity

Let us consider a point object moving with a uniform angular velocity and linear speed V on a circular
path of radius ‘r’.
In circular motion linear velocity is directed along the tangent to the circle at every point in the
direction of motion.
B

Or, - (1)
And angular velocity A
O
Or, - (2)
Since,

ω∆t =

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
268
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

Relation b/w linear acceleration and angular acceleration

We know that,
V = ωr.
Differentiating both sides w.r.t time.

d) Time period
It is the time taken by the object to complete one revolution on its circular path. It is denoted by
(T).

e) Frequency
It is defined as the number of revolutions completed by the object in a unit time.
Now,
or (Hertz).

Relation b/w angular velocity frequency and time period.

Now,

Centripetal acceleration
When an object undergoing uniform circular motion then the acceleration of the object is always
acting towards the centre this accln is called centripetal acceleration.
Let be the velocity of the particle at A and B respectively of the moving object in a circular path.
Since, in uniform circular motion
D
C
B ∆
Now, from triangle law, D C

- ∆ A
O
Since,
A
ω =

Or, =

Then, acceleration .

Its direction along the radius towards the centre.

centripetal accn

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
269
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

Solved Examples

LEVEL -1
1 [For CBSE]

1. Calculate the angular speed of flywheel making 420 revolutions per minute.
Ans: Here = 420 revolutions/min

= revolutions/s

=2 v=2 = 44 rad s- 1

2. Find the magnitude of the centripetal acceleration of a particle on the tip of a fan blade, 0.30
metre in diameter, rotating at 1200 rev/minute. [BIT Ranchi 97]
Ans: Here = = 20 rps
=2 =2 20 = 40 rad s-1
=r = 0.15 (40 )2 = 2368.8 ms- 2

3. A stone tied to the end of a string 80cm long is whirled in horizontal circle with constant speed. If
the stone makes 14 revolution in 25 seconds. What is the magnitude and direction of acceleration
of the stone? [NCERT]
E tones
Ans: r = 80cm = 0.8m, ν =

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
270
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

LEVEL -2
2 [For CBSE]

1. Which is greater : the angular velocity of hour hand of a watch or angular velocity of earth around
its own axis? Give their ratio. [CBSE 2012]
Ans: The hour hand completes one rotation in 12 hours. Its angular speed is
= = = = rad s- 1

to
The earth completes one rotation about its axis in 24 hours. Its angular speed is

= = = = rad s -1

Clearly, > and : = 2:1

2. A body of mass 10 kg revolves in a circle of diameter 0.40 m, making 1000 revolutions per
minute. Calculate its linear velocity and centripetal acceleration. [CBSE 2016]

Ans: Here m = 10 kg, r = 0.20 m , v = s- 1

Angular speed ,
=2 =2 = rad s- 1
Linear velocity,
seedes
=r = 0.20 = ms- 1
Centripetal acceleration,

a=r = 0.20 = ms- 2

3. An insect trapped in a circular groove of radius 12 cm moves along the groove steadily and
completes 7 revolutions in 100 s. (i) What is the angular speed and the linear speed of the motion?
(ii) Is the acceleration vector a constant vector? What is the magnitude? (iii) What is its linear
displacement? [NCERT] [CBSE 2023]
Ans: Here r = 12 cm , = s-1

Here r = 12 cm , = s- 1
(i) Angular speed,
ω = 2 πν = 2 × × = 0.44 rad s-1
Linear speed,
= r = 12 0.44 = 5.28 cm s- 1 sedate
(ii) Acceleration is always directed towards the centre of the circular groove. As the insect moves, the
direction of the acceleration vector changes. So acceleration vector is not a constant vector.
Magnitude of acceleration,
a=r = 12 (0.44)2 = 2.32 cm s-2
(iii) After completing 7 revolutions, the insect wheel comes back to its initial position. So its linear
displacement is zero.
STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR
KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
271
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

4. A cyclist is riding with a speed of 27km/h. as he approaches a circular turn on the road of radius
80m. he applies brakes and reduces his speed at the constant rate of 0.5 m/S 2. What is the
magnitude and direction of the net acceleration of the cyclist on the circular turns? [NCERT]
Ans: v = 27km/h = 27 If the cyclist applies the brakes at the point P of the
circular turn, then tangential acceleration act opposite to velocity. So, s2
So, Net acceleration [NEET 2019]

= 0.86 s2.
And =
54° .28.

5. The radius of the earth's orbit around the sun is 1.5 m. Calculate the angular and linear
velocity of the earth. Through how much angle does the earth revolve in 2 days? [CBSE 2017]
Ans: Here r = 1.5 1011 m
Period of revolution of the earth, at
T = 365 days = 365 24 60 60 s
Angular velocity,

= =

= 1.99 10- 7 rad s -1

Linear velocity,
= r = 1.5 1011 1.99 10 - 7 = 2.99 104 ms- 1
In 365 days, the earth revolves through an angle of radians. Angle through which the earth

revolves in 2 days = 2= = 0.0344 rad.

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
272
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

LEVEL -3
3 [For CBSE & COMPETITIVE]

1. A particle moves in a circle of radius 4.0 cm metre clockwise at constant speed of 2 cms -1. If
and are unit acceleration vectors along X-axis and Y-axis respectively (in cm s- 2) , find the
acceleration of the particle at the instant half way between P and Q. Refer to Fig. [IIT 2018]
Ans: As shown in Fig. let R be the midpoint of arc PQ. Then POR = 45o
Magnitude of acceleration at R,

a= = = 1 cm s- 2

The acceleration a acts along RO.

Magnitude of component of a along X-axis,

= a cos 45 = = 1 cm s- 2

=-

Magnitude of component of a along Y-axis,

=1 sin 45 = cm s- 2
=-

Hence = + =- ( + )
2. Calculate the linear acceleration of a particle moving in a circle of radius 0.4 m at the instant
when its angular velocity is 2 rad s- 1 and its angular acceleration is 5 rad s- 2 [IIT 2013]

Ans: Here r = 0.4 m , = 2 rad s- 1 , = 5 rad s- 2

Tangential acceleration,
=r = 0.4 5 = 2 m s- 2
Centrepetal acceleration,
=r = 0.4 (2)2 = 1.6 ms- 2 .
Total linear acceleration,
a= = 6)2 ms- 2 = 2.6 ms-2
If makes angle with then

tan = = = 0.8

= 38°40′

3. A threaded rod with 12 turns per cm and diameter 1.18 cm is mounted horizontally. A bar with a
threaded hole to match the rod is screwed onto the rod. The bar spins at the rate of 216 rpm.
How long will it take for the bar to move 1.50 cm along the rod? [IIT 2022]

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
273
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

Ans: Pitch of threaded screw = cm

Number of rotations required to move a distance of 1.5 cm,

n= = = 18

=2 n=2 18 = 36 rad
Angular speed of the bar,
=2 =2 =7.2 rad s-1
Required time,

t= = 5s

4. a) Earth can be thought of as a sphere of radius 6400 km. Any object is performing circular
motion around the axis of earth due to earth’s rotation. What is acceleration of object on the
surface of the earth towards its centre? What is it at latitude θ? How does these accelerations
compare with g = 9.8 m/s2?
b) Earth also moves in circular orbit around sun once every year with an orbital radius of
1.5 × 1011 m. What is the acceleration of earth towards the centre of the sun? How does this
acceleration compare with g = 9.8 m/s2? [NCERT EXEMPLAR]
Ans: (a) Given, R = 6400 km = 6.4 T = 24 h = 24 60 60s

Centripetal acceleration, = R= R

= = 3.38 10-2 ms-2

At latitude

ac = (R cos ) = 3.38 10-2 cos ms-2

At poles, = 90o, ac = 0

Now, = = = 3.4 10-3

Which is smaller than 1.

(b) Given R = 1.5 1011 m

T = 1 year = 3.15 107 s

Centripetal acceleration, ac = R

ac =

= 5.94 10-3 ms-2

= = =6 10–4

which is much smaller than 1.

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
274
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane
SKILLS ASSESSMENT- 5

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (MCQ’S)

LEVEL -1
1 [For CBSE]

1. The circular motion of a particle with constant speed is [CBSE 2018]

(a) simple harmonic but not periodic (b) periodic and simple harmonic
(c) neither periodic nor simple harmonic (d) periodic but not simple harmonic

2. The angular speed of the earth around the sun is [CBSE 2022 ]

(a) rad (b) rad

(c) rad/sec (d) rad

3. A body is tied with a string and is given a circular motion with a velocity v in radius r. The
magnitude of the acceleration is [CBSE 2020]
(a) v/r (b) v²/r (c) v/ r² (d) v²/ r²

4. If a cycle wheel of radius 4 m completes one revolution in two seconds, then acceleration of the
cycle is
(a) πm / s² (b) 2π² m / s² (c) π² m / s² (d) 4π² m / s²

5. Which of the following statements is false for a particle moving in a circle with a constant angular
speed?
(a) The velocity vector is tangent to the circle
(b) The acceleration vector is tangent to the circle
(c) The acceleration vector points to the centre of the circle
(d) The velocity and acceleration vectors are perpendicular to each other

6. A particle is acted upon by a force of constant magnitude, which is always perpendicular to the
velocity of the particle. The motion of the particle takes place in a plane. It follows that
(a) its velocity is constant (b) its acceleration is constant
(c) its kinetic energy is constant (d) it moves in a circular path

7. The angular speed of a flywheel making 120 revolutions/minute is [CBSE PMT 95]
(a) 4π rad/s (b) 4π² rad/s (c) π rad/ s (d) 2π rad/s

8. The direction of the angular velocity vector is along [AIIMS 04, 07]
(a) the tangent to the circular path (b) the inward radius
(c) the outward radius (d) the axis of rotation

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
275
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

LEVEL - 2 [For CBSE]

1. Figure alongside shows a body of mass m moving with a uniform speed v along a
circle of radius r. The change in velocity in going from A to B is [NEET 2022]
(a) v (b) v/
(c) v (d) zero

2. Two cars of masses m₁ and m₂ are moving in circles of radii r₁ and r₂ respectively. Their speeds are
such that they make complete circles in the same time [Link] ratio of their centripetal acceleration is
(a) m₁r₁: m₂r₂ (b) m₁: m₂ (c) r₁ / r₂ (d) 1:1

3. In hydrogen atom, the electron is moving around the nucleus with the velocity 2.18 × 10⁶ m/s in an
orbit of radius 0.528 Å. The acceleration of the electron is [CBSE 2023]
(a) 9 × 1018 m / s² (b) 9 × 10²² m / s² (c) 9 × 10 – ²² m/s² (d) 9 × 10¹² m/s²

4. Two particles having mass M and m are moving in a circular path having radius R and r. If their
time periods are same, then the ratio of angular velocity will be [CBSE PMT 01]

(a) (b) (c) 1 (d)

5. A body is whirled in a horizontal circle of radius 20 cm. It has an angular velocity of 10 rad/s.
What is its linear velocity at any point on circular path? [CBSE PMT 96]
(a) 20 m/s (b) m/s (c) 10 m/s (d) 2 m/s

6. An electric fan has blades of length 30 cm measured from the axis of rotation. If the fan is rotating
at 120 rpm, the acceleration of a point on the tip of the blade is [CBSE PMT 90]
(a) 1600 ms – ² (b) 47.4 ms – ² (c) 23.7 ms – ² (d) 50.55 ms – ²

7. A stone tied to the end of a string of 1 m length is whirled in a horizontal circle with a constant
speed. If the stone makes 22 revolutions in 44 seconds, what is the magnitude and direction of
acceleration of the stone? [IIT 2017]
(a) π² ms – ² and direction along the radius towards the centre
(b) π² ms – ² and direction along the radius away from the centre
(c) π² ms – ² and direction along the tangent to the circle
(d) π²/4 ms – ² and direction along the radius towards the centre.

8. A particle moves in a circle of radius 5 cm with constant speed and time period 0.2 πs. The
acceleration of the particle is [CBSE Pre 2011]
(a) 15 m/s² (b) 25 m/s² (c) 36 m/s² (d) 5 m/s²

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
276
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

9. If a body moving in a circular constant speed of 10 ms – ¹ then which path maintains of the
following correctly describes relation between acceleration and radius? [IIT 2015]

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
277
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

LEVEL -3
3 [For CBSE & COMPETITIVE ]

1. Consider two satellites S₁ and S₂ with periods of revolution 1 h and 8 h respectively revolving
around a planet in circular orbits. The ratio of angular velocity of satellite S₁ to the angular
velocity of satellite S₂ is [JEE Main Feb 21]
(a) 1:4 (b) 1:8 (c) 2:1 (d) 8:1

2. A particle moves in x-y plane according to rule x = a sin ωt and y = a cos ωt. The particle follows
(a) an elliptical path (b) a circular path
(c) a parabolic path (d) a straight line path inclined equally to r- and y-axis

3. Two particles A and B are moving in uniform circular motion in concentric circles of radii and
with speeds and respectively. Their time period of rotation is the same. The ratio of
angular speed of A to that of B will be [NEET 19]
(a) (b) (c) 1: 1 (d)

4. The angular speed of a fly wheel moving with uniform angular acceleration changes from 1200
rpm to 3120 rpm in 16 seconds. The angular acceleration in rad/s² is [NEET July 22]
(a) 2π (b) 4π (c) 12π (d) 104π

5. What is the value of linear velocity, if [CBSE PMT 99]

and ?
(a) (b)
(c) (d)

6. A particle moves along a circle of radius m with constant tangential acceleration. If the
velocity of the particle is 80 m/s at the end of the second revolution after motion has begun, the
tangential acceleration is [IIT 2019]
(a) 40 m/s² (b) 640 πm/s² (c) 160 πm/s² (d) 40πm/s²
7. If the equation for the displacement of a particle moving on a circular path is given by
θ = 2t³ + 0.5, where θ is in radians and in seconds, then, the angular velocity of the particle at t = 2
s is [AIIMS 1998]
(a) 8 rad s – ¹ (b) 12 rad s – ¹ (c) 24 rad s – ¹ (d) 36 rad s – ¹

8. A car is travelling with a linear velocity v on a circular road of radius r. If it is increasing its speed
at the rate of a m/s², then the resultant acceleration will be [AIIMS 2013]

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

9. The position vector of a particle as a function of time is given by [IIT 2018]

= 4 sin (2 πt)î + 4 cos (2 πt)

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
278
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

where R is in metres, t is in seconds and î and denote unit vectors along x- and y-directions,
respectively. Which one of the following statements is wrong for the motion of particle?

(a) Path of the particle is a circle of radius 4 metre.

(b) Acceleration vector is along –
(c) Magnitude of acceleration vector is , where v is the velocity of particle.
(d) Magnitude of the velocity of particle is 8 metre second.

10. A uniform circular disc of radius 50 cm at rest is free to turn about an axis which is perpendicular
to its plane and passes through its centre. It is subjected to a torque which produces a constant
angular acceleration of 2.0 rad s – ². Its net acceleration in ms – ² at the end of 2.0 s is approximately
[NEET 2016]
(a) 8.0 (b) 7.0 (c) 6.0 (d) 3.0

11. In the given figure, a = 15 m/s² represents the total acceleration of a particle moving in the
clockwise direction in a circle of radius R = 2.5 m at a given instant of
time. The speed of the particle is [NEET 2016]
(a) 5.7 m/s (b) 6.2 m/s
(c) 4.5 m/s (d) 5.0 m/s

12. A person moved from A to B on a circular path as shown in the figure. If the distance travelled
by him is 60 m, then the magnitude of displacement would be (Given cos 135° = – 0.7)
[JEE Main July 22]
(a) 42 m (b) 47 m
(c) 19 m (d) 40 m

13. A flywheel is accelerated uniformly from rest and rotates through 5 rad in the first second. The
angle rotated by the flywheel in the next second, will be [JEE Main June 22]

(a) 7.5 rad (b) 15 rad (c) 20 rad (d) 30 rad

14. A ball is spun with angular acceleration α = 6t² – 2t where t is in seconds and α is in rads – ².
At t = 0 the ball has angular velocity of 10 rads – ¹ and angular position of 4 rad. The most
appropriate expression for the angular position of the ball is [JEE Main June 22]

(a) t⁴ – t² + 10t (b) + 10t + 4

(c) + 10t + 12 (d) 2t⁴ – + 5t + 4

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
279
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

ANSWER KEY:

LEVEL-1

1. d. 2. a. 3. b. 4. d. 5. b. 6. c, d. 7. a. 8. d.

LEVEL-2

1. a. 2. c. 3. b. 4. c. 5. d. 6. b. 7. a. 8. d. 9. a.

LEVEL-3

1. d. 2. b. 3. c. 4. b. 5. b. 6. a. 7. c. 8. b. 9. d. 10. a. 11. a.

12. b. 13. b. 14. b.

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
280
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

CASE BASED QUESTIONS

Composition of Vectors

The sum of two vectors of the same kind gives a new vector of the same type. The process of adding
two or more vectors is called composition of vectors. Two vectors and can be added graphically
using head-to-tail method or parallelogram method. Suppose we wish to add two vectors and as
shown in Fig. 1. Draw a vector equal and parallel to vector , as shown in Fig. 2. From head P of
, draw a vector equal and parallel to vector , then the resultant vector is given by which
joins the tail of and head of . This head-to-tail method is also called triangle law of vector addition
because the two vectors and their resultant form a triangle.

To add vectors and by parallelogram method, we bring their tails to a common point O as shown
in Fig. Draw PS || and QS || to complete the parallelogram OPSQ as shown in Fig. According to
the parallelogram law, diagonal gives the resultant

or

| , where θ is the angle between and .

If makes angle β with , then tan β =

QUESTIONS (Answer any four of the following questions)

1. Two forces of 12 N and 8 N act upon a body. The resultant force on the body has maximum value
of
(a) 4 N (b) 8 N (c) 12 N (d) 20 N

2. Forces F₁ and F₂ act on a point mass in two mutually perpendicular directions. The resultant force
on the point mass is
(a) F₁ + F₂ (b) F₁ – F₂ (c) (d)

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
281
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

3. The magnitude of the vectors and are 3, 4 and 5 units respectively. If + = , then the
angle between and is
(a) (b) (c) (d) 0

4. If = + and the values of , and are 13, 12 and 5 respectively, then the angle between
and will be
(a) cos – ¹ (5/13) (b) cos = ¹ (13/12) (c) π / 2 (d) sin – ¹ (5/12)

5. If + = and | | = | | = | |, then angle between and is

(a) 30° (b) 60° (c) 90° (d) 120°

Multiplication of Two Vectors

Two sectors can be multiplied in two ways — one way produces a scalar resultant and is called scalar
duct while another way produces a vector resultant and is called vector product.
For two vectors and inclined at an angle θ, the scalar or dot product is defined as
= | | | | cos θ = AB cos θ
Geometrically, it is equal to the product of magnitude of one vector and component of the other vector
along the first vector. In terms of rectangular components of and , we can write

Scalar product obeys both commutative and distributive laws.

For two vectors and inclined at an angle θ, the vector or cross product is defined as
× = AB sin θ
where is a unit vector perpendicular to the plane of and and its direction is given right hand
rule.
Geometrically, the magnitude of the vector product of two vectors is equal to twice the area of the
triangle formed by the two vectors as its adjacent sides. In terms of rectangular components of and
.

Vector product does not obey commutative law but obeys distributive law.

QUESTIONS (Answer any four of the following questions)

1. The angle between the two vectors = 5î + 5 and = 5î – 5 will be

(a) zero (b) 90° (c) 45° (d) 0

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
282
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

2. When = –| | | |, then

(a) and are perpendicular to each other (b) and act in the same direction
(c) and act in the opposite directions (d) and can act in any direction

3. For vectors and making an angle 'θ', which one of the following relations is correct?

(a) × = × (b) × = AB sin θ

(c) × = AB cos θ (d) × =– ×

4. If | × | = | . |, then angle between and will be

(a) 30° (b) 60° (c) 45° (d) 90°

5. If | × |= . , then the value of | + | is

(a) (A² + B² + AB)1/2 (b)
(c) A + B (d) (A² + B² + AB)1/2

Projectile Motion

A body is said to be a projectile if it is projected into space with some initial velocity and then it
continues to move in a vertical plane such that its horizontal acceleration is zero and vertical
downward acceleration is equal to g. If an object is projected from the origin with initial velocity &
making an angle θ with x-axis, then at any instant t, its position, velocity and acceleration are given by
Position: x = (u cos θ)t ; y = (u sin θ)t – gt²
Velocity: = u sin θ = constant, = u sin θ – gt
Acceleration: = 0 and = – g
The path of the projectile is parabolic and is given by:
y = (tan θ)x –

Maximum height attained by the projectile, H =

Time taken to reach the maximum height,

The time of descent is equal to the time of ascent. So, the total time of flight,
T=2
The horizontal distance travelled by the projectile during its time of flight is called its range.
R=

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
283
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

QUESTIONS (Answer any four of the following questions)

1. Which of the following is true regarding projectile motion?

(a) horizontal velocity of projectile is constant (b) vertical velocity of projectile is constant
(c) acceleration is not constant (d) momentum is constant

2. At the top of the trajectory of a projectile, thrown at an angle of projection θ < 90°, its
(a) velocity is zero
(b) velocity is parallel to the direction of acceleration
(c) velocity is anti-parallel to the direction of acceleration
(d) velocity is perpendicular to the direction of acceleration

3. Three particles A, Band Care projected from the same point with the same initial speeds making
angles 30°, 45° and 60° respectively with the horizontal. Which of the following statements is
correct?
(a) A, B and C have unequal ranges
(b) Ranges of A and C are equal and less than that of B
(c) Ranges of A and Care equal and greater than that of B
(d) A, B and C have equal ranges

4. A particle is projected at an angle 45°. The relation between range and maximum height attained
by the particle is
(a) R = 4 H (b) 4R = H (c) 2 H = R (d) none of these

5. A particle is projected with certain velocity at two different angles of projections with respect to
horizontal plane so as to have the same range ‘R’ on a horizontal plane. If ‘t₁’ and ‘t₂’ are the
times taken for the two paths, then which one of the following relations is correct?
(a) t₁t₂ = 2 R/g (b) t₁t₂ = R/g (c) t₁t₂ = R/2g (d) t₁t₂ = 4 R/g

Uniform Circular Motion

When a body moves along a circular path with a uniform speed, its motion is said to be uniform
circular motion. In uniform circular motion, the direction of the velocity vector which acts along the
tangent to the path changes continuously but its magnitude (v = rω) always remains constant. So
uniform circular motion is an accelerated motion. A body undergoing circular motion is acted upon
by an acceleration which is directed along the radius towards the centre of the circular path. This
acceleration is called centripetal acceleration. The magnitude of the acceleration is a constant given
by
ac = = ω² r = (2πv)²r = 4 π² v²r

But the direction of ac changes continuously, always pointing towards the centre. So, centripetal
acceleration is not a constant vector. The resultant acceleration of a body in circular motion is towards
the centre only if its speed is constant.

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
284
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

QUESTIONS (Answer any four of the following questions)

1. A body executing uniform circular motion has at any instant its velocity vector and acceleration
vector
(a) along the same direction (b) in opposite direction
(c) normal to each other (d) not related to each other

2. The angular speed of a fly-wheel making 120 revolutions/minute is

(a) π rad/sec (b) 4 π rad/sec (c) 2π rad/sec (d) 4π² rad/sec

3. A particle moves with constant speed along a circular path of radius and completes the circle in
time T. Acceleration of the particle is

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

4. A stone tied to the end of a spring 1 m long is whirled in a horizontal circle with a constant speed.
If the stone makes 22 resolutions in 44 s, what is the magnitude and direction of acceleration of the
stone?

(a) m and direction along the radius towards the centre

(b) π² m and direction along the radius away from the centre
(c) π² m and direction along the radius towards the centre
(d) π² m and direction along the tangent to the circle

5. An object moves at a constant speed along a circular path in a horizontal XY-plane, with the
centre at the origin. When the object is at x = –2 m, its velocity – (4m/ s) . What is the object's
acceleration when it is at y = 2 m?
(a) – (8 m/s²) (b) –(8 m /s²)î (c) (– 4m /s²) (d) (4 m/s²)î

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
285
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

Answer Key:

Composition of Vectors

1. d. 2. c. 3. a. 4. a. 5. d.

Multiplication of Two Vectors

1. b. 2. c. 3. d. 4. c. 5. a.

Projectile Motion

1. a. 2. d. 3. b. 4. a. 5. a.

Uniform Circular Motion

1. c. 2. b. 3. a. 4. c. 5. a.

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
286
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

ASSERTION - REASON BASED QUESTIONS

1. Assertion : In projectile motion, the angle between the instantaneous velocity and acceleration at
the highest point is 180°.
Reason : At the highest point, velocity of projectile will be in horizontal direction only.
a. Assertion is correct, reason is correct; reason is a correct explanation for assertion.
b. Assertion is correct, reason is correct; reason is not a correct explanation for assertion
c. Assertion is correct, reason is incorrect
d. Assertion is incorrect, reason is correct.

2. Assertion : Two particles of different mass, projected with same velocity at same angles. The
maximum height attained by both the particle will be same.
Reason : The maximum height of projectile is independent of particle mass.
a. Assertion is correct, reason is correct; reason is a correct explanation for assertion.
b. Assertion is correct, reason is correct; reason is not a correct explanation for assertion
c. Assertion is correct, reason is incorrect
d. Assertion is incorrect, reason is correct.

3. Assertion : The maximum horizontal range of projectile is proportional to square of velocity.

Reason : The maximum horizontal range of projectile is equal to maximum height attained by
projectile.
a. Assertion is correct, reason is correct; reason is a correct explanation for assertion.
b. Assertion is correct, reason is correct; reason is not a correct explanation for assertion
c. Assertion is correct, reason is incorrect
d. Assertion is incorrect, reason is correct.

4. Assertion : If there were no gravitational force, the path of the projected body always be a straight
line.
Reason : Gravitational force makes the path of projected body always parabolic.
a. Assertion is correct, reason is correct; reason is a correct explanation for assertion.
b. Assertion is correct, reason is correct; reason is not a correct explanation for assertion
c. Assertion is correct, reason is incorrect
d. Assertion is incorrect, reason is correct.

5. Assertion : Horizontal range is same for angle of projection θ and (90 – θ).
Reason : Horizontal range is independent of angle of projection.
a. Assertion is correct, reason is correct; reason is a correct explanation for assertion.
b. Assertion is correct, reason is correct; reason is not a correct explanation for assertion
c. Assertion is correct, reason is incorrect
d. Assertion is incorrect, reason is correct.

6. Assertion : If dot product and cross product of A and B are zero, it implies that one of the
vector A and B must be a null vector
Reason : Null vector is a vector with zero magnitude.

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
287
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

a. Assertion is correct, reason is correct; reason is a correct explanation for assertion.

b. Assertion is correct, reason is correct; reason is not a correct explanation for assertion
c. Assertion is correct, reason is incorrect
d. Assertion is incorrect, reason is correct.

7. Assertion : The scalar product of two vectors can be zero.

Reason : If two vectors are perpendicular to each other, their scalar product will be zero.
a. Assertion is correct, reason is correct; reason is a correct explanation for assertion.
b. Assertion is correct, reason is correct; reason is not a correct explanation for assertion
c. Assertion is correct, reason is incorrect
d. Assertion is incorrect, reason is correct.

8. Assertion: A physical quantity cannot be called as a vector if its magnitude is zero.

Reason: A vector has both magnitude and direction.
a. Assertion is correct, reason is correct; reason is a correct explanation for assertion.
b. Assertion is correct, reason is correct; reason is not a correct explanation for assertion
c. Assertion is correct, reason is incorrect
d. Assertion is incorrect, reason is correct.

9. Assertion : Minimum number of non-equal vectors in a plane required to give zero resultant is
three.
Reason : If sum of vectors A+B+C=0 , then they must lie in one plane.
a. Assertion is correct, reason is correct; reason is a correct explanation for assertion.
b. Assertion is correct, reason is correct; reason is not a correct explanation for assertion
c. Assertion is correct, reason is incorrect
d. Assertion is incorrect, reason is correct.

10. Assertion : If A.B = B.C, then A may not always be equal to C.

Reason : The dot product of two vectors involves cosine of the angle between the two vectors.
a. Assertion is correct, reason is correct; reason is a correct explanation for assertion.
b. Assertion is correct, reason is correct; reason is not a correct explanation for assertion
c. Assertion is correct, reason is incorrect
d. Assertion is incorrect, reason is correct.

11. Assertion : If a body of mass m is projected upwards with a speed V making an angle θ with the
vertical, than the change in the momentum of the body along X–axis is zero.
Reason : Mass of the body remains constant along X–axis
a. Assertion is correct, reason is correct; reason is a correct explanation for assertion.
b. Assertion is correct, reason is correct; reason is not a correct explanation for assertion
c. Assertion is correct, reason is incorrect
d. Assertion is incorrect, reason is correct.

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
288
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

12. Assertion : The magnitude of velocity of two boats relative to river is same. Both boats start
simultaneously from same point on one bank may reach opposite bank simultaneously
moving along different paths.
Reason : For boats to cross the river in same time. The component of their velocity relative to
river in direction normal to flow should be same.
a. Assertion is correct, reason is correct; reason is a correct explanation for assertion.
b. Assertion is correct, reason is correct; reason is not a correct explanation for assertion
c. Assertion is correct, reason is incorrect
d. Assertion is incorrect, reason is correct.

13. Assertion : Two balls of different masses are thrown vertically upward with same speed. They
will pass through their point of projection in the downward direction with the same
speed.
Reason : The maximum height and downward velocity attained at the point of projection are
independent of the mass of the ball.
a. Assertion is correct, reason is correct; reason is a correct explanation for assertion.
b. Assertion is correct, reason is correct; reason is not a correct explanation for assertion
c. Assertion is correct, reason is incorrect
d. Assertion is incorrect, reason is correct.

14. Assertion : τ = r x F and τ ≠ F x r

Reason : Cross product of vectors is commutative.
a. Assertion is correct, reason is correct; reason is a correct explanation for assertion.
b. Assertion is correct, reason is correct; reason is not a correct explanation for assertion
c. Assertion is correct, reason is incorrect
d. Assertion is incorrect, reason is correct.

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
289
 SHANTANU SHEKHAR
Motion in a plane

ANSWER KEY

1. (d) 2. (a) 3. (c) 4. (c)

5. (c) 6. (b) 7. (a) 8. (d)

9. (a) 10. (b) 11. (b) 12. (b)

13. (a) 14. (c)

STUDY CENTRES: AMAR COLONY LAJPAT NAGAR - 4 GREATER KAILASH – II MALVIYANAGAR

KALKAJI SARITA VIHAR
98-1111-3934, 98-1100-3934, 9-61-62-63-64-5.
290