Physics 1st Paper Vector

Chapter-2

Md. Sabbir Hossain

BISC, NIRJHOR
 Chapter: Vector
Definitions
Quantity
Any quantity in physics is called physical quantity.
Scalar quantity
A physical quantity which has only magnitude and no direction is called scalar quantity or
scalar. For example, length, mass, time, population, temperature, heat, electric potential, speed
etc. are scalar quantities.
Vector quantity
A physical quantity which has both magnitude and direction is called vector quantity or vector.
For example, displacement, velocity, acceleration, deacceleration or retardation, force, weight
etc. are vector quantities.
Unit vector
When a vector of non-zero magnitude is divided by its magnitude it gives a unit vector along
the direction or parallel to the direction of that vector. That means, a vector whose magnitude
is a unit is called unit vector.

Let ⃗A be a vector whose magnitude. A  0

⃗⃗
A
= unit vector along the direction of ⃗A = 𝑎̂
A

Null or zero-vector
The vector whose magnitude is zero is called a null or zero-vector.
Position vector
When the position of a vector is specified with reference to origin of a reference frame, that
vector is called position vector.
Radius vector
The distance of a point from the origin is called radius vector.
Displacement vector
Distance travelled by a point along a linear or straight path is called the displacement vector.
Like vectors
If two vectors A and B of same type having unequal magnitude are parallel to each other and
directed along the same direction then they are called like vectors.

Md. Sabbir Hossain, Lecturer in Physics, Bangladesh International School and College, Mob: 01730-017987
Reciprocal vectors
If the magnitude of one of the two parallel vectors is reciprocal of the other, then they are
called reciprocal vectors.
Collinear vectors
If two or more vectors are directed along the same line or parallel to one another, then the
vectors are called collinear vectors.
Coplanar vectors
If two or more vectors are parallel to (or lie on) the same plane, then the vectors are called
coplanar vectors.
Negative vector and Equal vector
If the magnitudes of two similar vectors acting opposite to each other are equal, then those
vectors are called opposite or negative vectors of one another.
General law of vectors
Of the two vectors, the end or head point of the first vector and the initial point or tail point of
the second vector are placed on the same point, then the direction of the straight line connecting
the initial or tail point of the first vector and the end or head point of the second vector will
give the direction of the resultant vector. The length of that straight line will give the magnitude
of the resultant vector.
The triangle law
If two similar vectors acting at a point can be represented by two consecutive sides of a triangle
taken in order, then the third side will give the resultant vector in the reverse order.
Law of polygon
This law states that if a vector polygon be drawn, placing the tail-end of each succeeding vector
at the head or arrow-end of the preceding one, their resultant is drawn from the tail-end of the
first to the head or arrow-end of the last.
The parallelogram law
If two similar vectors acting simultaneously at a point can be represented both in magnitude
and direction by two adjacent sides of a parallelogram, then the diagonal from the point of
intersection of these sides gives the resultant vector both in magnitude and direction.
⃗ =Q
⃗ +Q
Commutative law : P ⃗ +P
⃗

⃗ + ⃗Q) + ⃗R = ⃗P + (Q
Associative law : (P ⃗ + ⃗R)

⃗ + ⃗Q) + mP
Distributive law : m (P ⃗
⃗ = mQ

Md. Sabbir Hossain, Lecturer in Physics, Bangladesh International School and College, Mob: 01730-017987
Scalar product
The scalar product or dot product of two vectors is a scalar quantity equal to the product of the
magnitudes of the two vectors and the cosine of the angle between them.
Vector Product
If the product of two vectors is a vector quantity, then that product is called vector product or
cross product, the magnitude of the cross product is obtained by multiplying the magnitudes
of their constituent vectors with the sine of the angle between them.
Right handed screw rule
By keeping a right handed screw on the plane that contains the two vectors and if the first
vector is rotated towards the second vector along the smallest angle, then the direction through
which the screw rotates will be the direction of the resultant.
Vector differential operator
Sir Hamilton first introduced the vector differential operator. Gibbs gave its name as ‘del’. It’s
other name is nabla. Vector differential operator may be expressed in the following way:
  
del, ⃗
⃗ = 𝑖̂ + 𝑗̂ + 𝑘̂
𝑥 𝑦 𝑧

Scalar field
Whatever field is considered, physical property is associated with each point of that field. If
the physical property associated with the field is scalar, then that field is called scalar field.
Density, temperature, potential etc are examples of scalar field. Mathematically, (x, y, z) =
3x2yx + 2xy2x + 5zy2 indicates scalar field.
Vector field
If the physical property associated with the field is a vector then that field is called vector field.
Velocity, electric field, gravitational field etc are examples of vector field.
⃗F (x, y, z) = ax2y 𝑖̂ + bx2yz2 𝑗̂ + 4zx2 𝑘̂ indicates vector field.

Gradient
Gradient is a vector field which expresses the maximum rate of increase of a scalar quantity.
It is also called scalar function.
Divergence
Divergence of vector function or field is a scalar function or field which nature
(external/internal) of flux at a point can be known.

Md. Sabbir Hossain, Lecturer in Physics, Bangladesh International School and College, Mob: 01730-017987
 Curl
Curl of a vector field is a vector quantity which is connected to the rotation of that field. If the
magnitude of line integral per unit area around a point in the vector field becomes maximum
then that expresses the curl of the vector field a1 that point.
Explanatory Questions
Q.1. Under what condition the magnitude of the resultant of two equal vectors can be equal to the magnitude
of each of them?

Ans. Let the magnitude of each of the vectors be a, angle between the two vectors be  and the resultant of
the two vectors be b.
 b2 = a2 + a2 + 2a . a cos 
or, b2 = 2a2 + 2a2 cos 
or, b2 = 2a2 (1 + cos )
 b = a √2(1 + cos )
Now, if √2(1 + cos ) = 1, then there will be b = a

or, 2(1 + cos ) = 1

1 1
or, cos  = 2 – 1 = – 2 = cos 120o

or,  = 120o
Hence, if the angle between the two vectors is 120o then the magnitude of the resultant will be equal
to the magnitude of each of them.

Q.2. Explain whether the resultant of the two equal and similar vectors can be zero or not.
Ans. The resultant of two equal and similar vector can be zero. Because we know the miminum
value of the resultant for two similar vector,
R(min.)= P – Q

Now if P=Q then, R(min.) = 0.

Q.3. By holding the two ends of a rope by two persons the rope is pulled with equal force. Will there be
any change of the position of the persons?
Ans. If two equal and opposite forces act along the ends of a straight line, the resultant will be zero. Hence,
there will not be any change of position of the persons.
Q.4. What will be condition for moving a boat faster to the forward direction in case of towing?
Ans. In case of towing, the applied force divided into two components,
Fx= FCos𝜃 , It will help the boat to move in the forward direction
Fy= FSin𝜃, It will help the boat to move towards the shore.
When Fx is bigger, then the boat will move faster towards forward direction. Fx will be bigger when Cos𝜃 will
be bigger. Cos𝜃 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 be bigger when the value of 𝜃 will smaller. If we to the boat with a long rope then the
angle 𝜃 will be smaller.

Md. Sabbir Hossain, Lecturer in Physics, Bangladesh International School and College, Mob: 01730-017987
Q.5. What will be condition for moving a boat faster towards the shore?
Ans. In case of towing, the applied force divided into two components,
Fx= FCos𝜃 , It will help the boat to move in the forward direction
Fy= FSin𝜃, It will help the boat to move towards the shore.
When Fy is bigger, then the boat will move faster towards the shore. Fy will be bigger when Sin𝜃 will be
bigger. Sin𝜃 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 be bigger when the value of 𝜃 will bigger. If we to the boat with a short rope then the angle
𝜃 will be bigger.
Q.6. Why the handle of a trolley bag is made longer?
Ans. Suppose F force is being applied on the handle of a trolley bag. The handle makes an angle 𝜃 with the
horizontal line. The force applied on the handle of the trolley bag divided into two components.
Fx= FCos𝜃 , It will help the trolley to move faster in the forward direction
Fy= FSin𝜃, It will reduce/inmcrease the weight of the trolley.
Now Fx will be bigger when Cos𝜃 is bigger. We know for smaller 𝜃 the value of Cos𝜃 is bigger. So if we can
keep the angle smaller,then it will be easy for us to move the trolley. That is why the handle of the trolley bag
made longer. Because for longer handle of the trolley the angle become smaller.
Q.7. Pulling a lawn roller is easier than pushing/Pushing a lawn roller in harder than pulling. Explain.
Ans.

In case of pushing: Let the weight of the roller be ⃗W

⃗⃗ and the applied force on the handle of the roller be ⃗F.

⃗ act at O at angle  with the horizontal plane. Now, F

Let the force F ⃗ can be resolved at O into two normal
components.
The horizontal component of the force = F cos , which acts along OB in the forward direction and the vertical
component of the force = F sin , whose direction is downward along OC. This increases the weight of the
roller.
So, total weight of the roller is (W + R sin ), which is more than the actual
weight of the roller. Consequently, the frictional force also increases.
So, it is difficult to push the roller.

In case of pulling: Let the weight of the roller be W ⃗⃗⃗ and the applied force
on the handle be ⃗F. The force ⃗F acts at O at an angle 8 along the horizontal
line OB. This force can be resolved into two normal components. The horizontal component of ⃗F is F cos ,
Due to its action the roller moves in the forward direction. The vertical component of F ⃗ is F sin , which acts
upward along OD. So the total weight of the roller decreases. The weight of the roller is (W – F sin ), which
is less than the actual weight of the roller. The frictional force also decreases, so it becomes easier to pull a
roller. So, it can be said that. It is easier to pull a lawn roller than to push.
Q.8. While flying a bird strikes air of the two sides by wings, but how the bird moves forward?
Ans. While flying a bird strikes air by its wings. Hence a reaction force is created in the opposite direction of
the resultant force of the two wings, so, the bird flies in the forward direction.

Md. Sabbir Hossain, Lecturer in Physics, Bangladesh International School and College, Mob: 01730-017987
 Q.9. Why drops of rain wet the front glass of a moving car but not the back side glass?

Ans. Let the velocity of the car be v and that of rain is u.

 Resultant velocity, 𝑉 ⃗ R= 𝑢
⃗ + (– 𝑣) acts along OP, i.e., acts along the direction of motion of
the [Link] direction of relative velocity of rain with respect to the car acts obliquely towards
the front side.
So, drops of rain wet glass of the front side, instead of the glass of the back side.

Q.10. In which case scalar and vector additions become same?

Ans. Scalars have magnitude only. So, scalar addition means only the addition of magnitude. Similarly, if
more than one vector are in the same direction, then by addition the magnitude of vectors or, vector addition
can be found. That means, this addition will be equal to the scalar addition.

Q.11. Can the resultant of two unequal vectors be zero?

⃗ and Q
Ans. Let P ⃗⃗ be two vectors and angle between them = 
Magnitude of their resultant, R = √P 2 + Q2 + 2PQ cos 
When  = 180o, then R will be minimum. That means, Rmin = P – Q
Now, it is seen that if P and Q are equal then R will be zero. But if P and Q are unequal, then the minimum
value of R cannot be zero. So, the resultant of two unequal vectors can never be zero.

Q.12. “Cross product of two vectors does not obey the commutative law” –explain the statement.

Ans. We know the commutative law of two vectors is, A ⃗ B ⃗ =–B ⃗ A ⃗

We know, ⃗A  ⃗B= ABSin 𝜂̂ and ⃗B  ⃗A = -ABSin 𝜂̂
In both case the magnitude of the cross product equal but the direction of the resultant vectors is opposite of
each others. That is why vector cross product does not follow commutative law.

Q.13. Write down physical significance of gradient.

Ans. (i) Gradient of a scalar quantity is a vector quantity.

(ii) Magnitude of that vector quantity is equal to the maximum rate of change of that scalar quantity.
(iii) Change of scalar quantity does not depend only on the coordinate of the point, but also on the direction
along which the change is shown.

Q.14. Write down physical significance of divergence.

Ans. i) Divergence expresses the total amount of flux of a vector quantity that converges towards and diverges
from a point. Divergence expresses the amount of flux. By  ⃗ or div. V
⃗⃗ . V ⃗ it means change of density of a
fluid in unit time.
ii) If the value is positive, then value of the fluid increases; density decreases. That means ⃗
⃗ . ⃗V = ‘+’ ve

iii) If the value is negative, the volume shrinks, density increases. That means  ⃗ = ‘–’ ve
⃗⃗ . V

iv) If the divergence of a quantity becomes zero, i.e.,  ⃗ = 0, then that vector field is called solenoid.
⃗⃗ . V

Md. Sabbir Hossain, Lecturer in Physics, Bangladesh International School and College, Mob: 01730-017987
Q.15. Write down physical significance of curl.
Ans. (i) Curl is a vector quantity. Its magnitude is equal to maximum line integral for unit field in that vector
field.
(ii) Direction of the vector acts along the normal on that field.
(iii) Curl of a vector indicates the rotation of that vector. Curl represents the number of rotation of the vector
around a point.

(iv) Gradient of curl of any vector field is zero. That means  ⃗⃗  V

⃗⃗ = ( ⃗ ) = 0.

(v) If the curl of a vector is zero, then the vector is irrotational.

Q.16. A reciprocal vector can be said to be collinear vector-explain.
Ans. Reciprocal vectors have reciprocal magnitude but the direction of the vectors are same. And we know
that if two vectors act along the same line then they are known as collinear vectors. So we can say that if two
vectors have reciprocal magnitude but acts along the same line then they can be called reciprocal and collinear
vectors at the same time.

Md. Sabbir Hossain, Lecturer in Physics, Bangladesh International School and College, Mob: 01730-017987
 Mathematical Problem
Type-1:River Math
1. The velocity of a rowing boat in favour of the current in a river is 18 km/hr and against the current it
is 6 km/hr. In which direction the boat is to be driven in order to reach the other side of the river and
what will be the velocity of the boat?
2. If there is no current in a river a swimmer can swim at velocity of 4 kmh–1. If current of the river flows
in a straight line at velocity of 2 kmh–1, then in order to reach from one bank to exactly the opposite
bank of the river in which direction the swimmer is to swim?
3. In order to go directly to the opposite side of the river by a ferry that is moving at a velocity of 15 kmh–

1
, Swapan noticed that the ferry, instead of going straight was moving obliquely. [Velocity of current
= 10 kmh–1]
10 kmh–1
(a) How many times is the maximum value of the resultant to that of the minimum?
(b) Analyze the reason for changing the direction of the ferr
4. In order to cross a river having current whose width is 1.5 km, Pintu decided to start from point A to
reach straight to the point B on the opposite side of the river by swimming. The velocity of current in

that river was 3 kmh–1 and the velocity of the swimmer was 4 kmh–1. Due to current Pintu although
started along AB but reached the opposite side along the line AC.

(a) Calculate the distance travelled along AC.

(b) By swimming along AD could Pintu reach the point B? Give your opinion with mathematical
analysis.

5. A boat is moving with velocity 10 ms–1 in a river of width 36 m. By crossing the river the boat reached
at point C in the opposite side. Velocity of current in the river is 3 ms–1.

(a) Calculate the distance BC on the opposite side of the river and how long will it take to cross the
river?
(b) What measure is to be taken by the boatman to reach the boat directly to the point B in the opposite
side of the river?

Md. Sabbir Hossain, Lecturer in Physics, Bangladesh International School and College, Mob: 01730-017987
 6. A swimmer is swimming in a river of width of 1.5 km with velocity of 4 kmh–1 making an angle of
30° with the current. The velocity of current of that river is 2 kmh–1.

(c) How far the swimmer will have to swim in order to reach the other side of the river?
(d) If the swimmer starts swimming along the path AD with 1500 angle,
will he be able to reach the point B at all? Analyse mathematically.

7. A person can directly cross a river of width 100 m in 4 minutes when there is no current. But it takes
5 minutes when there is current in the river. Find the velocity of the current.

8. A boat started from a point A on one side of a river of width of 4 km with a velocity of 12 kmh–1 to
reach the other side of the river. A person standing on point B on the other side stayed for 20 minutes
from the start of the boat and then he left. Velocity of current in the river is 6 kmh–1.

(a) What is the resultant velocity of the boat?

(b) How the boatman should row the boat so that it can reach directly
to the opposite side of the river? Did the boat meet the waiting person? Analyse mathematically.
Type-2: Vector Resolution
1. A body is pulled towards west by a force of 50 N and towards north by a force of 20 N. Find the
magnitude and direction of the resultant force.

2. In the figure below, determine the resultant of the forces along the directions of 50 N and 100N.
3. In steady water Kanan and Rajan are pulling a steady boat of weighing 500 kg at an angle of 30° by
rope from two sides of a river, The boat travels 3.6 km in 5 minutes parallel to the side of the river. To
reach the destination in 5 minutes both of them are pulling with equal tension, (here frictional force is
negligible)
a) Calculate the magnitude of the tension of rope.
(b) Is it possible to reach to the destination in the time mentioned in the stimulus? Show by
mathematical analysis.

Md. Sabbir Hossain, Lecturer in Physics, Bangladesh International School and College, Mob: 01730-017987
 4.

(a) The boat remains steady in the river when current of 200N comes from opposite direction. Calculate
the tension of the tow of the boat if the angle is 300.
(b) If the tension of the tow remains unchanged, at which path of the river the boat should move so
that it moves fast in the forward direction? –explain.
5. In the figure magnitude of force at three ropes A, B, C is 300 N.

(c) Calculate the magnitude of the resultant force along the motion of the boat.
(d) What is the percentage of applied force being effective? Analyse mathematically.
Among the three ropes A, B, C which rope will produce more motion by
pulling–analyse mathematically.
⃗ | = 5 and | B
6. In the figure | A ⃗ |=6

(a) Calculate the magnitude of (A ⃗ – ⃗B) in the figure.

⃗  ⃗B) remains normal to (A
(b) In the stimulus, the vector (A ⃗ + ⃗B)–verify it with
mathematical analysis.
7. A lawn-roller has been shown in the figure. The handle of the lawn-roller is inclined with the horizontal
at an anlge =600. Mass of the roller is 50Kg.

(a) Calculate the horizontal and the vertical components of the force if the lawn-roller is pushed by 20
N force.
(b) If displacement is 5 m when the lawn-roller is pulled and pushed by the force of 20 N, then will
the work done in both cases be same? Analyze mathematically.

Md. Sabbir Hossain, Lecturer in Physics, Bangladesh International School and College, Mob: 01730-017987
Type-3: Vector product & Calculus

1. If ⃗A = 2 𝑖̂ + 2 𝑗̂ – 𝑘̂ and ⃗B = 6 𝑖̂ – 3 𝑗̂ + 2𝑘̂, determine the magnitude of their scalar and vector products.
2. If ⃗A = 3 𝑖̂ + 3 𝑗̂ – 𝑘̂ and ⃗B = 2 𝑖̂ + 𝑗̂ + 3𝑘̂, find the angle between A and B vectors.
⃗ = 𝑖̂ + 𝑗̂ + 𝑘̂ and B
3. A ⃗ = 5 𝑖̂ + 5𝑗̂ + 2𝑘̂ are two vectors quantities. Show that they are parallel to each other.

4. If P⃗ = 2𝑖̂ + m𝑗̂ – 3𝑘̂ and Q ⃗⃗ = 6𝑖̂ – 3 𝑗̂ – 9𝑘̂, are parallel to each other, find the value of m.
5. ⃗A = 2𝑖̂ – 3𝑗̂ – 𝑘̂ . ⃗B = 𝑖̂ + 4 𝑗̂ – 2𝑘̂, show that (A ⃗  ⃗B) + (B
⃗  ⃗A) = 0
6. Show that ⃗A and ⃗B vectors will be perpendicular to each other if
⃗ –B
|A ⃗ |=|A ⃗ +B ⃗ |.

7. Prove: (A ⃗  ⃗B)2 + | ⃗A . ⃗B |2 = A2B2

8. Determine a unit vector which is perpendicular to the plane that contains the vectors 𝑎 = 2𝑖̂ – 6𝑗̂ – 3𝑘̂
. 𝑏⃗ = 4𝑖̂ + 3𝑗̂ – 𝑘̂.
9. Show that the two vectors A ⃗ = 5𝑖̂ – 4𝑗̂ – 2𝑘̂ and B⃗ = 2𝑖̂ + 𝑗̂ – 3𝑘̂, are perpendicular to each other.
10. For what value of ‘a’ the two vectors ⃗A = 2𝑖̂ – 3𝑗̂ – 𝑘̂ and ⃗B = 4𝑖̂ – 2𝑗̂ – 2𝑘̂ will be normal to each other.
11. . Determine the projection or component of ⃗A along ⃗B if ⃗A = 𝑖̂ – 4𝑗̂ – 5𝑘̂ and ⃗B = 6𝑖̂ – 3𝑗̂ + 2𝑘̂.
12. The adjacent arms of a parallelogram A ⃗ = 𝑖̂ – 4𝑗̂ – 𝑘̂ and B⃗ = – 2𝑖̂ – 𝑗̂ + 2𝑘̂. Calculate the area of the
parallelogram
13. The diagonals of a parallelogram A ⃗ = 𝑖̂ – 4𝑗̂ – 𝑘̂ and B ⃗ = – 2𝑖̂ – 𝑗̂ + 2𝑘̂. Calculate the area of the
parallelogram
⃗ = 2𝑖̂ + 2𝑗̂ – 𝑘̂ and B
14. A ⃗ = 6𝑖̂ + 3𝑗̂ – 2𝑘̂ are two vector quantities, Find a unit vector along their normal
direction.
⃗ = 3𝑖̂ + 2𝑗̂ + 2𝑘̂ . B
15. If A ⃗ = 𝑖̂ + 2𝑗̂ – 3𝑘̂ and C
⃗ = 𝑖̂ + 𝑗̂ + 2𝑘̂, then prove that three vectors are coplanar.
16. If (x, y, z) = 3xy z – 4xy, then determine ⃗
2 3 ⃗ . Find ⃗ ⃗  at point (2, – 1, 1).
17. If 𝑟 = (3x2z) 𝑖̂ + (xyz) 𝑗̂ – (x3y2z) 𝑘̂, then calculate ⃗ ⃗ . 𝑟 at point (2, – 1, 2).
⃗ = 4xyz 𝑖̂ + 2x2y 𝑗̂ – x2y2z 𝑘̂, then determine 
18. If A ⃗⃗  A ⃗ at point (2, – 2, –1).
19. . If ⃗A = 2𝑖̂ + 2𝑗̂ – 𝑘̂ and ⃗B = 6𝑖̂ – 3𝑗̂ + 2𝑘̂, then find the angle between ⃗A and ⃗B. If ⃗A = ⃗A + ⃗B, then
whether ⃗R will bisect the angle between ⃗A and ⃗B or not? Give mathematical justification.
20. Scalar product of two vectors is 18 unit, Magnitude of their vector product is 6√3 unit. What is the
angle between the two vectors?
21. A⃗ = 2𝑖̂ + 2𝑗̂ – 𝑘̂. Determine the angles A ⃗ makes with the three axis.
3 2 ̂
22. 𝑟 = (3y z) î + (x z) ĵ – (x y ) k, Determine whether the vector solenoidal or not.
2 2

23. ⃗A = 4xyz 𝑖̂ + 2x2m 𝑗̂ – x2y2z 𝑘̂ , for which value of m, the vector will be irrotational.

Md. Sabbir Hossain, Lecturer in Physics, Bangladesh International School and College, Mob: 01730-017987