PHYSICS [33]

[34] VECTOR
LECTURE-I
VECTOR

PHYSICAL QUANTITIES  The angle between two vectors is the angle formed
between them when placed tail to tail or head to
 What is a physical quantity?
head.
A physical quantity is a physical property that
can be quantified by measurement. Formally, the
TYPES OF VECTORS
International Vocabulary of Metrology, 3rd
 
edition (VIM) defines quantity as: property of a  Equal vectors: Two vectors A and B are said
phenomenon, where the property has a to be equal when they have equal magnitudes
magnitude that can be expressed as a number (including units) and same direction.
 
and a reference.  Parallel vectors: Two vectors A and B are said
Physical Quantities to be parallel when
(i) Both have same direction.
Scalars Vectors Other Tensors (ii) One vector is scalar (positive) non-zero multiple

 Scalar: Physical quantities which have a of another vector.

 
magnitude, but no direction are called scalar. Eg.  Anti-parallel vectors: Two vectors A and B aree
mass, charge, temperature, heat, etc. said to be anti-parallel when
 Vector: Physical quantities having magnitude, (i) Both have opposite direction.
direction and obeying laws of vector algebra are (ii) One vector is a scalar non-zero negative multiple
called vectors. Eg. displacement, velocity, of another vector.
acceleration, momentum, force, impulse, weight,  Collinear vectors: Two vectors are collinear if
 
thrust, torque,angular momentum, angular velocity there exists a k  R such that p  kq
etc. If a physical quantity has magnitude and
 Null vector or Zero vector: A vector having
direction both, then it does not always imply that it
zero magnitude and arbitrary direction (not known
is a vector. For it to be a vector the third condition
to us) is a zero vector.
of obeying laws of vector algebra has to be satisfied.
 Unit vector: A vector with magnitude one (unity)
Eg. The physical quantity current has both
is a unit vector. Unit vector in the direction of a
magnitude and direction but is still a scalar as it
vector is the vector divided by its magnitude. E.g.
disobeys the laws of vector algebra. 
Unit vector in the direction of A is  (read as A
PROPERTIES OF VECTORS 
A
cap / A hat) given by Aˆ   Thus, we can say
 A vector remains unchanged under the following A

conditions: that unit vector gives us the direction.

(i) If it is shifted parallel to itself
 Orthogonal vectors: Vectors perpendicular to
(ii) If it is rotated by a multiple of 360º
each other are called orthogonal vectors
(2n  radians).
 Polar vectors: Vectors which are along the tangent
(iii) If the co-ordinate axes are changed (translated
in rotational motion are called polar vectors. Eg.
or rotated)
velocity, displacement, force, etc.
PHYSICS [35]
 Axial vectors: These represent rotational effects  R 2 = (A+ B cos  ) 2 +(B sin  )2
and are always along the axis of rotation in  R 2 = A2 + B 2 cos 2 + 2AB cos  + B 2 sin2
accordance with right hand screw rule. Angular  R 2 = A2 + B 2 (cos 2 + sin2 ) + 2AB cos 
velocity, torque and angular momentum, etc., are
 R 2 = A2 + B 2 + 2AB cos 
example of physical quantities of this type.
 R = A2 + B 2 + 2AB cos 
Axial vector Axis of rotation
 Direction of resultant vector: If  is angle
 
between A and B, then
 
Anticlock wise rotation Clock wise rotation |A+ B |= A2 + B 2 + 2AB cos 
Axis of rotation Axial vector  
If R makes an angle  with A, then in OBN,

 Coplanar vectors: Three (or more) vectors are then

called coplanar vector if they lie in the same plane. BN BN
 tan  = =
Two (free) vectors are always coplanar. ON OA+ AN
B sin 
 tan  
TRIANGLE LAW OF VECTOR ADDITION OF A+ B cos 
TWO VECTORS PARALLELOGRAM LAW OF VECTOR ADDITION
OF TWO VECTORS
If two non-zero vectors are represented by the two
sides of a triangle taken in same order then the If two non zero vectors are represented by the two
resultant is given by the closing side of triangle in adjacent sides of a parallelogram then the resultant
  
opposite order.i.e. R = A+ B is given by the diagonal of the parallelogram
  
 OB = OA+ AB passing through the point of intersection of the two
 Magnitude of resultant vector vectors.

B
B C
R  AB
R  AB
B B B sin
O A B
 
A 
O A N
A B cos
AN 
In  ABN cos  =   AN = B cos 
B
 Magnitude
BN  Since, R 2 =ON 2 +CN 2
sin  =  BN = B sin 
B   R 2 = (OA+ AN) 2 +CN 2
 R 2 = A2 + B 2 + 2AB cos 
  
In OBN, we have OB 2 =ON 2 + BN 2  R =|R |=|A+ B |= A2 + B 2 +2AB cos 
Special cases: R = A+ B when  = 0 º
B
R = A - B when = 180 º
R
B B sin R = A2 + B 2 when = 90 º
 
CN B sin 
O A A N  Direction tan  = =
B cos
ON A+ B cos 
[36] VECTOR
vectors are given by
POLYGON LAW OF VECTOR ADDITION (a) 30°, 60°, 90° (b) 45°, 45°, 90°
If a number of non zero vectors are represented by (c) 45°, 60°, 90° (d) 90°,135°, 135°
the (n - 1) sides of an n sided polygon then the Solution : (d);
th
resultant is given by the closing side or the n side From polygon law, three vectors having summation
of the polygon taken in opposite order. zero should form a closed polygon. (Triangle) since
     
So, R = A+ B +C + D + E the two vectors are having same magnitude and
     
 OA+ AB + BC +CD + DE = OE the third vector is2 times that of either of two
E having equal magnitude. i.e. the triangle should be
D
right angled triangle

O C


A B C B


Note : >> Resultant of two unequal vectors cannot
 A
be zero.
>> Resultant of three co-planar vectors may or
Angle between A and B,  = 90°
may not be zero
Angle between B and C,  = 135°
>> Resultant of three non co- planar vectors
Angle between A and C, = 135°
cannot be zero.
Illustration 1: Illustration 3:
There are two force vectors, one of 5 N and other The sum of the magnitudes of two forces acting at
of 12 N. At what angle the two vectors be added to point is 18 and the magnitude of their resultant is
get resultant vector of 17 N , 7 N and 13 N 12. If the resultant is at 90º with the force of smaller
respectively? magnitude, what are the magnitudes of forces?
(a) 0o, 180° and 90° (b) 0°, 90° and 180° (a) 12, 5 (b) 14, 4
(c) 0°, 90° and 90° (d) 180°, 0° and 90° (c) 5, 13 (d) 10, 8
Solution : (c)
Solution : (a);
Let P be the smaller force and Q be the greater
For 17 N both the vector should be parallel i.e. angle
force then according to problem –
between them should be zero. For 7N both the
vectors should be antiparallel i.e. angle between P + Q = 18 .......(i)
them should be 180º. For 13N both the vectors R = P 2 +Q 2 + 2PQ cos   12 ......(ii)
should be perpendicular to each other i.e. angle Q sin 
tan   = tan90  
between them should be 90º. P +Q cos 

Illustration 2:  P + Q cos  = 0 .....(iii)

  
Given that A  B  C = 0 . Out of three vectors By solving (i), (ii) and (iii) we will get P  5, and
two are equal in magnitude and the magnitude of
Q  13
third vector is 2 times that of either of the two
having equal magnitude. Then the angles between
PHYSICS [37]
ABHYAAS - I Q-7 A particle has displacement of 12 m towards
east and 5 m towards north then 6 m vertically
Q-1 Two forces, each of magnitude F have a resultant upward. The sum of these displacements is
of the same magnitude F. The angle between (A) 12 (B) 10.04 m
the two forces is (C) 14.31 m (D) None of these
(A) 45° (B) 120°
Q-8 For the fig.
(C) 150° (D) 60°

Q-2 For the resultant of the two vectors to be C

B
maximum, what must be the angle between them
(A) 0° (B) 60°
A
(C) 90° (D) 180°
     
(A) A  B  C (B) B  C  A
Q-3 A particle is simultaneously acted by two forces      
(C) C  A  B (D) A  B  C  0
equal to 4 N and 3 N. The net force on the
  
particle is Q-9 Let C  A  B then
 
(A) 7 N (B) 5 N (A) |C| is always greater then | A|
   
(C) 1 N (D) Bet. 1 N and 7 N (B) It is possible to have |C|| A| and |C||B|

Q-4 Forces F1 and F2 act on a point mass in two (C) C is always equal to A + B
(D) C is never equal to A + B
mutually perpendicular directions. The resultant
 
force on the point mass will be Q-10 The value of the sum of two vectors A and B
(A) F1  F2 (B) F1  F2 with  as the angle between them is

(D) F12  F22 (A) A 2  B 2  2AB cos 

(C) F12  F22
(B) A 2  B 2  2AB cos 

Q-5 Fig. shows ABCDEF as a regular hexagon. (C) A 2  B 2  2AB sin 

    
What is the value of AB  AC  AD  AE  AF (D) A 2  B 2  2AB sin 
E D
Q-11 Following sets of three forces act on a body.
Whose resultant cannot be zero
F C
O (A) 10, 10, 10 (B) 10, 10, 20

B
(C) 10, 20, 20 (D) 10, 20, 40
A

  Q-12 When three forces of 50 N, 30 N and 15 N act

(A) AO (B) 2AO
  on a body, then the body is
(C) 4AO (D) 6AO
(A) At rest
   (B) Moving with a uniform velocity
Q-6 The magnitude of vector A,B and C are
   (C) In equilibrium
respectively 12, 5 and 13 units and A  B  C (D) Moving with an acceleration
 
then the angle between A and B is
(A) 0 (B) 
(C)  / 2 (D)  / 4
[38] VECTOR
  
Q-13 The sum of two forces acting at a point is 16 N. Q-17 The resultant of two vectors P and Q is R. If
If the resultant force is 8 N and its direction is Q is doubled, the new resultant is perpendicular
perpendicular to minimum force then the forces to P. Then R equals
are (A) P (B) (P+Q)
(C) Q (D) (P–Q)
(A) 6 N and 10 N (B) 8 N and 8 N
(C) 4 N and 12 N (D) 2 N and 14 N Q-18 Two forces, F1 and F2 are acting on a body..
One force is double that of the other force and
Q-14 If vectors P, Q and R have magnitude 5, 12 and
   the resultant is equal to the greater force. Then
13 units and P  Q  R, the angle between Q the angle between the two forces is
and R is 1
(A) cos (1 / 2) (B) cos 1 (1 / 2)
1 5 1 5 1
(C) cos (1 / 4)
1
(D) cos (1 / 4)
(A) cos (B) cos
12 13
    
12 7 Q-19 Given that A  B  C and that C is  to A .
(C) cos
1
(D) cos
1
 
13 13 Further if |A||C|, then what is the angle
 
Q-15 The resultant of two vectors A and B is between A and B
perpendicular to the vector A and its magnitude  
(A) radian (B) radian
is equal to half the magnitude of vector B. The 4 2
angle between A and B is 3
(C) radian (D)  radian
(A) 120° (B) 150° 4
(C) 135° (D) None of these
 
Q-16 The resultant of P and Q is perpendicular to
  
P . What is the angle between P and Q
1
(A) cos (P / Q) (B) cos 1 (P / Q)
1 1
(C) sin (P / Q) (D) sin (P / Q)
PHYSICS [39]
LECTURE-II
SUBTRACTION OF VECTORS   
a b c
    2 2  
Since, A - B = A+ (-B ) and 
 a  b  c  2 b c cos
 
|A+ B |= A2 + B 2 + 2AB cos   a 2  b 2  c 2  2bc cos
 
 |A- B |= A2 + B 2 +2 AB cos (180 o   )
Since, cos (180 -  ) = - cos  IDENTITIES
   
• | A+ B | | A|+|B |
   
• | A- B | | A|+| B |
R sum  A  B
   
• | A + B|  | A| | B|
B    
• | A - B |  | A| | B |
 1
2 A UNIT VECTORS iˆ ˆj kˆ
180 – 
B 
A vector A can be expressed in terms of its
 
components Ax and Ay where Ax and Ay are
R diff  A  ( B)
its components along x and y directions.

y
 
 |A- B |= A2 + B 2 - 2 AB cos 
B sin  A
tan 1 
A+ B cos  Ay

B sin(180 -  ) x
and tan 2  O Ax
A+ B cos (180 -  )
But sin (180 -  ) = sin  and cos (180 -  ) = - cos  In x-y co-ordinate system we can define a unit
B sin  vector i that points in the direction of the
 tan 2 
A- B cos 
positive x-axis and a unit vector j that points
COSINE RULE in the direction of the positive y-axis.
y
The law of cosines is a statement about a general
triangle relating the lengths of its sides to one of its
^
angles. Referring to the figure alongside, the cosine j
x
O i^
law states that

a 2 = b 2 +c 2 - 2 b c cos  Ax  Ax i
Pythagoras theorem is a special case of the cosine 
Ay  Ay j
rule where,  is 90º 
B
 A  Ax i + Ay j

c a
Magnitude of A can be written as:

A
b C
[40] VECTOR
y Note :
> When a point P has coordinates (x, y, z ) then its

position vector OP = x iˆ + y jˆ + z kˆ
Ay j^ A
> When a particle moves from point (x1, y1, z1) to
^
j (x2, y2, z2) then its displacement vector
x
O i^ ^ 
Axi r =(x2 - x1 ) iˆ+(y2 - y1 ) jˆ+(z2 - z1 ) kˆ Samp

A = A x2  A y2 Illustration 4:
A truck travelling due north at 20 m/s turns west
Similarly for 3-D, and travels at the same speed. The change in its

 A  Ax i + Ay j  Az k velocity will be
(a) 40 m/s N–W (b) 20 2 m/s N–W
where, k is the unit vector in the positive z-
(c) 40 m/s S–W (d) 20 2 m/s S–W
direction
 Solution : (d)
Magnitude of A can be written as: From fig.

A = Ax2  Ay2  Az2 v1 =20 m/s

v2 =20 m/s
RECTANGULAR COMPONENTS OF O

3 - D VECTORS
     – v1
R  R x  R y  R z or R  R x i  R y j  R z k
v


If R makes an angle with x axis,  with y axis
 
and with z axis, then v 2 - v1 = v12 +v22 - 2v1v2cos  / 2 

Y = v 2 +v 2
=v 2
Ry R
Rx
= 20 2

Rz
X
-1  20 
Z From figure,  = tan   = 45 
 20 
Therefore, the direction is South-West l e
R Rx Problems based on epresentat
 cos   x  l
R R 2x  R 2y  R 2z Illustration 5:

Ry Ry A vector a is turned without a change in its length
 cos  = = =m 
R R + Ry2 + Rz2
2 through a small angle d. The value of |  a| and
x
a are respectively
R Rz
 cos  = z = =n (a) 0, a d (b) a d,0
R Rx + Ry2 + Rz2
2
(c) 0, 0 (d) None of these
where l, m, n are called Direction Cosines of the

vector R
l 2 + m2 + n2 = cos 2   cos 2   cos 2 

Rx2 + R y2 + Rz2
= =1
Rx2 + R y2 + Rz2
PHYSICS [41]
Solution : (b) Illustration 7:
 
From the figure |OA| a and |OB| a . If a particle moves 5m in + x-direction. The
    displacement of the particle will be
Also from triangle rule OB  OA  AB   a
 (a) 5j (b) 5i
 |a | AB
(c) – 5j (d) 5k
B
a Solution: (a)
a A Magnitude of vector = 5 Unit vector in + x direction
d a is î
O So displacement = 5 î

y
arc
Since angle =  AB = a . d
radius 5 î
x
 O
So |a |=ad
a means change in magnitude of vector i.e.
 
|OB|- |OA|  a  a  0 So a = 0 Illustration 8:
Position of a particle in a rectangular co-ordinate
Illustration 6:
system is (3, 2, 5). Then its position vector will be
An object of m kg with speed of v m/s strikes a wall
(a) 3iˆ  5ˆj  2kˆ (b) 3iˆ  2ˆj  5kˆ
at an angle  and rebounds at the same speed
(c) 5iˆ  3ˆj  2kˆ (d) None of these
and same angle. The magnitude of the change in
momentum of the object will be Solution : (b)
If a point has coordinate (x, y, z) then its position

vector OP = xiˆ + yjˆ + zk.ˆ

v   v
1 2 Illustration 9:
If a particle moves from point P (2,3,5) to point Q
(3,4,5). Its displacement vector be
(a) 2m v cos  (b) 2 m v sin  (a) ˆi  ˆj  10kˆ (b) ˆi  ˆj  5kˆ
(c) 0 (d) 2 m v
Solution : (a) (c) ˆi  ˆj (d) 2iˆ  4 ˆj  6kˆ
 
P 2  P 1  P12  P22  2 P1 P2 cos   2  Solution : (c)
 P 2  P 2  2 P 2 cos  2  
Displacement vector r = x iˆ  y jˆ  z kˆ
 2 P cos 
 (3  2)ˆi  ( 4  3)ˆj  (5  5)kˆ  ˆi  ˆj
y
p2 Illustration 10:
p1
  A force of 5 N acts on a particle along a direction
x making an angle of 60° with vertical. Its vertical
 component is
(a) 10N (b) 3N
 magnitude of change in momentum (c) 4N (d) 2.5N
= 2mvcos
[42] VECTOR
Solution : (d) Illustration 13:
The component of force in vertical 
If A  2iˆ  4 ˆj  5kˆ the direction cosines of the

y vector A are
F 5
2 4
F cos 60o
(a) , and
60o 45 45 45
x 1 2 3
F sin 60o (b) , and
45 45 45
4 4
1 (c) ,0 and
direction will be F cos   F cos 60  5   2.5 N 45 45
2
3 2 5
Illustration 11: (d) , and
  45 45 45
If A  3iˆ  4ˆj and B  7iˆ  24 ˆj, the vector having the
Solution : (a)
same magnitude as B and parallel to A is 
|A| (2)2  (4) 2  ( 5) 2  45
(a) 5iˆ  20ˆj (b) 15iˆ  10ˆj
2 4 5
(c) 20iˆ  15ˆj (d) 15iˆ  20ˆj  cos   , cos   , cos  
45 45 45
Solution : (d)
 Illustration 14:
|B| 72  (24) 2  625  25 The vector that must be added to the vector
 3iˆ  4 ˆj ˆi  3ˆj  2kˆ and 3 ˆi  6 ˆj  7kˆ so that the resultant
Unit vector in the direction of A will be Aˆ 
5 vector is a unit vector along the y  axis is
 3 ˆi  4 ˆj  (a) 4 ˆi  2ˆj  5kˆ (b) 4 ˆi  2ˆj  5kˆ
So required vector = 25    15iˆ  20ˆj
 5 
Illustration 12: (c) 3iˆ  4 ˆj  5kˆ (d) Null vector

Vector A makes equal angles with x, y and z axis.
Value of its components (in terms of magnitude of Solution : (b)

A ) will be Unit vector along y axis  ˆj so the required vector
A A  ˆj  [(ˆi  3ˆj  2kˆ )  (3iˆ  6ˆj  7kˆ )]
(a) (b)
3 2   4 ˆi  2 ˆj  5kˆ
3
(c) 3A (d)
A
Solution : (a);

Let the components of A makes angles ,  and
 with x, y and z axis respectively then
     ; cos 2   cos 2   cos 2  = 1

2 1
 3 cos  =1  cos =
3
A
 Ax = Ay = Az = Acos  =
3
PHYSICS [43]
ABHYAAS - II Q-7 A particle is moving on a circular path of
    radius r with uniform velocity v. The change

Q-1 If | A  B|| A||B|, the angle between A and in velocity when the particle moves from P to

B is Q is (POQ  40)
(A) 60° (B) 0° (A) 2v cos 40
P
r
(C) 120° (D) 90°
(B) 2v sin 40 O 40o v

 (C) 2v sin 20

Q-2 What is the angle between P and the resultant Q
  
  (D) 2v cos 20 v
of (P  Q) and (P  Q)
(A) Zero Q-8 The length of second’s hand in watch is 1 cm.
1
(B) tan P / Q The change in velocity of its tip in 15 seconds is
1
(C) tan Q / P 
(A) Zero (B) cm / sec
1
(D) tan (P  Q) / (P  Q) 30 2

Q-3 Maximum and minimum magnitudes of the   2

(C) cm / sec (D) cm / sec
30 30
resultant of two vectors of magnitudes P and Q
are in the ratio 3 : 1. Which of the following Q-9 A particle moves towards east with velocity 5
relations is true m/s. After 10 seconds its direction changes
(A) P  2Q (B) P  Q towards north with same velocity. The average
(C) PQ  1 (D) None of these acceleration of the particle is
   1
Q-4 The resultant of A  B is R1 . On reversing the (A) Zero (B) m / s2 N  W
  2
vector B, the resultant becomes R 2 . What is the
value of R12  R 22 1 1
(C) m / s2 N  E (D) m / s2 S  W
2 2
(A) A 2  B 2 (B) A 2  B 2
(C) 2(A 2  B 2 ) (D) 2(A 2  B 2 ) Q-10 How many minimum number of coplanar vectors
having different magnitudes can be added to give
Q-5 A plane is revolving around the earth with a
zero resultant
speed of 100 km/hr at a constant height from
(A) 2 (B) 3
the surface of earth. The change in the velocity
(C) 4 (D) 5
as it travels half circle is
(A) 200 km/hr (B) 150 km/hr Q-11 A hall has the dimensions 10 m  12 m  14 m. A

(C) 100 2 km / hr (D) 0 fly starting at one corner ends up at a

diametrically opposite corner. What is the
Q-6 A body moves due East with velocity 20
magnitude of its displacement
km/hour and then due North with velocity 15
(A) 17 m (B) 26 m
km/hour. The resultant velocity
(C) 36 m (D) 21 m
(A) 5 km/hour (B) 15 km/hour
(C) 20 km/hour (D) 25 km/hour Q-12 0.4iˆ  0.8ˆj  ckˆ represents a unit vector when
c is
(A) – 0.2 (B) 0.2
(C) 0.8 (D) 0
[44] VECTOR
Q-13 100 coplanar forces each equal to 10 N act on Q-21 The angle made by the vector A  ˆi  ˆj with x-
a body. Each force makes angle  / 50 with the axis is
preceding force. What is the resultant of the (A) 90° (B) 45°
forces (C) 22.5° (D) 30°
(A) 1000 N (B) 500 N
Q-22 The value of a unit vector in the direction of
(C) 250 N (D) Zero
vector A  5iˆ  12j,
ˆ is
Q-14 The magnitude of a given vector with end points (A) î (B) ĵ
(4, – 4, 0) and (– 2, – 2, 0) must be (C) (iˆ  ˆj) / 13 (D) (5iˆ  12j)
ˆ / 13
(A) 6 (B) 5 2
Q-23 Any vector in an arbitrary direction can always
(C) 4 (D) 2 10
be replaced by two (or three)
Q-15 The angles which a vector ˆi  ˆj  2 kˆ makes (A) Parallel vectors which have the original
with X, Y and Z axes respectively are vector as their resultant
(A) 60°, 60°, 60° (B) 45°, 45°, 45° (B) Mutually perpendicular vectors which have
(C) 60°, 60°, 45° (D) 45°, 45°, 60° the original vector as their resultant
(C) Arbitrary vectors which have the original
 1 ˆ 1 ˆ
Q-16 The expression  i j  is a vector as their resultant
 2 2 
(D) It is not possible to resolve a vector
(A) Unit vector
(B) Null vector Q-24 Angular momentum is
(C) Vector of magnitude 2 (A) A scalar (B) A polar vector
(D) Scalar (C) An axial vector (D) None of these

Q-17 Given vector A  2iˆ  3ˆj, the angle between 
 Q-25 If a vector P making angles , , and 
A and y-axis is
respectively with the X, Y and Z axes
(A) tan 1 3 / 2 (B) tan 1 2 / 3
[Link] sin 2   sin 2   sin 2  
1 1
(C) sin 2 / 3 (D) cos 2 / 3
(A) 0 (B) 1
Q-18 The unit vector along ˆi  ˆj is (C) 2 (D) 3

(A) k̂ (B) ˆi  ˆj
ˆi  ˆj ˆi  ˆj
(C) (D)
2 2

Q-19 A vector is represented by 3 ˆi  ˆj  2 kˆ . Its

length in XY plane is
(A) 2 (B) 14
(C) 10 (D) 5

Q-20 Five equal forces of 10 N each are applied at

one point and all are lying in one plane. If the
angles between them are equal, the resultant
force will be
(A) Zero (B) 10 N
(C) 20 N (D) 10 2N
PHYSICS [45]
[46] VECTOR
LECTURE-III
       
SCALAR PRODUCT OF TWO VECTORS A  B = ( iAx + jAy + kAz )  ( iBx + jBy + kBz )

 Definition : The scalar product (or dot product) = [Ax Bx + Ay By + AZ Bz ]

of two vectors is defined as the product of the  Examples :
magnitude of two vectors with cosine of angle > Work (W) : In physics for constant force work is

between them. Thus if there are two vectors A and defined as,

B having angle  between them, then their scalar W= F  s cos  .......(i)
 
product written as A  B is defined as But by definition of scalar product of two vectors,
  
A  B  AB cos  F s=F s cos  .......(ii)
 Properties : (i) It is always a scalar which is  
So from eqn (i) and (ii) W = F  s i.e. work is the
positive if angle between the vectors is acute (i.e., < scalar product of force with displacement.
90º) and negative if angle between them is obtuse > Power (P) :

(i.e. 90° < < 180°).   dW  ds
    As W = F  s or =F
(ii) It is commutative, i.e. A  B  B  A dt dt
       
(iii) It is distributive, i.e. A  (B  C)  A  B  A  C [As F is constant]
   
(iv) As by definition A  B  AB cos  or P = F  v i.e., power is the scalar product of force
  
   dW d s 
-1 A  B with velocity. As
The angle between the vectors  = cos   = P and =v 
 AB   dt dt 
> Magnetic Flux (  ):
B 
ds 

B


A

(v) Magnitude of scalar product of two vectors will be

maximum when cos   max  1, i.e.   0 o , i.e.,
  Magnetic flux through an area is given by
vectors are parallel (A  B) max  AB
d  = B ds cos  ......(i)
(vi) Magnitude of scalar product of two vectors will be But by definition of scalar product
 
minimum when |cos  | is minimum  0, i.e. Bds =B dscos  ......(ii)
  So from eqn (i) and (ii) we have
  90o (A  B) min  0 i.e., if the scalar product of two
   
nonzero vectors vanishes the vectors are orthogonal. d = B  d s or  =  B  ds
(vii) The scalar product of a vector by itself is termed as > Potential energy of a dipole (U) : If an electric
 
self dot product and is given by dipole of moment p is situated in an electric field E
     
( A) 2 = A A= AAcos  = A 2 i.e ., A = A A or a magnetic dipole of moment M in a field of

(viii) In case of unit vector n̂ nˆ  nˆ = 1  1  cos0  = 1 so induction B, the potential energy of the dipole is
   
ˆ iˆ  iˆ= jˆ  jˆ= kˆ  k=
nˆ  n= ˆ 1 given by: U E = -p  E and U B = -M  B

(ix) In case of orthogonal unit vectors ˆi, ˆj and kˆ ,

ˆi  ˆj  ˆj  kˆ  kˆ  ˆi  1  1 cos 90  0
(x) In terms of components
PHYSICS [47]
Illustration 15 Solution : (b)
  
A  2iˆ  4 ˆj  4kˆ and B  4iˆ  2 ˆj  4kˆ are two | B |  1 2  3 2  4 2  1  9  16
 
vectors. The angle between them will be  26 A .B  2 ( 1)  3  3  ( 1) (4)  3 .
 
(a) 0° (b) 45°   AB 3
The projection of A on B   
(c) 60° (d) 90° |B| 26
Solution : (d)
  Illustration 19
 B a b  a b 2  a 3b 3
cos      1 1  2  A body, acted upon by a force of 50 N is displaced
| ||B | | || B |
through a distance 10 meter in a direction making
24  42  44
   0  an angle of 60° with the force. The work done by
| A||B |
   cos 1 (0)    90 the force will be
(a) 200 J (b) 100 J
Illustration 16 (c) 300 J (d) 250 J
Solution : (d)
If two vectors 2iˆ  3 ˆj  kˆ and 4iˆ  6 ˆj   kˆ are  
W=F  S=F S cos 
parallel to each other then value of l be
1
(a) 0 (b) 2  50  10  cos 60  50  10   250 J.
2
(c) 3 (d) 4 Illustration 20
Solution : (b) A particle moves from position 3iˆ  2 ˆj  6kˆ to
   
Let A  2iˆ  3 ˆj  kˆ and B  4iˆ  6 ˆj   kˆ A and B
14iˆ  13 ˆj  9 kˆ due to a uniform force of
are parallel to each other
a1 a2 a3 4iˆ  ˆj  3kˆ N . If the displacement is in meters then
 
b1 b2 b3 work done will be
(a) 100J (b) 200J
2 3 1
i.e.     2. (c) 300J (d) 250J
4 6 
Solution : (a)
Illustration 17    
In above example if vectors are perpendicular to each S  r2  r1 , W  F  S  (4iˆ  ˆj  3kˆ)  (11iˆ  11 ˆj  15kˆ)

other then value of be  (4  11  1  11  3  15)  100 J.

(a) 25 (b) 26
Illustration 21
(c) – 26 (d) – 25    
If for two vector A and B , sum (A  B) is
Solution : (c)  
  perpendicular to the difference (A  B) . The ratio of
If A and B are perpendicular to each other then
  their magnitude is
A .B  0  a1b1 +a2b2 +a3b3 =0
(a) 1 (b) 2
So, 2( 4)  3( 6)  ( 1)( )  0    26
(c) 3 (d) None of these
Illustration 18
  Solution : (a);
If   2i  3j  k and B  i  3j  4k then    
  (A  B) is perpendicular to (A  B) .
projection of A on B will be        
Thus (A  B)(A  B) = 0 or A2  B  A  A  B  B2  0
3 3
(a) (b) Because of commutative property of dot product
13 26    
AB  BA  A 2  B2  0 or A  B
3 3 Thus the ratio of magnitudes A/B = 1as
(c) (d)
26 13
[48] VECTOR
CROSS PRODUCT OF TWO VECTORS (iii) The vector product is distributive when the order of
the vectors is strictly maintained, i.e.
 Definition : The vector product or cross product       
A ( B+C ) = A B+ AC
of two vectors is defined as a vector having a
(iv) As by definition of vector product of two vectors
magnitude equal to the product of the magnitudes  
A  B = AB sin  nˆ .
of two vectors with the sine of angle between them,
 
and direction perpendicular to the plane containing   
-1 | A  B|

So |AB|=AB sin  i.e.,   sin    
the two vectors in accordance with right hand screw | A|| B| 
rule. (v) The vector product of two vectors will be maximum
 
when sin   max  1, i.e.,   90o [ A  B ] max = AB nˆ
i.e., vector product is maximum if the vectors are
orthogonal.
(vi) The vector product of two non- zero vectors will be
minimum when | sin  |  minimum = 0, i.e.,   0o
 
or 180o. [A  B]min  0 i.e. if the vector product of
   two non-zero vectors vanishes, the vectors are
C = AB
  collinear.
Thus, if A and B are two vectors, then their vector
   (vii) The self cross product, i.e., product of a vector by
product written as A  B is a vector C defined by
  
C = A  B = ABsin nˆ itself vanishes, i.e ., is null vector
     o

The direction of A  B, i.e. C is perpendicular to A  A= A A sin 0 n̂ =0
  
the plane containing vectors A and B and in the (viii) In case of unit vector nˆ  n=0
ˆ so that

sense of advance of a right handed screw rotated iˆ  iˆ = jˆ  jˆ = kˆ  kˆ =0
 
from A (first vector) to B (second vector) through (ix) In case of orthogonal unit vectors, ˆi, ˆj, kˆ in
the smaller angle between them. Thus, if a right accordance with right hand screw rule :
handed screw whose axis is perpendicular to the ĵ ĵ
   
plane framed by A and B is rotated from A to B k̂
î î
through the smaller angle between them, then the
  k̂
direction of A  B advancement of the screw gives
 ˆ
iˆ  jˆ = k, jˆ  kˆ = iˆ and kˆ  iˆ = jˆ
the direction of i.e. C
And as cross product is not commutative,

 Properties : jˆ  iˆ = -kˆ kˆ  jˆ = -iˆ and iˆ  kˆ = -jˆ

(x) In terms of components
(i) Vector product of any two vectors is always a vector
perpendicular to the plane containing these two iˆ jˆ kˆ
 
 A×B = Ax Ay ˆ y Bz - Az B y ) +
Az = i(A
vectors, i.e., orthogonal to both the vectors A and
   Bx By Bz
B, though the vectors A and B may or may not be
orthogonal. ˆ B -AB )
ˆ z B x - Ax B z ) + k(A
j(A x y y x
(ii) Vector product of two vectors is not commutative,  2 2 2  2
      (xi) A  B  A B  A B
i.e., A  B  B  A [but  B  A] Here it is worthy
   
to note that |A  B|=|B  A|=AB sin  i.e., in case
   
of vector A  B and B  A magnitudes are equal
but directions are opposite.
PHYSICS [49]
 Example : Since vector product of two vectors is a Solution : (c)
 
vector, vector physical quantities (particularly A B 8iˆ  8jˆ  8kˆ 1 ˆ ˆ ˆ
n̂      (i  j  k)
representing rotational effects) like torque, angular | A B| 8 3 3

momentum, velocity and force on a moving charge There are two unit vectors perpendicular to both

in a magnetic field can be expressed as the vector   1 ˆ ˆ ˆ

and they are n̂   (i  j  k)
A B 3
product of two vectors. It is well – established in
physics that : Illustration 24
   The vectors from origin to the points A and B are
> Torque   r  F
 
   A  3iˆ  6ˆj  2kˆ and B  2iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ respectively..
> Angular momentum L= r  p The area of the triangle OAB will be
   5 2
> Velocity v =   r (a) 17 [Link] (b) 17 [Link]
2 5
> Force on a charged particle q moving with velocity
    
v in a magnetic field B is given by F =q (v  B) 3 5
(c) 17 [Link] (d) 17 [Link]
   5 3
> Torque on a dipole in a field  E = p  B and
    Solution : (a)
 B = M  B , where E is the electric field vector and  
 Given OA  a  3iˆ  6ˆj  2kˆ
B is the magnetic field vector
 
Illustration 22: and OB  b  2iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ
 
If A  3iˆ  ˆj  2kˆ and B  2iˆ  2ˆj  4kˆ then value of ˆi ˆj kˆ
   
| A  B | will be  (a  b)  3 6 2
2 1 2
(a) 8 2 (b) 8 3
(c) 8 5 (d) 5 8  (12  2)iˆ  (4  6)ˆj  (3  12)kˆ  10iˆ  10ˆj  15kˆ
Solution : (b)  
 | a  b |  102  102  152  425  5 17
ˆi ˆj kˆ
  1   5 17
AB  3 1 2  Area of OAB  | a  b | [Link].
2 2
2 2 4
Illustration 25
(1  4  2  2)iˆ  (2  2  4  3)ˆj  (3  2  1  2)kˆ
 
The angle between the vectors A and B is . The
 8iˆ  8jˆ  8kˆ   
value of the triple product A  (B  A) is
 Magnitude of
(a) A 2 B (b) Zero
   
A  B  | A  B |  (8) 2  (8) 2  (8) 2 8 3
(c) A 2 Bsin  (d) A 2 Bcos 
Solution : (b)
Illustration 23        
In above example a unit vector perpendicular to both Let A  (B A)  A  C Here C  B  A , which is
   
A and B will be perpendicular to both vector A and B
1 ˆ ˆ ˆ 1 ˆ ˆ ˆ  
(a)  (i  j  k) (b)  (i  j  k)  A C  0
3 3

(c) Both (a) and (b) (d) None of these

[50] VECTOR
Illustration 26 same order, we establish the Lami’s theorem in the
 following manner. For the triangle shown
The torque of the force F  (2iˆ  3jˆ  4kˆ )N acting at
    
the point r  (3iˆ  2ˆj  3k)
ˆ m about the origin will be a +b +c = 0 [All three sides are taken in order]
.....(i)
  
(a) 6iˆ  6ˆj  12kˆ (b) 17iˆ  6ˆj  13kˆ  a + b = -c .....(ii)

(c) 6iˆ  6ˆj  12kˆ (d) 17iˆ  6ˆj  13kˆ Pre-multiplying both sides by a
    
Solution : (b) a  ( a+b ) = -a  c
        
ˆi ˆj  0 + a  b = -a  c  a  b = c  a .....(iii)
kˆ
   
Pre-multiplying both sides of (ii) by b
 = r F  3 2 3
          
2 3 4 b  ( a  b ) = - b  c  b  a +b  b = -b  c
       
 - a  b = -b  c  a  b = b  c .....(iv)
  (2  4)  (3  3)  ˆi   (2  3)  (3  4)  ˆj      
From (iii) and (iv), we get a  b  b  c  c  a
     
  (3  3)  (2  2)  kˆ Taking magnitude, we get |a b|=|b c|=|c a|
 17 ˆi  6 ˆj  13kˆ  a b sin(180 -  ) = b c sin(180 -  ) = c a sin(180 - β )
 a b sin  =b c sin  =c a sin 
Illustration 27 Dividing through out by abc, we have
  
If A  B  C, then which of the following statements sin  sin  sin 
  
is wrong a b c
   
(a) C  A (b) C  B
      SINE RULE
(c) C  (A  B) (d) C  (A  B)
Solution : (d); The sine rule is a statement relating the lengths of
sides of a triangle to the sines of its angles. For
From the property of vector product, we notice that triangle shown in figure, it states that

C must be perpendicular to the plane formed by C
  
vector A and B . Thus C is perpendicular to both b a
    a b c
A and B and (A  B) vector also must lie in the = =
   sin A sin B sin C
plane formed by vector A and B . Thus C must be A B
  c
perpendicular to (A  B) also the cross product
   It is mathematically equivalent to Lami’s theorem
(A  B) gives a vector C which can not be
perpendicular to itself. Thus the last statement is
wrong.

LAMI’S THEOREM
 
In any  A BC with sides a,b,c
sin  sin  sin 
 
a b c
i.e., for any triangle the ratio of the sine of the angle
containing the side to the length of the side is a con-
stant. For a triangle whose three sides are in the
PHYSICS [51]
    
ABHYAAS - III Q-8 If | A  B||A .B|, then angle between A and

Q-1 The area of the parallelogram represented by B will be
  (A) 30° (B) 45°
the vectors A  2iˆ  3ˆj and B  ˆi  4ˆj is
(A) 14 units (B) 7.5 units (C) 60° (D) 90°
(C) 10 units (D) 5 units
 Q-9 In an clockwise system
Q-2 A vector F1 is along the positive X-axis. If its
 (A) ˆj  kˆ  ˆi (B) ˆi.ˆi  0
vector product with another vector F 2 is zero
 (C) ˆj  ˆj  1 (D) ˆk.ˆj  1
then F 2 could be
(A) 4ˆj (B) (iˆ  ˆj) Q-10 The linear velocity of a rotating body is given by
   
ˆ
(C) (jˆ  k) (D) (4ˆi) v    r, where  is the angular velocity and

  r is the radius vector. The angular velocity of a
Q-3 The angle between vectors (A  B) and 
  body is   ˆi  2jˆ  2kˆ and the radius vector
(B  A) is  
(A) Zero (B)  ˆ then |v| is
r  4ˆj  3k,
(C)  / 4 (D)  / 2 (A) 29 units (B) 31 units

  (C) 37 units (D) 41 units

Q-4 What is the angle between (P  Q) and
    
(P  Q) Q-11 Three vectors a, b and c satisfy the relation
    
 a . b  0 and a .c  0. The vector a is parallel
(A) 0 (B)
2 to
 
 (A) b (B) c
(C) (D)     
4
(C) b.c (D) b  c
Q-5 The resultant of the two vectors having
magnitude 2 and 3 is 1. What is their cross Q-12 The area of the parallelogram whose sides are
product represented by the vectors ĵ  3kˆ and ˆi  2jˆ  kˆ
(A) 6 (B) 3 is
(C) 1 (D) 0 (A) 61 [Link] (B) 59 [Link]
 (C)
Q-6 A vector A points vertically upward and 49 [Link] (D) 52 [Link]

B points towards north. The vector product
  Q-13 The area of the triangle formed by 2iˆ  ˆj  kˆ
A  B is
(A) Zero (B) Along west and ˆi  ˆj  kˆ is
(C) Along east (D) Vertically downward (A) 3 [Link] (B) 2 3 sq. unit

 14
Q-7 Which of the following is not true ? If A  3iˆ  4ˆj (C) 2 14 sq. unit (D) sq. unit
2

and B  6iˆ  8ˆj where A and B are the
  Q-14 Two vector A and B have equal magnitudes.
magnitudes of A and B Then the vector A + B is perpendicular to
  A 1 (A) A×B (B) A – B
(A) A  B  0 (B) 
B 2
  (C) 3A – 3B (D) All of these
(C) A .B  48 (D) A = 5
[52] VECTOR
 
Q-15 Find the torque of a force F  3iˆ  ˆj  5kˆ Q-20 Consider a vector F  4iˆ  3ˆj. Another vector
 
acting at the point r  7iˆ  3ˆj  kˆ that is perpendicular to F is
(A) 4iˆ  3ˆj (B) 6iˆ
(A) 14iˆ  38ˆj  16kˆ (B) 4iˆ  4ˆj  6kˆ
(C) 7kˆ (D) 3iˆ  4ˆj
(C) 21iˆ  4ˆj  4kˆ (D) 14iˆ  34ˆj  16kˆ
 
Q-21 Two vectors A and B are at right angles to each
   
Q-16 The value of (A  B)  (A  B) is other, when
   
(A) 0 (B) A 2  B 2 (A) A  B  0 (B) A  B  0
       
(C) B  A (D) 2(B  A) (C) A  B  0 (D) A .B  0
   
Q-17 A body is in equilibrium under the action of three Q-22 If |V1  V 2 ||V1  V 2 |and V2 is finite, then
coplanar forces P, Q and R as shown in the figure. (A) V1 is parallel to V2
Select the correct statement  
(B) V1  V 2
(C) V1 and V2 are mutually perpendicular
Q 
P  
  (D) |V1 ||V 2 |
R 
Q-23 A force F  (5iˆ  3ˆj) Newton is applied over a
particle which displaces it from its origin to the
P Q R 
(A)   point r  (2iˆ  1j)
ˆ metres. The work done on the
sin  sin  sin 
particle is
P Q R
(B)   (A) – 7 joules (B) +13 joules
cos  cos  cos  (C) +7 joules (D) +11 joules
P Q R
(C)   Q-24 The angle between two vectors 2iˆ  3ˆj  kˆ
tan  tan  tan 
and ˆi  2jˆ  4kˆ is
P Q R
(D)   (A) 0° (B) 90°
sin  sin  sin  (C) 180° (D) None of the above
Q-18 As shown in figure the tension in the horizontal
Q-25 The angle between the vectors (iˆ  ˆj) and
cord is 30 N. The weight W and tension in the
string OA in Newton are ˆ is
(jˆ  k)
(A) 30° (B) 45°
A (C) 60° (D) 90°
30o
Q-26 A particle moves with a velocity
30 N
O 6iˆ  4ˆj  3kˆ m / s under the influence of a

W constant force F  20iˆ  15ˆj  5kˆ N. The
(A) 30 3, 30 (B) 30 3, 60 instantaneous power applied to the particle is
(A) 35 J/s (B) 45 J/s
(C) 60 3, 30 (D) None of these (C) 25 J/s (D) 195 J/s

Q-19 Consider two vectors F1  2iˆ  5kˆ and    
 Q-27 If P.Q  PQ, then angle between P and Q is
ˆ The magnitude of the scalar
F 2  3ˆj  4k.
product of these vectors is (A) 0° (B) 30°
(A) 20 (B) 23 (C) 45° (D) 60°
(C) 5 33 (D) 26
PHYSICS [53]
Q-28 Two constant forces F1  2iˆ  3ˆj  3kˆ (N) and ANSWERS
F2  ˆi  ˆj  2kˆ (N) act on a body and displace it
Abhyaas-I
from the position r1  ˆi  2jˆ  2kˆ (m) to the
Q-1 (B) Q-2 (A) Q-3 (D)
position r2  7iˆ  10ˆj  5kˆ (m). What is the work
Q-4 (C) Q-5 (D) Q-6 (C)
done
(A) 9 J (B) 41 J Q-7 (C) Q-8 (C) Q-9 (B)
(C) – 3 J (D) None of these Q-10 (A) Q-11 (D) Q-12 (D)
 Q-13 (A) Q-14 (C) Q-15 (B)
Q-29 A force F  5iˆ  6ˆj  4kˆ acting on a body,,
 Q-16 (B) Q-17 (C) Q-18 (C)
ˆ Work done
produces a displacement S  6iˆ  5k.
Q-19 (C)
by the force is
(A) 10 units (B) 18 units
Abhyaas-II
(C) 11 units (D) 5 units
 Q-1 (A) Q-2 (A) Q-3 (A)
Q-30 The angle between the two vector A  5iˆ  5ˆj
Q-4 (C) Q-5 (A) Q-6 (D)

and B  5iˆ  5ˆj will be Q-7 (C) Q-8 (D) Q-9 (B)
(A) Zero (B) 45° Q-10 (B) Q-11 (D) Q-12 (B)
(C) 90° (D) 180° Q-13 (D) Q-14 (D) Q-15 (C)
  Q-16 (A) Q-17 (B) Q-18 (C)
Q-31 The vector P  aiˆ  ajˆ  3kˆ and Q  aiˆ  2jˆ  kˆ
Q-19 (C) Q-20 (A) Q-21 (B)
are perpendicular to each other. The positive
value of a is Q-22 (D) Q-23 (ABC) Q-24 (C)
(A) 3 (B) 4 Q-25 (C)
(C) 9 (D) 13

Q-32 A body, constrained to move in the Y-direction Abhyaas-III

is subjected to a force given by
 Q-1 (D) Q-2 (D) Q-3 (B)
ˆ
F  (2iˆ  15ˆj  6k)N. Q-4 (B) Q-5 (D) Q-6 (B)
What is the work done by this force in moving Q-7 (C) Q-8 (B) Q-9 (A)
the body a distance 10 m along the Y-axis
Q-10 (A) Q-11 (D) Q-12 (B)
(A) 20 J (B) 150 J
Q-13 (D) Q-14 (D) Q-15 (A)
(C) 160 J (D) 190 J
Q-16 (D) Q-17 (A) Q-18 (B)
Q-19 (A) Q-20 (C) Q-21 (D)
Q-22 (C) Q-23 (C) Q-24 (B)
Q-25 (C) Q-26 (B) Q-27 (A)
Q-28 (A) Q-29 (A) Q-30 (C)
Q-31 (A) Q-32 (B)
[54] VECTOR

VECTORS
VECTORS
Operations
 

Addition of Vectors A  B 
(a) Addition of vector obeys cummutative law :
   
ABBA

Definition
A physical quantity which has only magnitude
without any direction is called a scalar quantity.
A physical quantity is called as a vector if it is
(i) Has both magnitude and direction (b) It also obeys Associate law:
     
(ii) Can be resolved is rectangular components   
A BC  AB C 
(iii) Obeys vector law of addition
Parallelogram law of vector addition
A physical quantity which has direction is called
vector, but that which has direction need not be
a vector. eg., Surface tension, current etc.
Is there any physical quantity which is neither
scalar or vector: Ya!! It is a Tensor Quantity.
eg., Moment of Inertia, because it is not unique
for a given body and does not depend on
direction of rotation. R A 2  B 2  2AB cos 
Angle  between two vectors is measured
 B sin  
between their tips or toes   tan1  
 A  B cos  
 
Subtraction of Vectors A  B  
 
Angle between A , – B is (180 – )
Resolution of a vector into rectangular
components }

Ax = x-component of A =A cos

Ay = y-component of A =A sin

A  A x  ˆi  A y  ˆj

|A| A x2  A 2y
 
|A  B| A 2  B 2  2AB cos(180  )
 
|A  B| A 2  B 2  2AB cos 
PHYSICS [55]
Dot or Scalar Product  
(b) If 2 vectors A, B are parallel

A  A xˆi  A yˆj  A z kˆ

B  B xˆi  B yˆj  B z  kˆ

Ax Ay Az
then B  B  B
x y z

      (c) Cross Product of unit vectors:

(a) A  B  AB cos   B  A  A[B cos ]
  
 A  Component of B along A  B A 

 B[A cos ]
 
 B  Component of A along B  A B 

  ˆ ˆj  kˆ  ˆi, kˆ  ˆi  ˆj
ˆi  ˆj  k,
A B
1
 
* cos    ( The angle between A, B)
 AB  ˆi  ˆi  ˆj  ˆj  kˆ  kˆ  0

(b) Dot Product of two perpendicular vector is zero (d) Cross product of 2 collinear vectors is zero.
(c) Dot Product of unit vectors:
ˆi  ˆi  ˆj  ˆj  kˆ  kˆ  1

ˆi  ˆj  ˆj  kˆ  kˆ  ˆi  0

(d) If A  A xˆi  A y  ˆj  A z kˆ

B  B x  ˆi  B y  ˆj  B z  kˆ
 
A  B  A x  Bx  A y  By  A z  Bz
Vector or cross product:
  
ˆ
A  B  C  AB sin   n
[ n̂ – The unit vector perpendicular to the plane
 
containing A, B ]

ˆi ˆj kˆ
 
(a) | A  B| A x A y Az
Bx By Bz
[56] VECTOR