CH02

University Physics
Harris Benson
CH02Vectors
Exercise 2-1
(I) The magnitude of the vectors A and B shown in Fig. 2.24 are A = 3m and

B = 2 m . Find graphically: (a) A + B (b) A B .

2-24

<> A = 3cos 300 i + 3sin 300 j = 2.60i + 1.5 j

B = 2 cos 450 i 2sin 450 j = 1.41i 1.41j
(a) A + B = 4.01i + 0.09 j
(b) A B = 1.19i + 2.91j
2-24-1

2-24-1
Exercise 2-2

(I) The magnitude of the vectors C and D shown in Fig. 2.25 are C = 4 m and
D = 2.5 m . Find graphically: (a) C + D (b) C D .

2-25

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<> C = 4sin 60 i 4 cos 60 j = 3.46i 2 j

D = 2.5 j
0

(a) C + D = 3.46i + 0.5 j

(b) C D = 3.46i 0.5 j

Exercise 2-3

(I) For the three vectors shown in Fig. 2.26, take A = 1.5 m , B = 2 m , and C = 1m .
Find graphically: (a) A + B + C (b) A B C .

2-26

<> A = 1.5cos 200 i + 1.5sin 200 j = 1.41i + 0.51j

B = 2 cos 200 i 2sin 200 j = 1.88i 0.68 j
C = cos 600 i sin 600 j = 0.5i 0.87 j
(a) A + B + C = 2.79i 1.05 j
(b) A B C = 0.03i + 2.06 j

Exercise 2-4

(I) Consider the three vectors shown in Fig. 2.26. Find the vector D which when
added to A + B C , produces a null vector.
<> A + B C = 3.79i + 0.7 j
D + ( A + B C) = 0
D = C A B = 3.79i 0.7 j

Exercise 2-5

(I) Three vectors have equal magnitude of 10m. Draw a vector diagram to illustrate how
the magnitude of their resultant can be: (a) 0; (b) 10m; (c) 20m; (d) 30m.
<>
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Exercise 2-6

(II) Two vectors have equal magnitudes of 2m. Find graphically the angle between them
if the magnitude of their resultant is (a) 3m; (b) 1m. In each case use the law of cosines
to confirm your answer.
<>(a) 830
(b) 1510
Exercise 2-7

(I) The resultant of two vectors A and B is 40m due north. If A is 30m in the
direction 300 S of W, find B graphically.
<>60 m at 25 E of N

In the following problems take the x axis to point east, the y axis to point north, and, if
needed, the z axis upward. An unknown vector should be expressed in terms of its
components: V = Vx i + Vy j . The magnitude and direction can be found from the
components.

Exercise 2-8

(I) A person undergoes a displacement of 4m in the direction 400 W of N followed by

a displacement of 3m at 200 S of W. Find the magnitude and direction of the resultant
displacement.
<>

Exercise 2-9

(I) Three vectors are specified as follows: A is 5m at 450 N of E, B is 7m at 600

E of S, and C is 4m at 300 W of S. Find the magnitude and direction of their sum.
<>

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Exercise 2-10

(I) A person walks 5m south and then 12m west. What is the net displacement?
<> = 12i 5 j
=

122 + 52 = 13m

tan 1

5
= 22.60
12

Exercise 2-11

(I) An insect walks 50cm in a straight line along a wall. If its horizontal displacement is
25cm, what is its vertical displacement?

<> 502 252 = 43.3m

Exercise 2-12

(II) An airplane is flown in the direction 300 W of N. If the magnitude of the westerly
component of the displacement is 100km, how far north does it travel?
<> y =

100
= 173m
tan 300

Exercise 2-13

(I) Four vectors each of magnitude 2m, are shown in Fig. 2.27. (a) Express each in unit
vector notation. (b) Express their sum in unit vector notation. (c) What is the magnitude
and direction of the sum?

2-27

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

Exercise 2-14

(I) Each of the vectors in Fig. 2.28 has a magnitude of 4m. (a) Express each in unit
vector notation. (b) Express their sum in unit vector notation. (c) What is the magnitude
and direction of their sum?

2-28

<>

Exercise 2-15
(I) Given two vectors, A = 2i 3j + k m and B = i + 2 j k m , find: (a) R = A + B ;
.
(b) R ; (c) R

<>(a) R = (2i 3 j + k ) + (i + 2 j k ) = i j m
(b) R = 12 + (1) 2 = 2 = 1.414 m

= R = [ 1 (i j)]m = (0.707 i 0.707 j ) m

(c) R
R
2

Exercise 2-16
(I) Given two vectors, C = 4i + j 3k m and D = 2i 3j + 5k m , find: (a) S = C - D ;
(b) S ; (c) S .

<>(a) S = (4i + j 3k ) (2i 3 j + 5k ) = 2i + 4 j 8k m

(b) S = 22 + 42 + (8) 2 = 84 = 9.17 m
S
(c) S = = 0.218i + 0.436 j 0.873k
S

Exercise 2-17
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(II) The vector A has a magnitude of 6m and vector B has a magnitude of 4m. What
is the angle between them if the magnitude of their resultant is (a) the maximum
possible; (b) the minimum possible; (c) 3m; and (d) 8m. Do each part graphically and
by components. (Let A lie along the x axis.)
<>(a) 0
(b) 1800
(c) (6 + 4 cos ) 2 + (4sin ) 2 = 9
cos = 0.896
= 1530
(d) (6 + 4 cos ) 2 + (4sin ) 2 = 64
cos = 0.25
= 75.50

Exercise 2-18

(I) The resultant R of two displacements is 10m at 37 0 W of N. If the second

displacement was 6m at 530 N of E, what was the first?
<>

Exercise 2-19

(I) In a yacht race the boats sail around three buoys as shown in Fig. 2.29. What is the
displacement from the last buoy to the starting point? Express your answer (a) in unit
vector notation, and (b) as a magnitude and sirection.

2-29

<>

Exercise 2-20
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(II) The displacement A is 6m east. Find displacement B if the magnitude of A B

is half that of A and points in the direction 300 N of E.
<> A = 6i
A B = r cos 300 i + r sin 300 j
AB =

1
A = 3m
2

Exercise 2-21

(II) A ship sails from a point a distance of 4km and a bearing of 400 N of E relative to
a lighthouse to a point 6km from the lighthouse at 600 N of W. (a) What is its
displacement? (b) What is the least distance between them?
<>

Exercise 2-22

(I) A submarine sails 40km north and then 30km west. What third displacement would
produce a net displacement of 20km at 300 S of W?
<>

Exercise 2-23

(II) In Fig. 2.30, A and B are position vectors. Show that the position vector C of
the midpoint of the line joining the tips of these vectors is C =

A+B
.
2

2-30

<>

Exercise 2-24
(II) Given two vectors A = 3i 2 j and B = i + 5 j , find the vector C in the xy plane

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such that C = A + B , but whose direction is perpendicular to A + B .

<>

Exercise 2-25
(I) Given two vector, A = 2i + j k and B = 3i + 2 j + k , find the unit vector in the

direction of S = 2B 3A .
<>

Exercise 2-26

(I) Given two vector, A = 5i + 2 j , and B = 2i 3j , find (a) A + B ; (b) A + B ; (c)

A B ; (d) A B .

<>

Exercise 2-27
(I) If vector A = 6i 2 j + 3k m , find (a) a vector in the same direction as A with

magnitude 2 A ; (b) a unit vector in the direction of A ; (c) a vector opposite to A

with a magnitude of 4m.
<>

Exercise 2-28
(I) Given two vectors, A = 2i 3j + k and B = 4i + j 5k , find a third vector, C ,

such that A 2B +

C
= 0.
3

C
=0
3
C = 3A + 6B = 3(2i 3j + k ) + 6(4i + j 5k )
= 30i + 15 j 33k

<> A 2B +

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Exercise 2-29

(II) Show that if the sum of three vectors is zero, they must all lie in the same plane.
Does the same restriction apply to the zero sum of four vectors?
<>

Exercise 2-30

(I) The vectors A and B have the following components: Ax = 2 m , Ay = 3.5 m ,

Bx = 1.5 m , and By = 2.5 m . Find the magnitude and direction of C = 3A 2B .

<>

Exercise 2-31

(I) Find the components of the following vectors: (a) P of length 5m directed at 1500
counterclockwise from the +x axis; (b) Q of length 3.6m directed at 1200 clockwise
from the +y axis.
<>

Exercise 2-32
(I) A body moves from a position with coordinates (3m, 2 m) to (4 m, 4 m) . Find its

displacement (a) in unit vector notation, and (b) in terms of its magnitude and direction.
<>

Exercise 2-33

(I) Given that vector A is 5m at 300 N of E, find vector B such that their sum is
directed along the negative x axis and has a magnitude of 3m.
<>
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Exercise 2-34

(II) The hour hand of a clock is 6cm along. Take 12 noon to lie along the y axis and 3
p.m. to lie along the x axis. Find the displacement (in unit vector notation) of the tip
between each of the following times: (a) 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; (b) 2 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
<>

Exercise 2-35

(II) Figure 2.31 shows the directions of three vectors whose magnitudes in arbitrary
units are W = 20 , F = 10 , and T = 30 . The x and y axes are titled as shown. Find: (a)
the components of the vectors; (b) their sum in unit vectornotation.

2-31

<>

Exercise 2-36

(I) The instruction to a treasure hunt state: Start at the oak tree and walk 5m in a straight
line at 300 W of N. Turn to your right through 450 and walk 4m. Dig a hole 2m deep.
Where is the treasure relative to the base of the tree?
<>

Exercise 2-37
(II) Given the vector A = 2i + 3j m , find the vector B of length 5m that is

perpendicular to A and lies in the following planes: (a) the xz plane; (b) the xy plane.
<>

Exercise 2-38

(I) A helicopter rises 100m from its pad and travels a horizontal distance of 200m at
250 S of W. What is its displacement?
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<> 181i 84.5 j + 100k m

Exercise 2-39
(I) What is the angle between the vectors A = i 2 j and B = 2i + 3j ?

<> cos =

AB
(i 2 j) (2i + 3 j)
4
=
=
2
2
2
2
AB ( 1 + (2) )( 2 + 3 )
(5)(13)

= cos 1

4
= 1200
64

Exercise 2-40
(I) Given the vectors A = 2i + j 3k and B = 5i + 2 j k , find: (a) A B , and (b)
( A + B) ( A B)

<>(a) A B = (2i + j 3k ) (5i + 2 j k ) = 10 + 2 + 3 = 5

(b) ( A + B) ( A B) = A2 B 2
= [(2) 2 + 12 + (3) 2 ] [52 + 22 + (1) 2 ] = 14 30 = 16

Exercise 2-41

(I) The dot product of two vectors, whose magnitudes are 3m and 5m, is 4 m 2 . What
is the angle between them?
<> cos =

AB
4 m 2
4
=
=
AB (3m)(5 m) 15

= cos 1

4
= 105.50
15

Exercise 2-42

(I) The components of two vectors are Ax = 2.4 , Ay = 1.2 , Az = 4.0 , and Bx = 3.6 ,
By = 1.8 , Bz = 2.6 . Find the angle between them.
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<> A = 2.4i 1.2 j + 4k

B = 3.6i + 1.8 j 2.6k

cos =

A = (2.4) 2 + (1.2) 2 + (4) 2 = 4.82

B = (3.6) 2 + (1.8) 2 + (2.6) 2 = 4.79

AB
21.2
=
= 0.918
AB (4.82)(4.79)

= 1570

Exercise 2-43

(I) The vectors A and B are in the xy plane where A is 3.2m at 450 to the +x
axis, and B is 2.4m at 2900 to +x axis. Find A B .
<> A B = (3.2)(2.4) cos1150 = 3.25 m 2

Exercise 2-44

(II) The Vector A and B in Fig 2.32 define two sides of a parallelogram. (a) Express the
diagonals in terms of A and B . (b) Show that the diagonals are perpendicular if
A= B.

2-32

<>(a) A + B
A B or B A
(b) ( A + B)( A B) = 0 A = B

Exercise 2-45
(II) Show that the angles , , and between a vector A and the x, y, and z axes,

Ai
Aj
A k
, cos =
, cos =
. If
A
A
A
A = 3i + 2 j + k , find the angle between A and each axis.

respectively, are given by cos =

<> A = 3i + 2 j + k A = 32 + 22 + 12 = 14
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cos =

3
14

= 36.70

cos =

2
14

= 57.70

cos =

1
14

= 74.50

Exercise 2-46
(II) Given the three vector A = i 4 j , B = 3i , and C = 2 j evaluate the following
expressions if they are allowed mathematically: (a) C ( A + B) ; (b) C ( A B) ; (c)
C + A B ; (d) C ( A B) ; (e) C( A B) .

<>

Exercise 2-47
(II) What is the component of the vector A = i 2 j + k m in the direction of the vector
B = 3i + 4k m ?

<>

Exercise 2-48
(I) Give two vectors, A = i + 2 j 4k and B = 3i j + 5k , find A B .

<> A B = (i + 2 j 4k ) (3i j + 5k )
i

= 1 2 4
3 1 5

2 4
1 4
1 2
i
j+
k
1 5
3 5
3 1
= (10 4)i (5 + 12) j + (1 6)k
= 6i 17 j 7k
=

Exercise 2-49
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(I) (a) Show, for arbitrary vectors A and B , that A ( A B) = 0 . (b) How could you
have arrived at this conclusion without any computation?
<>(a)
(b) A ( A B)

Exercise 2-50

(I) Vectors A and B are in the xy plane with A = 3.6 m at 250 counterclockwise
from the +x axis, and B = 4.4 m at 1600 counterclockwise from +x axis . Find
AB.
<> A = 3.6 cos 250 i + 3.6sin 250 j
B = 4.4 cos1600 i + 4.4sin1600 j
AB

Exercise 2-51

(II) Show that the area of a parallelogram, as in Fig. 2.32, is A B .

<> =
= ( B)( A sin )
= AB

Exercise 2-52
(II) Given three vectors, A = 2i 5 j , B = 4 j , and C = 3i , evaluate the following
expressions if they are mathematically allowed: (a) C ( A B) ; (b) C ( A B) ; (c)

C ( A B) ; (d) C ( A B) ; (e) C + A B .
<>(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)

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Exercise 2-53

(II) Vector A has a magnitude of 4m and lies in the xy plane directed at 450
counterclockwise from the +x axis, whereas B has a magnitude of 3m and lies in the

yz plane directed at 300 clockwise from the +z axis; see Fig. 2.33. Find A B .

2-33

<> A = 4 cos 450 i + 4sin 450 j = 2 2 i + 2 2 j = 2.83 i + 2.83 j

3 3 3
j+
k = 1.5 j + 2.6 k
2
2
A B = 7.36 i 7.36 j + 4.25 k
B = 3sin 300 j + 3cos 300 k =

Exercise 2-54
(II) Find a vector of length 5m that is perpendicular to both vectors A = 3i 2 j + 4k m
and B = 4i 3 j k m .

<> n =

AB
14i + 19 j k
=
AB
142 + 192 + 12

n = 1

5n =

70
95
5
j
k = 2.96i + 4.02 j 0.21k
i+
558
558
558

Exercise 2-55

(I) Vector A is 5m directed at 350 above the +x axis, both in the xy plane. Find
A B . Draw a vector diagram.
<>

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Exercise 2-56

(I) Vector A is 5m directed at 300 W of N and vector B is 3m directed at 200 s of

W. Find A + B . Draw a vector diagram.
<>

Exercise 2-57

(I) Vector A is 4m directed at 350 above the +x axis and B is 2.5m directed at 200
above the x axis, both in the xy plane. Find B A . Draw a vector diagram.
<>

Exercise 2-58

(I) Given the three vector A = 2 m at 280 N of E, B = 1.5 m at 250 W of N, and

C = 2.5 m due E, find D = A + 2B C . Draw a vector diagram.
<>

Exercise 2-59

(i) A person starts a two-stage journey at the origin and first walks 6m in the direction
500 N of E. The final position is 3.5m from the origin in the direction 350 N of W.
What was the second stage? Draw a vector diagram.
<>

Exercise 2-60

(I) For the vector A we know Ax = 2 m , Ay = 1.5 m and A = 4 m . What is Az ?

<> A = Ax2 + Ay2 + Az2

42 = (2) 2 + (1.5) 2 + ( Az ) 2
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Az = (4) 2 (2) 2 (1.5) 2 = 9.75 = 3.12 m

Exercise 2-61

(I) The vector A = 2i + 3j m and the sum A + B is 4m long directed at 1200 to the
+x axis in the xy plane. What is B ?
<>

Exercise 2-62

(I) Vector A is 4m along the +x axis and A + B is 6m along the +y axis. Determine
B.
<>

Exercise 2-63

(I) Three vectors in the xy plane have equal magnitude and their sum is zero. If one is
2i m , express the other two in unit vector notation.
<>

Exercise 2-64

(II) The vector A is 2m directed at 300 N of E and B is directed at 500 N of W.

The sum A + B is 2.6m long. Find graphically (a) B , and (b) the direction of A + B .
(A compass is needed.)
<>

Exercise 2-65

(II) Vectors A and B , both in the xy plane, have the same magnitude. Vector A is
directed at 300 above the +x axis and B
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isperpendicular to

A , where

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A + B = 2.12 m . (a) Find A and B . Determine A + B given that By is (b) positive,

or (c) negative.
<>

Exercise 2-66

(II) Vector A is 2m directed at 300 N of E, the sum A + B is directed at 200 W of

N, and B = 3.5 m . Graphically find (a) A + B , (b) the direction of B . (A component
is needed.)
<>

Exercise 2-67
(I) Two vectors are given by P = 3i j + 2k m and Q = i 2 j + 4k m . Fins: (a)

P + Q ; (b) P + Q ; (c) P + Q .

<>(a) P + Q = (3i j + 2k ) + (i 2 j + 4k ) = 4i 3 j + 6k m
(b) P + Q = 42 + (3) 2 + 62 = 61 = 7.81m
(c) P + Q = 32 + (1) 2 + 22 + 12 + (2) 2 + 42
= 14 + 21 = 3.74 + 4.58 = 8.32 m

Exercise 2-68
(I) Two vector are P = 2i 3j m and Q = i + 2 j m . (a) What is Q P ? (b) What is

the distance between the tips of the vectors?

<>(a) Q P = (i + 2 j) (2i 3j) = 3i + 5 j m
(b) Q P = 32 + 52 = 5.83m

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Exercise 2-69
(I) Given the vectors A = 4i j + 2k m and B = 2i + 3 j k m , find: (a) A B (b)
A B (c) A B .

<>(a) A B = (4i j + 2k ) (2i + 3j k ) = 6i 4 j + 3k m

(b) A B = 62 + (4) 2 + 32 = 7.81m
(c) A B = 42 + (1) 2 + 22 (2) 2 + 32 + (1) 2
= 21 14 = 4.583 3.742 = 0.841m

Exercise 2-70
(I) Given R = (3i j + 2k ) m , what is the vector that is twice as long in the same

direction?
<> 2R = 2(3i j + 2k ) = (6i 2 j + 4k ) m

Problem 2-1
(I) Find a vector of length 5m in the xy plane that is perpendicular to A = 3i + 6 j 2k

m.(Hint: Consider the dot product.)

<> B = (bx , by , 0) xy
A B = 0 = (3, 6, 2) (bx , by , 0) = 3bx + 6by

3bx + 6by = 0 bx = 2by

B = c(2i j) c(2i + j)
B = 5 = c 22 + 12 c = 5

B = 2 5i 5 j = 4.46i 2.23j 2 5i + 5 j = 4.46i + 2.23 j

Problem 2-2
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(I) The vector A has a magnitude of 2m and is directed tower the northeast. Find the
vector B such A + B = 2 A given the follow: (a) B has the maximum possible
magnitude; (b) B has the minimum possible magnitude; (c) B points northwest; (d)
A + B points south.
<>

Problem 2-3

(I) The magnitudes of vector A and B are equal and the angle between them is .

Show that (a) A + B = 2 A cos , and (b) A B = 2 A sin .

2
2
<>

Problem 2-4
(II) A rectangular coordinate system with axes x and y is rotated by angle from

axes x and y as shown in Fig. 2.34. (a) What are the components of the position vector
r in the two coordinate systems? (b) Use part (a) to show that the coordinates of a
point P in the two systems are related by x = x cos + y sin , y = x sin + y cos
( Hint: You will need to expand cos( ) .) These equations show how the coordinates
( x, y ) transform under the rotation of the axes. A vector is defined as a quantity whose
components transform in this way.

2-34

<>(a) r = r cos i + r sin j

r = r cos( ) i + r sin( ) j
(b) x = r cos( ) = r cos cos + r sin sin = x cos + y sin
y = r sin( ) = r sin cos r cos sin = y cos x sin

Problem 2-5

(II) The edges of a cube of side L lie along x, y, and z axes, respectively. A face diagonal
that lies along a face, and a body diagonal that goes through the cube are shown in Fig.
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2.35. Find the angle between: (a) the body diagonal shown and the z axis; (b) two face
diagonal on adjacent faces; (c) a face diagonal and a body diagonal that share a corner.
(Assign vectors to each line and express each in unit vector notation.)

2-35

<>(a) D = (i + j + k ) L

D = 3L
D k (i + j + k ) L k
1
1
cos =
=
=
= cos 1
= 54.70
D
3L
3
3
(b) A = (i + j) L , B = (i + k ) L
A B = L2
AB 1
1
cos =
=
= cos 1 = 600
2
AB 2
(c) cos =

AD
2
2
=
= cos 1
= 35.30
AD
6
6

Problem 2-6

(I) Personnel at an airport control tower track a UFO. At 11:20 a.m it is located at a
horizontal distance of 2km in the direction 300 N of E at an altitude of 1200m. At
11:15 a.m. the location is 1km at 450 S of E at an altitude of 800m; see Fig. 2.36.
What was the displacement of the UFO?

2-36

<> A = 2 cos 300 i + 2sin 300 j + 1.2k = 1.73i + j + 1.2k km

B = cos 450 i sin 45 0 j + 0.8k = 0.707i 0.707 j + 0.8k km

B A = 1.02i 1.71j 0.4k km
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Problem 2-7

(II) Show that the volume of the parallelepiped in Fig. 2.37, whose edges are defined by
the vectors A , B , and C , is given by A (B C) .

2-37

<>

Problem 2-8
(II) show that A (B C) = B( A C) C( A B) . ( Without loss in generality you can

assume that B lies along one axis.)

<> B = Bx i
A ( Bx i C) = Bx i ( A C) C( Ax Bx )

Problem 2-9

(I) Show that the polar unit vectors r and in Fig. 2.38 are related to the Cartesian
unit vectors according to r = cos i + sin j , = sin i + cos j

2-38
<>Place vectors on a circle of unit radius, take components:
r = cos i + sin j
= sin i + cos j

Problem 2-10
(II) The position vector of a particle is r = xi + yj + zk . The angles between this vector
and the x, y, and z axes respectively are , , and . Show that
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cos + cos + cos = 1

2

<> cos =

r i x
=
r
r

cos =

y
z
cos =
r
r

cos 2 + cos 2 + cos 2 =

( x2 + y 2 + z 2 )
=1
r2

Problem 2-11

(II) A three-dimensional vector A has a length of 10m and makes the angle 650 and
400 with the + x and + z axes, respectively. Find the magnitudes of its Cartesian
components.
<> Ax = 10 cos 650 = 4.23m

Az = 10 cos 400 = 7.66 m

Ay = A2 Ax2 Az2 = 102 4.232 7.662 = 23.43 = 4.84 m

96/01/03

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