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.
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
⃗

Associative law : (P ⃗ )+R

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

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 car.Here 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?

Ans. Let ⃗P and ⃗⃗Q 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 are 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  ⃗⃗ . V
⃗ or div. 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 
⃗⃗ . V
⃗ = ‘–’ ve

iv) If the divergence of a quantity becomes zero, i.e., 

⃗⃗ . V
⃗ = 0, then that vector field is called solenoid.

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.
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]
(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 ferry.
10 kmh–1
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?

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.

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.
(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 .
(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.

Type-3: Vector product & Calculus

1. If A⃗ = 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.
3. ⃗ = 𝑖̂ + 𝑗̂ + 𝑘̂ and B
A ⃗ = 5 𝑖̂ + 5𝑗̂ + 2𝑘̂ are two vectors quantities. Show that they are parallel to each other.
4. If ⃗P = 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 + ⃗B |.
|A

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 ⃗ = 𝑖̂ – 4𝑗̂ – 5𝑘̂ and B
⃗ if A ⃗ = 6𝑖̂ – 3𝑗̂ + 2𝑘̂.
12. The adjacent arms of a parallelogram A ⃗ = 𝑖̂ – 4𝑗̂ – 𝑘̂ and B ⃗ = – 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
14. ⃗A = 2𝑖̂ + 2𝑗̂ – 𝑘̂ and ⃗B = 6𝑖̂ + 3𝑗̂ – 2𝑘̂ are two vector quantities, Find a unit vector along their normal
direction.

15. If ⃗A = 3𝑖̂ + 2𝑗̂ + 2𝑘̂ . ⃗B = 𝑖̂ + 2𝑗̂ – 3𝑘̂ and ⃗C = 𝑖̂ + 𝑗̂ + 2𝑘̂, then prove that three vectors are coplanar.
16. If (x, y, z) = 3xy2z3 – 4xy, then determine ⃗ ⃗ . Find ⃗ ⃗  at point (2, – 1, 1).
17. If 𝑟 = (3x2z) 𝑖̂ + (xyz) 𝑗̂ – (x3y2z) 𝑘̂, then calculate ⃗ ⃗ . 𝑟 at point (2, – 1, 2).
18. If A⃗ = 4xyz 𝑖̂ + 2x2y 𝑗̂ – x2y2z 𝑘̂, then determine  ⃗⃗  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. A ⃗ = 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.