Debre Markos University
College of Natural and Computational Science
Department of Physics
Mechanics (Phys 2001): Worksheet One
Chapter One: Vectors
By
Yesgat Enawgaw (MSc.)
February, 2021
Debre Markos University, Ethiopia
I. Say True if the statement is correct or false if it is incorrect
1. Component vectors are 2 vectors that replace one vector called the resolution.
2. Dot Product of two unit vectors is again a unit vector.
3. Cross Product of two unit vectors is again a unit vector.
4. For any two non-zero vectors a and b │a x b│=│b x a│.
5. For any two non-zero vectors a, and b (a x b).a=0.
6. If a, b, and c are three non-zero vectors, such that a x b=a x c then it is true that b = c.
7. If a, b, and c are three non-zero vectors, such that a. b = a. c then it is true that b = c.
8. If a, b, and c are three non-zero vectors, such that a x b=a x c and a. b = a. c then it is
true that b = c.
9. If the three vectors a, b, and c are coplanar, then their scalar triple product is equal to zero
10. A single vector can be replaced by two vectors in the X and Y directions. These X and Y
vectors are called the resultant of the original vector.
II. Choose the best answer from the following alternatives
1. Vectors that limited only one dimension are called
A. Unit vectors B. collinear vectors C .coplanar vectors D. position vectors
2. Two non- zero vectors A and B have precisely equal magnitudes. For the magnitude of
A+B to be 2 times larger than the magnitude of A-B¸ what must be the angle b/n A & B?
A.600 B. 530 C.370 D.300
3. If vector B is added to vector A, which two of the following choices must be true for the
resultant vector to be equal to zero?
(a). A and B are parallel and in the same direction.
(b). A and B are parallel and in opposite directions.
(c). A and B have the same magnitude.
(d). A and B are perpendicular.
4. The magnitudes of two vectors A and B are 12 units and 8 units, respectively. What are
the largest and smallest possible values for the magnitude of the resultant vector R=A+B?
A. 14.4 and 4 B. 12 and 8 C. 20 and 4 D. none of these
5. Which of the following is not true about vector product?
A. vector product is commutative C. i×i=j×j=k×k=0
B. vector product is distributive over addition D. i×k=-j
6. What is the magnitude of a vector A=(10i-10j) m/s?
A.0 B.10m/s C.-10m/s d. 14.1m/s
7. A vector lying in the xy plane has components of opposite sign. The vector must lie in
which quadrant?
A. the first quadrant C. the third quadrant
B. the second quadrant D. the fourth quadrant
E. either the second or the fourth quadrant
8. What is the area of the parallelogram whose adjacent sides are formed by A=(2i)m and
B=(i-j)m? A. (-2k)m2 B. (j-k)m2 C. 4m2 D. 2m2
9. Which of the following vectors are orthogonal vectors?
A. X=3i+4j, Y=6j C. X=4i, Y=-4i
B. X=2i-5j, Y=7i+2k D. X=4i-6k, Y= -6j
III. Workout the following problems with the necessary steps
1. Vector A has a magnitude of 29 units and points in the positive y-direction. When vector
B is added to A, the resultant vector A+ B points in the negative y-direction with a
magnitude of 14 units. Find the magnitude and direction of B.
2. Graphically determine the magnitude and direction of the displacement if a man walks
30.0 km 45° north of east and then walks due east 20.0 km.
3. Each of the displacement vectors A and B shown in Figure 1 below has a magnitude of
3.00 m. Graphically find (a). A + B, (b) A – B, (c). B - A, and (d). A - 2B.
Figure 1
4. Find the sum of two displacement vectors A and B lying in the xy plane and given by
A=(2.0 i+ 2.0 j) m and B= (2.0 i+4.0 j) m
5. Show that if A= B + λC for some scalar λ, then A x C=B x C.
6. Find the area of a parallelogram defined by coordinates (0,0,0), (1,3,4) and (2,1,3).
7. Calculate the vector product of a and b given that
i. a= 2i + j + k and b = i – j – k
ii. a=i - j and b= i + j
iii. a= i+2j+k and b= 3i-4j+2k
8. Given: A = 2 i + 3 j - 1 k, B = -i + j, C = 2 i + 2 j, Find
i. A.(B x C)
ii. B.( C x A)
iii. B.( A x C)
iv. A x (B x C)
v. (A x B) x C
9. Show that for a given set of three vectors A, B and C
A.B x C= A x B.C= C x A. B
10. Show that for a given three vectors A, B and C
A x B x C = (A .C) B - (A.B) C
11. Find a unit vector which is perpendicular to both a = i + 2j − 3k and b = 2i + 3j + k.
