GENERAL PHYSICS. ZTF – EHU.

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1 - Physical quantities and vectors.

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1. Given that the dimensional equation for speed is [v]=LT−1 (L: length, T: time), compute:

(a) Dimensional equation for acceleration ([a]=[v]/[t]) and force ([F]= [m][a]) (t: time, m:
mass)
(b) Dimensions corresponding to G, the universal constant used in Newton’s expression for
the force due to gravity F=G M1r2M2 .
(M1 , M2 : masses, F: force, r: distance)
(c) Dimension corresponding to the number π. (Hint: Use the equation corresponding to the
length of a circumference).
(d) Dimensional equations corresponding to functions sin, cos and tan.
(e) Dimensional equation for energy or work: [W]=[F][r].
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(f) Dimensions corresponding to surface tension (σ), with [σ]= [W] / [A]. (A: area)
(g) Dimensions corresponding to viscosity coefficient (η): [η]=[F][r] / [A][v].
(h) Dimensions corresponding to Reynolds’ number (R): [v]=[R][η] / [ρ][r]. (ρ: density).

Which ones are dimensionless quantities?

2. Show that the following equations are dimensionally homogeneous (i.e. the quantities on both
sides of the equation have the same dimensions).

(a) Impulse=change in linear momentum: F~ t = ∆(M ~v ).

(F: force, t: time, M: mass, v: speed)
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(b) Work= Change in kinetic energy. F s cosφ = ∆(M v 2 /2).

(s: length, F: force and φ: angle between force and displacement.)

3. Verify that all the terms in Bernoulli’s trinomial share the same dimension:
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p + ρv 2 + hρg = constant
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(p: pressure=force per unit area, ρ: density = mass per unit volume, v: speed, h: height, g:
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acceleration due to gravity.)

~ = ı̂ + m̂ + 2k̂ so that |A|
4. Compute the value of m in A ~ = 3.

~ = ı̂ + ̂ and B
5. Using vectors A ~ = mı̂ + 3 ̂, compute m so that C
~ = 2A
~ − 2B
~ is a unit vector.
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6. Find A~ = 4ı̂ + 8̂ − 2k̂ and B

~ = 6ı̂ − 2̂ + 4k̂ vectors’ scalar product. How would you describe
the vectors? Why?
~ = 3ı̂ + 5̂ − k̂ and B
7. Given vectors A ~ = ı̂ + 4̂ − 2k̂, compute (A
~ − 5B)
~ · (2A
~ + 6B).
~

~ = ı̂ + 2̂ + 2k̂ and B

8. Find the angle between vectors A ~ = 3ı̂ + 4̂.

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~ = 3ı̂ − 4̂, compute:
9. Given vector A
~ whose first component is 8.
(a) A vector perpendicular to A
~ Show that it fulfills both conditions.
(b) A unit vector perpendicular to A.

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~ = 3ı̂ + 2̂ + k̂ and B
10. Given A ~ = 2ı̂ − 5̂ + ak̂, find a, so that A
~ and B
~ are perpendicular.

~ = ı̂ + m̂ + 2k̂ and OZ axis is

11. Find the value of constant m so that the angle between vector A
60o .
~ = 2ı̂ + ̂ + 2k̂ and B
12. Given vectors A ~ = ı̂ + n̂ + k̂, find n so that vector C
~ =A
~ −B
~ lies in OXZ
plane.
d~
r
13. Given ~r(t) = 5t2 ı̂ + 8̂ − tk̂, compute dt
(t).

~ = 5t2 ı̂ + 15̂ is a vector function, compute the following quantities at time t = 2:

14. If A(t)
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(a) Time derivative of the magnitude.
(b) Magnitude of the time derivative.

15. Find the equation of the line that has the direction of vector ~a = αı̂ + β̂ + γ k̂ and passes
through point P0 (x0 , y0 , z0 ).

16. Find the equation of the plane that is perpendicular to vector ~a = αı̂ + β̂ + γ k̂ and passes
through point P0 (x0 , y0 , z0 ).

17. Prove that if the magnitudes of the sum and difference of two vectors are equal, those two
vectors should be perpendicular.
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18. Vectors ~a = ı̂ + 2̂, ~b = 4̂ and ~c = ̂ + 3k̂ define a paralellepiped. Compute its volume.

19. Given vectors ~a = ı̂ + ̂ + k̂, ~b = 2ı̂ + k̂, ~c = 3̂ and d~ = 4ı̂ + 5̂ + 3k̂, find escalars α, β and γ,
so that the following equation is true d~ = α~a + β~b + γ~c.

20. Vectors ~a = ı̂ + k̂ and ~b = ı̂ + ̂ are applied at the same point, defining plane P .

(a) Find the unit vector û that is normal to the P plane.

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(b) Find the unit vector v̂ in the direction defined by ~a + ~b.

(c) Find a unit vector perpendicular both to û and v̂.
   
21. Show that the following equation is true: ~a × ~b × ~c = (~a · ~c) ~b − ~a · ~b ~c.

22. Show that the next three vectors ~a = ı̂ − 2̂ + 3k̂, ~b = 2ı̂ + ̂ − 2k̂ and ~c = ı̂ + 3̂ − 5k̂ form a
triangle.

23. Find the distance from the line that passes through point Q = (−3, 6, 12) and is parallel to
vector ~v = 4ı̂ − ̂ + 3k̂ to point P (4, 5, −7) (all components are expressed in m). Find the
distance of point P to the plane that passes through point Q and is perpendicular to ~v .

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24. Given the following vectorial equation ~r = a cos t ı̂ + a sin t ̂ + b t k̂, analyse its geometry. Which
kind of curve is it? Make a particular analysis for the case b = 0.

RESULTS:

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1. a. LT−2
b. L3 M−1 T−2
c. dimensionless
d. dimensionless
e. M L2 T−2
f. M T−2
−1
g. M L T−1
h. dimensionless

4. m = ±2
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5. m = 1

6. 0

7. -660

8. 42.83◦

10. a = 4
√
11. m = ± 11
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12. n = 1

14. (a) 16, (b) 20

18. 12

19. α=2, β=1, γ=1

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