Vector

Knowledge-based
1. Definition:
-Free vectors [J.B.-17]: Free vectors are the vectors whose initial point or final point that is the
tail is not fixed.

- Localized vectors [Din.B.-17]: Localized vectors are the vectors whose initial point
or final point that is the tail is fixed.
✓ Example: The weight of a body always acts at the center of mass of the body. The initial point of
weight is fixed. That is why weight of a body is localized vector.

-null vector [R.B.-17,21; My.B.-21]: The vector which has no magnitude is called null vector.
If two opposite vectors of same kind is added a null vector will found. Null vector is denoted by ⃗0.

∴ 𝐹 + (−𝐹 ) = ⃗0
-Position vector [B.B.-16,21; C.B.-16; Ctg.B.-17,21; R.B.-21; J.B.-21]: In three -dimensional co-
ordinate system with respect to origin if a vector is used to represent the position of a point, then the
vector is called position vector.

-Reciprocal vector [R.B.-19]: If the magnitude of any of the two parallel vectors is reciprocal of the
other then they are called reciprocal vectors.
✓ Example: if 𝐴 = 10𝑖̂ and 𝐵 ⃗ = 1 𝑖̂ then 𝐴 and 𝐵
⃗ are reciprocal vectors.
10
✓
-Displacement vector [B.B.-17]: The change in position vector of a body is
called displacement vector.
∆𝑟 is called displacement vector. Displacement does not depend on path; it only
depends on initial and final point.

-Radius vector [D.B.-16]: A position or position vector, also known as location vector or radius vector, is
a Euclidean vector that represents the position of a point P in space in relation to an arbitrary reference
origin O.

-Unit vector: The vector having a magnitude of one (1) is called unit vector.
If a non-zero vector is divided by its magnitude, in the direction of the vector,

Md Golam Morshad BNMPC Lecturer in PHYSICS

its unit vector is found.
Let, the magnitude of 𝐴 is |𝐴| ≠ 0.
𝐴
∴ a unit vector in the direction of 𝐴 is 𝑎̂ = |𝐴|

2. What is resultant vector?

[J.B.-15]
Ans: The resultant vector is the vector sum of two or more vectors. It is the result of
⃗⃗⃗ and 𝐶 are added
adding two or more vectors together. If displacement vectors 𝐴, 𝐵
together, the result will be vector 𝑅⃗. As shown in the diagram, 𝑅⃗ = 𝐴 + 𝐵
⃗ + 𝐶;

3. What is called resolution of vector?

[S.B.-15,16; R.B.-15; J.B.-21]
Ans: A vector into two or more vectors is called resolution of vectors. The resolved parts are called
components of the vector.

4. What is called rectangular unit vector?

[J.B.-17; Ctg. B.-19; B.B.-19; M.B.- 19; D.B.-21]
Ans: In three- dimensional co-ordinate system three-unit vectors are considered along three- dimension.
These are called rectangular unit vectors.
These vectors are:
▪ along positive X axis is 𝑖̂
▪ along positive Y axis is 𝑗̂
▪ along positive Z axis is 𝑘̂
▪
5. What is a vector field?
[S.B.-21]
⃗ (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧)] at every point in a region then that region is called a
Ans: If there exists a vector quantity [𝑉
vector field.

6. What is called vector operator?

[Ctg.B.-15]
Ans: A vector operator is a differential operator used in vector calculus. Vector operators are defined in
terms of del. and include the gradient, divergence, and curl.

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 Analytical-based
1.When does the magnitude of a vector become negative and why? Explain.
[Din.B.-15]
Ans: “When a quantity has both magnitude and direction is called a vector.”
For scalar quantity, minus (-) means the value/magnitude. But for vector, minus indicates the direction of
the specific vector is reverse respect to a reference. Like, upward gravity, g=-9.8ms-2. Which cause the
decrease in velocity 9.8ms-1 per unit time.
When we throw an object upward, we consider its velocity is positive. After it reach at highest point then
it comes downward like a free fall body, but now its velocity has equal magnitude but with a minus (-).
Here, minus (-) indicates the opposite direction with respect to previous velocity.

2. Why the initial point of a free vector is not at the origin? Explain.
[S. B.-15]
Ans: Position vector: Position vector simply indicates the position or location of a point in the three-
dimensional cartesian system with respect to a reference origin.
Free vector: Free vector refers to a vector which neither a point nor a line, and something that can move
freely around the space through. It has fixed magnitude and direction.
So above definition, we can say a free vector starts from any point but with a fixed magnitude and
direction.

3. Why a null vector has no definite direction?

[R. B.-15; S. B.-21]
Ans: “A vector which has zero (0) magnitude and no definite direction is called null vector.”
A null can achieve by adding a vector and its reverse vector. Like, 𝐴 = 3𝑖̂ and its reverse vector is, −𝐴 =
−3𝑖̂.
By adding, we have, 𝐴 + (−𝐴) = 0 ⃗ ; Its like a dot in a space which has no magnitude and no definite
magnitude.

4. A reciprocal vector can be called a collinear vector-explain.

[C. B.-17]
Ans: If the magnitude of any of the two parallel vectors is reciprocal of the other then they are called
⃗ = 1 𝑖̂ then 𝐴 and 𝐵
reciprocal vectors. if 𝐴 = 10𝑖̂ and 𝐵 ⃗ are reciprocal vectors.
10
Vectors that lie along the same line or parallel lines are known to be co-linear vectors. They are also
known as parallel vectors.
From reciprocal vectors we can say, they have same direction. So that, they can be called parallel vectors
or co-linear vector.

5. The angle between the opposite vector and reciprocal vector of a vector is always same- Explain.
[R. B.-21]

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Ans: The opposite vector has same magnitude but opposite direction. So, the angle between main vector
and opposite vector is always 180°.

If the magnitude of any of the two parallel vectors is reciprocal of the other then they are called
reciprocal vectors. So, the angle between reciprocal and main vector is 0°.
Now, we can say, the angle between the opposite vector and reciprocal vector of a vector is always same.

6. All collinear vectors are not equal vectors-Explain

[C. B.-19]
Ans: “When two vectors have equal magnitude and same direction, are called equal vectors.”
But co-linear have only same direction but they contain different values.
So, we can say, all co-linear are not equal. Only those, whose magnitude are same.

7. Whether equal vectors are parallel vectors or not? Explain.

[Ctg. B.-21]
Ans: “When two vectors have equal magnitude and same direction, are called equal vectors.”
If the angle between two vectors is zero (0) are called parallel. Equal vectors have same direction, so they
are parallel.

8. Position vector is a localized vector-Explain.

[S. B.-21]
Ans: “In three -dimensional co-ordinate system with respect to origin if a vector is used to represent the
position of a point, then the vector is called position vector.”

From below figure, we have the position vector of point P is, 𝑃⃗ = 𝑥𝑖̂ + 𝑦𝑗̂ + 𝑧𝑘̂ ; Here, x,y,z are the
components of X, Y, Z axis respectively.

“If the intial and end piont of a vector is fixed is called localized/fixed vector.” Ex:- displacement, force
etc.
The position vector’s initial point(origin of reference) is fixed, so we can say, position vector is a
localized vector.

9. The value of addition and subtraction of two vectors are equal-Explain.

[R. B.-19]
⃗ . The angle between them is 𝜃.
Ans: Assume, two vectors are 𝐴 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐵
From the question, we can write,

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 ⃗ | = |𝐴 − 𝐵
|𝐴 + 𝐵 ⃗ |;
2 2
⃗ | = |𝐴 − 𝐵
𝑜𝑟, |𝐴 + 𝐵 ⃗ | [𝐵𝑦 𝑠𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑏𝑜𝑡ℎ 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒];

⃗ +𝐵
𝑜𝑟, 𝐴. 𝐴 + 2. 𝐴. 𝐵 ⃗ .𝐵
⃗ = 𝐴. 𝐴 − 2. 𝐴. 𝐵
⃗ +𝐵
⃗ .𝐵
⃗;
⃗ + 𝐵2 = 𝐴2 − 2. 𝐴. 𝐵
𝑜𝑟, 𝐴2 + 2. 𝐴. 𝐵 ⃗ + 𝐵2;
⃗ = 0;
𝑜𝑟, 4. 𝐴. 𝐵
𝑜𝑟, 4𝐴𝐵𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = 0;
𝜋
𝑜𝑟, 𝜃 = 2 ;
𝝅
If the angle between two vectors is 𝟐 , then their addition and subtraction will be equal.

10. The resultant of three vectors acting in the same order may be zero-Explain.
[B.B.-19]
Ans: The resultant of 3 or more vectors can be 0 if the vectors are in equilibrium, meaning that they
cancel each other out. This can happen when the vectors are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction,
or when they are not equal in magnitude but are arranged in such a way that the sum of their components
is 0 in all directions.

11. In case of flying of birds explain the principle of addition of vectors.

[ My. B.-21]
When a bird flies, it pushes air backwards with its wings; so, resultant of these two forces creates a
reaction force which acts forward. This is how a bird can fly.

In the figure, at O the thrust or force of the wing’s acts. At

O, two reaction forces overline OA and OB are in action.
Complete the parallelogram OACB. OC, the resultant of
OA and OB, represents the diagonal of the parallelogram.
Resultant force OC helps the bird to move forward. If two
reaction forces are equal, the bird will move forward. If not,
the bird can change its direction.

12. Explain whether the resultant of two unequal vectors becomes zero.
[Ctg.B.-16, M.B.-19]
Ans: We know that unequal vectors mean vectors with different magnitudes. If we have two vectors, the
resultant of these two vectors is zero when the direction of these two vectors is opposite to each other.
Also, the resultant will be zero, if and only if they have the same magnitude.

We also know, form parallelogram law, the maximum resultant, 𝑹𝒎𝒂𝒙 = 𝑷 + 𝑸 appears when the angle
between 𝑃⃗ and 𝑄
⃗ two vectors will be zero (0), means two vectors are parallel with same direction.

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But the minimum resultant, 𝑹𝒎𝒊𝒏 = 𝑷 − 𝑸 appears when the angle between 𝑃⃗ and 𝑄 ⃗ will be 𝟏𝟖𝟎°, means
parallel and opposite. In this section, we may have zero resultant if both vectors have same magnitude.
So, we can say from above discussion that, the resultant of two unequal vectors can not be zero.

13. Why does a boat move forward when it is pulled by a rope from the bank? Explain
[B.B.-15]
Pulling a boat: Let us suppose, a rope is bound at O and it is pulled towards the shore with force F.

Let us suppose, F makes an angle 𝜃 with the

horizontal line OB. Component of 𝐹 in the direction
of OB equals 𝑭 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽 which takes the boat forward
and vertical component OC equals 𝑭 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜽 which
takes the boat to the shore. But by applying force on
the boat by guide, it nullifies the vertical component.
This is how he boat can move forward.

14. Explain the benefit of using much longer rope when pulling a boat.
[J.B.-21]
Ans: (In addition, with previous answer,) 𝑭 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽 takes part to move forward the boat. If we decrease the
angle, the cosine component increases. So, using the same force we have much effective force on the
boat. Which makes pulling the boat a lot easier. To happen that, the boatman increases the length of the
rope so that the angle decreases and the 𝑭 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽 component increases.

15. “Pulling a lawn roller is easier than pushing it.” -Explain.

Ans: When an object is pulled or pushed on a surface, there is a fractional force acting opposite to the
applied force. As the weight of the object increases, frictional forces also increase. So, if an object is
lighter, it is easier to move.

Pushing a lawn roller: Let us suppose, weight of a lawn roller= W and

force applied to the handle of the roller = F. which makes an angle 𝜃
clockwise with the horizontal line [Fig.]. Force F is divided into two
parts:
(a) horizontal component measuring 𝑭𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽 which helps the roller
to move forward
(b) vertical component measuring 𝑭𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜽 which acts in the direction of weight. So, the weight of the
roller increases.

Weight of the roller, 𝑾′ = 𝑾 + 𝑭𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜽. So, W' > W;

Evidently, pushing a lawn roller is harder because the weight of the roller increases when it is pushed.

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Pulling a lawn roller: Let us suppose, the weight of the lawn roller W
and the force on the handle of the roller = F which acts at an angle 𝜃
with the horizontal line [Fig.]. Force F is divided into two components:

(a) horizontal component 𝑭𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽 which helps the roller to move

forward and
(b) vertical component 𝑭𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜽 which acts in opposite direction of
the weight. Consequently, the weight of the roller decreases.

Weight of the roller, 𝑾′ = 𝑾 − 𝑭𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜽. So, W' < W;

Evidently, pulling a lawn roller is easier than pushing it because the weight of the decreases.

16. “Though pulling a lawn roller is much easier than pushing, but we have to push it.” – why?
Ans: We know, when we pushing a lawn roller, the weight of the roller, 𝑾′ = 𝑾 + 𝑭𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜽. So, W' > W;

But when we pulling the roller, Weight of the roller, 𝑾′ = 𝑾 − 𝑭𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜽. So, W' < W;
We use the roller to level the ground. For this purpose, extra weight can be helpful. So, from above we
saw that when we pushing the roller it gains extra weight, which is more helpful to leveling. This is why
we always pushing a lawn roller instead of pulling.

Md Golam Morshad BNMPC Lecturer in PHYSICS