First Year Short Questions Physics

CHAPTER NO. 2 (VECTORS AND EQUILIBRIUM)

Question 2.1:- Define the terms (i) unit vector (ii) Position vector and (iii)
Components of a vector.
Answer:- Unit Vector:- A vector whose magnitude is one in a specific direction is
called unit vector. It is represented by 𝐴̂. 𝑀𝑎𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦, 𝑨
̂= 𝑨
⃗⃗⃗ / A.
Position Vector:- A vector which describes the position of a point with respect to
origin is called position vector. It is represented by 𝒓
⃗ . In a plane 𝒓
⃗ = x 𝑖̂ + y 𝑗̂ while
⃗ = x 𝑖̂ + y 𝑗̂ + z 𝑘̂.
in space 𝒓
Component of a Vector:- Component of a vector is its effective value in a given
direction.
Normally, vector is divided in to two components which are mutually
perpendicular.
The components of a vector which are perpendicular to each other are called
rectangular components. In xy plane, component of vector along x-axis is called

k
x-component or horizontal component while component of vector along y-axis is
s.p
called y-component or vertical component.
Question 2.2:- The vector sum of three vectors gives a zero resultant. What
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can be the orientation of the vectors?

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Answer:- If vector sum of three vectors is zero, the

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vectors are arranged in the form of a triangle. When

three vectors are arranged in head to tail
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configuration and the orientation forms a triangular

geometry, the vector sum is zero as tail of first
vector is joined with the head of third vector in this case.
⃗⃗⃗
𝑹 = ⃗⃗⃗
𝑨 + ⃗⃗⃗
𝑩 + ⃗⃗⃗
𝑪 = ⃗⃗⃗
𝟎.
Question 2.3:- Vector A lies in the xy plane. For what orientation will both
of its rectangular components be negative? For what orientation will its
components have opposite signs?
Answer:- In xy plane, there are four
quadrants.
i) When a vector lies in third quadrant,
both of its rectangular components will
be negative.
First Year Short Questions Physics

ii) When a vector lies in second or forth quadrant, both of its rectangular
components will have opposite signs.
Question 2.4:- If one of the rectangular components of a vector is not zero,
can its magnitude be zero? Explain.
Answer:- No, if one of the rectangular component of a vector is not zero, its
magnitude is not zero. For a vector lying in xy plane, there are two cases:-

1) If Ax = 0 and Ay ≠ 0 then A = √𝐴𝑥 2 + 𝐴𝑦 2 = √02 + 𝐴𝑦 2 = Ay ≠ 0.

2) If Ax ≠ 0 and Ay = 0 then A = √𝐴𝑥 2 + 𝐴𝑦 2 = √𝐴𝑥 2 + 02 = Ax ≠ 0.

Question 2.5:- Can a vector have component greater than the vector’s
magnitude?
Answer:- No, a vector cannot have components greater than the vector’s
⃗⃗⃗ lying in xy plane:-
magnitude. For a vector 𝑨
Ax = A cos θ Ay = A sin θ
|Ax| = |A cos θ| = |A| |cos θ| k
|Ay| = |A sin θ| = |A| |sin θ|
s.p
We know that |cos θ| ≤ 1 We know that |sin θ| ≤ 1
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So |Ax| = |A| |cos θ| ≤ |A| So |Ay| = |A| |sin θ| ≤ |A|

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It is clear that magnitude of components of a vector is always less than or equal

to a vector’s magnitude and cannot be greater than vector’s magnitude.
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Question 2.6:- Can the magnitude of a vector have negative value?

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Answer:- No, the magnitude of a vector can never be negative. Magnitude of a

vector is either zero or positive. The magnitude of a vector in xy-plane is given as

A = √𝐴𝑥 2 + 𝐴𝑦 2 . We know that square of a negative number is also positive,

therefore, magnitude of a vector can never be zero.

Question 2.7:- If A + B = 0, what can you say about the components of the
two vectors?
Answer:- If ⃗⃗⃗
𝑨 + ⃗⃗⃗
𝑩 = ⃗⃗⃗
𝟎 , We can say that ⃗⃗⃗
𝑨 = - ⃗𝑩
⃗

(Ax 𝑖̂ + Ay 𝑗̂ + Az 𝑘̂) = - (Bx 𝑖̂ + By 𝑗̂ + Bz 𝑘̂) or (Ax + Bx) 𝑖̂ + (Ay + By) 𝑗̂ + (Az + Bz) 𝑘̂ = ⃗⃗⃗
𝟎.
This implies that:-
i) Corresponding components of both the vectors are equal in magnitude but
opposite in direction.
ii) Sum of corresponding components of both the vectors is also zero.

Shahzad Ali Nasir, Government Postgraduate College, Sahiwal ([email protected])

First Year Short Questions Physics

Question 2.8:- Under what circumstances would a vector have components

that are equal in magnitude?
Answer:- The components of vector will be equal in magnitude when the vector
makes an angle of 45o, 135o, 225o and 315o with respect to positive x-axis.
Mathematically, we can prove this as following:-
We know that Ax = A cos θ and Ay = A sin θ
|Ay| = |Ax| only when |A sin θ| = |A cos θ|
|tan θ| = 1 which means tan θ = ±1
tan θ = +1 implies that θ = tan-1 (1) = 45o & 225o tan θ = -1 implies that θ = tan-1(-
1) = 135o & 315o.
Question 2.9:- Is it possible to add a vector quantity to a scalar quantity?
Explain.
Answer:- No, a vector cannot be added to a scalar quantity.
The rules for addition of vectors and scalars are different. Scalars are added by

k
using normal addition while for adding vectors, their directions are also taken
s.p
into account.
Question 2.10:- Can you add zero to a null vector?
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Answer:- No, we cannot add zero to a null vector. Zero is a scalar and cannot be
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added to a vector because rules for addition of both are different.

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Question 2.11:- Two vectors have unequal magnitudes. Can their sum be
zero? Explain.
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Answer:- No, the sum of two vectors of unequal magnitude can never be zero.
The sum of two vectors is only zero if they are equal in magnitude but opposite in
direction i.e. ⃗⃗⃗
𝑨 + ⃗⃗⃗
𝑩 = ⃗⃗⃗
𝟎 , We can say that ⃗⃗⃗
𝑨 = - ⃗𝑩
⃗ which means vectors should
be equal in magnitude but opposite in direction.
Question 2.12:- Show that the sum and difference of two perpendicular
vectors of equal lengths are also perpendicular
and of the same length.
Answer:- Suppose we have two vector A and B
which are equal in magnitude and mutually
perpendicular. Assume A is along x-axis and B is
along y-axis. A = B (say)
SUM:- Rx = A and Ry = B
First Year Short Questions Physics

⃗⃗⃗
𝑹 = ⃗⃗⃗ 𝑩 implies that R = √𝑅𝑥 2 + 𝑅𝑦 2 = √𝐴2 + 𝐵 2 = √2 A and θR = tan-1 (Ry/Rx)
𝑨 + ⃗⃗⃗

= tan-1 (B/A) = tan-1 (1) = 45o w.r.t. x-axis.

DIFFERENCE:- Dx = A and Dy = -B

⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑫 = ⃗⃗⃗ 𝑩 implies that D = √𝐷𝑥 2 + 𝐷𝑦 2 = √𝐴2 + (−𝐵)2 = √2 A and θD = tan-1
𝑨 - ⃗⃗⃗

(Dy/Dx) = tan-1 (-B/A) = tan-1 (1) = -45o w.r.t. x-axis.

⃗⃗⃗ and 𝑫
This show that R = D while angle between 𝑹 ⃗⃗⃗⃗ is θ = θR – θD = 45o – (-45o) =
90o
So the sum and difference of two perpendicular vectors of same length are also
equal in magnitude and perpendicular to each other.
Question 2.13:- How would the two vectors of the same magnitude have to
be oriented, if they were to be combined to give a resultant equal to a
vector of the same magnitude?
Answer:- When two vectors of same magnitude are oriented at an angle of 1200
k
with respect to each other, their resultant is also equal in magnitude to either of
s.p
the vector. In this case, the geometry becomes an equilateral triangle.
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Alternately, magnitude of resultant vector R of two vectors A and B is determined

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as R = √𝐴2 + 𝐵 2 + 2 𝐴 𝐵 cos 𝜃. Using the condition R = A = B, We find that cos θ = -

0.5 and θ = cos-1 (-0.5) = 120o.
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Question 2.14:- The two vectors to be combined have magnitudes 60 N and

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35 N. Pick the correct answer from those given below and tell why is it the
only one of the three that is correct? i) 100 N ii) 70 N iii) 20 N
Answer:- When two vectors are oriented in the same direction, the magnitude of
resultant vector is maximum and is equal to sum of magnitudes of both vectors.
When two vectors are oriented in opposite direction, the magnitude of resultant
vector is minimum and is equal to difference of magnitudes of both vectors.
In case 60 N and 35 N are parallel, maximum resultant force is 60 + 35 = 95 N
and when 60 N and 35 N are anti-parallel, minimum resultant force is 60 – 35 =
25 N. The resultant of 60 N and 35 N lies between 25 N to 95 N. The resultant
can neither be less than 25 N and nor be greater than 95 N, hence the correct
answer is 70 N.
Question 2.15:- Suppose the sides of a closed polygon represent vectors
arranged head to tail. What is the sum of these vectors?

Shahzad Ali Nasir, Government Postgraduate College, Sahiwal ([email protected])

First Year Short Questions Physics

Answer:- When sides of a closed polygon

represent the vectors arranged in head to tail
configuration, the sum of these vectors will
be a null or zero vector. In this case, tail of
first vector is joined with the head of last
vector, therefore, resultant vector is a zero
vector.
Question 2.16:- Identify the correct answer.
i) Two ships X and Y are travelling in different
directions at equal speeds. The actual direction of
motion of X is due north but to an observer on Y,
the apparent direction of motion of X is north-
east. The actual direction of motion of Y as
observed from the shore will be (A) East (B) West
(C) south-east (D) south-west.
k
s.p
ii) A horizontal force F is applied to a small object
P of mass m at rest on a smooth plane inclined at
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angle θ to the horizontal as shown in figure. The

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magnitude of the resultant force acting up and

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along the surface of the plane, on the object is

a) F cos θ – mg sin θ b) F sin θ – mg cos θ c) F cos
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θ + mg cos θ d) F sin θ + mg sin θ e) mg tan θ

Answer:- i) West
ii) F cos θ – mg sin θ

Question 2.17:- If all the components of the vectors, ⃗⃗⃗⃗

𝑨𝟏 and ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑨𝟐 were
reversed, how would this alter ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑨𝟏 𝒙 ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑨𝟐 ?
Answer:- If all the components of the vectors A1 and A2 are reversed, there would
be no effect on ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑨𝟏 𝒙 ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑨𝟐
We know that ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑨𝟏 𝒙 ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑨𝟐 = (A1 A2 sin θ) 𝒏
̂
⃗⃗⃗⃗𝟏 )
After reversing all components of A1 and A2, we evaluate vector product as (-𝑨
⃗⃗⃗⃗𝟐 ) = (-A1) (-A2) sin θ 𝒏
x (-𝑨 ̂ = ⃗⃗⃗⃗
̂ = (A1 A2 sin θ) 𝒏 𝑨𝟏 𝒙 ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑨𝟐 . We can also prove it by
using determinant form to evaluate cross product:-

Shahzad Ali Nasir, Government Postgraduate College, Sahiwal ([email protected])

First Year Short Questions Physics

𝑖̂ 𝑗̂ 𝑘̂ 𝑖̂ 𝑗̂ 𝑘̂ 𝑖̂ 𝑗̂ 𝑘̂
⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗
−𝑨𝟏 𝒙 − 𝑨𝟐 = −𝐴1𝑥 −𝐴1𝑦 −𝐴1𝑧 = (-1)(-1) 𝐴1𝑥 𝐴1𝑦 𝐴1𝑧 = 𝐴1𝑥 𝐴1𝑦 𝐴1𝑧 = ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑨𝟏 𝒙 ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑨𝟐
−𝐴2𝑥 −𝐴2𝑦 −𝐴2𝑧 𝐴2𝑥 𝐴2𝑦 𝐴2𝑧 𝐴2𝑥 𝐴2𝑦 𝐴2𝑧

Question 2.18:- Name the three different conditions that could make ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑨𝟏 𝒙 ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑨𝟐
= ⃗𝟎.
Answer:- We know that ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑨𝟏 𝒙 ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑨𝟐 = (A1 A2 sin θ) 𝒏
̂ . The three different conditions
which could make ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑨𝟏 𝒙 ⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗ are:-
𝑨𝟐 = 𝟎
i) ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑨𝟏 is a null vector i.e. A1 = 0.
ii) ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑨𝟐 is a null vector i.e. A2 = 0.
iii) ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑨𝟏 and ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑨𝟐 are parallel and anti-parallel to each other i.e. θ = 0o or 180o.
Question 2.19:- Identify true or false statements and explain the reason.
i) A body in equilibrium implies that it is neither moving nor rotating.
ii) If coplanar forces acting on the body form a closed polygon, then the
body is said to be in equilibrium.
k
Answer:- i) The statement is false. When a body is in equilibrium, it is either at
s.p
rest or moving (rotating) with uniform velocity.
ii) The statement is true. When coplanar forces acting on the body form a closed
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polygon, the resultant force is zero and it satisfies first condition of equilibrium.
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The body will be in translational equilibrium in this case.

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Question 2.20:- A picture is suspended from a wall by two strings. Show by

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diagram the configuration of the string for which the tension in the string
will be minimum.
Answer:- Consider the picture of weight W
is suspended from a wall by two strings. We
suppose that suspended picture produces
equal tensions in the both strings as
shown:-
Resolve the tension in the string in rectangular components and apply first
condition of equilibrium in vertical direction as T sin θ + T sin θ = W, T = W / (2
sin θ).
Tension in the string will be minimum when
sin θ is maximum. Maximum value of sin θ
= 1 so θ = sin-1 (1) = 90o.
Tmin = W/2 and the orientation is as shown.

Shahzad Ali Nasir, Government Postgraduate College, Sahiwal ([email protected])

First Year Short Questions Physics

Question 2.21:- Can a body rotate about its centre of gravity under the
action of its weight?
Answer:- No, a body cannot rotate about its centre of gravity under the action of
its weight because torque is zero. The moment arm in this case is zero as the line
of action of force (weight) passes through the pivot point (centre of gravity).
We know that torque = (moment arm) (force) = (zero) (mg) = zero.

k
s.p
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no
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ea