1

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS OF
PHYSICS
Class First Year CHAPTER # 02
PTB )))SOLUTION

(Including text book exercise and IMP

questions
1. Why do you keep your legs far apart when you have to stand in the aisle of a
bumpy riding bus?
Ans:
When you stand in the aisle of a bumpy riding bus, you are in unstable position and you may fall.
To make you stableyou keep your legs far apart.

2. Define the terms (i) unit vector (ii) Position vector and (iii) Components of a vector?
(FSB- 2009,SUPP-2009,2016

Ans:

𝑨̂ =
𝑨⃑`
Unit vector: A vector whose magnitude is one and used to show the direction of given vector is

|⃑𝑨⃑` |
called unit vector. Its formula:

Position vector: The vector which locates the position of particle with respect to origin is called

𝑟⃑⃑` = 𝑎𝑖̂ + 𝑏 𝑗̂
position vector

|𝒓⃑
⃑ `| = √𝒂𝟐 + 𝒃𝟐 for plane coordinate system
𝑟⃑⃑` = 𝑎𝑖̂ + 𝑏 𝑗̂ +𝑐 𝑘̂
|⃑𝒓⃑`| = √𝒂𝟐 + 𝒃𝟐 + 𝒄𝟐 for space coordinate system
Components of vector: The effective values of a vector in a given direction are components of a
vector.
Ax = Acos𝜃 (X.component of vactor A)
Ay = Asin𝜃 (Y.component of vactor A)
3. The vector sum of three vectors gives a zero resultant. What can be the
orientation of the vectors?(FSB -2008
Ans:
If the three vectors are represented by the sides of triangle joined by head to tail rule at
angle of 60°, there sum will bezero as shown in figure

𝐴` + 𝐵⃑` + 𝐶` = ⃑0`
.

4. Vector A lies in the xy plane. For what orientation will both of its rectangular
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components be negative? Forwhat orientation will its components have

opposite signs?(FSB-213,2018
Ans:
(i) When the vector lies in 3rd quadrant, then both of its rectangular components
of vector will negative.
(ii) The components of a vector have opposite sign when the vector lies in 2nd or
4th quadrant.
5. If one of the components of a vector is not zero, can its magnitude be zero?
Explain. Ans:

|⃑𝑨⃑`| = √𝑨𝒙 𝟐 + 𝑨𝒚 𝟐
No, its magnitude cannot be zero. As we know that magnitude of A is

which shows that magnitude of vector will be zero only when all of its rectangular components
are zero.
6. Can a vector have a component greater than the vector’s magnitude?(FSB-2007,2008
/can a vector has lesser magnitude than its component?
Ans:
No, the component of a vector can never be greater than the vector’s magnitude because the
component of a vector isits effective value in a specific direction and it is the part of vector and
part is always less than full.
So A ≥ Ax & A ≥ Ay
7. Can the magnitude of a vector have a negative value?(FSB-
2009,2010 Ans:
No, it can never be negative.
reason:

|⃑𝑨⃑`| = √𝑨𝒙 𝟐 + 𝑨𝒚 𝟐
its magnitude can never be zero. As we know that magnitude of A is

which shows that square of real values is always positive.

8. If ⃑ ⃑`
𝐴 + 𝐵⃑` = 0, what can you say about the components of the two vectors?

components of vector A = 𝐴𝑥 𝑖̂ + 𝐴𝑦 𝑗̂ + 𝐴𝑧 𝑘̂
Ans:

components of vector B = 𝐵𝑥 𝑖̂ + 𝐵𝑦 𝑗̂ + 𝐵𝑧 𝑘̂
𝐴` + 𝐵⃑` = 𝐴𝑥 𝑖̂ + 𝐴𝑦 𝑗̂ + 𝐴𝑧 𝑘̂ + 𝐵𝑥 𝑖̂ + 𝐵𝑦 𝑗̂ + 𝐵𝑧 𝑘̂ = 0𝑖̂ + 0𝑗̂ + 0𝑘̂
by comparing
i:
Ax +Bx = 0
j:
Ay +By = 0
Ax = - Bx
Ay = - By
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so components are equal in magnitudes but opposite in direction.

9. Under what circumstances would a vector have components that are equal
in magnitude?(FSB-2012,2016
Ans:
Given
Ax = Ay
A cos𝜃 = A sin𝜃
sin𝜃
cos𝜃
=1
tan𝜃 = 1
𝜃= tan-1( 1)
𝜃 = 450

10. Is it possible to add a vector quantity to a scalar quantity? Explain.(FSB-2009,SUPP-2009

Ans:
No it is not possible to add a vector to a scalar quantity because both are different
quantities as scalars have onlymagnitude while vector quantities have both magnitude as
well direction so cannot added be add to each other.
11. Can you add zero to a null vector?(FSB-2015
Ans:
No it is not possible to add zero to a null vector because zero is scalar and null vector is vector
and scalar is not addedto vector quantity due to different quantities.
12. Two vectors have unequal magnitudes. Can their sum be zero? Explain.(FSB-
SUPP- 2009,2010,2012,2016
Ans:
No, the sum of two vectors having unequal magnitudes can’t be zero. The sum of two vectors
will be zero only whentheir magnitudes are equal and they act in opposite direction.
Show that the sum and difference of two perpendicular vectors of equal lengths are also perpendicular
andof the same length?

|𝐴`| = |𝐵⃑`|
Consider two vectors A and B of equal A=B magnitude which are perpendicular to each other

𝐴`. 𝐵⃑` = 0 (𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝐴` 𝑖𝑠 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑡𝑜 𝐵⃑`)

(𝐴` + 𝐵⃑`) . (𝐴` - 𝐵⃑`) = 0

and if sum and difference is also perpendicular then

(𝐴` + 𝐵⃑`) . (𝐴` - 𝐵⃑`) = 𝐴` . 𝐴` + 𝐴` .

𝐵⃑` + 𝐵⃑` . 𝐴` + 𝐵⃑` . 𝐵⃑` A2 - B2 = 0 since
|𝐴`| = |𝐵⃑`|

it means (𝐴` + 𝐵⃑`) is perpendicular (𝐴` - 𝐵⃑`)

2 2
A -A =0
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13. How would the two vectors of the same magnitude have to be oriented, were to be
combined to give aresultant equal to a vector of the same magnitude?(FSB-2013,2015
It is possible only when the angle b/w two vectors is 120°. If the two vectors are shown by two
sides of equilateral ltriangle then third side shows their resultant A=B=R

Rx = F1cos 00 + F2cos 𝜃

Ry = F1sin0 + F2 sin 𝜃
𝑅2= 𝑅2 + 𝑅2
𝑥 𝑦

so 𝑅2 = (𝑅 + 𝑅𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃)2 + (𝑅𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃)2
and R = F1 = F2

R2 = R2 ((1 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃)2 +
sin𝜃 2) 1 = 1+cos𝜃 2 +
2cos𝜃 + sin𝜃 2

= cos-1(−1 )
-1 = 2cos𝜃
𝜃 2
𝜃 = 120 2
14. The two vectors to be combined have magnitudes 60N and 35N. Pick the
correct answer from those givenbelow and tell why it is the only one of the
three that is correct. (i)100N (ii)70N (iii)20N.
The correct answer is 70 N.
Sum of two vector is maximum when they are parallel to each other as 60+35=95 N, sum of
two vector is minimumwhen opposite as 60+(-35)=25N, this shows that range of resultant
is from 25 N to 95 N so correct answer is 70 N
15. Suppose the sides of a closed polygon represent vector-arranged head to tail.
What is the sum of thesevectors?
Sum of these vectors will be zero, in this case the head of last vector coincides with tail of first vector as
A+B+C+D+E+F=O
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16. Identify the correct answer:

The actual direction of motion will be due to west
F cosɵ-mg sinɵ is correct answer by converting into rectangular components along the inclined
plane.
17. If all the components of the vectors A1andA2 were reversed, how
would this alter A1  A2 ?(FSB2007,2013
Ans:
It would not be changed when all the components of a vector were
reversed.

-A1x-A2= A1xA2
18. Name the three different conditions that could make A1  A2 = 0. (FSB-2014,2017
This is zero when

a. A1 or A2 is a null vector
b. A1 and A2 are parallel vector(ɵ=0°) As A1*A2sin0°=0
c. A1 and A2 are anti-parallel (ɵ=180°) As A1*A2sin180°=0
19. Identify true of false statements and explain the reason. (a) A body in equilibrium
implies that is not moving norrotating. (b)If coplanar forces acting on a body form
a closed polygon, then the body is said to be in equilibrium.
a) This statement is false because in dynamic equilibrium body may move or rotate with
uniform velocity.
b) This statement is true only as first condition if satisfied body is said to be in
translational equilibrium.
20. A picture is suspended from a wall by two strings. Show by diagram the
configuration of the strings forwhich the tension in the strings will be
minimum.
If picture is suspended from wall by two strings and tension is resolved into its rectangular
components then
Tsinɵ+Tsinɵ=W,
2Tsinɵ=W
T=W/2sinɵ,
tension will be minimum if Sinɵ is maximum so at 90° tension will be minimum.
21. Can a body rotate about its center of gravity under the action of its weight?(FSB-2008,2014
No, A body cannot rotate about its center of gravity under the action of its weight because in
this case line of action offorce passes through axis of rotation so moment arm is zero and
Torque= (moment arm) force= 0*Force=0 so torque acting on it is zero.
22. What do you mean by Equal Vectors?(FSB-2007
Ans:
Two vectors are said to be equal if they have same magnitude and same direction regardless of
initial position.
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23. State two conditions of equilibrium?(FSB-2010,2012

First condition: Sum of all the forces acting on a body is equal to zero ∑ 𝐹 = 0
ANS:

2nd condition: Sum of torques acting on a body is equal to zero ∑ ➚ =

0
24. Define null vector how can we obtain null vector?(FSB-2011
Ans:
A vector having zero magnitude and arbitrary direction is called null vector. For example of

𝐴` + 𝐵⃑` = ⃑0`
position vector origin is null vector.

𝐴` = - 𝐵⃑`

25. Describe briefly, how we obtain the vector, when its rectangular components are given?(FSB-
2012, 2017
Ans:
Rectangular components of a vector: The components of vector which are perpendicular to each

𝐴𝑥 = 𝐴𝐶𝑜𝑠𝜃
other are called rectangular components of vector.

𝐴𝑦 = 𝐴𝑆𝑖𝑛𝜃

magnitude of a vector A is √𝑨𝒙 + 𝑨𝒚

𝟐 𝟐

𝜃
directional angle :
-1
𝐴𝑦
)
𝐴𝑥
= tan (
A = 𝐴𝑥𝑖̂ +
𝐴𝑦𝑗
26. Define torque and write its units?(FSB-2018
Ans:
Definition: The turning effect produced in a body about axis of rotation is called torque.

➚` = 𝑟` × 𝐹`
Its SI unit is N m.
Dimension [ML2T-2]

27. Give two factors on which turning effect depends?(FSB-2019

Ans:
a) the magnitude of the applied force.
b)moment arm (the distance between the line of action from axis of rotation.)
28.

GOOD LUCK