Solutions to Scalar and Vector Problems

Example 1

A hiker walks 53.1 degrees north of east for 2.5km then due east for 2.0km. What is
her total displacement from her starting point if you measure the distance along a
straight line?

The displacement is measured in distance and angle so we will compute both.

First, we draw a diagram of the hiker's path.

Let A be the first leg of the journey and B be the second. What we are looking for is
the vector A+B. We find that: 
So the distance from the starting point is given by the pythagorean theorem: (For
convenience let C be the resultant vector.)

The angle of the resultant vector is:

Example 2

A telephone pole support cable is in the way of some construction workers. In order
for the work to proceed, the cable must be moved 2 meters closer to the pole. If the
pole is 10 meters tall and the cable is currently fastened to the ground 8 meters from
the pole, how much will the workers need to cut off from the cable when they move it?

Again, we draw a diagram to help clarify the problem.

The original cable length is

or 12.8m.

By moving the cable 2 meters closer to the pole, we shorten the overall length of the
cable to

or 11.7m. Therefore, 1.1m must be cut off the cable.

A scalar is a quantity that is completely specified by its magnitude and has no direction.
A scalar can be described either dimensionless, or in terms of some physical quantity.
Examples of scalars are: mass, volume, distance, energy, and time.

Scalar quantities can be manipulated by the laws of arithmetic applicable to natural

numbers. For example if I add 20 grams of sugar to a recipe and then add 20 grams
more the result is 40 grams of sugar in the recipe. If I buy a liter (1000ml) bottle of water
and drink 250 ml, the amount left over is 750 ml.
A vector is a quantity that specifies both a magnitude and a direction. Such a quantity
may be represented geometrically by an arrow of length proportional to its magnitude,
pointing in the assigned direction. Examples of vectors are: displacement, velocity,
acceleration, force and electric field. Vectors can be added in simple ways that scalars
can. For example: A plane flies south at 500 miles/hour. A wind blows from the east at
100 miles/hour occurs. The resultant speed is not 600 miles/hour or 400 miles per hour.

The resultant (red arrow) can be

calculated using the Pythagorean
Theorem

R= sqrt (100^2 + 500^2)

R= 509.9 mi/hr.
 
The direction of the plane can be
calculated using the cosine
function.

tan   = 100/500 = 11.31 degrees

(Note: diagram is not drawn to

scale)

1. ___ _ is an example of a scalar quantity

 a) velocity

 b) force

 c) volume

 d) acceleration

2. ___ is an example of a vector quantity

 a) mass

 b) force
  c) volume

 d) density

3. A scalar quantity:

 a) always has mass

 b) is a quantity that is completely specified by its magnitude

 c) shows direction

 d) does not have units

4. A vector quantity

 a) can be a dimensionless quantity

 b) specifies only magnitude

 c) specifies only direction

 d) specifies both a magnitude and a direction

5. A boy pushes against the wall with 50 pounds of force. The wall does not move. The resultant force is:

 a) -50 pounds

 b) 100 pounds

 c) 0 pounds

 d) -75 pounds

6. A man walks 3 miles north then turns right and walks 4 miles east. The resultant displacement is:

 a) 1 mile SW

 b) 7 miles NE
  c) 5 miles NE

 d) 5 miles E

7. A plane flying 500 MI/hr due north has a tail wind of 45 MI/hr the resultant velocity is:

 a) 545 miles/hour due south.

 b) 455 miles/hour north.

 c) 545 miles/hr due north.

 d) 455 MI/hr due south

8. The difference between speed and velocity is:

 a) speed has no units

 b) speed shows only magnitude, while velocity represents both magnitude (strength) and direction

 c) they use different units to represent their magnitude

 d) velocity has a higher magnitude

9. The resultant magnitude of two vectors

 a) Is always positive

 b) Can never be zero

 c) Can never be negative

 d) Is usually zero

10. Which of the following is not true.

 a) velocity can be negative

  b) velocity is a vector

 b) speed is a scalar

 d) speed can be negative

1.  

Two vectors are equivalent if ______

a. they have same direction.

b. they have same length but their directions are opposite.

c. they have same length.

d. they have same length and direction.

Solution:
Two vectors are equivalent if they have same length and direction.

 2.  

Two vectors are said to be opposite if ______

a. they have same length but their directions are opposite.

b. they have different lengths.

c. they have same length.

d. they have same length and same direction.

Solution:
Two vectors are said to be opposite if they have same length but their directions are
opposite.

 3.  

The resultant vector of PQ → PQ→ + PR → PR→ is _________ .

a. Figure 4

b. Figure 2

c. Figure 3

d. Figure 1

Solution:
Using PQ and PR as adjacent sides, complete the parallelogram.

The resultant vector is the diagonal whose initial point is P, which is shown in figure 1.
 4.  

⃗  ⃗ 
The resultant vector of A A→ + B B→ is ________ .

a. Figure 4

b. Figure 2

c. Figure 3

d. Figure 1

Solution:

Move vector B→ parallel to its original directions and complete the triangle by joining the tail
of A→ to the head of B→, which is the resultant vector.

 5.  
A vector quantity has _________ .

a. Magnitude

b. Direction

c. Magnitude and not direction

d. Both magnitude and direction

Solution:
Any quantity that has both magnitude and direction is called a vector quantity.

 6.  

⃗ 
If S S→ has a magnitude of 18 and a direction of 225° then the xx and yy -

⃗ 
components of S S→ to the nearest integer are _______ .

a. -13, -13

b. -13, 13

c. 13, 13

d. 13, -3

Solution:
x - component = r cos θ 

x = 18 cos 225°

x = -12.727922

y-component = r sin θ 
y = 18 sin 225°

y = -12.727922

To the nearest integer, the x - component is -13 and the y - component is -13.

 7.  

⃗  ⃗ 
Use the vectors in the figure to find the resultant of A A→ + B B→ - C C→. ⃗ 

a. Figure 4

b. Figure 1

c. Figure 2

d. Figure 3

Solution:

To get the resultant vector, connect the tail of one vector to the head of the other.
 8.  

If PQ → PQ→ has a magnitude of 4 and a direction of 70° then, the xx and yy-

components of PQ → PQ→ to the nearest integer are ______ .

a. -1, 4

b. 4, 1

c. 1, 1

d. 1, 4

Solution:
x - component = r cos θ

x = 4 cos 70°

[r = 4; θ = 70°.]

x = 1.36808

y - component = r sin θ 

y = 4 sin 70°

[r = 4; θ = 70°.]

y = 3.75877

To the nearest interger, the x - component is 1 and the y - component is 4.

 9.  

A vector quantity is represented by ______ .

a. A segment
 b. A curve

c. A directed line segment

d. A line

Solution:
A vector quantity is represented by a direct line segment (or) arrow.

 10.  

If AB → AB→ has a magnitude of 12 and a direction of 105° then the xx and yy -

components of AB → AB→ to the nearest integer are ______ .

a. 3, 12

b. -3, -12

c. -3, 12

d. 3, -12

Solution:
x - component = r cos θ

x = 12 cos 105°

[r = 12; θ = 105°.]

x = -3.105828

y - component = r sin θ

y = 12 sin 105°

y = 11.5911099

To the nearest interger, the x-component is - 3 and the y-component is 12.

11.  

If OA → OA→ has a magnitude of 6 and a direction of 35° then the xx and yy-

components of OA → OA→ to the nearest integer are ______ .

a. 3, -5

b. -5, 3

c. 3, 5

d. 5, 3

Solution:
x - component = r cos θ

x = 6 cos 35°

[r = 6; θ = 35°.]

x = 4.9149122

y - component = r sin θ 

y = 6 sin 35°

[r = 6; θ = 35°.]

y = 3.441458

To the nearest interger, the x - component is 5 and the y - component is 3.

 12.  
An airplane is flying in a direction of 42° from north with 150 mi/h. The wind is
blowing from due north at18 mi/h. Find the ground speed of the plane.

a. 10527

b. 237

c. 18811

d. 137

Solution:
a2 = b2 + c2 - 2bc cos A
[Use law of cosines.]

||OB→ ||2 = 1502 + 182 - 2(150)(18) cos 42°

[a = ground speed, b = air speed, c = wind speed and ∠ A = ∠ OAB = ∠ AON.]

= 18811.02

||OB→ || = 137.15

The ground speed of the plane is about 137 mi/h.

 13.  

Two forces of 10 lb and 24 lb act on a body at right angles. Find the resultant force.
a. 34 lb
 b. 17 lb

c. 25 lb

d. 26 lb

Solution:

|| AC→ ||2 = || AB→ ||2 + || BC→ || 2

= 102 + 242

|| AC→ ||2 = 676

|| AC→ || = 26 lb

So, the resultant force is 26 lb.

 14.  

Two forces of 42 lb and 34 lb act on a body and the resultant force is 52 lb. Find the
measure of the angle between the two forces.

a. 94°20′

b. 85°40′

c. 28°32′

d. 62°28′

Solution:

cos θ = OA→²+OB→²-AB→²2OA→⋅OB→
[Apply cosine rule.]

= 422 + 342 - 5222(42)(34) 

[Substitute.]

cos θ = 0.07563

θ = 85°40′

The measure of the angle between the forces is 180° - 85°40′ = 94°20′.

 15.  

⃗ 
If T T→ has a magnitude of 22 and a direction of 160°, then the xx and yy-

⃗ 
components of T T→ to the nearest integer are ______ .

a. -20, 7

b. -21, 8

c. -21, -8

d. 21, -8

Solution:
x - component = r cos θ

x = 22 cos 160°

[r = 22; θ = 160°.]

x = -20.6732

y - component = r sin θ 

y = 22 sin 160°

y = 7.52444

To the nearest integer, the x - component is - 21 and the y - component is 8.

 16.  

Use the vectors in the figure to find the resultant of AB → ⃗ 

AB→ + P P→. 

a. Figure 4

b. Figure 1

c. Figure 2

d. Figure 3

Solution:

To get the resultant vector, connect the tail of one vector to the head of the other.

 17.  
 ⃗ 
Use the vectors in the figure to draw 2(P P→ + Q Q→). ⃗ 

a. Figure 1

b. Figure 2

c. Figure 4

d. Figure 3

Solution:

To get the resultant vector, connect the tail of one vector to the head of the other.

 18.  
 ⃗ 
Use the vectors in the figure to draw P P→ - 2·Q Q→. ⃗ 

a. Figure 4

b. Figure 1

c. Figure 3

d. Figure 2

Solution:

To get the resultant vector, connect the tail of one vector to the head of the other.

 19.  

The bearing of a vector is the angle measured clockwise from the __ around to the
vector.
a. North
 b. South

c. West

d. East

Solution:
The bearing of a vector is the angle measured clockwise from the north around to the
vector.

Solutions and detailed explanations to projectile problems are presented .

These solutions may be better understood whenprojectile equations are first
reviewed.

Problem 1: An object is launched at a velocity of 20 m/s in a direction making

an angle of 25° upward with the horizontal. 

a) What is the maximum height reached by the object? 

b) What is the total flight time (between launch and touching the ground) of
the object? 

c) What is the horizontal range (maximum x above ground) of the object? 

d) What is the magnitude of the velocity of the object just before it hits the
ground?

Solution to Problem 1: 

a) The formulas for the components Vx and Vy of the velocity and components
x and y of the displacement are given by 

Vx = V0 cos(θ)       Vy = V0 sin(θ) - g t 

x = V0 cos(θ) t       y = V0 sin(θ) t - (1/2) g t2 

In the problem V0 = 20 m/s, θ = 25° and g = 9.8 m/s2. 

The height of the projectile is given by the component y, and it reaches its
maximum value when the component Vy is equal to zero. That is when the
projectile changes from moving upward to moving downward.(see figure
above) and also the animation of the projectile. 

Vy = V0 sin(θ) - g t = 0 

solve for t 

t = V0 sin(θ) / g = 20 sin(25°) / 9.8 = 0.86 seconds 

Find the maximum height by substituting t by 0.86 seconds in the formula for
y 

maximum height y (0.86) = 20 sin(25°)(0.86) - (1/2) (9.8) (0.86) 2 = 3.64

meters 

b) The time of flight is the interval of time between when projectile is launched:
t1 and when the projectile touches the ground: t2. At t = t1 and t = t2, y = 0
(ground). Hence 
V0 sin(θ) t - (1/2) g t2 = 0 

Solve for t 

t(V0 sin(θ) - (1/2) g t) = 0 

two solutions 

t = t1 = 0 and t = t2 = 2 V0 sin(θ) / g 

Time of flight = t2 - t1 = 2 (20) sin(θ) / g = 1.72 seconds. 

c) In part c) above we found the time of flight t2 = 2 V0 sin(θ) / g. The

horizontal range is the horizontal distance given by x at t = t2. 

range = x(t2) = V0 cos(θ) t2 = 2 V0 cos(θ) V0 sin(θ) / g = V02 sin(2θ) / g = 202 sin

(2(25°)) / 9.8 = 31.26 meters 

d) The object hits the ground at t = t2 = 2 V0 sin(θ) / g (found in part b above) 

The components of the velocity at t are given by 

Vx = V0 cos(θ)       Vy = V0 sin(θ) - g t 

The components of the velocity at t = 2 V0 sin(θ) / g are given by 

Vx = V0 cos(θ) = 20 cos(25°)       Vy = V0 sin(25°) - g (2 V0 sin(25°) / g) = -

V0 sin(25°) 

The magitude V of the velocity is given by 

V = √[ Vx2 + Vy2 ] = √[ (20 cos(25°))2 + (- V0 sin(25°))2 ] = V0 = 20 m/s

Problem 2: A projectile is launched from point O at an angle of 22° with an

initial velocity of 15 m/s up an incline plane that makes an angle of 10° with
the horizontal. The projectile hits the incline plane at point M. 

a) Find the time it takes for the projectile to hit the incline plane. 
b)Find the distance OM. 

Solution to Problem 2: 

a) The x and y components of the displacement are given by 

x = V0 cos(θ) t       y = V0 sin(θ) t - (1/2) g t2 

with θ = 22 + 10 = 32° and V0 = 15 m/s 

The relationship between the coordinate x and y on the incline is given by 

tan(10°) = y / x 

Substitute x and y by their expressions above to obtain 

tan(10°) = ( V0 sin(θ) t - (1/2) g t2) / V0 cos(θ) t 

Simplify to obtain the equation in t 

(1/2) g t + V0 cos(θ) tan(10°) - V0 sin(θ) = 0 

Solve for t 

V0 sin(θ) - V0 cos(θ) tan(10°) 15 sin(32°) - 15 cos(32°) tan(10°)

t=  =  = 1.16 s
0.5 g 0.5 (9.8)
b) 

OM = √[ (V0 cos(θ) t)2 + ( V0 sin(θ) t - (1/2) g t2)2 ] 

OM (t=1.16)= √[ (15 cos(32) 1.16)2 + ( 15 sin(32) 1.16 - (1/2) 9.8 (1.16)2)2 ] =

15 meters

Problem 3: A projectile is to be launched at an angle of 30° so that it falls

beyond the pond of length 20 meters as shown in the figure. 

a) What is the range of values of the initial velocity so that the projectile falls
between points M and N? 

Solution to Problem 3: 

a) The range is given by x = V02 sin(2θ) / g 

We want to have the range greater than OM and smaller that ON, with OM =
10 + 20 = 30 m and ON = 10 + 20 + 10 = 40 m 

30 < V02 sin(2θ) / g < 40 

30 g / sin(2θ) < V02 < 40 g / sin(2θ) 

√ [ 30 g / sin(2θ) ] < V0 < √ [ 40 g / sin(2θ) ] 

18.4 m/s < V02 < 21.2 m/s

Problem 4:A ball is kicked at an angle of 35° with the ground. 

a) What should be the initial velocity of the ball so that it hits a target that is 30
meters away at a height of 1.8 meters? 

b) What is the time for the ball to reach the target? 

Solution to Problem 4: 

a) 

x = V0 cos(35°) t 

30 = V0 cos(35°) t 

t = 30 / V0 cos(35°) 

1.8 = -(1/2) 9.8 (30 / V0 cos(35°))2 + V0 sin(35°)(30 / V0 cos(35°)) 

V0 cos(35°) = 30 √ [ 9.8 / 2(30 tan(35°)-1.8) ] 

V0 = 18.3 m/s 

b) 

t = x / V0 cos(35°) = 2.0 s
Problem 5: A ball kicked from ground level at an initial velocity of 60 m/s and
an angle θ with ground reaches a horizontal distance of 200 meters. 

a) What is the size of angle θ? 

b) What is time of flight of the ball?

Solution to Problem 5: 

a) 

Let T be the time of flight. Two ways to find the time of flight 

1) T = 200 / V0 cos(θ) (range divided by the horizontal component of the

velocity) 

2) T = 2 V0 sin(θ) / g (formula found in projectile equations) 

equate the two expressions 

200 / V0 cos(θ) = 2 V0 sin(θ) / g 

which gives 

2 V02 cos(θ)sin (θ) = 200 g 

V02 sin(2θ) = 200 g 

sin(2θ) = 200 g / V02 = 200 (9.8) / 602 

Solve for θ to obtain 

θ = 16.5° 

b) 

Time of flight = 200 / V0 cos(16.5°) = 3.48 s

Problem 6: A ball of 600 grams is kicked at an angle of 35° with the ground
with an initial velocity V0. 

a) What is the initial velocity V0 of the ball if its kinetic energy is 22 Joules
when its height is maximum? 

b) What is the maximum height reached by the ball

Solution to Problem 6: 

a) 

When the height of the ball is maximum, the vertical component of its velocity
is zero; hence the kinetic energy is due to its horizontal component Vx =
V0 cos (θ). 

22 = (1/2) m (Vx)2 

22 = (1/2) 0.6 (V0 cos (35°))2 

V0 = (1 / cos (35°)) √(44/0.6) = 10.4 m/s 

b) 

Initial kinetic energy (just after the ball is kicked) 

Ei = (1/2) m V02 = (1/2) 0.6 (10.4)2 = 32.4 J 

The difference between initial kinetic energy and kinetic energy when the ball
is at maximum height H is equal to gain in potential energy 

32.4 - 22 = m g H 

H = 10.4 / (0.6 * 9.8) = 1.8 m

Problem 7: A projectile starting from ground hits a target on the ground
located at a distance of 1000 meters after 40 seconds.

a) What is the size of the angle θ? 

b) At what initial velocity was the projectile launched?

Solution to Problem 7: 

a) 

Vx = V0 cos (θ) = 1000 / 40 = 25 m/s 

Time of flight = 2 V0 sin (θ) / g (formula found in projectile equations) 

= 40 s 

V0 sin (θ) = 20 g 

Combine the above equation with the equation V0 cos (θ) = 25 m/s found
above to write 

tan (θ) = 20 g / 25 

Use calculator to find θ = 82.7 ° 

b) 

We now use any of the two equations above to find V0. 

V0 cos (θ) = 25 m/s 

V0 = 25 /cos (82.7 °) = 196.8 m/s

Problem 8: The trajectory of a projectile launched from ground is given by the

equation y = -0.025 x2 + 0.5 x, where x and y are the coordinate of the
projectile on a rectangular system of axes. 

a) Find the initial velocity and the angle at which the projectile is launched.

Solution to Problem 8: 

a) 
y = tan(θ) x - (1/2) (g / (V0 cos (θ))2 ) x2 (formula found in projectile equations) 

hence tan(θ) = 0.5 which gives θ = arctan(0.5) = 26.5 ° 

-0.025 = -0.5 (9.8 / (V0 cos (26.5 °))2 ) 

Solve for V0 to obtain V0 = 15.6 m/s

Problem 9: Two balls A and B of masses 100 grams and 300 grams
respectively are pushed horizontally from a table of height 3 meters. Ball has
is pushed so that its initial velocity is 10 m/s and ball B is pushed so that its
initial velocity is 15 m/s. 

a) Find the time it takes each ball to hit the ground. 

b) What is the difference in the distance between the points of impact of the
two balls on the ground?

Solution to Problem 9: 

a) The two balls are subject to the same gravitational acceleration and
therefor will hit the ground at the same time t found by solving the equation 

-3 = -(1/2) g t2 

t = √ (3(2)/9.8) = 0.78 s 

b) Horizontal distance XA of ball A 

XA = 10 m/s * 0.78 s = 7.8 m 

Horizontal distance XB of ball B 

XB = 15 m/s * 0.78 s = 11.7 m 

Difference in distance XA and XB is given by 

|XB - XA| = |11.7 - 7.8| = 3.9 m