VECTORS

JEE(Mains & Advanced) Syllabus

1. Vector
2. Representation of Vector
3. Vector Addition
4. Subtraction of Vectors
5. Resolution of Vectors
6. Multiplication of two vectors
7. Lami's Theorem

Total No. of questions in Vectors are:

Solved examples……….......……………17
Level # 1 …….…………………………………29
Level # 2 …….…………………………………24
Level # 3 …….…………………………………16
Level # 4 ……………………………………….03

Total No. of questions………..…..…………...89

***
1. Students are advised to solve the questions of exercises (Levels # 1, 2, 3, 4) in the
same sequence
2. Level #3 is not for foundation course students, it will be discussed in Class XI.

VECTORS 26
 Index : Preparing your own list of Important/Difficult Questions

Instruction to fill

(A) Write down the Question Number you are unable to solve in column A below, by Pen.
(B) After discussing the Questions written in column A, strike off them in the manner so that
you can see at the time of Revision also, to solve these questions again.
(C) Write down the Question Number you feel are important or good in the column B.

COLUMN :A COLUMN :B
EXERCISE
NO. Questions I am unable
Good/Important questions
to solve in first attempt

Level # 1

Level # 2

Level # 3

Level # 4

Advantages

1. It is advised to the students that they should prepare a question bank for the revision as
it is very difficult to solve all the questions at the time of revision.

2. Using above index you can prepare and maintain the questions for your revision

VECTORS 27
 KEY CONCEPTS
(f) Collinear vectors :
1. VECTOR Two (or more) vectors are called collinear
(a) The physical quantities which have magnitude vectors if they have same or parallel supports.
and direction and which can be added according (g) Coplanar vectors :
to the triangle rule, are called vector quantities.
Examples : force, linear momentum, electric Three (or more) vectors are called coplanar
field, magnetic field etc. vectors if they lie in the same plane or are
parallel to the same plane. Two (free) vectors
(b) If a physical quantity has magnitude as well as
are always coplanar.
direction but does not add up according to the
triangle rule, it will not be called a vector (h) Negative vector :
quantity. Example Electric current in a wire has A vector having the same magnitude as that of
both magnitude and direction but there is no any
the given vector but directed in the opposite
meaning of triangle rule. Thus, electric current
is not a vector quantity. sense is called the negative of the given vector.
1.1 Various types of vectors. (i) Unit vector :
(a) Polar Vectors : A vector with magnitude of unity is called unit
Vectors having starting point (as in case of vector. Unit vector in the direction of a is
displacement) or point of application (as in case = a/|a|
of force) are polar vectors.

2. REPRESENTATION OF VECTOR
There are two methods for representation of vectors.
(a) Graphical method.
(b) Axial vectors (b) Mathematical method.
Vectors representing rotational effects and are
always along the axis of rotation in accordance
with right hand screw rule are axial vectors.
Ex. Angular displacement (); Angular velocity ();
Angular acceleration () ; Torque () etc.
1.2 Some other types of vectors :
(a) Zero vector : (a) Graphical method :
A vector with zero magnitude is called zero The length of the arrow shows the magnitude
vector. and head of the arrow shows the direction.
(b) Proper vector : (b) Mathematical Representation :
A vector with non-zero magnitude is called (i) In the form of components : If ax is a
proper vector.
component of any vector in x-direction, a y is a
(c) Like vectors:
component in y-direction and a z is component
Two (or more) vector are called like vectors if
in z-direction then
their supports are same or parallel and are in the
same sense.
(d) Unlike vectors : where ax, ay, az may be the co-ordinates of point a.
Two vectors are called unlike vectors if their
supports are same or parallel and are in the
opposite sense. (ii) Unit vector method : If we want to represent
(e) Equal vectors : any vector in mathematical form then we will
multiply the magnitude of that vector with unit
Two vectors are called equal (or equivalent) vector of the direction.
vectors if they have equal magnitude, same or
parallel supports and same sense. if a = magnitude of vector

VECTORS 28
 and = unit vector vector and this is the vector sum of three given
then =a vectors
Important Points :
(i) If we multiply a vector with negative sign, then
the magnitude will not change only direction
will change

Result : 1.
If three or more vectors themselves complete a
triangle or a polygon then their sum-vector cannot
be drawn. It means that the sum of these vectors is
zero.
(ii) Two vectors are called equal if their magnitudes
Result : 2.
and direction are same. So we can transfer any
vector (to any where) parallel to itself. If there are two vectors a1 and a2 with equal
magnitude, then the resultant of their addition will
bisect the angle between them.

(iii) If two vectors has same direction then the unit

vector of both of them will be similar. Because
magnitude of unit vector is unity. Result : 3.
If we add two different vectors a1 and a2 with equal
3. VECTOR ADDITION
magnitude and angle between them is 120º, then the
There are two methods for addition of vectors : resultant would bisect the angle and magnitude
3.1 Graphical method would be equal to each of the magnitude of vector.
3.2 Mathematical method 3.2 Mathematical method :
3.1 Graphical Method :
(i) Triangle rule (Used to add two vectors only) : 3.2.1 For two vectors :
If and are the two vectors to be added, a If two vectors and makes angle  to each other
then the magnitude of their vector addition
diagram is drawn in which the tail of
coincides with the head of . The vector joining
the tail of with the head of is the vector
sum of and . Figure shows the construction.

and if the resultant vector makes the angle  with

(ii) Polygon method : (used to add more than two the vector then it is given by
vectors) tan  =
We use this method for more than two vector.
Suppose are three vectors to be added.
A diagram is drawn in which the tail of
coincides with the head of and tail of
coincides with head of . The vector joining the
tail of and head of is called the resultant

VECTORS 29
 and if the resultant vector makes the angle  with the (a) See the figure below. Vector is in x–y plane
vector then it is given by and it makes the angle  with the x–axis.

tan  =

and R2 = (a + b cos )2 + (b sin )2

Where  is the angle between a and b

3.2.2 For more then two vectors (Component method) : (b) and are the projection of vector on
horizontal and vertical axis respectively.
(c) Applying trigonometric theory we can easily
find out that OB = A cos  and BA = A sin .
(d) So = +
 = = Ax + Ay
= A cos  + A sin 

6. MULTIPLICATION OF TWO VECTORS

= ax + ay + az
Two types of multiplication
= bx + by + bz 6.1 Scalar (or dot) product of two vectors.
= cx + cy + cz 6.2 Vector (or cross) product of two vectors.
6.1 Scalar (or dot) product of two vectors :
and R =
The scalar or dot product of two vectors a and b
= (ax + bx + cx) + (ay + by + cy) denoted by a. b (read as a dot b) its defined as
+ (az + bz + cz) a . b = |a| |b| cos  = ab cos 
Suppose az = bz = c z = 0 where a = |a| ; b = |b| and  is the angle between a and b
6.1.1 Remarks :
and = ax + ay
(1) If a = 0 or b = 0 we define a . b = 0
= bx – by (as  is meaningless)
(2) The dot product of two vectors is a scalar
= – cx + cy
quantity
So the resultant = Rx + Ry (3) If  = 0 (i.e. a and b are like vectors)
= (ax + bx – cx) + (ay – by + cy) a . b = ab (as cos 0 = 1)
(4) If  =  (i.e. a and b are unlike vectors) a
4. SUBTRACTION OF VECTORS . b = – ab (as cos  = –1)
(5) Condition for two vectors to be perpendicular;
Let and be two vectors. We define If a and b are perpendicular , the angle between
as the sum of the vector and the vector . To them is /2 and we obtain
subtract from , invert the direction of and add a. b = ab cos /2 = 0
to . Figure shows the process. Conversely, if a. b = 0 i.e. if ab cos  = 0 then
either a = 0 or b = 0 or cos  = 0 it follows that
either (or both) of the vectors is a zero or else
they are perpendicular.
(6) Note that a.b > 0 if 0  < /2 i.e. if angle
between vectors in acute.
a.b = 0 if  = /2 i.e. if a and b are
perpendicular.
a.b < 0 if /2 <    if angle between vectors
5. RESOLUTION OF VECTORS is obtuse
6.1.2 Geometrical interpretation of scalar product
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 Let OA and OB represent vectors a and b Since and are unit vectors along the
respectively. Then co-ordinate axes i.e. along three mutually perpendicular
lines, we have :
= 1.1 cos 0 = 1 similarly =1; =1
Also, = 1.1cos 90º = 1.1.0 = 0,
similarly = 0; =0
= 0; = 0, =0
a = |a| = |OA| = OA
6.1.5 Properties of scalar (or dot product)
b = |b| = |OB| = OB
(1) The scalar product is commutative
Let M, N be the feet of the perpendiculars
i.e. a. b = b.a
from A, B on OB, OA respectively
(2) If a, b are any vectors and m is any real number
Then magnitude of projection of a on b (scalar) then
= OM = OA cos  ( cos  = OM/OA in (ma) . b = m(a. b) = a . (m b)
OMA)
Corollary 1 : a (–b) = –(a . b) = (–a) . (b)
= a cos 
Corollary 2 : (–a) . (–b) = a. b
 a.b = ab cos  = b(a cos ) = b. (projection of a on b)
similarly magnitude of projection of b on a. 6.1.6 Scalar product of two vectors in terms of their
= ON = OB cos ( cos  = ON/OB in ONB) rectangular components.
= b cos  Let a = a1 + a2 + a3
a . b = ab cos  = a(b cos ) = a. projection of b on and b = b1 + b2 + b3
a. Thus a. b can be defined as the product of the
then a . b = (a1 + a2 + a3 ).(b1 + b2 + b3 )
modulus of one vector and the projection of the
other vector upon it. = a1b1 + a2b2 + a3b3
6.1.3 Remarks : Corollary 1: a. b = 0
(1) Given two vectors a and b, the projection of one If a1 b1 + a2 b2 + a3 b3 = 0
vector on another can be found by using the
formula. Thus if a  b or if a1 b1 + a2 b2 + a3 b3 = 0
Corollary 2 : a || b (collinear)
projection of a on b = a cos  =
if a1/b1 = a2/b2 = a3/b3

and projection of b on a = b cos  = 6.1.7 Angle between two vectors

cos  = a . b / ab
(ii) Angle between two vectors : Let a = a1 + a2 + a3
Angle between two vectors a and b can be
found by using and b = b1 + b2 + b3
Then a. b = a1b1 + a2b2 + a3b3
a . b = ab cos  cos  =
a = |a| = : |b| = b =
(iii) Square of a vector
The scalar product of a vector a with itself is
called the square of the vector a, and is written as cos  =
a. a or (a)2
(a)2 = a . a = aa cos 0 = a .a. 1 = a2 = |a|2
 = cos–1
The magnitude of a vector can be found by using
|a| = ( |a|2 = a . a) 6.1.8 Examples of dot product :
6.1.4 Squares and scalar products of (i) Work (W) is the dot product of force (F) and
displacement (r)
W=F.r
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 (ii) Power (P) is the dot product of force (F) and
velocity (v).
P=F.v
(iii) Electric flux () is the dot product of intensity
of electric field (E) and normal area A.
=E.A

6.2 Cross product or vector product of two vectors

The vector product or cross product of two vectors is (c) Cross product non-commutative :
defined as a vector having a magnitude equal to the
product of the magnitudes of two vectors with the
sine of angle between them and direction
(d) Follows distributive law :
perpendicular to the plane containing the two
vectors in accordance with right hand screw rule.
Thus if & are two vectors, then their vector (e) Does not follows associative law :
product written as × is a vector defined by
sin 
Where A and B are the magnitudes of and (f)
respectively and  is the smaller angle between the and
two. Where is the unit vector whose direction is
perpendicular to the plane containing the two (g)
vectors, in accordance with right hand screw rule.
6.2.1 Right hand screw rule :
(a) A right hand screw whose axis is perpendicular
to the plane framed by and is rotated from
to through the smaller angle between them, ×
then the direction of advancement of the screw = (ay bz – az by) + (az bx – ax bz)
gives the direction of × i.e.
+ (ax by – ay bx)
6.2.2 Properties of vector (or cross product)
(i) If a and b are any vectors, and m is any real
number (positive or negative) then
(m a) × b = m (a × b) = a × (m b)
(ii) The vector product is distributive w.r.t. addition
a × (b + c) = a × b + a × c
(b) Place the vector and tail to tail (this defines (iii) Vector product of two vectors in terms of their
a plane). Now place stretched fingers and thumb rectangular components
of right hand perpendicular to the plane of
a = a 1 + a 2 + a 3 , b = b1 + b2 + b3
and such that the fingers are along the
vectors .If the fingers are now closed through
smaller angle so as to go towards . The thumb a×b=
gives the direction of i.e. .

a × b = (a2b3 – a3b2) (a1b3 – a3b1)

+ (a1b2 – a2b1)
6.2.3 Unit vector perpendicular to two given vectors
Let be a unit vector perpendicular to two (non-
zero) vectors a, b and positive for right handed
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 rotation from a to b and  be the angle between the
vectors a, b then
a × b = ab sin 
|a × b| = ab sin 
Thus we get = a × b / |a × b|

7. LAMI’S THEOREM
If three forces P, Q and R are acting at a point then,
if the point is in equilibrium then, the vector
summation of P, Q and R should be zero. Then

VECTORS 33