The German University in Cairo

Physics Department
Sheet III Physics 101
Dr. Aladdin Abdul-Latif
1. The direction of any vector A in three-dimensional space can be specified by giving
the angles , , and that the vector makes with the x, y, and z axes, respectively. If

A A x i A y j A z k , (a) find expressions for cos , cos , and cos , and (b)

show that these angles satisfy the relation cos2 + cos2 + cos2 = 1. (Hint: Take the

scalar product of A with i , j , and k separately.)

2.
Vector A has a magnitude of 5.00 units, and B has a magnitude of 9.00 units. The
two vectors make an angle of 50.0 with each other. Find AB.
3.
For any two vectors A and B, show that AB = AxBx + AyBy + AzBz. (Suggestion: Write
A and B in unit vector.)
Note: In Problems 3 through 6, calculate numerical answers to three significant figures
as usual.
4. The work done by a force F in displacing an object a displacement

r is given by F. r

r 3 i j m . Find (a) the work done by the force on the particle and

A force F 6 i 2 j N acts on a particle that undergoes a displacement

(b) the angle between F and r.

5.

Find the scalar product of the vectors in Figure 1

Figure 1

6.

Using the definition of the scalar product, find the angles between

(a) A 3i 2 j and B 4i 4j ; (b) A 2 i 4 j and B 3i 4j 2 k ;

(c) A i 2 j 2k and B 3j 4 k .
7.

For A 3i j k , B i 2j 5k , and C 2j 3 k , find C (A B).

8. Noting that the kinetic energy of a particle of mass m is given by K.E= mv2, and from the
definition of the dot product, v2 = vv. Solve the following problem:

A 3.00-kg object has a velocity 6.00i 2.00 j m / s .

(a) What is its kinetic energy at this time?
(b) According to the work energy theorem the work done on an object equals the
change in its kinetic energy. Find the total work done on the object if its velocity

changes to 8.00 i 4.00 j m / s .

Section III.2 The Vector Product and Torque

1.

Given M 6i 2 j k and N 2 i j 3k , calculate the vector product

M N.

2.
The vectors 42.0 cm at 15.0 and 23.0 cm at 65.0 both start from the origin. Both
angles are measured counterclockwise from the x axis. The vectors form two sides of a
parallelogram. (a) Find the area of the parallelogram. (b) Find the length of its longer
diagonal.
3.
Two vectors are given by A 3i 4j and B 2i 3 . Find (a) A B and
(b) the angle between A and B.
4.
Two vectors are given by A 3i 7 j 4k and B 6 i 10 j 9k ,
evaluate the quantities (a) cos1[A B/AB] and (b) sin1[|A B|/AB]. (c) Which give(s)
the angle between the vectors?
5.
The wind exerts on a flower the force 0.785 N horizontally to the east. The stem
of the flower is 0.450 m long and tilts toward the east, making an angle of 14.0 with the
vertical. Find the vector torque of the wind force about the base of the stem.
6.

A student claims that she has found a vector A such that

2i 3 j 4k A 4 i 3 j k . Do you believe this claim? Explain.

7.
8.

If |A B| = A B , what is the angle between A and B?

A particle is located at the position vector

r = (i + 3j) m, and the force acting

on it is F 3 i 2 j N . What is the torque about (a) the origin and (b) the point
having coordinates (0, 6) m?
9.
Two forces F1 and F2 act along the two sides of an equilateral triangle as shown in
Figure 2. Point O is the intersection of the altitudes of the triangle. Find a third force F3
to be applied at B and along BC that will make the total torque zero about the point O.
What If? Will the total torque change if F3 is applied not at B but at any other point
along BC?

Figure 2