Problem Set 1: Vectors - Answer Key

Physics 71

February 22, 2019

1. (a) For a + b,
y, N

a+b b
45◦

x, E
O a

(b) For b − a,
y, N

−a
b

b−a 45◦

x, E
O

(c) For a + b,

ax + bx = 5 + 4 cos 135◦ = 2.17 ay + by = 0 + 4 sin 135◦ = 2.83

q 2.83
|a + b| = (2.17)2 + (2.83)2 θa+b = tan−1
2.17

1
 |a + b| = 3.57 θa+b = +52.5◦

For b − a,

bx +(−ax ) = 4 cos 135◦ +(−5) = −7.81 by +(−ay ) = 4 sin 135◦ −0 = 2.83

q 2.83
|b−a| = (−7.81)2 + 2.832 = 8.31 θb−a = 180◦ +tan−1
−7.81

|b − a| = 8.31 θb−a = 160.1◦

2. (a) The coordinate system is shown below:

z

x
y

In terms of unit vectors, the displacement of the penny is:

d = 1000î + 2000ĵ − 500k̂

(b) The resultant displacement is 0.

3. The generalized vector equation in two dimensions for three or more
vectors is

a + b + c + ... + n = r

The equivalent generalized scalar equations are:

ax +bx +cx +. . .+nx = rx ay +by +cy +. . .+ny = ry

2
 From the x- and y-components of r, we get its magnitude and direction
thus:
q ry
r= rx2 + ry2 tan−1
rx

In terms of its vector components, r can be written as

r = rx î + ry ĵ

4. The generalized vector equation in three dimensions for two vectors is

a+b=r

The equivalent generalized scalar equations are:

ax + bx = rx ay + by = ry az + bz = rz

From the x-, y- and z-components, its magnitude and direction can
be determined thus (spherical coordinates, see Math 55):

q
q rx2 + ry2 y
−1
r= rx2 + ry2 + rz2 θ = tan φ = tan−1
rz x

In terms of its vector components, r can be expressed as

r = rx î + ry ĵ + rz k̂

5. (a) −d: | − d| = 2.5 m direction is south

 
d d
(b) :   = 1.25 m direction is north
2 2
(c) −2.5d: | − 2.5d| = 6.75 m direction is south
(d) 4.0d: |4.0d| = 10 m direction is north